In this edition of the Friday 5iver, Desh Parthab looks at Aleksandar Mitrović’s outstanding start to the season, Erling Haaland’s crazy stats and more from the Premier League!
Despite registering just a single shot on target, Leicester took all three points on home soil against Leeds. Fulham dispatched Aston Villa 3-0 in what was Steven Gerrard’s final fixture as Birmingham club’s boss while Southampton beat Bournemouth to earn their first clean sheet in the league this season.
Manchester United will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for their clash against Chelsea this weekend. The Red Devils are coming off an impressive 2-0 victory against Spurs.
Ronaldo trudged down the tunnel before the full-time whistle leaving Erik Ten Hag with no choice but to omit him from the squad for this weekend’s blockbuster tie against Chelsea.
Whilst the Portugal international will always be a big game player, the Red Devils have been playing the big games without him. United have taken maximum points against Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs this season (with Ronaldo playing just 36 minutes in that spell).
Manchester City are expected to come out all guns blazing when they face off against Brighton. Pep’s men were handed their first loss of the season last time out and a strong reaction can be expected.
Mitro loving life in the Premier League
Mitrović (8) is currently the league’s joint third-best marksman. Only Harry Kane (9) and Erling Haaland (15) have scored more. The Serbian scored from the spot as the Cottagers thumped Aston Villa, He will next set his sights on an out-of-form Leeds team who have taken just two points from their previous seven league fixtures. Mitro has attempted 43 shots with 37 of those coming from inside the box – only Erling Haaland has taken more.
GOAL Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa (68 mins)
— DEAN FOOTBALL⚽ (@DEANFOOTBALL1) October 20, 2022
Aleksandar Mitrovic makes no mistake after Matty Cash handled in the area#FULAVL
pic.twitter.com/7ONVGbu61k
Martinelli to fill his boots against the Saints?
Arsenal confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Dutch heavyweights PSV on Thursday night. Gabriel Martinelli started on the bench in that one, but did create one chance and registered one shot on target in his 14-minute cameo. The dangerman has started (and completed) each of Arsenal’s previous three league fixtures, where he has returned a goal and two assists. The Gunners are up against a Southampton side who have registered just a single clean sheet across their previous 11 home league outings (conceding 21 times during that period).
Stop that Martinelli. pic.twitter.com/F06ATDzMQ3
— 🐙gyesi (@_gyesi) October 13, 2022
Rashford must start converting
Marcus Rashford hasn’t found the back of the net across his previous three appearances. The forward has attempted seven shots in that spell, missing three big chances while also creating two big chances for his teammates. The academy graduate is expected to lead the line in what is the pick of the round’s action, which sees United travel to Stamford Bridge. He will need to be more clinical against the red-hot Kepa.
Henry on Rashford: " You open the goal up. Just finish it. Place it, why hard? Side foot, goal. See you later."
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) October 19, 2022
Evra: " Not everyone has your brain Henry."
Henry: " I know but you have one, use it." [@primevideosport] pic.twitter.com/HyFBC0Olk8
Scamacca finding his shooting boots
Despite a spirited performance, West Ham were handed a 1-0 midweek defeat against a resurgent Liverpool outfit. That result leaves Moyes’ men hovering just two points above the dropzone. Summer signing Gianluca Scamacca seems to have found his shooting boots, though. After blanking in his first five Premier League appearances, the forward has returned two goals across his previous four, missing three big chances in that spell. The Italian and his West Ham teammates welcome a Bournemouth side who have shipped 18 of their 23 league goals on the road.
Premier League goal number 1⃣ for Gianluca Scamacca 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qlQ19Fi50k
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 1, 2022
Haaland tipped to get back on the scoresheet
Manchester City have won each of their previous nine home league fixtures, scoring three or more goals in each instance. With that sort of firepower, Erling Haaland is more than likely to get his name on the scoresheet. The record-breaking Norwegian currently averages 1.49 goals per 90, has attempted 44 shots and returned three hat-tricks across his previous four home league appearances. The defending Premier League champions will have had a full week’s rest prior to hosting Brighton and a strong reaction can be expected following last week’s Anfield defeat.
.@ErlingHaaland's first City hat-trick! 💫#ManCity pic.twitter.com/vZQKnkITzU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 27, 2022
