Match Focus: Premier League Top Matches - Gameweek 11
Chelsea vs Liverpool
There's little debate as to the biggest game of the weekend in the Premier League, with the curtain raiser for gameweek 11 seeing Chelsea host Liverpool. Plenty of the attention will be on the sidelines, where Jose Mourinho will take his place despite facing a touchline ban to face off against Jurgen Klopp. While the former is under severe pressure to keep his job, unravelling with each passing week, the German will have been buoyed by the first win of his tenure on Merseyside in midweek.
The two managers have gone head-to-head in the past, with Klopp getting the better of Mourinho in the 2012/13 Champions League, when managers of Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively. Dortmund picked up 4 points from two group meetings before dumping Mourinho's men out in the semi-finals courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate win.
Meetings between the two sides have generally been tight affairs, with Chelsea's 2-0 win at Anfield in 2014 representing the only time any of the last 8 encounters have been separated by more than a single goal. With only one of Liverpool's 10 league matches decided by more than a solitary strike all season, another close encounter is to be expected. Indeed, the Reds have been in a losing position just twice all season - fewer than any other side - so Chelsea will have another tough task having won just one of their last 7 matches in all competitions.
The performances of two creative Brazilians may well be key, with Willian perhaps the only Blues player to reach the standards expected of him this season. With an average WhoScored rating of 7.81 across his last 7 league and Champions League appearances he is certainly the man in form for the hosts.
For the visitors, Klopp will be hoping that Roberto Firmino can build on what was his strongest display yet in a Liverpool shirt in midweek. Fitness has hampered the 24-year old's progress to now but with 1.9 dribbles and 2.3 tackles per game in the league, he has shown glimpses of his potential and will hope to really announce himself to the watching world on Saturday.
View the full match preview with predicted line-ups here
Swansea vs Arsenal
While Garry Monk's men have had a tough run of late, earning some respite following their late win over Aston Villa, this game could still be a key indicator as to Arsenal's true title credentials. The Gunners have often followed up impressive runs with shock defeats and must avoid a repeat of last season's double header with Swansea, losing home and away to the Welsh outfit.
Arsene Wenger's side may have suffered a humiliating cup exit in the week but that will have done little to dent the confidence of the team's in form players - all of whom were rested against Sheffield Wednesday. The likes of Santi Cazorla (7.85), Alexis Sanchez (7.79) and Mesut Ozil (7.74) are Arsenal's highest rated players and will return to the line-up, though injuries to Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott have left the visitors lightweight on the right.
For the hosts, Andre Ayew - who scored his fifth goal of the season last time out - will look to pose Swansea's biggest threat having netted against the likes of Chelsea and United already. With Montero and Gomis' early season form waning, however, the Gunners will look to gain an advantage with nothing between the teams in recent meetings; each side winning 4 of the last 10 encounters.
View the full match preview with predicted line-ups here
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
After a scintillating start to the season Crsytal Palace's form has tailed off ahead of the visit of United, though Louis van Gaal's side have also suffered from inconsistency of late. The visitors have drawn back-to-back games in the league and cup, though Pardew's men are the only side yet to play out a stalemate in England's top-flight.
Wayne Rooney continues to bear the brunt of the criticism for the Red Devils and his profligacy while Anthony Martial has been shunted out wide has come under the microscope. The youngster continues to have a strong influence from the left, completing the most dribbles in the league in each of the last two gameweeks (7 apiece vs Everton and City), but has found chances harder to come by. Given that he is United's highest rated player by a distance (7.71 rating), he deserves the chance to lead the line once more.
The hosts, meanwhile, have a player hoping to prove a point this weekend as Wilfried Zaha prepares to face his former employers having failed to make the grade at Old Trafford. The 22-year old has completed more dribbles than any other Palace player (24), while only Jason Puncheon has created more chances (12) for the Eagles, and he would love to haunt his old club come Saturday.
View the full match preview with predicted line-ups here
Which matches are you looking forward to watching in the Premier League this weekend? Let us know in the comments below
