The Premier League continues this weekend with Matchday 16, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games.
Saturday, December 8
• Bournemouth vs. Liverpool, 7:00 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)
• Burnley vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)
• Chelsea vs. Manchester City, noon ET (Sportsnet ONE)
• Leicester City vs. Tottenham, 2:30 p.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Sunday, December 9
• Newcastle United vs. Wolves, 10:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend.
MARQUEE MATCH
Chelsea vs. Manchester City: A pair of losses in its last three games has seen Chelsea drop to fourth in the table, tied on 31 points with Arsenal, and 10 points behind league-leading Manchester City.
So, Saturday afternoon’s clash at Stamford Bridge is hugely important for Maurizio Sarri’s side – a win keeps them within reach of Man City, while a loss would put them in an even deeper hole.
Pep Guardiola’s team is unbeaten in its last 14 Premier League away matches, while German star Leroy Sane has scored six goals and added five assists in his last eight starts.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Richarlison, Everton: The Brazilian has been in fine form this season with seven goals in 13 appearances, tied for fifth in Premier League scoring. You just know he’d love to put one over his old team on Monday when Watford pays a visit to Goodison Park.
BOURNEMOUTH vs. LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s James Milner could become the 13th player in Premier League history to make 500 appearances on Saturday. If he does, he would become the second youngest to do so (32 years and 338 days) behind only Gareth Barry.
ARSENAL vs. HUDDERSFIELDS TOWN
Huddersfield Town has lost eight of its last nine top-flight matches against Arsenal, failing to score in each of those losses.
BURNLEY vs. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Brighton is looking to win consecutive away games in the Premier League for only the second time, having previously done so from October to November 2017.
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CARDIFF CITY vs. SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton forward Charlie Austin has been involved in nine goals in nine Premier League starts against promoted sides, with eight goals and one assist.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs. FULHAM
Fulham’s Claudio Ranieri could become only the third manager to win a Premier League away match at Old Trafford with two different clubs, joining Martin O’Neill and Rafael Benitez.
WEST HAM UNITED vs. CRYSTAL PALACE
West Ham is looking to win a third consecutive Premier League match for the first time since December 2016.
LEICESTER CITY vs. TOTTENHAM
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy has scored four goals and tallied three assists in his last seven Premier League appearances against Spurs.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs. WOLVES
Newcastle has conceded more goals (10) from set-piece situations than any other Premier League team this season.
THE BIG QUESTION
Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question. Have your say by voting in the poll below:
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WORTH REPEATING
“I think the best thing is for the next match for Matteo to cut his hair, and this problem is finished.” – Arsenal manager Unai Emery suggests Matteo Guendouzi should get a trim after Marouane Fellaini yanked his hair in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
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