Chelsea v Liverpool
Sunday, 16:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Chelsea ought to resist the temptation to make this into a wide-open game like their 5-3 defeat at Anfield in July or like Leeds United’s 4-3 defeat last weekend, not least because Frank Lampard continues to struggle to defend counter-attacks. His team are repeatedly caught out on the break because his players spread out with abandon when in possession, leaving gaping holes in midfield.
And although Chelsea have generally tightened up when playing ‘Big Six’ sides by sitting deeper, the arrival of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner probably means they will fail to avoid an end-to-end game even if their manager preaches caution. Against Brighton, their two new signings frequently made runs on the shoulder of the last defender and were fed by long balls forward.
Liverpool’s very high defensive line will provide Chelsea’s midfield with irresistible options in behind, with Havertz and Werner likely to arc their runs into the gaps left by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson. That should pull Chelsea forward, in turn allowing Liverpool to break back the other way. Another high-scoring game is likely.
Traore-led counters to condemn City again
Wolves v Man City
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Nuno Esperito Santo has only lost one of his five meetings with Pep Guardiola and his Wolves side did the double over Man City in the league last season, winning 3-2 at Molineaux and 2-0 at the Etihad. That latter result highlighted everything that was wrong with Man City’s tactics last season, and after a relatively disappointing summer it is plausible they will once again be caught out by Wolves.
Wolves got in behind the Man City defence for one-on-ones on no fewer than five occasions, with the final two leading directly to Adama Traore’s goals. And while Guardiola will have Aymeric Laporte available for this one to solidify central defence, he will still need to field either Fernandinho or Nicolas Otamendi on the right side (Nathan Ake, as a left footer, is most likely backup for Laporte).
That means more counter-attacking joy for Traore and Raul Jimenez, with the added bonus of an in-form Daniel Podence contributing. Nuno knows just how to sit deep and frustrate Man City, and knows exactly when to pounce on the break. This could be yet another damaging result for Guardiola.
Source: Betfair Premier League
