Gunners face jinx, Reds tackle old boys

Whenever club football returns from an international break there is an exhilarating buzz in the air, but this weekend’s cracking fixture lists across Europe have got fans salivating even more fervently than usual. Our EPL analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) looks ahead to the games that matter most in England …

Manchester United vs Arsenal

Making A STATEMENT

The time is ripe for Arsene Wenger to finally screw his “Jose jinx” up into a ball and launch it with all his might towards the Old Trafford home dug out.

He will never get a better chance to turn over a managerial nemesis who has made an art form out of getting up his nose.

Unbeaten away from home since March, with just two defeats on their travels this year, Arsenal’s players are brimming with confidence and have nothing to fear from this trip.

Their performances have been on a different level to Manchester United’s for most of the season so far.

Too often the Gunners have meekly disappeared into their shell in this fixture (as well as against Mourinho’s Chelsea) but there is a growing sense that Wenger’s class of 2016-17 are cut from a more durable cloth.

We have been here before; expectantly waiting for an in-form Arsenal to make a statement in this historic and glamorous match-up, only to be let down with a no-show. If it happens again, there will be more scratching of heads than ever before.

SHUT IT DOWN OR RIP IT UP?

If anyone knows how to suck the life out of a side that wants to play pretty football, it is Mourinho.

Just weeks after masterminding a passion-killing 0-0 draw at Anfield, I wonder if the Manchester United boss will focus on stifling Arsenal, instead of going for the jugular?

The disrespectfulness he shows the Frenchman in public tends to disguise a respect that his game plans cannot hide.

Personally, on home turf I think their best bet would be to press high and put the Gunners under pressure right from the get go.

With Hector Bellerin ruled out through injury and a rusty Carl Jenkinson set to step in, targeting Arsenal’s right would make perfect sense.

In midfield, without Santi Cazorla’s calmness on the ball, the Gunners may not find it so easy to pass around United’s press.

There are vulnerabilities. How brave United choose to be is another matter. Arsenal’s counter-attacking potential with Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez is frightening.

KOSCIELNY VS RASHFORD

Once Arsenal fans found out Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended, their collective hand rubbing did not last long. For many, teenager Marcus Rashford will provoke just as much fear as the legendary Swede.

The 19-year-old rookie tortured the Gunners last February, scoring twice. Winning his individual battle with Laurent Koscielny hands down, the French defender is guaranteed to be pumped up and ready to claim payback.

With Mourinho seemingly unwilling to rest or even substitute Ibrahimovic this is Rashford’s big chance to remind us what a brilliant No 9 he can be. To prevent him grabbing his opportunity, Koscielny must concentrate deeply for 90 minutes. It is a duel that excites me.

This is Arsenal’s moment to lay down a marker, and they need to take it.

There have been false dawns before, but up against a United outfit that is as far away from finding top groove, as Bastian Schweinsteiger is of getting a start under Mourinho, I have to make them slight favourites.

Prediction: Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2

Southampton vs Liverpool

WILL THE SAINTS’ OLD BOYS BE INSPIRED BY REUNION?

Liverpool have charitably laced Southampton’s pockets with almost £100 million (S$177 million) in recent seasons, but do not expect fans at St Mary’s to provide too much gratitude.

Upset at seeing Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne up sticks for Merseyside, the atmosphere will be hostile for this intriguing clash.

Providing the injured Lallana is not missed too much — he has been in scorching form — the Reds will do what they always do, and play for the win.

Jurgen Klopp has devised a system (4-3-3) and a philosophy (high tempo pressing/fluid attacking movement) that suits his players. They have been nonchalantly cohesive and joyous to watch in recent weeks.

Too hot for most to handle, they average 2.73 goals a game.

Of all the ex-Saints men on show, it is Mane who his former club will undoubtedly fear most. His devious and often deadly runs in beyond the back four must be carefully monitored at all times. He is a winger who pops up all over the place.

THE SKY SUITS SOUTHAMPTON

They produce plenty of good-looking football under Claude Puel, trying one-twos and working in triangles as often as possible, but when I ponder Southampton’s core strengths, it is set plays and crosses that spring to mind.

When their fullbacks plow forward, striker Charlie Austin comes alive. He is a fabulous finisher.

At corners and free kicks the precision deliveries from the under-rated James Ward-Prowse, coupled with the aerial prowess of Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte, means they offer a bigger threat than most EPL sides.

Klopp is touchy about that subject. He has changed his goalkeeper and insists Liverpool have improved their defending of set pieces, but his charges still look vulnerable whenever crosses are whizzed into their box.

Puel’s men will know this, so expect a deluge from the flanks.

Irrepressible Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have travelled halfway across the globe to feature at St Mary’s, but will that take a kilowatt or two of energy away from Liverpool’s sparkling approach? I would not be surprised.

At their best, the Reds would blow Southampton away nine times out of 10, but with guys such as Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and Charlie Austin in decent form, and the possibility of Liverpool turning up tired, I can see things levelling out.

Prediction: Southampton 2 Liverpool 2

OTHER MATCH PREDICTIONS

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Shedding 10 goals in their past three matches is not ideal preparation for the visit of free-scoring Manchester City, but Crystal Palace are at least offering a threat at the other end. Every time Jason Puncheon looks up on his gorgeous left foot, he will seek out Christian Benteke’s menacing forehead. This contest will be lively, but I see a Pep Guardiola win.

Crystal Palace 1 Man City 3

Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United

Is Harry Kane going to start? Will Mauricio Pochettino persist with three at the back? These are questions that will bug Slaven Bilic ahead of kick off in what is always a fierce London derby. The Hammers boss says he fears a relegation dogfight, and I do not think he is exaggerating their plight. With Dimitri Payet unsettled, it could be a long winter. The Spurs should end their seven-match winless streak here.

Tottenham 2 West Ham 1

TV LISTINGS

TODAY

Manchester United v Arsenal

Singtel TV Ch103 & StarHub TV Ch228, 8.25pm

Crystal Palace v Manchester City

Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub TV Ch227, 10.55pm

Southampton v Liverpool

Singtel TV Ch103 & StarHub TV Ch228, 10.55pm

Everton v Swansea

Singtel TV Ch104 & StarHub TV Ch229, 10.55pm

Watford v Leicester City

Singtel TV Ch105 & StarHub TV Ch230, 10.55pm

Sunderland v Hull

Singtel TV Ch106 & StarHub TV Ch231, 10.55pm

Stoke v Bournemouth

Singtel TV Ch107 & StarHub TV Ch232, 10.55pm