EPL return sees heavyweight battle between Spurs and Liverpool

WINDHOEK, SEPT. 13 – The 2018/19 Premier League will resume with a full round of fixtures running from this Saturday, featuring a heavyweight battle between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

The Lilywhites and the Reds will battle in the early kick-off (13:30 CAT) at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with the hosts looking to become the first team to take points off Jurgen Klopp’s table-topping charges.

Spurs come into the game off the back of a surprise 2-1 loss to Watford and will hope that Liverpool’s attacking stars – especially Africans Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah – are leg-weary after their exertions and travel during the 2019 AFCON qualifiers this past weekend.

The afternoon games on Saturday feature an intriguing clash between champions Manchester City and promoted side Fulham, who will hope Ivorian midfield Jean Michael Seri continues his form in the Premier League as they chase an upset result at the Etihad Stadium.

Crystal Palace will hope to have the inspirational Wilfried Zaha back from injury when they head north to face Steve Mounie’s Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City’s defence – led by Sol Bamba – is sure to be given a tough time by a Chelsea attack featuring Eden Hazard and Willian, and Newcastle United will target a home win over Arsenal.

The Magpies, who are likely to feature Mohamed Diame in midfield, will need to show more ambition in attack but cannot afford to allow the Gunners – who will be spearheaded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – too much space and time at St James Park.

Saturday’s late kick-off is at Vicarage Road and sees a fascinating clash between Watford and Manchester United. The Hornets, who have been using Nigerian striker Isaac Success as an ‘impact’ substitute this season, have a 100 percent record and underlined their abilities with a win over Spurs last time out.

They will fancy their chances of defeating a United team which looks short on form and belief, even if they did return to winning ways by beating Burnley earlier this month. Watford are sure to offer a much more testing time for Jose Mourinho and his charges.

Sunday sees Wolverhampton Wanderers looking to add to Burnley’s woes when the teams meet at Molineux in the early kick-off, before Idrissa Gueye’s Everton look to do the same to Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United, who are rock bottom after four defeats from as many Premier League games.

The round wraps up on Monday night at St Mary’s, where Gabonese Mario Lemina and Malian Yves Bissouma are likely to go toe-to-toe in midfield in the south coast derby between Southampton and Brighton & Hive Albion.

Key match stats

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 154
Tottenham wins 43
Liverpool wins 71
Draws 40

Watford v Manchester United – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 23
Watford wins 3
Man United wins 16
Draws 4

Newcastle United v Arsenal – Head-to-Head, all competitions
Matches played 159
Newcastle wins 59
Arsenal wins 66
Draws 34

Premier League fixtures 15-17 September
All times CAT

Saturday 15 September
13:30: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Live on SS3 & Max1
16:00: Chelsea v Cardiff City – Live on SS6
16:00: Manchester City v Fulham – Live on SS3/SS10, Max1 & SelGO2
16:00: Newcastle United v Arsenal – Live on SS5
18:30: Watford v Manchester United – Live on SS3 & Max1

Sunday 16 September
14:30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley – Live on SS3, SS10, SelGO2
17:00: Everton v West Ham United – Live on SS3 & Max1

Monday 17 September
21:00: Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion – Live on SS3 & Max1 –  info@namibiadailynews.info