1. Will Jose park the bus again?
JOSE MOURINHO RECEIVED a mixed reception for his team’s tactics on Monday night against Liverpool.
Mourinho was praised in some quarters, with words like “defensive masterclass” and “discipline” used to described the dull 0-0 draw during the week.
However, not everyone was enamoured with the Special One’s tactics.
Writing in the Evening Standard, Harry Redknapp claimed that “Manchester United fans want attacking football, not a Jose Mourinho ‘defensive masterclass,’” while suggesting that the Red Devils need to be more positive against Chelsea
It will therefore be interesting to see what strategy the Special One adopts.
Facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is hardly much easier than travelling to Anfield, so it would be no surprise to see him divide the critics again with another negative display.
2. West Brom a potential banana skin for Liverpool
West Brom are one of those unusual sides who often seem to play better the bigger the team they face.
They’ve taken points off Tottenham and West Ham already, but they’ve also dropped points against Sunderland and Stoke.
Liverpool have started the season well and are currently fourth, two points off leaders Man City.
Many people have even tipped Jurgen Klopp’s side to challenge for the title, with the lack of European football to worry about one significant advantage they have over most of their rivals.
Facing the Baggies at Anfield is a match they would be expected to win, but while their high-pressing style has been extremely effective for the most part, the Reds have at times found it difficult against inferior sides — the 2-0 learly-season loss to Burnley is a prime example, while the 2-1 win over Swansea was less than convincing.
West Brom are a side who could potentially frustrate Liverpool — Tony Pulis’ side will allow their opponents to have plenty of possession, but their stubborn rearguard has quelled a fine Tottenham side twice in recent months, so it could be a similarly anxious afternoon at Anfield this weekend
3. Tottenham feeling Kane’s absence
Spurs initially seemed to be going well without the absence of star man Harry Kane.
Victories over Man City, CSKA and Middlesborough suggested Tottenham were well able to cope without the England international, but in recent matches against West Brom and Bayer Leverkusen, they have looked below par in attack.
Vincent Janssen still only has one League Cup goal to his name, while Son Heung-min was not his usual prolific self in the Champions League during the week.
Their midfield at times also looks short of creativity. Midfielders such as Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier and Moussa Sissoko are all excellent athletes and defensively solid — Spurs have conceded just four goals so far in the league this season — but they’re unlikely to score too many goals or create multiple chances.
Consequently, while Tottenham are well set up defensively to deal with sides who attack them such as Man City, they have struggled to open up the likes of West Brom and Everton.
Away to Bournemouth on Saturday, they face another stiff test, with the Cherries already taking points off Everton and Crystal Palace, while their most recent match was a highly impressive 6-1 defeat of Hull.
4. Arsenal playing the best football in England right now
At the moment, it’s hard to identify a Premier League side playing more effective or attractive football than Arsenal at the moment — only Man City have emulated the 19 goals that Arsene Wenger’s side have managed.
Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott have all been in excellent form and while not too much can be read into their 6-0 defeat over Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad given the poor standard of the opposition, they sit second with only goal difference separating themselves and leaders Man City.
Summer signings such as Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka have settled in well, ostensibly given the team the kind of backbone they have patently lacked in recent seasons.
It’s premature, of course, to label Arsenal title contenders though one vital factor in how their season pans out will be the defence.
Over the years, Arsenal have have tended to have an excellent defensive record overall in the league, but when they are up against the top teams, they are prone to falling apart, which is what happened in their opening day 4-3 defeat at home to Liverpool.
Fixtures (all kick-offs Saturday 3pm unless stated otherwise)
Bournemouth v Spurs (Saturday 12.30pm)
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Burnley v Everton
Hull v Stoke
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Swansea v Watford
West Ham v Sunderland
Liverpool v West Brom (Saturday 5.30pm)
Man City v Southampton (Sunday 1.30pm)
Chelsea v Man United (Sunday 4pm)
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