The 2016-17 Premier League season continues this week with Matchday 3, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games:
Saturday, August 27
• Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool, 7:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
• Watford vs. Arsenal, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
• Crystal Palace vs. AFC Bournemouth, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet 360)
• Southampton vs. Sunderland, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World)
Sunday, August 28
• Manchester City vs. West Ham United, 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet 360)
You can also follow all of the Premier League action this weekend online with SPORTSNET’S LIVE MATCH TRACKER featuring commentary from Sportsnet’s James Sharman.
SPORTSNET’S LIVE MATCH TRACKER
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend…
THE BIG GAME
Tottenham vs. Liverpool is the marquee match of the weekend on paper, but Hull City vs. Manchester at the KCOM Stadium is a top-of-the-table clash. Yes, you read that right. The Tigers are tied for first place with Manchester United and Manchester City after winning its opening two contests of the campaign.
Impressively, Hull has only conceded one goal, and has won all three of its games under caretaker manager Mike Phelan—the Tiger earned a 3-1 decision over Exeter City in the League Cup in midweek. If Hull does upset United this weekend, they will join Bolton Wanderers as only the second side to win all three of their opening Premier League games following promotion.
Jose Mourinho’s team, meanwhile, barely broke a sweat in pushing aside Bournemouth and Southampton, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the way with three goals, and Paul Pogba looking impressive against the Saints in his debut since making the move from Juventus.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Wayne Rooney: Pre-season reports of his impending demise have thus far proven to be premature. The Englishman has looked solid through the United’s first two games, scoring one goal and adding an assist. The Red Devils have won three of their previous four Premier League visits to the KCOM Stadium, and Rooney has scored seven goals in his last five league appearances against the Tigers.
Bravo in, Hart (likely) out for Man City
Manchester City completed the signing of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona for $18.2 million US this week in a move that appears to spell the end of Joe Hart’s tenure with the club. Hart is England’s No. 1 goalkeeper and has been a regular for City since 2010, but he has been told by new manager Pep Guardiola that he can join another team. Willy Caballero started ahead of Hart for City’s first two Premier League games this season.
Bravo, who signed a four-year contract with the Blues, could make his debut in Sunday’s home match vs. West Ham United.
More moves by Watford
Netherlands right fullback Daryl Janmaat completed his move to Watford from relegated Newcastle United on Wednesday. The Dutchman is the third signing in a week by Watford, who also lured French centre back Younes Kaboul from Sunderland and Argentine midfielder Roberto Pereyra from Juventus.
Watford hosts Arsenal on Saturday, with the Hornets looking for their first win after taking one out of a possible six points from their opening two matches of the campaign.
INTERESTING STAT
SHARMAN’S THOUGHTS
Ahead of every weekend this season, Sportsnet commentator James Sharman will give his three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather his personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
Here’s an excerpt from this week’s blog…
In his early days at Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola fawned over then 17-year-old old Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Pep saw the same skills in Hojbjerg that he possessed as a young player, and foresaw a day–perhaps even that season–when the Dane would assume the same role as Sergio Busquets did with Barcelona. Of course, it did not turn out that way, with Hojbjerg being loaned out to Augsburg and Schalke, and then sold this summer to Southampton. Just what do Southampton have on their hands? A 21-year old superstar in the making, or another player in a long list of prospects who despite their skills didn’t have the capacity to realize their promise?
To read the full blog, CLICK HERE.
THE BIG QUESTION
All eyes will be on Sam Allardyce this weekend as the new England manager unveils his first roster ahead of the Three Lions’ upcoming World Cup qualifying match versus Slovakia.
All of which leads us to ask “The Big Question”…
Who will be Big Sam’s most controversial team selection for England?
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’m very focused to achieve 40 points – this is our target. It’s the same target as last season. We don’t change our mind. It’s important to be concentrated on our job.” — Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
