Five things to know about the English Premier League

LONDON – After losing to Manchester United, English Premier League leader Arsenal will host surprise package Southampton on Saturday.The Gunners are two points clear at the top but will be facing a team that has lost only one game this season.

Second-place Liverpool travels to Everton in the Merseyside derby and Manchester United is looking to continue its recovery at Cardiff, chasing a fourth consecutive win. Here are five things to know about the weekend’s Premier League matches:

MARCHING ON: At this stage last season, Southampton was second-to-last under former coach Nigel Adkins. His successor, Mauricio Pochettino, has transformed the team into one of the most entertaining sides in England with young and athletic players displaying a pressing game. The Saints have secured good results at Liverpool and Manchester United and are confident they can hand the Gunners a second home defeat this season.

“It’s a massive game. It’s top versus third so why can’t we go there and get a result?” said midfielder Adam Lallana, who is in contention for a place in England’s team for the World Cup. “We’ve done it at Old Trafford and at Anfield already this season, so the lads will be full of confidence.”

Southampton is not only pressuring opposition with its free-flowing style of play, the team is also boasting the league’s best defensive record, conceding only five goals. “We know it’s going to be one of the hardest tests to date because Arsenal are playing well at the minute,” England striker Rickie Lambert said. “It’s going to be tough, but we’re confident that we can go there and get something.”

DOUBTFUL WILSHERE:

The Gunners could be missing one of their key players as midfielder Jack Wilshere picked up a knock while playing in a friendly for England against Germany on Tuesday.

According to the British media, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger asked England coach Roy Hodgson not to risk Wilshere after he played 71 minutes against Chile but the player came in as a substitute before taking a knock on his ankle.

Wenger said he has no issue with the English FA and brushed off speculation of a club vs. country row. “I have no problem with the FA, they respected completely what they told me and it was (for Wilshere) to play in one game and be on the bench in the other,” he said.

Arsenal received more positive news this week, with Theo Walcott’s expected return against Southampton after the winger recovered from an abdominal injury.

SEEKING COACH

It’s been a month since Ian Holloway stepped down as manager of last-place Crystal Palace, but the club has yet to fill the vacant job. A number of coaches have been linked with the role over the past three weeks, with Aitor Karanka and Rene Meulensteen both deciding to sign for other clubs. Tony Pulis is the bookmaker’s favorite, with the former Stoke manager in advanced talks with the south London club.

Former Palace player Geoff Thomas has also offered his services to the club. “There are a few jobs that I would take no questions asked and if Palace came knocking that would be it, my bags would be packed immediately,” Thomas said.

NEWCASTLE’S EXAMPLE:

Apart from Everton vs. Liverpool, there is another big derby on Saturday: West Ham vs. Chelsea. Chelsea has won only one of its last five league matches away. And after Newcastle defeated the Blues 2-0 this month with a gritty performance, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is encouraging his players to take a similar approach.

“Newcastle frustrated Chelsea and started the process of winning that game by keeping a clean sheet and scoring a free kick then sucked them in and hit them on the break for the second,” Allardyce said. “With that result for Chelsea, there’s a chance to see where their weaknesses lie. But anything less than top form for all of our players would make life difficult for us.”

West Ham scored only two goals in its last five matches and the club is dangerously flirting with the relegation zone. “Our chance conversion is among the worst and that has to improve,” Allardyce said. “To take the pressure off us all we need results. We haven’t achieved that so far, and we need to turn the performances into results.”

ENRIQUE SURGERY

Liverpool will be missing defender Jose Enrique as the Reds will be bidding to end Roberto Martinez’s perfect record at Goodison Park.

Enrique has been ruled out with a lingering knee injury which is likely to require surgery.

“Jose Enrique has been struggling for a little while with an injury,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. “He will probably need an operation. It’s a blow for us because he’s a very talented player.” – Nampa-AP