No Undefeated Teams Remain As Premier League Heads Into Round 7

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After round six we no longer have unbeaten teams in the English Premier League with both Everton and Aston Villa going down.

It was a great weekend of soccer, as teams in Europe had to dig deep against those who had a full week to prepare.

This weekend is just as intriguing as we start to see the table take shape. Those who haven’t hit the heights predicted will be looking to settle and grind their way up the table; and with the games coming thick and fast, we’re starting to see injuries pile up, full use of squads with regards to rotation and more planned substitutions as managers around the league look to manage players’ increased minutes over a shorter period, and reduced recovery times.

Friday night football under the lights 🌃🏟

It's @Wolves 🆚 @CPFC: https://t.co/c8MRtktRX5#WOLCRY pic.twitter.com/xZg44Mh79g

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 30, 2020

Liverpool v. West Ham United

This one is probably the match most eyes will be on because even neutral fans will tune in. It is the KSL 5 premiere match up on Saturday, 11:30 a.m. kick-off.

The champions of England hosting the Hammers, who have, in short, been very good this season.

After losing their first two games they won the next two and drew the last two, one of which was the comeback from 3-0 down to draw with Spurs and then last week the 1-1 against Man City.

David Moyes has got his claws into this team. They are well organized and channeled into the counterattack, but when they do have possession they have players that are much more comfortable on the ball than we have seen in seasons past.

Two players to keep an eye on are players that started their careers in the Championship, Michail Antonio, who got his real break with Sheffield Wednesday and then again at Nottingham Forest, and really a winger by trade has switched to the point man upfront and hasn’t looked back. Antonio led the team last season with 10 goals and has three goals already this season.

He's already made a big impact but he feels there's plenty more to come 👊

•His first month at the club
•Quality of teammates
•‘Pressing monster’
•Klopp’s words of praise
•Much more

Don’t miss our sit-down with @DiogoJota18 👇

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 30, 2020

The other player who has impressed massively is Jarrod Bowen, who also has three goals this season. Predominantly playing the right side of the attack, he has good speed and great energy levels, so whoever is at left-back is kept honest and has to pick their moments to break forward carefully, such is the busy nature of Bowen.

In the middle of the pack, they are very blue-collar, and the defensive understanding between the backline and the midfield is compact, which has given them a platform for their success so far this season. What we’ve seen this season compared to last, is the belief in this team. They do not stop, and for a team that was looking like they would be in a relegation scrap again, are well and truly poised, if this form continues for a comfortable mid-table finish.

Liverpool, I’m still not sure about.

No chance. https://t.co/ffd4ZoOHDt

— Spencer Warne (@Spenno_77) October 29, 2020

There are flashes of the brilliance and domination of last season but they’ve been hit by the injury bug, as all clubs suffer, and there is massive scrutiny on how the champions adapt. One thing they’ve tried the last couple of games is a slight tweak on their tried and tested formation of 4-3-3 to more of a 4-2-3-1.

Thankfully for the Reds, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have started the season well, with new signing Diogo Jota settling in quickly after his arrival from Wolves. We’ve also seen a slight shift in the way Liverpool press, picking and choosing their moments rather than the relentless press we’ve become more accustomed to. A real shift due to the number of fixtures the team is cramming into a short space of time.

Liverpool has major defensive issues. Virgil Van Djik out long term, Joel Matip struggling with a minor injury and Fabinho with a hamstring issue, leaves Joe Gomez at the only fit senior center back. Whilst I make the champions slight favorites, it’s going to be a tough old slog against the organized Hammers.

Prediction: Much like the Sheffield United match, the onus will be on the hosts to break down a stubborn and resilient visitor but with Mane and Salah, they’ve always got a chance. Liverpool win.

Tottenham Hotspur v. Brighton and Hove Albion

Sunday’s kick-off at 12:15 p.m. on Peacock and thus kicking off November the right way, allows you to watch the hottest attacking duo in the league right now. Harry Kane, five goals and eight assists and his Korean strike partner, Heung-Min Son, eight goals and two assists; have started the season off on fire, leading the league in the scoring and assist charts.

The partnership has always been very good, so admiring these two goal-getters is nothing new, but our current admiration has more to do with the rate they’re banging the goals in and creating opportunities.

There was no question of manager Jose Mourinho’s phenomenal history and success as a coach, but we had seen very little sign that he was going to turn Spurs into a title-challenging side. However, this season they’ve had a solid start, with a few ups and downs; but things that can in large be fine-tuned.

The Club will be paying its respects to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in armed conflict ahead of Sunday’s home match with Brighton & Hove Albion.

More information ⤵️#THFC ⚪️ #COYS

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 30, 2020

The attacking options this team has could be the difference between being in the top four and mounting a challenge for the title versus missing out on the top four entirely. The key, as it is for all teams with packed schedules, is keeping players fit. I’ve mentioned in the past that the depth in the attacking roles at Spurs, might be the deepest in the EPL. Some of the attacking play we’ve also seen has been very good to watch, which brings us back to the original point.

Kane & Son. Kane, always known for his scoring ability, is probably for me, the best out and out #9 in the EPL however, I’m not doing him justice because I also believe he is the best English #10 in the EPL. Something he’s been able to showcase more at the start of this season, dropping deeper to play Son behind the opposing defense. This team is really good, and the “workman” like midfield and solid backline have given the stars of the team the platform they need to perform at the highest level.

Brighton and Graham Potter come into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium lying in 16th position, unbeaten in their last two matches. They, for the most part, try to play the game the right way, with the ball on the floor and good movement, however, this will once again be a tough season and whilst the names on the team sheet aren’t household names like Spurs, these are guys that are technically sound and well organized – favoring a 3-4-2-1 formation of sorts.

Players are getting their opportunity to shine at the highest level, the likes of Neal Maupay, he played in the Championship for a few seasons, and is now the main attacker for an EPL team. Young wingback Tariq Lamptey, who found his path blocked at Chelsea, chose to leave Stamford Bridge last season and hasn’t looked back, a superb talent that is already attracting interest from other clubs.

The recruitment at Brighton is very good, giving young players the chance to perform. A feeder club if you will, and that is far from me being disrespectful. They are a vital outlet, and because of their playing style they are great for the bigger clubs to pick from.

Look out for Ben White, a central defender who excelled last season on loan at Leeds United, but this season moved in the midfield by Potter. Excellent on the ball and as a reader of the game. He will, if he continues to impress, be vital to the Seagulls against this tough Spurs midfield. This has all the makings of a cracking affair but one that Spurs will come out on top of.

Prediction: Brighton play a good brand of soccer, but Spurs have an attack that is devastating. It’ll be too much for the visitors, as Spurs continue to pick up points, in their quest to get back into the Champions League.

Until next week. Wear your masks. And VOTE.

Spencer Warne is the KSL Sports European Soccer expert. You can find him on Twitter here.