The 2016-17 Premier League season continues this week with Matchday 8, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games:
Saturday, October 15
• Arsenal vs. Swansea City, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
• Bournemouth vs. Hull City, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World NOW)
• Crystal Palace vs. West Ham United, noon ET / 9:00 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
Sunday, October 16
• Southampton vs. Burnley, 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World)
Monday, October 17
• Liverpool vs. Manchester United, 3:00 p.m. ET / noon PT (Sportsnet World)
You can also follow all of the Premier League action this weekend online with SPORTSNET’S LIVE MATCH TRACKER.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend…
THE BIG GAME
Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Monday’s contest at Anfield isn’t just a meeting between two rivals, but a also a clash between a pair of sides looking to move up the table in order to strengthen their title hopes—Liverpool currently sits fourth, two spots and three spots above Manchester United.
With four straight wins and a five-game unbeaten run, Liverpool enters this match as one of the hottest teams in the Premier League. United, meanwhile, is coming off a 1-1 draw vs. Stoke City, and has looked inconsistent through the first seven matchdays.
History, though, is not in Liverpool’s side. Liverpool has lost more Premier League matches (27) against United than against any other opponent, and they’ve lost each of their last four league encounters versus the Red Devils.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Romelu Lukaku: The Belgian international has been on a tear as of late for Everton, scoring five goals in his last four Premier League appearances—this after going without a single goal in 11 league matches. Lukaku is a big reason why Everton sits fifth in the table, and it’ll be interesting to watch his 1-on-1 battle with Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero unfold on Saturday.
BOB BRADLEY TALKS STRATEGY
Bob Bradley will make history this weekend when he becomes the first American manager in Premier League history. In this video, Bradley looks ahead to Saturday’s game between Swansea City and Arsenal:
DEMBELE A DOUBT FOR SPURS
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed that midfielder Mousa Dembele is doubtful for Saturday’s road game against West Bromwich Albion.
A key player for Pochettino last season, Dembele has appeared in just two games for Tottenham this campaign—he missed the first four games due to suspension and injured his hamstring in his second game of the season, against Sunderland last month.
HULL NAMES PHELAN FULL-TIME MANAGER
Mike Phelan was hired this past week as the permanent manager of Hull City. He takes over on a fulltime basis after serving as the club’s interim coach through the first seven games of the season. Phelan succeeds Steve Bruce, who left the club before the start of the campaign.
A former assistant coach at Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, Phelan led Hull to back-to-back victories, but the Tigers are winless in their last five matches.
Hull City visits Bournemouth on Saturday.
INTERESTING STAT
THE BIG QUESTION
With just one win in their first seven games of the season, Swansea City decided to change things up when they fired manager Franceso Guidolin and replaced him with Bob Bradley.
The American has his work cut out, though, as the Swans currently sit one spot above the drop zone with four points.
All of which leads us to ask “The Big Question”…
How will Swansea do under Bradley?
Sportsnet wants to know what you think, so have your say by voting in the poll. Then tune in to Sportsnet’s Premier League coverage this weekend as soccer commentators James Sharman, Craig Forrest and Danny Dichio debate “The Big Question.”
HE SAID IT
“I see a lot in the teams managed by Pep [Guardiola]… Dutch football. I like that because that’s the most difficult way to win, to play offensive football, sometimes risky, and to win titles.” – Everton’s Dutch manager Ronald Koeman ahead of Saturday’s game between the Toffees and Manchester City at the Etihad stadium.
