Misfiring Spurs seek derby boost vs Arsenal
MANCHESTER (Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur head into Sunday’s North London derby badly in need of the injection of confidence that a victory over old rival Arsenal would bring.
Spurs suffered a surprise home defeat by Newcastle United last weekend, a lackluster performance that showed they have yet to find their feet in this campaign.
With manager Mauricio Pochettino in downbeat mood and worrying about the potential loss of players before the European transfer window closes, there has been a strange mood around a club which was the Champions League runner-up last season.
As Brazilian forward Lucas Moura noted, however, there is nothing like a derby to set the pulses racing.
“Is this the perfect game for us to have after the Newcastle defeat? Yes. There are plenty of tough games to come. We need to get back to work and beat Arsenal,” said Moura.
The Gunners suffered a reverse of a different kind, falling to a 3-1 loss at early leader Liverpool, and will be desperate to avoid a derby defeat.
Spanish manager Unai Emery may be tempted to go with a three-pronged attack for the first time with new arrival Nicolas Pepe impressing on the right-wing and offering a potentially potent trident with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Brazilian defender David Luiz, a late close-season signing from Chelsea, suffered a tough time against Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah at Anfield and will need to up his game against Tottenham.
Liverpool travels to Burnley on Saturday for a fixture which manager Jurgen Klopp believes is “tricky” for his side.
On paper, a team which has enjoyed a club record-equaling 12 straight league wins and has scored nine goals in its three games, shouldn’t have too many concerns about facing the Clarets, who spent last season fighting the drop.
Although Liverpool won last season’s meeting at Turf Moor 3-1, it trailed until the 62nd minute and Klopp will remember the Reds’ 2-0 loss to Sean Dyche’s side three years ago.
Champion Manchester City is two points behind Liverpool, but will expect to take care of business at the Etihad against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Pep Guardiola’s side clinched the title with a 4-1 win at Brighton on the final day of last season, although the south coast team has strengthened under new manager Graham Potter.
After beating Chelsea 4-0 in its opener, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United has drawn at Wolves and lost at home to Crystal Palace, and Saturday’s visit to Southampton will be a test of a young United side’s ability to bounce back.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, fresh from its first win of the season at Norwich City, hosts Sheffield United on Saturday.
On TV: English Premier League
Round 4: Saturday: Southampton vs Manchester United (live on Sport 1 at 2:30 p.m.); Chelsea vs Sheffield United (live on Sport 1 at 5 p.m.); Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (live on Sport 2 at 5 p.m.); Burnley vs Liverpool (live on Sport 1 at 7:30 p.m.). Sunday: Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (live on Sport 1 at 4 p.m.); Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur (live on Sport 1 at 6:30 p.m.).