Premier League Matchday 23: What you need to know

Soccer inside James Sharman joins Kevin Michie to get us set for Matchweek 23 in the Premier League, where Manchester United is on fire under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

The Premier League continues this weekend with Matchday 23, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games.

Saturday, January 19
• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leicester City, 7:00 a.m. ET (Sportsnet and Sportsnet World)
• Manchester United vs. Brighton and Hove Albion, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)
• Watford vs. Burnley, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet ONE)
• Bournemouth vs. West Ham United, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)

Sunday, January 20
• Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City, 8:00 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)

Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend.

MARQUEE MATCH

Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Both clubs could use the points in Saturday’s London derby, although the Gunners are a bit more desperate – they trail fourth-place Chelsea by six points, and have Manchester United (level with them on 41 points) breathing down their necks.

After going unbeaten in 14 games from August 25 to December 8, Arsenal have faded over the last five weeks – they have just two wins in their previous six matches.

Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea, meanwhile, are targeting a fourth victory in five Premier League matches on Saturday, and are looking to leapfrog Tottenham in the table, who they trail by a point.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City: The 21-year-old Brazilian has been in sizzling form, scoring seven goals and tallying an assist in his last three games in all competitions. He’s coming off a two-goal effort against Wolves last week, and will look to keep his hot streak going on Saturday when Man City visits Huddersfield Town.

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WOLVES vs. LEICESTER CITY

Wolves came from 3-0 down at halftime to win 4-3 in its only previous Premier League home match against Leicester, in October 2003.

BOURNEMOUTH vs. WEST HAM UNITED

Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has scored five goals in five Premier League matches against West Ham, more than against any other team.

LIVERPOOL vs. CRYSTAL PALACE

Liverpool is looking to win a seventh consecutive Premier League home match for the first time since January 2014.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is vying to become the first Manchester United manager to win his first six league matches in charge.

NEWCATSLE UNITED vs. CARDIFF CITY

Newcastle have won 17 of their last 18 home league matches against Cardiff City, and all of the last seven in the top flight by an aggregate score of 23-0.

SOUTHAMPTON vs. EVERTON

Everton’s Theo Walcott has scored five goals in his last three appearances against his former club Southampton in all competitions.

WATFORD vs. BURNLEY

Watford have won nine points from losing positions this season, the same amount they earned in similar circumstances in all of last season.

FULHAM vs. TOTTENHAM

Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic could become the fourth player to score in his first four Premier League matches against Tottenham, after Mark Bright, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Obafemi Martins.

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

“At certain times, you have to provoke friction with footballers. From that friction, you can get something more out of them, something from inside.” – Arsenal manager Unai Emery, perhaps hinting at the nature of his relationship with Mesut Ozil.

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