Week 6 of the Barclays Premier League can be classified as “Derby Week” with two heated match-ups slated this weekend.
All four of the teams competing in these rivalry games have top-four aspirations as well, as if any more fuel needed to be added to these intense affairs.
Here are the five games to watch this weekend…
Sunday programming alert: Watch West Bromwich Albion vs. Burnley on Sportsnet World at 10:00 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
West Bromwich Albion vs. Burnley
West Brom has won just once this season, while Burnley hasn’t earned a victory yet. In fact, the latter has racked up three consecutive 0-0 draws.
The newly promoted side has only conceded four goals, but hasn’t scored since their Premier League opener against Chelsea at home, which is troublesome despite their stingy defending.
Both teams are among the favourites to be relegated this campaign, and they’ve been impotent in attack, which makes this game so much more important.
Burnley won the last meeting between these two back in 2009, defeating West Brom 3-1 at home. This will be slightly tougher as it will be at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
Liverpool vs. Everton
The first Merseyside Derby of the season will take place at Anfield on Saturday. Liverpool has lost two straight matches in the Premier League, while Everton has only won once this campaign.
Liverpool is undefeated in their last six derbies against Everton, outscoring the Toffees 14-6 in the process. However, the Reds haven’t been as much of a juggernaut in attack recently.
Daniel Sturridge’s absence has greatly affected Liverpool’s scoring. Mario Balotelli scored in the Champions League win over Ludogorets last week, but the Italian hasn’t struck in the Premier League after three appearances. That has to change while Sturridge is injured.
Liverpool should be able to break out against Everton, who have conceded 13 goals thus far this season, more than any other club in the Premier League.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Manchester United vs. West Ham United on all four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, Hull City vs. Manchester City on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET, and Southampton vs. Queens Park Rangers on Sportsnet 360 at 9:30 am ET. || Also watch Sunderland vs. Swansea City online and exclusively at Sportsnet World NOW at 9:30 am ET. || TV schedule
Arsenal vs. Tottenham
The second derby of the weekend features Arsenal vs. Tottenham. The Gunners are coming off a 3-0 win against Aston Villa, where Mesut Ozil silenced his critics. Danny Welbeck also recorded his first goal since arriving at the club from Manchester United.
Tottenham will be trying to rebound from a devastating 1-0 loss at home to West Brom. Spurs haven’t won since their 4-0 triumph against QPR on Aug. 24, so a victory over their rivals would erase a lot of worry amongst its fans.
Only five games have been played this season, but Tottenham is two points back of Arsenal, who are in fourth place. It’s still early in the campaign, but games like this can be the beginning of a strong run of form.
Sunderland vs. Swansea City
Swansea City won their first three matches of the season, but the Welsh side has lost their last two games since that early streak. Their latest defeat was to Southampton, who passed the Swans in the table.
Swansea faces Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as they try to avoid losing a third match in a row. It will be a tough test as Gus Poyet’s squad has only lost once, but hasn’t won either.
Sunderland has drawn four times, but two of them came against Tottenham and Manchester United. Perhaps this week is when the Black Cats finally pick up that first victory.
Manchester United vs. West Ham United
Manchester United was riding high after crushing QPR, but then Leicester City scored four goals in 20 minutes to defeat United 5-3 last week.
Manager Louis van Gaal recently questioned Wayne Rooney’s future as a striker. It’s a fair point, as United seemed to be very congested in the middle of the pitch with Rooney, Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria all playing centrally on Sunday.
However, West Ham recently defeated Liverpool 3-1. It was a motivating win and given the Hammers’ strength on the counter attack and Man United’s weaknesses at the back, it might lead to another surprise.
The Mancunians have won four of their last six against West Ham, drawing the other two.