Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. – Okay, Jose Mourinho is back, and it’s about to be another rock and roll in the English Premiership.
It has been 50 weeks since the Sun led with the back-page headline “£40m to get Poch”, in which they detailed how Mauricio Pochettino was poised to take over from José Mourinho at Manchester United.

“The Tottenham boss is the ONLY contender to replace Mourinho next summer,” they insisted, adding that “Daniel Levy faces a huge battle to keep his manager”.

Mourinho did indeed leave United, and some time sooner than the summer, but he has since pulled off a complete reversal of fortunes.

Now it is Pochettino who is out of a job, and Mourinho who was head-hunted to replace him.
Today, he takes his new Spurs team to West Ham.

2) Can Zaha prosper against depleted Liverpool?
Liverpool could go 12 points clear of Manchester City before Pep Guardiola’s side kick off against Chelsea later today but to do that they will have to win at Selhurst Park without, in all likelihood, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, both of whom are set to miss out with ankle injuries.
With Robertson missing, Palace will no doubt hope that Wilfried Zaha keeps Trent Alexander-Arnold going backwards, in which case Liverpool would have far less creativity than usual from the full-back positions.

3) Emery hopes to cash in on Emirates home banker
It feels like a pivotal couple of weeks for Unai Emery although, in one way, the Arsenal head coach is on a hiding to nothing. Southampton simply must be beaten at the Emirates today if the home crowd are to afford him a modicum of breathing space.
Eight days later, a visit to Norwich will hold similar importance.
Arsenal really should win both, even allowing for their shoddy run before the international break, but that may only dampen the discord before Manchester City, United and Chelsea all visit within three weeks.

4) Leicester to prey on tired Brighton
Lewis Dunk has played every Premier League minute for Brighton this season at the heart of their defence, but after picking up five bookings, the Seagulls will have to do without Dunk and the injured Adam Webster here, against in-form Leicester and the league’s top scorer, Jamie Vardy.

5) Sky’s the limit for Chelsea if they can upset City
On Sunday night, pressed to comment on Chelsea’s title chances after making his England debut in Kosovo, Fikayo Tomori applied the neat trick of playing everything down while ruling nothing out. “We’re just focusing on ourselves…at the same time I don’t think we should limit ourselves to anything,” he said. If Frank Lampard’s side come away victorious at the Etihad then everyone would be forgiven for wondering what their ceiling really is.

6) Disruption at the back will test Blades
Sheffield United have been able to name the same back six for every league game of the season so far, and each member of it has done superbly. But this weekend Chris Wilder will have to change against Manchester United. On-loan goalkeeper Dean Henderson is forbidden from playing against his parent club, while the participation of John Egan, the linchpin of central defence, is in doubt owing to a calf problem picked up while playing for the Republic of Ireland on Monday.

7) Pukki to spoil the party at Goodison Park?
After this game Everton play Leicester, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in a row before Christmas, with Manchester City to follow on New Year’s Day. Teemu Pukki, fresh from two goals and an assist in Finland’s two international games holds the aces for the Canaries.

8) Neves can end Wolves’ lean run at Bournemouth
Wolves fans were not 100% serious when they sang that Rúben Neves is “better than Zidane”, but it was a fun tune with which to celebrate a fine player. In the last few weeks, the midfielder has shown signs of regaining his influence, especially going forward, and, could be key.

9) Don’t expect a thriller at Vicarage Road
Watford have the second-worst home record in the division, having mustered just three points (all from draws) in six games at Vicarage Road. Burnley have the second-worst away record in the division, having mustered just three points away from Turf Moor in six games – all from draws. Something has to give here.

10) Bruce returns to Villa Park with point to prove
Villa’s summer spending spree will not have been lost on Steve Bruce, who spent much of his tenure at the club operating with one hand behind his back. “We were practically bust…it was horrendous at the time,” he said on Thursday of the period before the NSWE group took over. – The Guardian