Weekend Watch
After the international break, the Premier League returns with the usual mix of players out to prove a point, managers under pressure and teams out to turn their fortunes around. We take a look at some of the key contests from the weekend ahead...
Friday 18 October 2013 13:13, UK
We take a look at some of the key contests as the Premier League returns this weekend.
Noble deed
West Ham United may have failed to score in four of their last seven Premier League matches but it is not due to a lack of trying. Keep an eye on Mark Noble this weekend in West Ham's game against Manchester City, which can be seen live on Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football. The midfielder has created more goalscoring chances than any other in the Premier League so far this season. Noble has created 17 chances for his team-mates and he therefore poses a great threat to City. Ravel Morrison may be the man making all the headlines in the centre of West Ham's midfield but Noble is the one City should beware. PF You can watch West Ham v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday at 5.30pmAll the right reasons
It seems a long time ago that Tottenham Hotspur were dependent on Gareth Bale. Winger Andros Townsend is now dominating news agendas due to his impressive performances for England and the new Spurs star has also been on the back pages after Roy Hodgson's reported joke telling. But it is best to concentrate on the on-field performances of Townsend and, for that reason, he will again be a key part of Spurs' plans at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, live on Sky Sports 1HD and 3D. Townsend has embarked on 50 dribbles in the Premier League this season, more than any other player, and has also attempted a league-high 26 shots without scoring. Could he break that scoring duck against Villa, who have not kept a clean sheet at home in their last 14 Premier League games - starting with a 4-0 defeat by Spurs last December courtesy of a hat-trick by a certain winger named Bale? PF| Premier League 2013/14 - most dribbles completed | ||||
| Player | Games | Minutes | Dribbles Attempted | Dribbles Completed |
| Andros Townsend | 6 | 487 | 50 | 33 |
| Ross Barkley | 7 | 627 | 42 | 29 |
| Mousa Dembele | 7 | 543 | 30 | 25 |
| Fabian Delph | 7 | 630 | 32 | 22 |
| Hatem Ben Arfa | 7 | 474 | 40 | 21 |