United looking for hat-trick of wins
Fresh from consecutive 4-0 wins, Manchester United will be aiming for a hat-trick of victories when they face 2015 champions Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s side have been the most impressive of any of the title contenders in the Premier League so far, with new signing Romelu Lukaku claiming three goals from the opening two games.
Leicester have also given their fans plenty of encouragement with a confident 2-0 win over promoted Brighton following their 4-3 defeat at Arsenal in the league’s opening game.
If United needed any reminder of the threat that manager Craig Shakespeare’s team pose on the break, Leicester led 3-1 at the Emirates before Arsenal’s late comeback.
Recent form in head-to-head games suggests United should have the upper hand though — they triumphed 4-1 in the corresponding fixture last season and then enjoyed a 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea bounced back from their opening-day shock home defeat to Burnley, with victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley last week. But they face another tough test against Everton on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman’s Everton impressed in their 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Monday with Wayne Rooney scoring his second goal in as many games.
Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is available for selection after completing his suspension but skipper Gary Cahill remains suspended after his red card.
Everton will be without French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who was sent off at the Etihad on Monday, and also have to cope with a tight schedule that sees them travel to Croatia on Thursday for a second-leg Europa League tie with Hajduk Split.
Wembley Stadium will see a repeat of the 1962 FA Cup Final when “home side” Spurs host Burnley, who are looking to bounce back from their loss against Chelsea last week. Promoted Huddersfield Town look to extend their 100% record when they host Southampton.
Liverpool, who qualified for the Champions League group stage on Wednesday with a win over Hoffenheim, have their biggest test of the Premier League season so far when they host Arsenal at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans may be relieved that Barcelona are trying to sign Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho and are not bidding for Sadio Mane.
Another electric performance by the Senegal winger against Hoffenheim drew more rave reviews for a player who has become even more indispensable to Liverpool than the Brazilian. Social media was full of jokes about whether Barcelona realise they are trying to buy the wrong player.
“If Coutinho’s 100 and odd million, then Mane’s 200 and odd million,” said former England striker Ian Wright in a Twitter post that captured the mood on Merseyside.
Hoffenheim never came to terms with Mane’s ability to break defensive lines at pace or his ingenuity when in sight of goal. His two back heels played a part in both Emre Can’s goals as Liverpool, without Coutinho, romped to a 4-2 win.
“[Mane’s] a special player,” said former favourite Steven Gerrard on BT Sport. “He’s becoming a fan favourite here, he scores all kinds of different goals. Lots of pace and he’s a threat all over the pitch.”
The statistics bear out the astonishing effect Mane has had on Liverpool since joining them last summer in a £34m move from Southampton.
Since then, Liverpool have won 18 and lost only three of the 28 times he has played for them in the Premier League, scoring as a team well over two goals a game. In the 12 games without him, Liverpool won just five and lost three, netting a third fewer goals. /