The 2016-17 Premier League season continues this week with Matchday 7, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games:
Saturday, October 1
• Hull City vs. Chelsea, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
• West Ham United vs. Middlesbrough, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet ONE)
• Watford vs. Bournemouth, 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World NOW)
Sunday, October 2
• Tottenham vs. Manchester City, 9:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
• Burnley vs. Arsenal, 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific)
You can also follow all of the Premier League action this weekend online with SPORTSNET’S LIVE MATCH TRACKER.
SPORTSNET’S LIVE MATCH TRACKER
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend…
THE BIG GAME
Tottenham vs. Manchester City: It’s a battle of 1 vs. 2 on Sunday when Tottenham hosts Manchester City.
Man City has cruised through the early portion of the season, winning their first six games by a combined score of 18-5 to climb to the top of the table. Tottenham is just four points back of City, and is unbeaten in league play with four wins and a draw. This weekend’s contest is the perfect opportunity for Spurs to close the gap and send a message to City that they’re not going to simply cakewalk to the title. Manchester City has lost their last two Premier League meetings against Tottenham.
Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Moussa Sissoko are all questionable, while Harry Kane will definitely miss out through injury. Manchester City will be without Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph through injury, while Nolito is suspended.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Juan Mata: The Spanish playmaker has had a hand in 82 goals (41 goals, and 41 assists) since coming to the Premier League in 2011. He’s coming off a stellar performance last week when he scored one goal and set up another in Manchester United’s win over Leicester City. The Red Devils host Stoke City on Saturday.
DE BRUYNE OUT FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed this week that he expects Kevin De Bruyne to be sidelined for up to three weeks because of a hamstring injury
The Belgian star, who has been one of City’s best players this season, was injured in the second half of City’s 3-1 win away to Swansea City last weekend.
LIVERPOOOL’S SAKHO IN HOT WATER
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is in a bit of trouble after he took to social media to complain about his lack of playing time.
A regular for most of last season, Sakho hasn’t played since April. He was sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States because of concerns over his attitude, and missed the start of the season because of a leg injury.
“Now it’s three weeks since I am fit to play games,” Sakho wrote on Snapchat. “They don’t want me to play also with second team … Why I don’t know. I accept my situation but I can’t accept the lie.” Manager Jurgen Klopp said he spoke to the player about his comments, but you have to think the defender hasn’t done himself any favours.
Liverpool visits Swansea City on Saturday.
SUNDERLAND’S JANUZAJ SIDELINED FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS
Sunderland winger Adnan Januzaj has been ruled out for at least six weeks after suffering an ankle injury against Crystal Palace last weekend.
The 21-year-old Belgian has scored once in seven games in all competitions for Sunderland this season. The Black Cats, who sit dead last in the table with one point from its opening six games, host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
INTERESTING STAT
THE BIG QUESTION
English soccer is still reeling from the controversy over Sam Allardyce.
The English Football Association decided to terminate Allardyce’s contract this week following an undercover sting by the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
All of which leads us to ask “The Big Question”…
Would Arsene Wenger be a good choice as the next England manager?
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
“Wayne’s a top-class professional, top-class player, who’s won many things with Man United and he’s still got many years to go. He’s an inspirational guy and he’s a leader.” – Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard on Wayne Rooney.
