Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Games
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Football

Richard Buxton: Weary Liverpool can still wing it against Southampton

Richard Buxton: Weary Liverpool can still wing it against Southampton
Liverpool's Sadio Mane (left) celebrating with Roberto Firmino after scoring against Chelsea in the European Super Cup. PHOTO: AFP

In his picks for this weekend's matches, our columnist backs Firmino and company to shine and Lampard's Chelsea to get their first win

Richard Buxton
Columnist
Preview
Aug 16, 2019 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

ARSENAL v BURNLEY

(Tomorrow, 7.30pm)

Arsenal manager Unai Emery looks set to hand Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos their full English Premier League debuts at the Emirates tomorrow.

The new signings both came on as substitutes in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United last Sunday, and could be thrust straight into action against Burnley.

Emery has also declared that Mesut Oezil and Sead Kolasinac "are 100 per cent ready to play" after personal safety concerns.

He also has the luxury of a rested Alexandre Lacazette, unused at St James' Park, to call upon to partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front against Sean Dyche's side.

Burnley may have comfortably put Southampton to the sword 3-0, but are unlikely to find any comfort in the red half of north London, where they have not beaten Arsenal in a league game in 45 years.

Divock Origi (scoring his second and Liverpool’s third goal) led the line against a team that dread facing him more than any other in the EPL. He and Xherdan Shaqiri, who also scored in between Origi’s brace, were given rare starring roles.
Football

Supporting cast play their part

Dec 06, 2019

Related Stories

Jamie Vardy on target as Leicester City win seventh straight game

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can relax until his next loss: Peter Schmeichel

Freddie Ljungberg keen to seek Arsene Wenger's advice

History is unlikely to change in tomorrow's high-noon showdown.

Prediction: Arsenal to win 3-0

SOUTHAMPTON v LIVERPOOL

(Tomorrow, 10pm)

Anfield may have added another trophy to its cabinet, but it is likely to come at a cost.

Extra-time and a penalty shoot-out in the European Super Cup took a needless physical toll on Liverpool, who were hardly flawless against Chelsea yesterday morning (Singapore time).

A high defensive line that has now faced 40 shots in their first three games of the campaign gives Juergen Klopp cause for concern in travelling to the Reds' unofficial feeder club.

New arrival Adrian proved a largely capable stand-in for the injured Alisson in Istanbul, yet even he will have limitations if Virgil van Dijk and company fall off the pace for a fourth game.

Liverpool's attacking trident, however, is likely to tip the balance in this game, with Roberto Firmino, in particular, proving to be their greatest catalyst in consecutive weeks.

Prediction: Liverpool to win 3-1

MAN CITY v TOTTENHAM

(Sunday, 12.30am)

It seems that not even the VAR will be able to stop the reigning EPL champions.

The technology ensured that Tottenham Hotspur got the better of City in last season's Champions League quarter-finals, but Pep Guardiola rarely allows himself to be outwitted twice.

Already this season, his side appear to be the complete package; a perfect blend of pace, street smarts and goal-scoring potency. West Ham United's 5-0 thrashing was borderline charitable.

Spurs, meanwhile, are slowly working their way back to the machine of momentum which ultimately steered them to a respectable fourth in the league and saw them finish Champions League finalists last term.

But one win from 10 previous visits to the Etihad Stadium in all competitions, coupled with City's renewed ascendancy, promises to deliver only hard times and misery for the Lilywhites.

Prediction: City to win 4-1

CHELSEA v LEICESTER CITY

(Sunday, 11.30pm)

On the face of it, back-to-back defeats are damning for Frank Lampard's early Chelsea reign.

Scratch beneath the surface, though, and there are genuine signs for optimism, despite being trounced at Old Trafford and edged out in Istanbul over just four days.

Lapses in concentration allowed Manchester United to run riot over the Blues last Sunday, but there were flashes against Liverpool in the Super Cup that pointed to a swift resurgence.

Christian Pulisic's disallowed goal will not dent confidence too heavily from a game where he regularly led the reigning European champions' defence on a merry dance, as did Pedro Rodriguez.

A return to prominence for N'Golo Kante is also perfectly timed to nullify his former club's attack.

The Blues look capable of pulling off their first victory in the Lampard era.

Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0

WOLVES v MAN UNITED

(Tuesday, 3am)

Swashbuckling football and a renewed faith in youth; the United of old are finally back.

It may last only seven days, with Nuno Espirito Santo's daydream believers taking four points off them last season and throwing in an FA Cup quarter-final exit for good measure.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have the Red Devils in their sights as they make way for their top-six ascension, and will pose another stern test despite their Europa League exertions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping that his reinforced defence can end the Molineux hoodoo.

With a formidable Harry Maguire at the heart of it, he has every right to fancy his chances.

Just don't expect another free-scoring outing from United - the Chelsea rout flattered them.

Prediction: Man United to win 1-0

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

Football

Richard Buxton

Columnist
tnp@sph.com.sg
Read articles by Richard Buxton
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Parents camp overnight at Nafa to book classes for their kids
Singapore

Parents camp overnight at Nafa to book classes for their kids

Dec 03, 2019
New version of National Anthem to be unveiled tomorrow
Singapore

New version of National Anthem to be unveiled tomorrow

Dec 02, 2019
Lowest bonus in 10 years for civil servants
Singapore

Civil servants to get lower year-end bonus

Dec 03, 2019
Home
  • Contests
  • Games
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2019 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E