Premier League Sunday: Mourinho seeks more success against Gunners

Jose Mourinho has never lost at home to Arsenal. In fact, against no side in his entire career has he faced more times at home without losing. The omens are good for Spurs ahead of the North London derby on Sunday.

Matthew Crist

Jose Mourinho could become only the second Tottenham manager to win both of his first two North London derbies with a win over Arsenal on Sunday – a team he’s never lost to at home in his entire career.

If this fixture needed any more spice, a goal from Harry Kane would secure his place in the record books as the top scorer in the fixture’s long and illustrious history.

Also on Sunday, West Brom looked to build on their first win last week when Crystal Palace visit the Hawthorns, Sheffield United look for their first win of the season at the 11th attempt versus Leicester, and Diogo Jota welcomes his old club to his new home as Liverpool take on Wolves.

West Brom vs Crystal Palace 12:00

Slaven Bilic

West Brom won their first Premier League game of 2019/20 last week and have every chance of making that two-on-the-bounce against an out of sorts Palace side.

Slaven Bilic’s men worked hard against Spurs and Manchester United with nothing to show for it, eventually losing by just the one goal, before eventually getting off the mark against the Blades last week.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have failed to score in either of their last two games which ended in defeat to Burnley and Newcastle, but Wilfried Zaha’s return after his Covid-enforced absence will give the Eagles hope as opened the scoring the last time the sides met in the Premier League in 2018 when Palace earned a 2-0 win.

WEST BROM WIN: 2.95
DRAW: 3.25
PALACE WIN: 2.60

Sheff Utd v Leicester 14:00

Chris Wilder

Sheffield United are one of only three teams in English top-flight history to collect one or fewer points from their opening 10 games as they prepare to face a Leicester side who were stunned by a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham on Monday night.

Chris Wilder performed heroics last season as the Blades looked destined for a top-six finish for most of the campaign, but it’s a different story this time with his side collecting just a single point from the last 42 available.

At home, Leicester have lost three of five games, including that loss to the Cottagers last week, but on the road, it’s a different story for the Foxes who have won four of five – including victories at Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds.

SHEFF UTD WIN: 3.95
DRAW: 3.45
LEICESTER WIN: 2.05

Tottenham v Arsenal 16:30

Jose Mourinho

After Tottenham’s 2-1 victory back in July, Jose Mourinho can become only the second Spurs manager to win both of his first two North London derbies after Jimmy Anderson, while Mikel Arteta can become only the second Arsenal manager to lose both of his after Bertie Mee.

Tottenham are currently on the Premier League’s longest unbeaten run – having not tasted defeat in nine games – and their longest unbeaten run at home to Arsenal since 1968.

If that wasn’t enough, Mourinho has never lost a home fixture to Arsenal. In fact, against no side in his entire career has Mourinho faced more times at home without losing.

As for Arsenal, currently 14th and their lowest position ahead of a clash with their rivals since 1993, they have pocketed only four Premier League victories in 15 on their travels under Arteta in a season which appeared to start so brightly before successive home defeats to Aston Villa and Wolves.

SPURS WIN: 2.00
DRAW: 3.55
ARSENAL WIN: 3.90

Liverpool v Wolves 19:15

Nuno Wolves

If Diogo Jota scores against his former side on Sunday he will join an elite club consisting of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe to have scored in their first five Premier League games for a new club.

Liverpool have been blighted with injuries so far this season and on the back of his fine Champions League performance and clean sheet against Ajax, Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to deputize in goal for Alisson who is struggling with a hamstring injury.

Despite the absentees, the Reds are on the second-longest unbeaten home run in English football history having not tasted defeat in their last 64 Premier League games – that’s despite dropping more points (six) from winning positions this season than they did in the whole of 2019/20.

The big issue for sixth-placed Wolves is the injury to Raúl Jiménez, who was carried off after fracturing his skull in a clash of heads with David Luiz during last weekend’s 2-1 win at Arsenal with Fabio Silva or Adam Traoré the two in contention to lead the line.

LIVERPOOL WIN: 1.52
DRAW: 4.15
WOLVES WIN: 7.00

 

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