The EPL resumes this weekend as the international break comes to an end. Manchester City continues to be the team to beat as they have 31 points on the season and are now the overwhelming favorite. We’re just 11 games in and they are posted at -600. Manchester United is in second place with 23 points. Tottenham has the same amount but is currently one spot behind because of tiebreakers. Chelsea is in fourth with 22 points while Liverpool is fourth with 19. However, a lot can happen in this time of year as the busy holiday period will be here before you know it.
With international action this week – action that left Italy is misery – remember that there were a number of bumps and bruises. We’ll take a look at the injury breakdown as players return to their clubs from their international travels. Also, there will be European action as well for the top teams as this time of year will really test a team’s depth.
1. Manchester City
Last Week: 1
EPL Title Odds: -600
Manchester City tops the table by eight points as they have won 10 and drawn one of their first 11 games, and they’ll head to Leicester City on Saturday. City has been excellent on the road as they have won all five of their away games, outscoring the opposition by a score of 14-3. Raheem Sterling (back) and Fabian Delph (calf) are slight injury worries for Saturday, but their injuries are nothing serious as Manchester City looks like a machine. It looks like injuries could be the only thing to derail them, but again, it is a very long season.
2. Manchester United
Last Week: 2
EPL Title Odds: +1400
Manchester United trails their city rivals by eight points, although they’re ahead of Tottenham on goal differential. United will host Newcastle on Saturday to resume their league action, Marcos Rojo (knee) and Phil Jones (thigh) look to be out this weekend, but there is a chance for Paul Pogba (hamstring) and Michael Carrick to play. United has been perfect at home this season, winning all five games and outscoring the opposition 15-0 and they’ll need to make that home edge count if they’re going to keep Manchester City within their sights.
3. Tottenham
Last Week: 3
EPL Title Odds: +1400
Tottenham are third in the table and tied on points with Manchester United at 23, and they’ll head to Arsenal on Saturday for the marquee match of the weekend. Spurs have won four and lost one of their five away matches this season, scoring 12 goals and allowing three. However, they’re a bit banged up as Harry Kane (knee), Harry Winks (ankle), Dele Alli (hamstring) and Hugo Lloris (hip) are all question marks for Saturday, while Toby Alderweireld (hamstring) looks to be out for a while yet. That isn’t good news for Tottenham.
4. Chelsea
Last Week: 4
EPL Title Odds: +1600
Chelsea is fourth in the table as they head to West Brom, and Chelsea has won four and lost one of their five away games, scoring 10 goals and allowing four. Tiemoue Bakayoko (knock) and Eden Hazard (knocks) will likely be alright to play on Saturday, although it could be a different story for David Luiz (knee).
5. Liverpool
Last Week: 5
EPL Title Odds: +6600
Liverpool sits fifth in the table, three points behind Chelsea and level with Arsenal and Burnley as they host Southampton on Saturday. Liverpool has three wins and a pair of draws at home this season, scoring nine goals to just one for the opposition. Adam Lallana (thigh) could return from a long spell on the sidelines this weekend, and Jordan Henderson (thigh) could also feature. However, Sadio Mane (hamstring) won’t play this weekend and not much is known on when he’ll be back. Also, Nathaniel Clyne (back) just had surgery and will be out for a while.
6. Arsenal
Last Week: 6
EPL Title Odds: +8000
Arsenal is sixth behind Liverpool as they get ready to host another edition of the North London Derby against Tottenham, and Arsenal has been great at home this season, winning all five of their matches while scoring 13 goals to four goals for their opponents. Shkodran Mustafi (thigh) and David Ospina (groin) will have to pass late fitness tests to be able to play on Saturday, and Olivier Giroud (knee) probably won’t play this weekend.
7. Leicester City
Last Week: 7
EPL Title Odds: +150000
Leicester City is 12th in the table as they prepare for a tough task in hosting Manchester City, and they have won two and lost two of their five home games, scoring eight goals and allowing six. Ben Chilwell (knee) could be back for selection this weekend, but Vicente Iborra (ankle) and Robert Huth (foot) won’t be ready any time soon for Leicester City.
8. Watford
Last Week: 8
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Watford sits ninth in the table as they host West Ham on Sunday, and Watford has had their struggles at home this season, drawing two and losing two of their first five games at home while scoring five goals and allowing 11 goals. Heurelho Gomes (head), Roberto Pereyra (hamstring)Younes Kaboul (hamstring) and Sebastian Prodl (hamstring) could be ready to play on Sunday, while Isaac Success (knee) is still a few weeks away and there is no word on Nathaniel Chalobah (knee).
9. Southampton
Last Week: 9
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Southampton is 13th in the table as they travel to Liverpool on Saturday, and Southampton has a win and two draws on the road this season, scoring just three goals, but they have allowed just three goals as well. Mario Lemina (ankle) is still about 10-14 days away from being considered to play for Southampton.
10. Everton
Last Week: 10
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Everton is 15th in the table (five points separates eighth from 17th right now) as they travel to Crystal Palace. Away from home has been tough on Everton this season as they have two draws and three losses in their five games, allowing 10 goals and scoring just two goals. Ross Barkley (hamstring), James McCarthy (hamstring), Cuco Martina (concussion) and Tom Davies (hamstring) are all hoping to be selected for this weekend’s game, but it looks like Davis probably has the best shot at suiting up.
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