There were no PLDs matches last week because of the International break. Places in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar were at stake, and it was the final stages of the UEFA Nations League competition. Chelsea’s Belgian international Romelu Lukaku scored one in their 2-3 semi-final defeat by France, the Winners, and missed out again when Belgium lost the 3rd place playoff to Italy 1-2. Italy had themselves been beaten 1-2 by Spain in their semi-final ending their best-ever 37 international match unbeaten run with their first defeat on home soil since 1999! They had their Captain Leonardo Bonucci sent off for 2 yellows on 42 minutes but fought to the end. Honours then go to Hugo Lloris, Captain of France and Tottenham Hotspur, who has added a UEFA Nations League Winners medal to his FIFA World Cup Winners one – some compensation for his domestic trophy drought with Spurs!
First PLDs match back this weekend features Brentford, for whom Denmark’s Kjaer and Norgaard both scored away to Moldova in World Cup qualifying, versus Chelsea for whom German internationals Timo Werner and Kai Havertz also scored away to new nation North Macedonia. Both teams are in very good form and the Blues resilience will be well tested by the Bees on Saturday 16 October 2021 in this first Premier League (PL) meeting.
On Monday 18 October 2021 it is Arsenal v Crystal Palace. We do have past form on this one and it just favours the Gunners with 2 home wins, 2 draws and 1 away win in the last 5 seasons. For the Eagles Manager Patrick Vieira it will be a return to the place where he wore a red shirt so proudly, and saw a number of red cards, but will it be a happy one?
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.