IF Saturday's Premier League schedule is all about the latest instalment of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola's rivalry at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, there's no doubting Sunday is all league-leading Leicester's trip to league-winning Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers squares off against his replacement at Anfield, at Jurgen Klopp.
That's not to say it won't be fun to see Richarlison back for Everton, Rhian Brewster a bit closer to full fitness as Sheffield United seek their first win, and an inevitably thrilling encounter between Leeds and Arsenal, but come on, Jamie Vardy versus the champions' depleted defence – phwoar, bring it on! Here are your tips for this Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
Fulham vs Everton | Sunday November 22, 12:00
Scott Parker is unlikely to have looked forward to too many games this season, but this game might be one of them. Not only did he achieve his first ever Premier League win as a manager against the Toffees after Fulham had already been relegated in 2018, his side will be facing an Everton side at a decidedly low ebb. After eight games unbeaten to start the season, the Blues have lost their last three games, scoring two and conceding seven.
From the moment Richarlison was sent off against Liverpool, Everton's attack has ceased to function. Teams have doubled up on James Rodriguez who has also struggled with injury, as has Seamus Coleman, while left-back Lucas Digne also served a suspension. That's a huge chunk of the Toffees' creative ranks unavailable, injured or ineffective for the best part of a month, leaving Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored his second goal in three starts for England this week, often stranded and feeding off scraps.
Richarlison and Digne are back now, and Rodriguez looks to have overcome his injury after completing 90 minutes twice for Colombia on international duty. Everton still have some gaping defensive issues to sort out, having conceded 14 in eight games, but their improved attack in the context of Fulham's abject defence should be enough to get them back on track. Don't be surprised to see Ademola Lookman make an impact against his old club, but Calvert-Lewin up against Tim Ream could be the personal battle that decides this clash.
Match odds: Fulham (29/10) Draw (14/5) Everton (10/11)
Correct score: Fulham 1-2 Everton (7/1)
Tip: Match multi – Over 2.5 goals and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score (33/20)
Sheff Utd vs West Ham | Sunday November 22, 14:00
Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with Fulham remains the high point of their 2020/21 season so far. It is the only time Chris Wilder's side managed to avoid defeat in the Premier League this season. They are, as you'd expect with that record, rooted to the bottom of the table, desperate for a win. In terms of positive omens, the Blades do have a 100% home record against West Ham in the Premier League, but we're only talking about three matches, so let's not get carried away.
The transition from Dean Henderson to Aaron Ramsdale in the United goal always looked a tricky one, but it's gone worryingly badly so far. United have conceded 20 goals in their last 11 Premier League games, a total matched in the previous 21 games before that. Also, the Blades have only scored seven goals this season and yet somehow lead the league for points dropped from winning positions (six).
Michail Antonio is still ruled out for West Ham, and Andriy Yarmolenko is a significant doubt leaving David Moyes with Sebastian Haller who he blatantly does not rate, and Jarrod Bowen who he clearly does. This could see both managers go back to basics and set out their stall defensively. If so, a second draw of the season could be on the cards for the struggling Blades.
Match odds: Sheff Utd (39/20) Draw (23/10) West Ham (31/20)
Correct score: Sheff Utd 1-1 West Ham (7/1)
Tip: Draw (23/10)
Leeds United vs Arsenal | Sunday November 22, 16:30
Leeds come into this game on the back of consecutive 4-1 defeats which took their goals against column to 17, the highest in the Premier League so far this season. They've never lost three consecutive league games under Marcelo Bielsa but that's a possibility here. That said, Arsenal also just reached a low point under their new boss with Aston Villa inflicting the joint biggest defeat of Mikel Arteta's reign (0-3) last time out at the Emirates.
The Gunners have lost three of their last four Premier League games without scoring – in fact, it's six hours and 26 minutes since Arteta's side last scored a league goal from open play, with captain and talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang averaging 1.3 shots per game, down from 2.7 last season. Leeds tend to over-commit and leave themselves exposed at the back, but there's no guarantee Arsenal will be able to take advantage.
Bielsa has had the opportunity to work with much more of his first team squad than Arteta during the international break which could be key following both teams' poor recent results, and with Patrick Bamford already providing more goals (seven in eight games) than most people genuinely expected him to this season, he will be typically confident of bouncing back. However, with Leeds conceding a league high seven goals from set pieces, including penalties, this may be another example of inadequate defence undermining impressive attack.
Match odds: Leeds United (11/5) Draw (27/10) Arsenal (6/5)
Correct score: Leeds 2-2 Arsenal (21/2)
Tip: Arsenal to be awarded a penalty (4/1)
Liverpool vs Leicester City | Sunday November 22, 19:15
On April 23, 2017, a barely believable Christian Benteke brace handed Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace a 2-1 win at Anfield. In the 63 league games since then, Liverpool have remained unbeaten, claiming a frankly absurd 167 points from 189 available. One more win and the Reds will set a new club record, and considering some of the utterly dominant Liverpool sides of the past, that would be an incredible achievement. Enter stage left, Jurgen Klopp's predecessor Brendan Rodgers who brings table-topping Leicester to Merseyside full of confidence.
Liverpool's injury crisis has been overstated this season, BBC Football's Twitter account describing a first choice back five (including Alisson) minus Van Dijk as "makeshift" a particular low point of red-tinted analysis. But there's no doubt now, this is a full-blown crisis. Klopp's side may line up on Sunday without any of their regular back four while potential deputy Rhys Williams withdrew from England duty on Wednesday. Fabinho and Joel Matip might be back, Neco Williams can deputise, James Milner can slot in, Kostas Tsimikas might make his debut, but that is not the defence of a Premier League champion, and Jamie Vardy in particular will be acutely aware of that.
Throw in the fact that Mo Salah is missing after contracting Covid-19 during the international break. Diogo Jota should step in with the minimum amount of fuss as he aims to become the first ever Liverpool player to score in his first four games at Anfield, but with Roberto Firmino notching an incredibly meagre three goals in his last 31 Liverpool appearances, this is a massive chance for Leicester.
Since losing at home to West Ham and Aston Villa, the Foxes have won straight six games. Wesley Fofana has quickly emerged as the best defensive Premier League acquisition this summer – he is expected to pass a late fitness test to start. Vardy, who has scored eight in seven league games this season, has a fantastic record against Liverpool with seven goals in 12 games. Only Andy Cole (11) and Thierry Henry (eight) have scored more against the Reds, while Vardy himself has only scored more against Arsenal (11) and Man City (nine).
If there's one player who can upset the applecart, pick off the champions at a low ebb, and end one of the most enduring unbeaten runs in English football, Vardy is absolutely that man. I'm backing him to inspire a massive win for Leicester on Sunday, and sweet revenge against his former club for Rodgers.
Match odds: Liverpool (19/20) Draw (11/4) Leicester City (11/4)
Correct score: Liverpool 1-2 Leicester (14/1)
Tip: Wincast – Jamie Vardy to score and Leicester to win (4/1)
Click here to read Premier League betting tips for Saturday November 21, 2020
