In the final Friday 5iver before the World Cup break, Desh looks at Darwin Núñez and his growing influence at Liverpool, Youri Tielemans’ form at Leicester and more from the Premier League!
A 2-1 win over Fulham keeps defending champions Manchester City within two points of log leaders Arsenal going into the final round of fixtures before the pause for the World Cup.
Chelsea make the trip to Newcastle, who have been the surprise package of the season. The Magpies have won their previous three home league fixtures, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once during that spell.
Bournemouth will look to make it two wins from two against Everton within the space of a week. The Cherries put four past the Toffees, sending Lampard’s side crashing out of the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
After nearly four years at Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl has been given his marching orders. The Saints hierarchy wasted no time in announcing Nathan Jones as his replacement, with the Welsh mentor making the daunting trip to Anfield on his first assignment.
Southampton have a nasty habit of conceding first, having done so 10 times this season – the most from all top-flight clubs. My pick of this weekend’s action is an enticing tie between West Ham and Leicester. Both clubs are just two points above the relegation zone, and this fixture could make riveting viewing.
Núñez finding his feet at Liverpool
Darwin Núñez is looking near certain to get on the scoresheet against Southampton this weekend. The summer signing has blown hot and cold this season; however, he has delivered a goal and an assist across his previous three league appearances. During that period, he attempted 14 shots, missing two big chances and hitting the woodwork twice. Liverpool have recorded nine wins in their previous 10 top-flight fixtures against the Saints, scoring at least twice on each occasion.
On hand to tap home after @VirgilvDijk's powerful header 😅
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 3, 2022
3️⃣ in 3️⃣ #UCL games for @Darwinn99 🫡 pic.twitter.com/yqEXCfc88n
Saint-Maximin eyes big performance against Chelsea
Newcastle have lost just one of their 16 fixtures, across all competitions, this season. This weekend, they are up against a Chelsea side who crashed out of the League Cup during the week – meaning their winless run now extends to their previous four fixtures across all competition. Allan Saint-Maximin is my pick of the lot to get on the scoresheet against the Blues this weekend. The talisman has been involved in four goals across his previous five league appearances – delivering three assists and finding the back of the net against Wolves.
Allan Saint-Maximin.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 4, 2020
That's it. That's the Tweet. pic.twitter.com/kAxEWz7YlU
Aaronson takes aim at Spurs
Despite his last attacking return coming back in August, I’m backing Brendan Aaronson to deliver this weekend. The Leeds dangerman has created nine chances across his previous three league appearances. During that period, he attempted five shots, hitting the woodwork once and missing one big chance. Jesse Marsh’s men come up against a Spurs side who have trailed by at least two goals in each of their previous four league outings, also going down 2-0 in the Carabao Cup against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
11 seconds of pure brilliance from Brendan Aaronson, get that cheque book out Leeds. 49ers will be selling him the American/Leeds dream #lufc pic.twitter.com/EPgjCqVGHI
— BARNEY 🦚 (@BarneyLUFC21) January 18, 2022
Olise impressing as the newest young star to roll off the Palace conveyor-belt
Michael Olise is coming into his own. The 20-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder has been making good use of his minutes this season, having already been involved in three top-flight goals. Across his previous three appearances, the midfielder has created four chances and attempted seven shots. The Eagles won their first away league outing last time out (against West Ham) and will be looking to follow that with another three points against a Nottingham Forest side who have the worst goal difference in the league.
All. The. Angles.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 7, 2022
Ft. Michael Olise 💫#CPFC pic.twitter.com/asnwdf0spq
Tielemans dragging Leicester up the table
Youri Tielemans has delivered two goals from just four shots, across his previous three league appearances. Furthermore, the Belgium international struck the woodwork with a rasping strike against Manchester City during that period. Leicester come into this fixture as the league’s top scorers on the road, netting 14 times. This weekend’s opponents are West Ham who are currently level on points with the Foxes, and I expect both teams to find the back of the net.
Stop That Tielemans ⚽ pic.twitter.com/DZzuVymiww
— Pedri Zone✨ (@framesfc_) November 5, 2022
