Five clubs under pressure as the Premier League returns

We’ve seen some dramatic League Cup action this week, it’s now time for the Premier League to return and five clubs are under a lot of pressure this weekend.

Norwich City

Norwich City have a real chance to pull away from the bottom three when they take on Stoke City at Carrow Road. Norwich have under performed at home and have won only one match out of four. They have picked up two draws and have only been defeated once but if they are going to be safe this season, they need to start making their home ground a fortress. They also need to rectify their goal difference at home which is currently minus two.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa travel away to Sunderland with one of the worst away records this season. They are losing 80 per cent of their matches away from home and have picked up one point from a possible 15. If Aston Villa do not dig in and start picking up points away from home they are going to struggle because their home form has been equally poor and inconsistent. Aston villa have scored only two goals away from home in the league which is the worst in the division as things stand.

Queens Park Rangers

QPR are rock bottom of the league without a home win this season and with the worst attacking record of any home team in the Premier League. This is a big weekend for Mark Hughes because if the club lose to Reading, he could be given his marching orders with the January transfer window now under two months away. QPR have played four, drawn two and lost two and are the only side, along with Reading, not to have yet won a home league game.

Reading

Reading are under just as much pressure as QPR which makes the relegation six pointer all the more exciting. Reading are under added pressure because of the way they let a 4-0 lead slip against a young and inexperienced Arsenal team in the League Cup during the week. Reading have lost three quarters of their games away from home which is a recipe for disaster. Three points here could see them out of the bottom three if Aston Villa fail to win at Sunderland.

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has been under pressure ever since he walked in through the door at Anfield and allowed Andy Carroll to leave with only one striker at the club. Liverpool have won one game out of five at home and they know Newcastle will make it as difficult as possible for them to get out of their current predicament. A defeat for Liverpool could see them slide down towards the bottom three but a win could take them into the top half of the table.

image: © edwin11

Lewis Doe

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Lewis Doe is a freelance writer and editor who seeks to bring you the biggest, smallest and most interesting stories from the football world. Lewis has previously written for some of the biggest football news and opinion sites in the world including FootballFanCast and Goal.com International. Lewis is also experienced writing in the betting industry and aims to deliver his stories with up to date factual and statistical information. He hopes to sum up stories for the site and provide an angle on the issue moving forward.