This Premier League Sunday will see the table toppers Arsenal visiting the struggling Southampton side – the hosts have something to be happy about ahead of the clash, given that they have collected all three points in the recent derby of the south coast in which Bournemouth were defeated 1-0. However, that same result was on the scoreboard for steaming Arsenal who were victorious over PSV Eindhoven in the postponed match of Europa League on Thursday.Three points at the Vitality snapped a five-game winless run for Southampton, but Ralph Hasenhuttl undoubtedly remains a man under immense pressure, despite leading his side all the way up to 14th in the table, with a two-point gap now separating them from the relegation places.The Saints sent a stark warning to Big Six clubs when they beat Chelsea at St Mary’s earlier this season, but Hasenhuttl’s side have now gone seven top-flight games at home without a clean sheet, and not since February have they picked up back-to-back wins in the Premier League.Also, Che Adams’s header was only the third goal that Southampton have scored in their last 540 minutes of top-flight football; fan frustrations are understandable and results not going Southampton’s way this weekend could plunge them straight back into danger.Late drama at Stamford Bridge! Casemiro and goal line technology save Man UnitedArsenal’s win against the Dutch side could have been more dominant, but Granit Xhaka’s half-volley was all it took for the Gunners to seal their place in the Europa League knockout stages. Previously in the Premier League, Arsenal had some heavy drama against Leeds United – by overcoming a power cut, seeing Patrick Bamford’s penalty fly wide and escaping a red card in the dying embers, Arsenal have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table ahead of the weekend’s matches after recording their best-ever start to a Premier League season.St Mary’s has traditionally not been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners, who lost 1-0 on the South Coast last term – their fifth defeat away to Southampton since January 2015 – but they did put three past Hasenhuttl’s side without reply at the Emirates back in December. Arsenal are currently on an eight-game winning streak and they travel to St Mary’s having scored a league-high 10 and conceded a league-low three goals on the road this term.Injury-wise, the guests stand much better as only Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) are certain to miss the match. Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko are questionable (calf issues with both) but chances are greater they can help their teammates if needed.Gabriel Martinelli overcame an illness in time for Thursday’s game and will be one of several regulars to return to the Arsenal starting eleven, with Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, William Saliba and Thomas Partey also coming back in.EUROPA LEAGUE: Arsenal qualify for the knockout state courtesy of Xhaka’s goalAs for the hosts, Kyle Walker-Peters limped off against Bournemouth in midweek, handing Hasenhuttl yet another concern. The right-back has now joined Armel Bella-Kotchap (shoulder), Valentino Livramento (knee), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) in the long-term treatment room with a hamstring injury.Hasenhuttl is now facing a sticky situation at right-back as Ainsley Maitland-Niles is unable to face his parent club – this means that the eighteen-year-old Lewis Payne might have to be called up for this game. Ibrahima Diallo, James Ward-Prowse and Stuart Armstrong are forming the core of the midfield while Lyanco will join Duje Caleta-Car and Salisu at the back.Your Sunday serving of #PL action 🍿 pic.twitter.com/jnXB5bANHB— Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2022 Back in Arsenal’s neighborhood, Tottenham welcome the in-form and sturdy Newcastle and it won’t be easy for the Spurs who are trying to keep up with the leading duo (Arsenal and Manchester City).The Spurs will aim to consign their midweek endeavours to history when they were put to the sword 2-0 by Manchester United on Wednesday. Tottenham boss Antonio Conte emphatically ruled out any hopes his side had of competing for the Premier League title after their defeat at Old Trafford, as Man United put in one of their best performances of the season while Spurs put in one of their worst.Tottenham remain four points adrift of leaders Arsenal and could fall seven behind their bitter rivals if results do not go their way this weekend, but the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been incredibly kind to Conte’s side this term. The hosts have won all seven of their home matches in all competitions this season – scoring 20 goals in the process – and they are also on an eight-game Premier League winning streak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Newcastle will travel south feeling confident of breaking that streak.Flawless United slam Spurs in the midweek derby as indignant Cristiano walks off the pitchMidweek, Eddie Howe’s men ran out 1-0 winners over Everton and if Bruno Fernandes’s goal for Man United against Tottenham was something special, Miguel Almiron’s effort for Newcastle against the Toffees was even more so.The Toons are dreaming the European dream as Howe’s side hit a rich vein of form. Newcastle have taken 10 points from 12 on offer this month to storm to sixth place in the table – two points clear of Liverpool and two adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. And all that after struggling for wins in the opening weeks of the season.Conte’s biggest injury worries have Richarlison’s and Kulusevski’s names written over them. Both will miss out today and their absences on Wednesday led to Conte deploying a 3-5-2 system.Miguel Almiron goal for Newcastle vs Everton 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nTy0ABvX8U— Kyama (@ElijahKyama_) October 20, 2022 Emerson Royal has served his three-game domestic suspension and could now come in for Matt Doherty, while a well-rested Clement Lenglet could also displace Ben Davies in the back three.Conte should be tempted to revert to a 3-4-3 with different personnel after hinting that Ivan Perisic could play in a more advanced role earlier this week. Lucas Moura’s minutes are still being carefully managed after his tendon injury.The visitors, on the other end, have more to worry about. Howe’s revelation striker-turned-midfielder Joelinton was taken off at halftime against Everton after taking a knock to the knee, and the extent of his injury remains unclear. Ex-Arsenal man Joe Willock should come in for a start to a frosty North London reception.##EDITORS_CHOICE##A different welcome could await Ex-Tottenham man Kieran Trippier who arrives back in North London having created 26 chances in the Premier League this term – the most of any defender in the division.Emil Krafth (knee), Matt Ritchie (calf), Allan Saint-Maximin (thigh), Karl Darlow (ankle) and Alexander Isak (thigh) will not make the trip to the capital either, but Howe should keep changes to a minimum either way.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 13Saturday Nott.Forest – Liverpool 1-0 (0-0)/Awoniyi 55/Everton – Crystal Palace 3-0 (1-0)/Calvert-Lewin 11, Gordon 63, McNeil 85/Man.City – Brighton 3-1 (2-0)/Haaland 22, 43 pen, De Bruyne 75 – Trossard 53/Chelsea – Man.Utd. 1-1 (0-0)/Jorginho 84 pen – Casemiro 90+4/Sunday16.00: (2.19) Aston Villa (3.50) Brentford (3.60)16.00: (2.11) Leeds (3.45) Fulham (3.60)16.00: (6.00) Southampton (4.00) Arsenal (1.63)16.00: (2.35) Wolverhampton (3.35) Leicester (3.40)18.30: (2.16) Tottenham (3.45) Newcastle (3.50)Monday 22.00: (1.60) West Ham (3.90) Bournemouth (6.50)***odds are subject to change***
