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Rediff.com  » Sports » What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend
This article was first published 10 years ago

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

December 06, 2013 16:00 IST

Image: Bryan Oviedo of Everton (top) celebrates with team-mate Sylvain Distin
Photographs: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Arsenal v Everton

When: Sunday, December 8

Time: 2030 IST

Roberto Martinez's improving Everton, buoyed after landing their first victory at Manchester United for 21 years, will try to end another long barren run when they visit Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Everton have not won at the north London club since Andrei Kanchelskis scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph in January 1996 and the odds are again stacked against the visitors this weekend.

Arsenal are four points clear of second-placed Chelsea, having not lost at the Emirates in the league since they were surprisingly beaten by Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

Image: Everton manager Roberto Martinez
Photographs: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

"In football you need to go through disappointments, bide your time and wait for an opportunity," Martinez told reporters after a late goal by deputy left back Bryan Oviedo secured a surprise 1-0 victory at champions United on Wednesday.

"There is a real sense of pride because we came here with a real determination to be ourselves and I think we did that."

Oviedo, who also struck in fifth-placed Everton's 4-0 rout of StokeCity on Saturday, is only in the side because of an injury to England fullback Leighton Baines.

"It's been frustrating for him but he has shown he's ready and taken the opportunity to help the team," Martinez added.

"He has brought two goals in two games but more importantly he's shown defensive concentration in those games too. He's a real example."

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

Image: John Terry and Frank Lampard of Chelsea look on during a training session
Photographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Stoke v Chelsea

When: Saturday, December 7

Time: 2030 IST

Jose Mourinho hailed Chelsea's best awayday of the season after a thrilling 4-3 victory at bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday and the manager will hope for a repeat effort at StokeCity on Saturday.

Belgian winger Eden Hazard gave a scintillating performance, scoring twice for the 2012 European champions and also laying on a goal for vice-captain Frank Lampard.

"Hazard was unplayable," said Sunderland manager Gustavo Poyet. "I don't remember a player performing at this level against me as a manager.

"We tried everything. We needed another football," said the former Chelsea midfielder.

Mourinho's men come up against another former StamfordBridge favourite at the weekend in Stoke manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes made an encouraging start after taking over from Tony Pulis in the close season but Stoke have struggled in recent weeks and need a win on Saturday to ease mounting relegation worries.

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

Image: Samir Nasri of Manchester City
Photographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Southampton v Man City

When: Saturday, December 7

Time: 2030 IST

Third-placedManchesterCity will be looking for revenge on Saturday after producing one of their worst displays of last season at Southampton.

City were shambolic in defence as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat at the south coast club but Manuel Pellegrini's team have been electric up front in recent weeks and could be meeting Southampton at just the right time.

Mauricio Pochettino's side lost 3-1 at Chelsea on Saturday before going down 3-2 at home to Aston Villa four days later.

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

Image: Daniel Sturridge (left) of Liverpool celebrates with Luis Suarez
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Liverpool v West Ham

When: Saturday, December 7

Time: 2030 IST

Luis Suarez will aim to continue his midweek scoring exploits when fourth-placed Liverpool entertain West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday.

The Uruguayan netted four times in a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich City on Wednesday to go top of the league scoring charts with 13 goals.

What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

Image: Wayne Rooney (right) and Robin van Persie of Manchester United
Photographs: Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Man United v Newcastle

When: Saturday, December 7

Time: 1815 IST

Champions United, down in ninth position following their defeat by Everton, host Newcastle United on Saturday while sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur travel to Sunderland.

The other games on Saturday feature Norwich travelling to West Bromwich Albion and CardiffCity visiting CrystalPalace.

Third from bottom Fulham entertain Aston Villa on Sunday while Swansea City host Hull City on Monday.