10 things to look forward to from this weekend's football action
It is that time of the week again where we check out the timings of all the football fixtures from the approaching weekend and make our plans accordingly.
The Premier League enters Matchday 3 while the Bundesliga gets underway this weekend after the La Liga and Serie A had started off last weekend which saw all the big teams winning their respective fixtures.
It is going to be an action-packed weekend and we cannot wait for what’s in store for us. But before you start watching the action, here is a little preview of all the things to look forward to from this weekend’s fixtures in the top four leagues in Europe:
#1 Arsenal will look to get their season on track away at Watford
Arsenal started their Premier League campaign on a bad note as they lost their opening weekend fixture at home to Liverpool in what was a topsy-turvy encounter at the Emirates. The hosts might have lost the game by a single goal in the 4-3 loss but the damage it caused to the club was immense. The opening day loss meant that Arsenal fans were having yet another deja-vu of what they have been facing for almost 12 seasons now.
Manager Arsene Wenger was immediately put under intense pressure for his failure to secure major signings and was forced to bring back Laurent Koscielny into action during the goalless draw at the champions’ den which saw the Gunners collect their first point of the season.
There have been reports in the media which suggest that the Gunners have secured two major signings in both the areas of concern as medicals for Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo La Coruna’s Lucas Perez will be held soon. However, even if the players are signed before the Watford game, it will be difficult for the duo to have any chance of participation at Vicarage Road.
Also Read: 5 things to know about Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi
Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud will be expected to come into the side as Wenger will expect the inclusions to lift the spirits of his team against Watford. Alexis Sanchez has looked out of sorts in the first two games and the Frenchman’s inclusion may solve that problem as well with the Chilean shifting back to his primary position on the left wing.
It will be important for Arsenal to show who’s the boss early on in the game and make sure they get the much-needed 3 points on the table with a victory. However, it could turn out to be a well-fought game as Watford have also strengthened their squad with the latest signing of Daryl Janmatt from Newcastle United.
Arsenal visit Watford for a 7:30 PM IST kick-off on Saturday (August 27, 2016).
#2 Liverpool face a tough trip to White Hart Lane
Liverpool fans are currently in a situation where they cannot quite decide whether to be optimistic about the new season or be afraid that it might also turn out to be yet another disappointing season for the Merseysiders. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool started the season with a bang as they beat Arsenal with an impressive scoreline of 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium in London.
However, the main cause of concern for the German was conceding three goals with another poor display from Alberto Moreno which saw him giving away a penalty as he had brought down Theo Walcott.
Midfielder James Milner was slotted into the starting XI at Burnley as a makeshift left-back. But when the game started it was the home side who made the most of the few chances they got throughout the game and scored two crucial goals with the help of Sam Vokes and Andre Gray.
Klopp had started the trio of Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, Phillippe Coutinho upfront, but the Reds were unable to score a single goal as they could only get five shots on target out of 26 total shots with 81% possession. What the manager will be worried about is the inconsistency of his players going to White Hart Lane knowing that Spurs have been improving as they have started with a draw and a late winner. This will be a tough game to call as you never know what to expect from both the sides.
Tottenham Hotspur will host Liverpool in a 5 PM IST kick-off on Saturday (August 27, 2016).