Fourth place Chelsea travel to West Brom to face a side who they have lost to only three times in the Premier League. The last time West Brom won was in May 2015 but they are on a poor run of form at this time. They currently sit one point above the drop zone after failing to win a game since August. Chelsea, however, have won their last three league games to remain nine points behind City.
Leicester have won two of their last three games against Manchester City but a repeat this season may be difficult. The fixture at the KP Stadium finished in a 4-2 win to the home side, although City won the return game in May. Man City have dropped points in only one game this season so far and are eight points clear at the top. Leicester struggled at the start of the season but are now into 12th after going unbeaten in five games. Pep Guardiola’s side have scored three or more in each of their last four league games.
This weekend sees the 51st North London derby in the Premier League as Arsenal host Tottenham. The home side historically have the upper hand winning 18 times but almost half have ended in a draw. Arsenal haven’t beaten their rivals since March 2014 and it has been more than four years since the last home win. Arsenal have won all five of their home games this season so far but are yet to beat one of the traditional big six sides. Tottenham have won four of their last five games and currently lie four points ahead of Arsenal.
The last two meetings between Manchester United and Newcastle United have ended in a draw. Man United have won 25 of the preceding games though and have not lost at home to Newcastle since 2013. Just the one win in their last four league games though has seen them fall away from a title challenge. Newcastle were in good form but have slipped of late, losing their last two.
Both games between Liverpool and Southampton last season finished goalless and it could be another tight game this time. The 11 games featuring Southampton so far have yielded only 20 goals, one of the lowest in the division. Liverpool have won their last two league games to recover some form and move into 5th place. Southampton, however, have won just one in their last five.
Both Bournemouth and Huddersfield have won two of their last three games and meet on the south coast this weekend. Bournemouth are showing signs of turning around their early poor form. Conceding just two in their last five has helped lift them out of the relegation zone. Huddersfield remain in mid-table in their debut Premier League campaign and will be looking to add to their points tally.
Burnley have not beaten Swansea in the Premier League in any of their last four attempts. After a strong start to the season, they are sat in 7th place and have lost just once in their last five. Swansea, in contrast, have lost four of their last five and are starting to look as though they will be involved in a relegation battle this season.
Everton won last time out to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. They travel to bottom of the table Crystal Palace who have picked up their only four points in the last two home games. 2014 was the last time Palace beat Everton but they will need to start picking up points if they are to stave off relegation.
Sunday sees West Ham trying to get their first win at Watford since 2000. Both sides have won three Premier League meetings each over the years. Watford have been on a good run at the start of the season and many thought they could perform well. They have lost their last three, however, and have slipped down the league. West Ham are also in poor form but with new manager David Moyes at the helm, they will be aiming to end a run of four defeats.
The game-week closes with Stoke’s trip to Brighton on Monday night. The hosts have not lost in their last four and have climbed to 8th place. Stoke, on the other hand, have two wins from five league games and sit 14th.
In the past a visit to West Brom has caused some problems for teams, Chelsea included. The hosts are on a very poor run of form at the moment though with only two wins in their last 20 games. Given the amount of dropped points already this season Chelsea cannot afford to lose more ground to runaway leaders Man City.