The Premier League returns after the international break, and this weekend could see a new team at the top of the table – for a few hours, at least.
Liverpool kick the weekend off with a chance to overtake Manchester City – who play later in the day – for first place when they host relegation-threatened Watford at Anfield.
Elsewhere this weekend, David Moyes and Patrick Vieira reunite with their former clubs, who still have much to play for this season, while two old Red Bull coaches collide at Elland Road.
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down four of the top matches to look forward to in the Premier League this week.
Liverpool vs Watford: Reds’ big chance to reclaim lead
Liverpool have a great opportunity to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the title race. A win over Watford at Anfield will see Jurgen Klopp and co. overtake City at the top of the table, although City could jump right back over the Reds if they beat Burnley later in the day.
The Premier League 2022 betting odds have Liverpool as massive favourites to extend their impressive winning run in the league to 10 straight games. The Reds have conceded just two goals during their nine-game win streak, which is a testament to their amazing defenders led by Virgil van Dijk.
Although, four of Liverpool’s strikers – Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz – will have had a physically and emotionally taxing international break with World Cup qualification on the line, so Watford – who are still in the midst of a relegation battle – will be keen to frustrate Klopp’s men in front of the Kop.
West Ham United vs Everton: Moyes meets struggling Everton
David Moyes is set to lead his West Ham side against his old club, Everton, who are still in the middle of a relegation scrap.
The Toffees are three points clear of the relegation zone after a crucial 1-0 win over Newcastle before the break, and another victory over West Ham would be huge in their quest for survival.
It certainly won’t be easy to go into the London Stadium and beat West Ham, who are still up in seventh place in the table. But the Hammers have seen a dip in form of late and also have their Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon to look forward to.
Perhaps Moyes can do his old club a favour by selecting a slightly less than full strength squad this weekend, which would give Everton a better chance of claiming a much-needed point.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal: Vieira faces top 4-chasing Gunners
Moyes isn’t the only manager reuniting with his old club this weekend. Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira will also be facing off against his old side when his Crystal Palace host the Gunners at Selhurst Park.
Vieira’s Eagles are flying high at the moment. They are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions (4 wins, 2 draws) and have reached the FA Cup semi-finals after their 4-0 thrashing of Everton just before the break. The young and dynamic front three of Wilfried Zaha, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise has been in great form at the moment, and they will be hungry for more goals.
But they will face some stiff competition against Arsenal, who are one of the form sides in the league. The Gunners have reeled off six wins in their last seven games, with their only loss coming against title-chasing Liverpool.
Thanks to that great run, Mikel Arteta’s side is in the driver’s seat for fourth place. They currently have a three-point lead over North London rivals Tottenham and still have a game in hand.
Arsenal have their own set of youngsters in Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli who are in fine form and could make this showdown at Selhurst Park quite an entertaining affair.
Leeds United vs Southampton: Old Red Bulls bosses lock horns
Last but not least, Leeds United are set to host Southampton at Elland Road in a battle of two former RB Leipzig bosses. Both Jesse Marsch and Ralph Hasenhuttl had stints as head coach of the German club, and they have stayed true to the high-pressing Red Bull style by adopting it to their Premier League clubs.
Marsch has made a decent start upon taking over at Leeds. After back-to-back defeats, he has picked up a couple of crucial Premier League 2022 results with late wins over Norwich and Wolves that have helped ease the Whites’ relegation fears.
With both clubs’ eagerness to press and get forward, this match has all the makings of an entertaining Premier League clash.
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