New Delhi: The final Premier League fixture before the international break will see Brighton take on Tottenham Hotspur while will Chelsea face Nottingham Forest, but the most hyped match is undoubtedly Aston Villa vs Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future at the club hanging in the balance. As the pressure mounts on Ten Hag, the outcome of this crucial game could determine his fate at Old Trafford. As the anticipation builds fans will be keen to see which side holds the upper hand. So, before the action kicks off here’s a preview of the Saturday matches.
Aston Villa vs Man United (6:30 pm IST)
Back on the road 🇾🇪#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/6obWvxJm3B
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2024
The pressure on Erik ten Hag has reached a boiling point. Winless in their last four matches including a 3-0 home drubbing by Tottenham and a dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto, Ten Hag’s side finds themselves in crisis. Manchester United are lagging heavily in the backline. They have shipped six goals in their last two games and are raising questions about the manager’s tactics. United, currently sit in 13th place and requires a win to alleviate growing discontent. A trip to Villa Park won’t be easy, especially with Aston Villa in red-hot form but United must dig deep to avoid further embarrassment.
Aston Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery has been nothing short of remarkable highlighted by their stunning 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Their defensive resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments such as Jhon Duran’s composed finish against the German giants have helped Villa to mark their best starts in years. Sitting fifth in the Premier League and boasting six wins from their last seven matches Villa’s confidence is sky-high. Though a recent slip against Ipswich Town cost them two valuable points, Emery’s side remains a serious contender. With their impressive form Villa will be eyeing another statement win against Manchester United hoping to add more pressure on Erik ten Hag.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Man United
Chelsea vs Nottm Forest (6:30 pm IST)
Up next: Nottingham Forest (H) in the #PL. 🌳 pic.twitter.com/vzUsqSTj7n
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 5, 2024
Chelsea will welcome Nottm Forest to Stamford Bridge in Sunday’s Premier League clash. The Blues are soaring under the guidance of Enzo Maresca with five consecutive wins across all competitions setting a strong tone. Their attacking prowess has been impressive as they have netted 16 goals in their last four matches including back to back 4-2 victories against Brighton and Gent. Cole Palmer’s historic four-goal feat in the first half against Brighton highlighted the Blues’ firepower. However, their recent win over Gent showed the versatility Chelsea holds as Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all got themselves on the scoresheet. With the best shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season the Blues are making a strong case for a top-four finish.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have adopted a more cautious approach under Nuno Espirito Santo often relying on narrow victories and resilient defensive displays. Despite a recent 1-0 loss to Fulham which marked their first Premier League defeat of the season they have made a solid start and currently sit 10th in the table. Their away form has been particularly impressive, collecting 13 points from their last 15 on the road. While their attacking flair hasn’t matched Chelsea’s, their ability to grind out results makes them formidable opponents. Forest will hope to replicate last season’s shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge and spoil Chelsea’s winning streak once again.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Nottm Forest
Brighton vs Tottenham Hotspur (9 pm IST)
Looking to bounce back in the #PL! ✊ pic.twitter.com/nl8qhiC6Z9
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 4, 2024
Brighton and Hove Albion will head into the clash with Tottenham looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-2 loss to Chelsea. Despite an early lead through Georginio Rutter Brighton were undone by an incredible individual display from Cole Palmer. Manager Fabian Hurzeler was left frustrated by defensive lapses that gifted the Blues several opportunities and helped them win easily. The Seagulls are currently ninth in the Premier League as they have been entertaining but inconsistent in both scoring and conceding multiple goals in their recent fixtures. At the Amex, Brighton have struggled to secure victories with just two wins in their last eight home league matches. Hurzeler will aim to tighten up the defense and reclaim momentum against Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur are riding high under Ange Postecoglou as they racked up five consecutive wins across all competitions. Their latest triumph over Ferencvaros saw Brennan Johnson and Pape Sarr on the scoresheet helping Spurs win by a scoreline of 2-1 in the Europa League. Despite a rough ride in Europe, their confidence is surging high as they sit eighth in the Premier League. Back-to-back league victories over Brentford and Manchester United have lifted them closer to the European spots with Postecoglou’s tactical approach starting to bear fruit. However, Spurs’ away form has been less consistent and victory at the Amex would mark their first back-to-back away league wins in 12 months.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Tottenham
Check out the detailed preview of Premier League Matchday 7 Sunday fixtures where top teams prepare for intense battles ahead of the international break. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
