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Crisis at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer given three games to get it right

Another fascinating English Premier League weekend came to a close with both the top-four and title races taking shape nicely at the end of the first quarter.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on borrowed time after a harrowing 5-0 defeat at home to chief rivals Liverpool last Sunday (Photograph by Rui Vieira/AP)

The fantasy outlook is interesting as well, as players begin to find consistency into the middle portion of the season. Key assets to watch over coming weeks are Wolves striker Hwang Hee Chan and Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.

Tomorrow

Leicester City v Arsenal

8.30am

Leicester City earned an important 2-1 away win over Brentford last Sunday. Midfielders Youri Tielemans and James Maddison scored in their second straight victory, moving the Foxes up to eighth.

Arsenal controlled large spells of their 3-1 home win over Aston Villa last Friday night, Thomas Partey scoring his first goal for the Gunners from a corner.

Arsenal have enjoyed their battles with the Foxes, winning 3-1 on their last visit to the King Power Stadium. The North London side have won 17 of their previous 30 meetings.

Prediction: 1-1

Burnley v Brentford

11am

New signing Maxwel Cornet continued his excellent form for Burnley in their 2-2 away draw with Southampton. The Frenchman scored the Clarets’ equaliser midway through the second half.

Brentford were halted from their recent run of form by Leicester in a 2-1 home defeat. Mathias Jorgensen scored the Bees’ equaliser, his first goal for the club, from a corner on the hour mark.

The promoted side have had some really strong performances against the best in the division, so they come in as favourites. These sides have never met in the top flight, the Clarets won both meetings in the Sky Bet Championship.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion

11am

Liverpool absolutely schooled Manchester United in a 5-0 victory in the North West derby on Sunday. The Merseyside team remain the only unbeaten side in the league.

Brighton were brought down to earth in a 4-1 home defeat to Manchester City. The Seagulls dropped to fifth and have scored the joint fewest goals in the top half.

These teams have met on eight previous occasions, with the Reds winning six. However, the South Coast team won on their last visit to Anfield, 1-0 in February.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

11am

Manchester City continue to quietly do the business, cruising to a 4-1 away win over Brighton last Saturday. Youngster Phil Foden stole the show with two goals and an assist.

Crystal Palace were frustrated in a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United, a wasteful Christian Benteke scoring the opener midway through the first half.

City absolutely smashed Palace 4-0 on the Eagles’ last visit to the Etihad. They have won 14 of their previous 22 meetings, although this could certainly be different. Patrick Vieira’s men are winless in their past five encounters with City.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle United v Chelsea

11am

Newcastle United came from behind to earn a 1-1 away draw with Crystal Palace. Callum Wilson scored a beautiful bicycle kick to earn the point last Saturday.

Chelsea dispatched Norwich comfortably in a 7-0 rout, Mason Mount scoring his first hat-trick for the Blues.

Chelsea have won four of the past five meetings, with the Magpies’ lone win coming in January last year.

Prediction: 1-2

Watford v Southampton

11am

Watford made an incredible comeback to earn a 5-2 away win over Everton. Joshua King scored his first Premier League hat-trick in the win. Fellow striker Emmanuel Dennis also contributed with a goal and two assists.

Southampton failed to hang on, but earned a 2-2 home draw with Burnley. Loan striker Armando Broja scored his third goal of the season in the stalemate.

Saints won their last meeting with the Hornets 3-1 at Vicarage Road in June 2020, and have won five of the 12 meetings.

Prediction: 2-2

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

1.30pm

Tottenham could not capitalise on the few chances they had in a 1-0 away defeat to capital rivals West Ham last Sunday. They have won just one of their past five games.

Even though it is early days, Manchester United are in serious peril of missing out on the European places. The Red Devils, humiliated 5-0 at home by Liverpool, have only one win in seven matches in all competitions. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been told by the United hierarchy that he has three games to save his job.

United won 3-1 on their last visit to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and have taken all three points on 36 of their 58 meetings.

Prediction: 1-3

Sunday

Norwich City v Leeds United

11am

Norwich City just suffered their heaviest defeat in the Premier League era, a 7-0 away loss to Chelsea. The Canaries were never expected to make any inroads this season, but the 23 goals they have let in is the most goals of any team.

Leeds earned a late 1-1 home draw with Wolves. Spanish attacker Rodrigo scored the equaliser from the spot in stoppage time, as substitute Joe Gelhardt was taken down by Nelson Semedo. The Yorkshire side still hold the solitary win this season, a 1-0 result against Watford.

The Canaries have won four of the previous six meetings, including the 2-1 win when they last met at Carrow Road.

Prediction: 1-2

Aston Villa v West Ham United

1.30pm

Aston Villa failed to get going in their 3-1 away loss to Arsenal. One positive was Jacob Ramsey scoring his first Premier League goal. The West Midlands side have now suffered three straight defeats.

Striker Michail Antonio scored the winner midway through the second half to secure West Ham a 1-0 home win over rivals Tottenham. They moved into the top four, exactly where the East London side are pushing to finish.

These clubs have met on 44 previous occasions, with Villa edging it with 13 wins. They have drawn 20 times, although last season West Ham won 3-1 on their visit to Birmingham.

Prediction: 1-2

Monday

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton

5pm

Wolves continued a strong run of form with a 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road. Hwang Hee Chan scored his fourth goal in five league games, corresponding with three wins and a draw in that spell.

Everton were smashed 5-2 at home by Watford, having twice taken the lead. Richarlison marked his return from injury with his first goal of the season, while Tom Davies also scored his maiden goal for the Toffees.

Everton won their last visit to Molineux 2-1 in January, and have six wins in 14 total meetings.

Prediction: 1-3

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Published October 29, 2021 at 8:00 am (Updated October 28, 2021 at 11:51 am)

Crisis at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer given three games to get it right

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