Mitch Freeley

It’s derby day in the North West, Alan Pardew will be targeting his first win with West Brom and David Moyes will be hoping he can register a maiden victory for West Ham against Chelsea. Heading into the sixteenth round of Premier League action, we break down the moments that matter in our regular Premier League preview feature. As ever you can watch all of the Premier League games exclusively through beIN CONNECT. 

West Ham kick off the Premier League weekend when they welcome Chelsea to the London stadium in the early kick-off on Saturday. David Moyes has yet to pick up three points as Hammers boss but will be heartened by the performance of his sides 2-1 last-gasp defeat to league leaders Man City last time out. Moyes also has two injury concerns heading into the game in the form of Cheikhou Kouyate and Michail Antonio. As for Chelsea, they are undefeated in seven Premier League games and will be looking to go level on points with second place Manchester United who play on Sunday. 

Alan Pardew will be looking for his first victory as West Brom boss when the Baggies make the trip down to South Wales to take on Swansea on Saturday afternoon. West Brom put an encouraging performance in Pardew’s first game in charge, despite drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace. Electing to go with a 4-3-3 the side looked dynamic in the final third, something they certainly lacked in the final months under previous boss Tony Pulis. Pardew will be aiming to grab the win, especially when taking on a struggling Swansea side who has only won once in their last seven home Premier League games. 

Liverpool prepared for the Merseyside derby against Everton in perfect fashion with a 7-0 hammering of Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. Klopp’s “fab four” of Coutinho, Mane, Salah and Firmino looked unstoppable on Wednesday and all got on the score sheet, including a hat-trick for captain on the night Phillipe Coutinho. 

Everton also has European duties in the Europa League, but are expected to field an inexperienced side against Apollon Limassol. The Toffees cannot qualify for the next round and assistant boss Craig Shakespeare could lead the side in Cyprus. New boss Sam Allardyce is expected to stay back in Liverpool, to train the first team ahead of the crunch match on Sunday. 

Manchester City tasted defeat for the first time this season in the Champions League following a 2-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk. The result was of little significance seeing at City had already qualified for the last 16, but the result could affect the mental strength of the Citizens if Pep’s side is to fall to a defeat in the Manchester derby. 

Man United also booked their place into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow.  Jose Mourinho’s side will be without influential midfielder Paul Pogba who is suspended for the visit of the league leaders on Sunday. Mourinho is likely to select Marouane Fellaini as a replacement for Pogba, with the Belgium international tasked with halting the influence of compatriot Kevin De Bruyne.