The Premier League continues this weekend with Matchday 9, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games.
Saturday, October 20
• West Ham United vs. Tottenham, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet)
• Newcastle United vs. Brighton and Hove Albion, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet ONE)
• Cardiff City vs. Fulham, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet NOW)
• Huddersfield Town vs. Liverpool, noon ET (Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet World)
Sunday, October 21
• Everton v. Crystal Palace, 10:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this weekend.
MARQUEE MATCH
Chelsea vs. Manchester United: The Blues welcome the Red Devils to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in an important game for both clubs.
Chelsea is looking to extend its unbeaten start to the season to nine games and keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table. Manchester United wants to build upon a come-from-behind win against Newcastle United and climb up from eighth place.
United’s defence has been suspect this season, giving up 14 goals in eight games. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard must be salivating at the prospect of facing Jose Mourinho’s men – the Belgian is the Premier League’s top scorer with seven goals and he has also tallied three assists.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Harry Kane, Tottenham: The English forward has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League games against West Ham United, including a brace in Spurs’ 3-2 win last season. Kane has also scored four away goals this season, more than any other Premier league player. Look out for him on Saturday when the Hammers host Tottenham.
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BOURNEMOUTH vs. SOUTHAMPTON
Bournemouth has won 22 points from its last 30 available in the Premier League (with seven wins and one draw).
CARDIFF CITY vs. FULHAM
Fulham has failed to keep a clean sheet in its last 23 Premier League away matches.
MANCHESTER CITY vs. BURNLEY
Burnley’s Sean Dyche is looking to become the first English manager to win a Premier League match at Manchester City since Harry Redknapp did it with the Spurs in May 2010.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Newcastle has yet to win in the Premier League this season. Only once have the Magpies ever failed to win any of their opening nine top-flight matches – they went winless in 10 matches to open the 1898-89 season.
WOLVES vs. WATFORD
This is the first ever Premier League meeting between Wolves and Watford, although they met in the top flight in 1983-84.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN vs. LIVERPOOL
Huddersfield is attempting to score its first goal in a home game this season.
EVERTON vs. CRYSTAL PALACE
Everton is unbeaten in seven Premier League matches against Crystal Palace (with three wins), a streak that dates back to 2014.
ARSENAL vs. LEICESTER CITY
Arsenal has never lost a Premier League home match against Leicester City (11 wins and one draw) and have won the last 11 in a row.
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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HE SAID IT
“Eden [Hazard], for us, is important. He’s a fantastic player. It will be important for us if he remains with us. Very, very important. But I think also that he can win everything, possibly a Ballon d’Or here, without playing in Spain. Because, for example, Chelsea will be able to win the Champions League. Belgium could win the European Championship. He could win everything, without playing in Spain.” – Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri
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