All eyes on tired Zlatan, but foxes focused on Europe

With English football’s long hard winter drawing ever closer on the horizon, the big guns are busy jostling for position, and just a single point separates the Top 5 ahead of this weekend’s action. Our EPL analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] media-corp.com.sg) picks out the big stories and contests to keep your eye on …

ZLATAN’S SINKING SWAGGER

It will take a brave man to inform him, but Manchester United’s 35-year-old mega star desperately needs a breather.

It is not that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not super-fit. Under the expert supervision of Dario Fort — his own private physiotherapist and trainer — the Swede is just as fine-tuned as he has always been.

However, anyone who has played 14 matches in 12 weeks, with a dozen of them full 90-minute run-outs, will experience a dulling in sharpness. The mind, as much as your legs, will naturally fatigue.

This, in part, explains a dip in form that has seen United’s centre forward score just once in his past 692 minutes of action.

Never taken off by his boss, Ibrahimovic’s power has gradually weakened. The sprints are not as explosive. The jumps are a fraction less springy. His efforts on goal lack the same punch. His first touch and precision lay-offs have become increasingly wayward.

While he improved in the second half of United’s 1-0 League Cup win over Man City, Jamie Carragher’s observation that the opening period was “one of the worst of his career”, did not cause widespread disagreement.

Zlatan was a shadow of the demi-god who sauntered through the first five games, scoring five times.

The form of his team-mates has not helped either.

Lacking a clear identity, United’s tactics have been clunky, and with various midfielders thrust in and out of the side by Jose Mourinho, the striker has not been able to forge close relationships.

With Burnley visiting Old Trafford later today, United can afford to rest their flagging striker, and I feel he would benefit greatly from a day off.

Yet the man himself will see this as the perfect chance to end his slump. Southampton mustered 34 efforts in the Clarets’ last away game, so whether he is knackered or not, Zlatan will not pass up the opportunity to play.

Prediction: Manchester United 2 Burnley 0

COPENHAGEN IS RANIERI’S PRIORITY

When it comes to winning the Premier League, Leicester City can legitimately claim to have “been there, done that”, but it is a different ball game in the Champions League.

That is why Claudio Ranieri, his players, and the club’s Thai owners will all see Thursday morning’s visit to FC Copenhagen as the biggest match of the week.

Tonight’s trip to last season’s fellow frontrunners, Tottenham, is the warm-up.

That sounds blase but the Foxes are no fools.

They know this European adventure might be their last for a while, and the attitude from all concerned at King Power Stadium is to make the most of it — even if it damages the quality of their title defence,

This is not a trade secret. Ranieri has confessed that until his side has guaranteed their place in the last 16, he will rest and rotate closer to home.

Then, and only then, will he focus everything on the domestic game.

Given how patchy they have been, and that one or two key men may be benched, it is hard to make a strong case for Leicester avoiding a fifth straight league defeat on their travels.

To stand any chance, they must at least summon up the concentration and spirit of 2015-16. With a full focus, rich intensity and teamwork, Leicester City are a different side.

Three wins from three in Europe, is testament to that.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Leicester City 1

IS THIS MOYES’ TOP FLIGHT LAST HURRAH?

Is it a stretch too far to suggest that David Moyes has never been the same manager since the day he got panicky and asked Manchester United to spend £27.5 million (S$46.7 million) on Marouane Fellaini?

I do not think it is an outrageous proposal.

It was a fumbled, bumbled, and rank-bad decision that instantly weakened his authority at Old Trafford, and from then on the Scot has barely had a day’s happiness in the manager’s hot seat — be it at United, Real Sociedad or Sunderland.

I take no pleasure in criticising gaffers (it is the toughest job around) but, to me, Moyes has looked a pale imitation of the guy who magnificently steered Everton on such a long, upward curve. It has been sad to see.

Earlier this season, when he predicted, rather too honestly as it turned out, that Sunderland were embroiled in a relegation battle, there was a lack of confidence in his eyes. Failure in his past two jobs has definitely sapped his mojo.

Last weekend, he complained about an “offside” winner from West Ham that was clearly legal, and on Wednesday morning at Southampton, he was sent to the stands for abusing the officials. It has been another shocking seven days.

With an on-song Arsenal pitching up at the Stadium of Light this evening, how much more can he take?

If the Gunners win this contest handsomely — and based on current form they really should — there is a real danger Moyes’ short tenure may end there and then.

If it does, I do not think we will see him manage in the Premier League again.

Prediction: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 4

TEAM COMES BEFORE DANIEL’S DESIRES

Not so long ago, Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke were Liverpool’s top dogs in the centre forward department, but neither will lead the line for Jurgen Klopp at Crystal Palace in the early hours.

Benteke, now an Eagles player of course, will be revved up to inflict bitter revenge on a manager who deemed him unsuitable for his philosophy. And if as expected, Sturridge is sat on the Reds bench, he too will have a point to prove once he enters the fray.

Is Klopp right to leave his best finisher (by some distance) out of his starting XI? My view is 100 per cent yes. The German has developed a front three of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane that perfectly suits the needs of the group.

Off the ball, they swarm around defenders like they are dripping with honey and, on it, they have an expression of movement that complements one another beautifully. Behind them, the man on the ball always has two options and a willing runner to aim for.

While Liverpool are scoring goals playing this way, I do not see why the manager would change it.

Sturridge banged in two League Cup goals against Spurs this week, but he is an individual artist and that is the issue.

Even though he knows it is costing him a spot, I cannot envisage the England man changing who he is. He is a natural lone ranger.

As much as they would love to be the headline-hoggers, I doubt Benteke or Sturridge will be making the back page news.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 3

TODAY’s EPL analyst Adrian Clarke is on twitter @adrianjclarke

TV TIMES

Tonight:

Sunderland v Arsenal (Singtel Ch103 and StarHub Ch228; 7.25pm)

Tottenham v Leicester (Ch102 and Ch227; 10pm)

West Brom v Man City (Ch104 and Ch229; 9.55pm)

Man United v Burnley (Ch105 and Ch230; 9.55pm)

Watford v Hull City (Ch106 and Ch231; 9.55pm)

Middlesbrough v Bournemouth (Ch107 and Ch232; 9.55pm)

Tomorrow:

Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Ch102 and Ch227; 12.30am)

Everton v West Ham (Ch103 and Ch228; 9.25pm)

Southampton v Chelsea (Ch103 and Ch228; 11.55pm)