Can the Arsenal juggernaut roll on?
If Arsenal were looking for an easy way to make it five wins out of six in the league, then they couldn't have wished for a better opponent than Sunderland. In the early Saturday kick-off, David Moyes is going to be praying that Arsenal are off the boil, like they were in the tense goalless draw against Middlesbrough last week. But that's wishful thinking. If Özil and Sanchez are in even 10 percent of the form they have showed this season, then Moyes could still be waiting for his first win of the season. Arsenal, however, will have to guard against the complacency that almost cost them the game last week. The top's too crowded to drop points. All indicators, however, point to a one-sided goal fest at the Stadium of Light.
Pep could soon find out what Pulis pain means
With no wins in their last three league games (six in total), intensity's Pep Guardiola and his stylists in sky blue are looking to make a statement. The only problem is they're up against a West Brom team managed by a man who believes two passes is one too many, and 10 men at the back constitutes an attacking formation. OK, that's a bit harsh, after all West Brom did dismantle West Ham and hold Spurs to a 1-1 draw. But Pep will need Agüero, Silva, and De Bruyne to really sing if he wants to penetrate Pulis's defense. Dropped points at the Hawthorns could see Guardiola slip into a snarling, snapping pack.
Will Spurs finally go Fox hunting this season?
Sitting miserably in 12th, Claudio Ranieri's champions have been more erratic than an ECG during a panic attack, but they're up against a Tottenham side that has almost slipped into a stupor, having drawn their last two games. With Vardy back leading the line and Mahrez, Slimani and Okazaki looking dangerous, Leicester could edge Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino, however, will have made sure that this time his team knows what's at stake: a win here could propel Spurs to the top of the table. Both teams have stuttering attacks and it's likely that a congested midfield will decide this game. Look for a lot of players running around frantically.
Palace set to fly like an eagle
When Alan Pardew was asked if he'd be up for the England job, he replied by questioning why he would ever leave Crystal Palace (what with it having its own eagle and all). But if he comes up against a Liverpool firing on all cylinders then he may wish for the relative lack of expectation that goes along with anyone managing the national side. Jürgen Klopp's team has not lost in the last five league games (they've drawn once) and are looking every bit a title-tilting side, and with Palace coming off a hiding from Leicester, this could be a one-sided affair. But to be fair, they are playing at Selhurst Park, and let's face it, Klopp's side is as likely to implode as it is to scream away with this one.
It's time for Mourinho's glamour boys to step up
Manchester United and Jose Mourinho will still be licking the wounds, so brutally inflicted by Chelsea in last week's 4-0 pasting. Even a slim victory over city rivals Manchester City (albeit playing at half-strength) in the EFL Cup will do little to make The Lonely One look at this tie in any manner other than a Must Win. Burnley have just superbly beaten a solid, if unspectacular, Everton side, and will fancy themselves to send Mourinho back to the Lowry with fond thoughts of easier days in London. The law of averages, however, dictates that at some point Henrik Mkhitaryan will get a run-out, Paul Pogba will play up to his price tag, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to stop pretending he's a FIFA 17 glitch wandering around aimlessly. Sean Dyche – or the Ginger Mourinho, although we don't know how lonely he is to be honest – will be looking to Old Trafford with a little trepidation, but will also allow himself to hope that a dreary United turn up.
Which Chelsea will turn up at St Mary's?
Poor Antonio Conte. One day his team's humiliating Jose Mourinho and the next they're a sideshow to a brawl. Chelsea's performance midweek against West Ham was woeful. That's even worse considering West Ham's form has been the very epitome of woeful (their fans are giving it a right go, mind). Now they've got to prove they're title material when they head to St Mary's, where they face a Southampton team that hasn't lost in six league games. If the Saints' display against Man City is anything to go by, then the Blues could be in for a long night. Mark Hughes's men have finally found a sliver of form and will be loathe to let Hazard, Costa and gang end it. One reckons that Chelsea will require the top four teams to drop points if they want to stay within touching distance of the top.
