What you can’t miss from Premier day

Start a new Premier day. And as always, with top-level matches you can’t miss. These are the five matches we recommend from Mundo Deportivo.

Chelsea v Fulham, Friday, 21:00 DAZN

The premiere of eight reinforcement ‘blues’ for Graham Potter

With the record signing of Argentine international Enzo Fernández, Chelsea, tenth in the Premier, have transformed the January transfer market until the deadline. Club owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have invested in a record-breaking effort to strengthen Graham Potter’s squad, with eight new additions now able to propel the Blues forward. The challenge for Potter is to combine so many stars and make a real team. In contrast, the Portuguese Marco Silva’s Fulham, ranked seventh, came to the classic West London derby, increasing the rivalry this time by being close to the table, two points above. But Fulham, who have lost two straight, have won this London ‘derby’ just twice, in 31 games.

2

Everton-Arsenal, Saturday, 1:30 pm DAZN

The leader’s visit to Goodison Park, along with Sean Dyche’s debut

Englishman Sean Dyche made his debut as Everton coach in the worst possible game. The Premier League leaders arrived at Goodison Park, also boosted by the signings of Trossard and Jorginho. Mikel Arteta returns to the stadium where he was a player and captain for seven seasons, so the game for him will have a sentimental side. Everton chose Dyche as a boost, praised for his work at Burnley, and as one of the most respected and experienced coaches in the Premier League. With no signings or revulsion in attack during the winter window, the only moral footing for Dyche and the ‘toffies’ to hold on lies in the statistics: they have won three of their last four Premier games against ‘gunners’. But this time they had almost everything against them.

3

ManUnited-Crystal Saturday, 16:00 DAZN

Ten Hag will be looking to consolidate United’s good moments, even without Eriksen

With their fans in the heat, Manchester United could take another step to establish themselves in the Champions League positions. Now it is fourth, with 39 points, tied with Newcastle (third). Regularity in performance is the big change Ten Hag has achieved, as at Old Trafford he clearly dominates matches. He must manage, however, the injury loss of the Danish Eriksen. United have won their last five home games, their best tally since 2017. Apparently, Crystal Palace,
twelfth with 24 points, should not be a threat to the ‘red devils’. Frenchman Patrick Vieira’s side went four games without a win, but managed to salvage a draw against United on January 18 at their Selhurst Park stadium.

4

Newcastle-West Ham Saturday, 18.30 DAZN

The ‘hammers’ visit the hardest fields

No course is as hot and hostile to visitors as Saint James’s Park, due to the pressure exerted by the ‘magpies’ fans. West Ham visit at the worst possible moment, with Newcastle tied for third place and qualifying for the Carabao Cup final. The team led by Denis Howe will lose to Brazilian Guimaraes – he was sent off on Tuesday – but he stood up for his outstanding defense in the first round. He conceded just 11 goals and his goalkeeper, international Nick Pope, may be the first English goalkeeper in Premier League history to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive games. Scotsman David Moyes’ ‘hammers’ are looking for a surprise in the middle of the match to avoid relegation.

5

Tottenham v Man City Sunday, 5:30 pm DAZN

Kane-Haaland, duel of scorers without Antonio Conte

Since the 2018-19 season, Pep Guardiola’s City have not been able to beat Tottenham in their stadium, but this time they came with their scorer, the Norwegian Haaland (25 goals), in full force. The fifth and second places will meet in London, in a rivalry steeped in tradition, marked this time by the absence of Italian coach Antonio Conte, who underwent surgery for a gallbladder problem. It is his technical assistant, Christian Stellini, who will lead Spurs, who must win in order not to miss the Champions League train. The pulse between the scorers is promising. If Harry Kane scores, he will reach 200 goals in 304 Premier League games, surpassed only by the records of Alan Shearer (260 goals) and Wayne Rooney (208).