What to Watch: Week 7
The first five weeks of the season were filled with upsets, wild results and interesting finishes. Matchweek 6 offered very little of that. Aston Villa losing to Leeds by three goals may been the most surprising result of the week. As we look ahead to Matchweek 7, there are not many interesting match ups, but let’s take a look at two of the bigger fixtures.
Manchester United v Arsenal
Sunday, 11:30 pm EST
The marquee matchup of the weekend featuring two teams fresh off of wins in Europe. Since the 1-6 thrashing against Tottenham, Manchester United have won three of their last four, including a 5-0 drubbing of RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Sunday, they face off against an Arsenal team that currently has the best defensive record in the league with just seven goals conceded. Will a red-hot Marcus Rashford be able to score on this Arsenal defense? Can United make it four wins from five?
Arsenal are also coming off a win in European competition after a 3-0 win against Dundalk. In the league, they have yet to win or draw since before the international break, losing matches away to Manchester City and Leicester City. The Gunners have not won a match away against one of the “Big-Six” sides since January of 2015. Can Arsenal arrest their slide in the league? Will they be able to score against a leaky United defense?
Leicester City v Leeds United
Monday, 3:00 pm EST
Last week, Leicester City were able to turn their form around in the league and pick up a 1-0 win against the Gunners. This week, they welcome a Leeds team that is just two points behind them. Leicester will however be without Timothy Castagne and Johnny Evans who have both picked up injuries. Just as Leicester were beginning to get a few players back, another injury crisis hits. Will the return of Jamie Vardy and James Maddison be enough for Leicester? Will a makeshift defense be able to keep Leeds out?
Leeds traveled to Villa Park last week and came out with a 0-3 win that pushed them up to sixth in the league. They have consistently been able to score goals and Patrick Bamford comes up against an injury plagued Leicester defense that will be playing on short rest. Leeds, however, come in to this match having not played in nine days. Will the extra rest give them an advantage against Leicester? Or will Biesla’s team a bit rusty? I tend to think Leeds have a big advantage in this match. It should be full of excitement!
What matches are you watching this weekend? Is there another match you are keeping an eye on? Let us know your thoughts and prediction on Twitter @ScousersUS or on my personal account @JSlapeSSP.