Stamford Bridge will be the backdrop to an intriguing subplot involving two of the most excitable managers in the league and goals should trigger wild celebrations on the touchline. PHOTO: AFP
Between them, those three teams have won the title in 11 out of the past 12 campaigns and are already marked out as favourites to contest the title this time around too.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have an early chance to set the weekend’s pace with tonight’s visit of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who return to London for the third time in five games after winning at Arsenal and drawing with Tottenham Hotspur.
Jurgen wants Kop to end Klopp mania
Stamford Bridge will be the backdrop to an intriguing subplot involving two of the most excitable managers in the league and goals should trigger wild celebrations on the touchline.
On their day, Klopp’s men are a match for the ‘big three’ and arrive on the back of the 4-1 demolition of last season’s champions, Leicester.
Although he did not score at Anfield, Daniel Sturridge looked back to his best and produced a stunning assist to set up Sadio Mane.
Not surprisingly, Klopp is looking for more of the same. Asked on Wednesday how they would reach the same high pitch, the German said it was a case of ‘staying greedy’. “The movements were brilliant. Daniel was involved in three or four goals. For the first one, it was a brilliant run,” he added.
Chelsea take pole position as Arsenal end winless run
Liverpool know they must nullify the threat of Diego Costa, who has scored four goals in as many Premier League games, but the Brazilian Oscar has been almost as influential in Chelsea’s strong start.
Statistics released this week by oulala.com show that since being handed a more deep-lying role by Conte, Oscar has made more successful passes and tackles and created more chances than in any of his four previous seasons with the Londoners. Victory would only put Chelsea top for less than 24 hours should Manchester City, still defending a 100% record since Pep Guardiola took the reins, then defeat Bournemouth, a team they have never lost to, at the Etihad tomorrow.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2016.
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