Premier League, it’s not just at the Etihad Stadium. Three more games are scheduled at 4pm: news and predictions
The last two days before the unusual break for the World Cup, the first in history to be played in the autumn. Two more rounds of the English top flight will be played between now and 13 November. Then it will start again directly on 26 December, on the traditional Boxing Day, just a few days before the end of the World Cup. After twelve days at the top of the table is Arsenal, who are two points ahead of defending champions Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s team is the only big side to take to the pitch on Saturday, facing Fulham at the Etihad Stadium. But ahead of the 6.30pm post-match between Everton and Leicester, there are three more matches on the calendar at the same time as the Citizens take on the Cottagers, some of which are interesting clashes between sides likely to be fighting for safety.
Elland Road, for example, will host the match between hosts Leeds and newly promoted Bournemouth, two teams currently separated by just one point. For both, the relegation zone is just a stone’s throw away and a defeat risks being detrimental. The Cherries have played a game more than the Whites, who last Saturday put a stop to their long losing streak by beating Anfield Road. The historic 2-1 defeat against Liverpool ‘saved’ the shaky bench of coach Jesse Marsch and could give the impetus to Cooper and his companions to obtain another positive result. On the other hand, Bournemouth have not won for almost a month and come from three defeats in a row. They are also likely to score at least one goal each, as these two defences are far from solid.
De Zerbi and his Brighton side looking for continuity
Steve Cooper, Nottingham Forest coach
Nottingham Forest are immediately back on earth, alone again at the bottom of the Premier League table. The Garibaldi Reds, after doing the feat by narrowly beating Liverpool at the City Ground, conceded five goals in the last round at the Emirates Stadium against the leading Arsenal, confirming that they have the worst defence in the tournament along with that of the other newly promoted team Bournemouth. At home, however, Steve Cooper’s men seem to have an extra gear and against Brentford, who currently occupy a relatively quiet position – 11th, close to the European zone – they should at least manage to avoid defeat.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, who, against former Graham Potter’s Chelsea, returned to winning ways after five days. For the Seagulls it was a memorable afternoon, in which they overwhelmed the Blues 4-1 and shone again. They could well repeat that in the away fixture against one of the most struggling sides, Wolverhampton, who are riddled with absences, second to last in the table and have the league’s least prolific attack.
Premier League: possible winners
- Leeds or draw (in Leeds-Bournemouth, 4pm)
- Nottingham Forest or a draw (in Nottingham Forest-Brentford, 4pm)
- Brighton (in Wolverhampton-Brighton, 16:00)
The match with at least one goal per team
Leeds-Bournemouth, 4pm