In this week’s edition of the Friday 5iver, Desh Parthab looks at Christian Eriksen’s growing importance at Manchester United, Graham Potter’s Chelsea bow and more from the Premier League!
The Premier League resumes after the international break and it’s shaping up to be one cracker of a weekend!
The North London Derby is one of two blockbuster fixtures taking place this weekend. Arsenal are currently top of the log and with Tottenham just a point behind them. Should Tottenham win that one, it will be the first time in top-flight history that one of these sides has beaten the other to replace them as table toppers.
The Manchester derby on Sunday is shaping up to be a real stonker. Despite the Citizens doing the league double over their cross-city rivals last season, Premier League meetings between these two Manchester clubs have seen the away team win more often than in any other fixture in the competition’s history (21). Despite coming into this one 5 points behind their local rivals, The Red Devils have one game in hand and have already defeated Liverpool and Arsenal.
Eriksen key to United’s revival
Christian Eriksen may very well open his account for Manchester United this weekend. The midfielder was one of United’s top performers over the international break, creating eight chances and attempting four shots across Denmark’s previous two Nations League fixtures. The 30-year-old has attempted 12 shots across his six top-flight appearances for the club, missing two big chances. During that period, Eriksen has created eight chances (bagging one assist) and I think the Danish international could be instrumental in this one as Ten Haag will look to hand City their first defeat of the season.
Christian Eriksen picks up his Player of the Month award 👏 pic.twitter.com/NHfMk4a84X
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 29, 2022
Tielemans to drag Leicester out of the mire?
Youri Tielemans may be the answer to Leceister’s woes. The alarm bells are definitely ringing at the King Power. The Foxes are winless following their opening seven league fixtures and are the only club to have conceded 20+ domestic goals, across Europe’s top five leagues. Whilst Tielemans is yet to register a goal involvement on home soil, he has attempted four shots (hitting the woodwork once) and created three chances, across his three home league appearances.
Youri Tielemans isn't enjoying life at the bottom of the Premier League 😬 pic.twitter.com/omLNAIds1K
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 20, 2022
Kane takes aim at the Gunners
Harry Kane has been in red hot form for the Lily Whites, netting six goals across Tottenham’s opening seven league fixtures and added to his tally for England over the international break. The prolific forward has attempted 10 shots across his previous three appearances for Spurs, across all competitions. During that period, he bagged a goal and registered an assist (from his five chances created). Despite the North London Derby’s near 100 history, Kane (13) is the outright top scorer in meetings between these two clubs and I fancy him to extend his record in this one.
Harry Kane has 13 goals in 15 North London Derbies, will he score again this weekend? 👀 pic.twitter.com/tmQGqYNEmi
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 30, 2022
Toney’s the real deal
Following his first England call up, Ivan Toney will be itching to make the World Cup squad later this year. He has attempted 10 shots across Brentford’s previous three league outings, bagging three goals and missing two big chances. Furthermore, he currently averages 1.43 chances created from open play – a team-leading total. The Bees have only been outgunned by the current top three and their sharpshooter could add to his tally this weekend against woeful Bournemouth.
🚨 SEPTEMBER GOTM WINNER 🚨@ivantoney24 has won @premierleague Goal of the Month with this chip v Leeds 🎯🐝 pic.twitter.com/BhBAZyGiAj
— Budweiser Football (@budfootball) September 30, 2022
Potter under immediate pressure to deliver at Chelsea
Graham Potter will be looking to get his Chelsea career off to the right start and a certain Gabonese international could be the one to deliver the goods. Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng (G10 A1) was involved in 11 goals in his first 11 league games for Barcelona, before registering 14 goal involvements (G9 A4) in his initial 13 league appearances for Arsenal. The forward is expected to make his first league start for Chelsea FC against a Crystal Palace defence which has registered just a single league clean sheet this season.
❌ Édouard Mendy
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 30, 2022
❌ N’Golo Kanté
❌ Marc Cucurella
❌ Carney Chukwuemeka
Chelsea manager Graham Potter gives a team news update ahead of their trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/zXgn0hPRuQ
