A new era begins for Chelsea tonight, as Liam Rosenior takes charge for the first time. No manager/head coach/performance coordinator wants to start with a derby, and while their rivalry with Fulham hasn’t been particularly fierce, Craven Cottage under the lights has been a problem for Liverpool and Manchester City already this season.
With Arsenal hosting Liverpool on Thursday, City and Aston Villa must seize the chance to apply pressure and cut back that six-point gap at the top. Pep Guardiola’s stumblers host Brighton, who recently ended a long winless run, while Villa go to Crystal Palace, who are still stuck in their barren patch.
The same goes for Bournemouth, who will aim to end an 11-game stretch without a victory at home to Tottenham. In another surprising stat, Thomas Frank’s shiftless side still have the second-best away record in the league. Frank’s former team, Brentford, host Sunderland in a battle of surprise chasers of continental football.
Everton are struggling at their new stadium, so Wolves are either the best or worst visitors they could have tonight. In another glass-half-full/empty contest, Leeds (unbeaten in seven, with five draws) go to Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s side are improving, but they are also the last team to ever lose to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.