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Liverpool face an early check of their Premier League title defence in opposition to Chelsea this weekend as Manchester City and Manchester United launch their quest to be champions. Arsenal, Everton and Leicester hope to construct on encouraging opening wins whereas Jose Mourinho wants a morale-boosting victory for Tottenham. AFP Sport appears to be like at a few of the important speaking factors forward of the motion.
Will big-spending Chelsea make Liverpool pay?
Chelsea’s assembly with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday has added edge after a feisty change between the managers over switch spending.
The London membership completed 33 factors behind the champions final season however have splashed out round 200 million kilos ($259 million) on new gamers.
By distinction, Liverpool have been comparatively quiet, including simply Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas up to now, with Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara more likely to observe.
Jurgen Klopp pointedly stated Liverpool couldn’t spend in the identical means as golf equipment owned by “countries” and “oligarchs” reminiscent of City and Chelsea through the coronavirus pandemic.
But Frank Lampard, who additionally grew to become embroiled in a spat with Liverpool’s bench in July, identified the Anfield aspect had spent huge in earlier seasons as they constructed their title-winning aspect.
Liverpool can be eager to chop out the defensive errors they dedicated in a 4-Three win in opposition to newly-promoted Leeds, however Mohamed Salah seemed in nice early season type as he scored a hat-trick on the opening weekend.
Chelsea had been additionally unconvincing winners in opposition to Brighton of their opening match, however Timo Werner, who selected to hitch the Blues regardless of curiosity from Liverpool, did impress in successful a penalty in opposition to the Seagulls.
Manchester City’s powerful activity
Manchester City are the bookmakers’ favourites to land a 3rd Premier League trophy in 4 seasons however face a troublesome opener in opposition to Wolves.
City boss Pep Guardiola has shored up his defence by signing Netherlands worldwide Nathan Ake and has added to his wealthy attacking choices, touchdown Ferran Torres from Valencia.
City scored 102 objectives final season as they completed second, however misplaced 9 matches as they surrendered their crown to Liverpool.
Both Manchester golf equipment are beginning every week later than different sides attributable to their European commitments final season.
Guardiola can be painfully conscious that his staff should be extra constant this marketing campaign and he can’t afford to let Klopp’s males open up an early lead.
But he’ll really feel nervous as he travels to face Wolves, who beat City twice final season, after a disrupted pre-season.
City duo Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez examined optimistic for coronavirus earlier this month, whereas Phil Foden was despatched dwelling by England after breaking coronavirus protocols whereas on worldwide responsibility.
Can Man Utd progress?
The problem dealing with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer forward of a match in opposition to Crystal Palace is methods to enhance on final season’s third-place end.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst as United put collectively a protracted unbeaten run, with a entrance three of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood offering the firepower.
But United have been comparatively quiet within the switch window, up to now including simply midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax, regardless of persistent hypothesis linking them with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
“When we signed Bruno Fernandes, we knew we needed that kind of player — now we’ve signed Donny and he’s a type of player I felt we needed in the squad,” stated Solskjaer.
Arsenal’s feel-good issue
Arsenal are buoyant after launching their season with a 3-Zero win at newly promoted Fulham and tying down captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for 3 extra years.
Mikel Arteta’s males, who host West Ham on Saturday, completed down in eighth place final season however ended their marketing campaign on a excessive, successful the FA Cup for a document 14th time.
They adopted that up by beating Liverpool on penalties within the season-opening Community Shield earlier than the announcement on Aubameyang this week that followers had craved.
“I want to become an Arsenal legend just like Thierry (Henry), Wrighty (Ian Wright), (Tony) Adams and (Dennis) Bergkamp,” he stated.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Everton v West Brom (1130 GMT), Leeds v Fulham (1400), Manchester United v Crystal Palace (1630), Arsenal v West Ham (1900)
Sunday
Southampton v Tottenham (1100), Newcastle v Brighton (1300), Chelsea v Liverpool (1530), Leicester v Burnley (1800)
Promoted
Monday
Aston Villa v Sheffield United (1700), Wolves v Manchester City (1915)
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