1. How far have Liverpool come under Klopp?
SATURDAY’S EVENING KICK-OFF should be a good barometer of how much progress Liverpool have made under Jurgen Klopp since the German coach took over back in October.
They will be hoping to prove their recent 3-2 defeat by Southampton was a minor blip, having gone unbeaten in eight matches before then.
The Anfield club can’t ask for a much bigger test than title-chasing Tottenham, however. Several of Spurs’ players are likely to be in a confident mood going into the game, after starring for England in the recent 3-2 win over Germany, with Harry Kane and Eric Dier both on target for Roy Hodgson’s side amid a memorable comeback from two goals down.
Moreover, with Tottenham trailing leaders Leicester by five points, a victory against a side of the calibre of Liverpool would be a serious boost to their morale and title hopes.
2. Will Leicester be positive?
Many people have been claiming that Leicester need to be more positive in order to ultimately claim Premier League silverware.
In The Guardian this week, Daniel Harris wrote: “Ranieri will be best served by ordering his team to play with adventure. They have a lead, the easiest run-in of the three challengers and a squad who have never experienced such hankering or thrill. Attacking options by no means guarantee glory and success but they represent the best chance of seizing it – and not only in sport, either.”
While the Foxes had been positively free-scoring in the first half of the season, caution has crept into their game recently as they come within sight of Premier League glory.
Four of Leicester’s last five games have been 1-0 wins, and the recent defeat of Newcastle was particularly nervy and fortuitous, with Claudio Ranieri’s side winning with their only shot on goal.
The Italian coach will hope his men can be more positive against Southampton on Sunday, as they surely can’t expect to be so lucky all the time.
3. Battle of the underachievers
Few Premier League sides have underachieved more so in recent times than Man United and Everton.
The Red Devils have endured a disappointing campaign despite having spent over £250million under Louis van Gaal, and currently only have an outside chance of Champions League qualification.
Everton, meanwhile, currently find themselves in 12th position, despite boasting a number of players in their team that could comfortably get in to most Premier League sides.
The two teams meet in Sunday’s 4pm kick-off, with the outcome wholly unpredictable owing to the sides’ mutual inconsistency this season, though United’s superior position in the table makes them slight favourites.
Everton, though, have picked up more points away from home than at Goodison (22 as opposed to 16), while they have beaten United in four of the teams’ last seven league meetings, so Roberto Martinez’s men seem well capable of causing an upset this weekend.
4. Is Hoolahan going to feature for Norwich?
Much has been made in recent times about Wes Hoolahan’s physical condition.
With Hoolahan turning 34 before the Euros this summer, he has hinted that the current campaign could be his last for Ireland, but Martin O’Neill subsequently played down these suggestions, telling reporters that the Dubliner hasn’t ran up as many miles on the clock as many other players in his age group.
There have also been past suggestions that Hoolahan can’t play two games in a week, and while he featured in both Ireland’s recent friendlies, his combined time on the field was less than 90 minutes.
But it will be interesting to see if he starts for Norwich in their pivotal relegation six-pointer against Newcastle tomorrow, with the Irish international having been an unused sub in the Canaries’ recent 1-0 win over West Brom.
5. Will Given start for Stoke?
While on punditry duty for Setanta during the Ireland game on Tuesday, Shay Given insisted he would be for available for Stoke’s clash at home to Swansea this weekend.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper has lost his status as Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper, but a run of Premier League matches could at the very least consolidate his place in the Euros squad.
However, despite Jack Butland’s injury, Given could still miss out on a starting spot this weekend, with Jakob Haugaard having already played in the FA Cup this season.
Speaking to reporters today, Mark Hughes was unwilling to divulge who would come in for Butland, saying: “I know who is playing and the lad who is going to play knows as well, but everyone else will have to wait and see.”
Interestingly, the Stoke website is less than optimistic about Given chances, suggesting: ”Jakob Haugaard is the likelier of the two to get the nod for his Premier League debut having featured in the FA Cup this year, especially with Shay Given having only recently returned to training following a long-term lay-off.”
All games kick-off at 3pm unless stated:
Saturday
Aston Villa v Chelsea (12.45)
Arsenal v Watford
Bournemouth v Man City
Norwich v Newcastle
Stoke v Swansea
Sunderland v West Brom
West Ham v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v Spurs (17.30)
Sunday
Leicester v Southampton (13.30)
Man United v Everton (16.00)
Originally published Friday at 16.00
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