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Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho protects a proud private unbeaten dwelling document towards struggling Arsenal this weekend as followers return to the Premier League for the primary time since March. Pacesetters Spurs have amassed 21 factors after 10 video games and are forward of champions Liverpool on purpose distinction, whereas Arsenal are stumbling badly. Tottenham will likely be enjoying in entrance of two,000 followers at their dwelling floor, 24 hours after West Ham grow to be the primary membership to welcome supporters for a Premier League recreation since March.
Elsewhere, third-placed Chelsea host Leeds whereas Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool welcome Wolves to Anfield.
AFP Sport seems at among the essential speaking factors forward of the weekend motion within the Premier League:
Mourinho issue
Tottenham, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in rampant type, are on a nine-game unbeaten run within the Premier League whereas toothless Arsenal have stalled.
The Gunners, languishing in 14th spot within the desk, have scored simply 10 objectives in 10 league matches, and have discovered the online simply twice of their previous six video games.
No aspect outdoors the relegation locations has scored fewer.
Jose Mourinho has misplaced simply one in every of his 17 Premier League video games as a coach towards Arsenal and has by no means misplaced a house recreation towards them in any competitors as boss of Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham.
The Portuguese boss has brushed apart the importance of his eye-catching document towards the Gunners however will see little to worry from Mikel Arteta’s aspect on Sunday.
Fans return
Premier League stadiums have been empty since March after the coronavirus pandemic pressured followers to remain away.
But this weekend they are going to return in restricted numbers in some areas after the nationwide lockdown in England got here to an finish.
A complete of two,000 followers will likely be current on the London Stadium as West Ham host Manchester United on Saturday.
Midfielder Declan Rice instructed Sky Sports: “I think it’s a been a really long time coming. We’ve wanted the fans back for so long now, especially in a stadium like this, where we have had some special nights.
“We want it was a full stadium, clearly with us enjoying towards Manchester United, however that is clearly not meant to be, so 2,000 is nice.”
On the pitch, high-flying West Ham are going for a third straight home Premier League victory over United, who have climbed the table after three straight wins.
Home and away
Figures from technology company Gracenote show how home advantage in the Premier League has narrowed without crowds.
The firm analysed last season’s 288 Premier League matches with crowds and the 190 played since June with no spectators to see how the lack of fans had impacted on results in the Premier League.
The study found that the percentage of home wins has dropped from last season’s 44.8 percent with a crowd to 41.6 percent for matches played this season and last with no spectators.
Away wins have increased from 30.2 percent of last season’s 288 matches with spectators to 37.9 percent of the 190 played in empty stadiums.
Is Giroud undroppable?
Olivier Giroud has been a peripheral figure for Chelsea this season but has six goals already — including all four in his side’s 4-0 win against Sevilla in the Champions League this week.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has favoured new signing Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham in the Premier League, with no starts so far for the veteran Frenchman.
Lampard, whose third-placed side host Leeds on Saturday, hailed Giroud as the “final skilled” after the Sevilla game.
“He wasn’t at all times an everyday once I bought right here however as quickly as I got here in I might really feel the positivity of him as a participant — how he needs to coach, how he needs to have an effect on individuals whether or not he begins or not,” he said.
Fixtures (all times GMT):
Saturday
Burnley v Everton (1230), Manchester City v Fulham (1500), West Ham v Manchester United (1730), Chelsea v Leeds (2000)
Sunday
West Brom v Crystal Palace (1200), Sheffield Utd v Leicester (1415), Tottenham v Arsenal (1630), Liverpool v Wolves (1915)
Promoted
Monday
Brighton v Southampton (2000)
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