Get ready for some intense battles in the EPL this weekend

Whether you are looking at the fixture list or specific player duels, there are stacks of fascinating head-to-heads to keep us entertained on Match Day 9. TODAY’s Premier League analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) runs us through five exciting striker/defender showdowns to watch this weekend ...

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham) v Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) 

Spurs have only shipped in four goals, but without the injured Toby Alderweireld, Bournemouth will quietly fancy their chances of adding to that tally.

The razor-sharp form of striker Callum Wilson is flying under the radar, and his fleet-footed movement will severely test Belgian chaperone Jan Vertonghen.

The Spurs centre-back reads the game well, but when Wilson sprints into the channels from back-to-front passes, Vertonghen must ensure he has given himself an extra metre or two headstart. In a 27m race, the Cherries hitman has too much speed.

Wilson is also one of the best in the division when it comes to ghosting in front of defenders at the last moment from crosses. Time and again this season, he has timed an angled burst to sneak in and meet a delivery. It is vital the experienced Vertonghen keeps Wilson in his eye line when the ball is out wide.

Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) v Wes Morgan (Leicester)

Heroic last season, Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan is enduring a horror show most weekends. Appearing a little tubby, and markedly less focused, he needs an upturn.

But things will not get any easier for the 32-year-old at the King Power

Stadium tonight, as the challenge of shackling Christian Benteke awaits.

Crystal Palace love curling crosses into the opposition area (they top the EPL rankings with 29 per game) so Morgan must ready himself for an onslaught.

Constantly asked to get to the ball ahead of Benteke, who wins more headers than any other player in the division, will be a mountainous and physically challenging task.

My advice to Morgan would be to get tight enough to knock Benteke off balance if he cannot always climb highest. Legally, of course!

Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) v Winston Reid (West Ham)

This week, the evergreen Defoe told the media Sunderland had “gone backwards” this season, which may not have pleased his under-pressure boss David Moyes, but he remains the Black Cats’ main man.

Without his predatory instincts, I suspect the bookmakers would have stopped taking bets on Sunderland to go down. His first visit to the London Stadium is a pivotal one for both sides, as Defoe’s former club West Ham need to follow up on an impressive showing at Crystal Palace, with another victory to calm down their disconcerted home faithful.

Winston Reid is the most reliable Hammers defender, and although he has lost a lot of speed this season, his battle with Defoe will be a cracker. He was outstanding last time out.

With goal opportunities likely to be limited, Defoe must be ruthless and think one-step ahead of the New Zealander at all times.

Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton) v Sergio Aguero (Man City) 

If there has been a more consistent central defender than Virgil Van Dijk this season, I have yet to see him. The Dutchman has been an inspiration at the heart of Claude Puel’s excellent back four. Tall, muscular, and surprisingly nimble for a big man, his blossoming partnership with Jose Fonte provide the Saints with hope of upsetting the odds at the Etihad.

How will Aguero react to the frustration of being benched in Barcelona on Thursday morning? If he is still peeved, I would back Van Dijk to keep the Argentine in check. But should Aguero channel that frustration in a positive way, I do not know if anyone is capable of stopping City’s goal machine. If Van Dijk plays as well as he has been, it would be a great audition in front of the watching Pep Guardiola.

Diego Costa (Chelsea) vs Eric Bailly (Man United)

Sparks will fly when these two lock horns, and I suspect Costa will relish the chance to dish out a few bruises to a young centre-back who is fast learning his trade in English football.

Bailly will not be a shrinking violet though. He was super-aggressive against Liverpool last time out, and looks like the type who thrives off the challenge of trying to tame a front man who is eager to bully. Costa, the division’s leading scorer, is more in control of his own game than at any other time since he left Atletico Madrid.

So if Manchester United are to get at least a point, they will need Bailly to stand his ground and mix it, without losing his rag. If either man gets agitated or wound up, do not be shocked to see a red being flashed.

ADRIAN CLARKE'S BIG MATCH PREDICTIONS

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur

With a slow start firmly behind them, the Cherries are now playing some juicy football in front of their own fans. At their most menacing in the wide areas, with the lively Junior Stanislas on fire, they have the ammunition to test Tottenham’s proud unbeaten run. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are in confident form themselves, so it has the potential to be a rip-roaring contest. 

Don’t rule out a Jack Wilshere winner against his north London enemies.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Manchester United

In the wake of a Jose-inspired bore-fest at Anfield earlier this week, few are predicting a glut of goals in the very first running of the ‘Mourinho Derby’. You can expect plenty of red shirts behind the ball at Stamford Bridge, as they look to soak things up before hitting Chelsea on the counter.

Do they have the energy to summon up another shut out? I’m not convinced lightning will strike twice.

Prediction: 1-0

Manchester City v Southampton

Another match, another Guardiola change of formation? He has tinkered with his shape for three successive outings now, and with Sergio Aguero likely to land a recall, expect a fourth alteration as they seek to end a winless run.

The Saints are solid and will be no pushovers. On breakaways, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and Charlie Austin have the quality to hurt City, but an early home goal would ease the nerves.

Prediction: 2-1

LIVE ON TV:

Saturday:

Bournemouth v Tottenham (Singtel Ch102 & StarHub Ch227; 7.30pm)

Leicester v Crystal Palace (Ch102 & Ch227; 10pm)

Arsenal v Middlesborough (Ch103 & Ch228; 9.50pm)

West Ham v Sunderland (Ch104 & Ch229; 9.50pm)

Burnley v Everton (Ch105 & Ch230; 9.50pm)

Hull v Stoke (Ch106 & Ch231; 9.50pm)

Swansea v Watford (Ch107 & Ch232; 9.50pm

Sunday:

Liverpool v West Brom (Ch102 & Ch227; 12.30am)

Man City v Southampton (Ch103 & Ch228; 8.30pm)

Chelsea v Man Utd (Ch103 & Ch228; 11pm)