London: Jose Mourinho will inevitably be the centre of attention as he takes charge of Tottenham for the first time this weekend while Manchester City look to get their Premier League title challenge back on track against Chelsea.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has been charged with rescuing Spurs’ season after this week’s sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, with the club desperate to claw their way back into the top four. At the top of the table, runaway leaders Liverpool have a winnable-looking fixture away to Crystal Palace but the chasing pack cannot afford to allow the gap to widen further. City, licking their wounds after their 3-1 defeat by Liverpool earlier this month, host Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, who are one point above them in the table, eight points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Leicester, in second place, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference, travel to England’s south coast to take on Brighton.
The Mourinho factor
Mourinho’s first match in charge of Tottenham will be away to West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday but he will not have the luxury of a honeymoon period. The Portuguese boss has a number of issues to sort out, including addressing the woeful away form — Spurs have not won on the road in the Premier League since January.
Red’s mental strength
Over their past 38 league games, Liverpool have tallied 101 points and lost just once, overcoming champions Manchester City in their most recent outing.
Manager Klopp last season labelled his players “mentality monsters” and captain Jordan Henderson says that is a crucial factor in their success.
Lampard returns
Lampard, who spent a season playing for Manchester City after leaving Chelsea, takes his young side to the Etihad for his first visit as a manager. Pep Guardiola’s side host Chelsea in the unusual position of being fourth in the table, a point and place below the visitors, who have had six successive league wins.
Chelsea will also be eager to gain revenge for their 6-0 mauling by City last season — their biggest-ever Premier League defeat.
Leicester riding high
Former Leicester and Tottenham forward Gary Lineker believes Brendan Rodgers’ side are better than the team that lifted the Premier League title in 2016. (AFP)
