Man United's Alexis Sanchez set to make his Premier League debut and other talking points ahead of this week's action

Sport360 staff 14:48 29/01/2018
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  • Alexis Sanchez will make his Premier League bow for Man United on Wednesday.

    There is a full midweek Premier League schedule, with three matches on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday.

    Here, Press Association Sport looks at five talking points.

    TRANSFER MERRY-GO-ROUND

    Wednesday’s winter transfer deadline of 11pm will be prominent in the minds of many players and managers, despite the midweek fixture list. The team selections could be indicative of potential moves being close to being finalised, particularly on Wednesday, when 14 teams are in action. Chelsea are among the clubs who could be active in the closing days and hours of the window.

    Chelsea are still looking for a striker, despite Michy Batshuayi's brace on Sunday.

    SANCHEZ’S PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT

    Surely the most high-profile deal of the January transfer window has already been completed, with Alexis Sanchez swapping Arsenal for Manchester United. The Chile forward made his debut in a 4-0 FA Cup win at Yeovil and is now poised for his Premier League bow against familiar opponents: Tottenham, at Wembley. Sanchez scored just his second goal in eight appearances against Spurs when Arsenal won 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in November.

    How will Alexis Sanchez fare on his Premier League debut for United?

    ARSENAL’S WEEKEND OFF

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who swapped Old Trafford for Arsenal in the Sanchez deal, could make his Gunners debut at Swansea on Tuesday night. The FA Cup holders were eliminated in the third round by Nottingham Forest, so had a rare weekend off after reaching the Carabao Cup final at the expense of Chelsea last Wednesday. They will be expected to return refreshed and ready to crush any hopes Swansea have of building on the victory over Liverpool.

    COMEBACK FROM THE CUP

    Many sides will be seeking responses from disappointing FA Cup results. Jurgen Klopp will certainly demand it of Liverpool. The Reds lost to West Brom and go to Huddersfield seeking to recover from successive losses. The Terriers, who beat Manchester United at home earlier this season, were held by Birmingham in a disappointing result of their own. West Ham were beaten by League One Wigan and play Crystal Palace at home, with David Moyes wanting more from his side. Spurs drew at Newport and face Sanchez’s United.

    Liverpool have followed up a win over Man City with losses to Swansea and West Brom.

    IT IS TIGHT AT THE BOTTOM

    Manchester City may have a 12-point lead, and any race at the top of the standings may be for a top-four finish. But the lower half of the table is an altogether different story as 11 clubs – from 10th-placed Watford to Swansea in 20th – are separated by six points. Include ninth-placed Everton and the gap to the Swans at the bottom is eight points. The relegation race will run and run.

    Bottom-of-the-table Swansea are only six points away from the top half.

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