Liverpool look to sign off in style as Vardy hunts record

Liverpool will seek sign off ir pre-Christmas Premier League duties in style against ir whipping boys Watford this weekend while Leicester attempt to stay in touch before a summit meeting later this month. Jurgen Klopp's men are eight points clear of ir nearest pursuers as y prepare to jet out to Qatar for Club World Cup. Watford, with new manr Nigel Pearson at helm, will t be relishing trip to Anfield, where y have lost 6-1, 5-0 and 5-0 on ir past three visits. Pep Guardiola takes his stumbling Manchester City team to face Arsenal while Manchester United look to keep up ir push for a top-four spot at home to Everton.

READ | 'Sad' Inter Return To Serie A Title Chase As Gattuso Takes Napoli Reins

Vardy magic

Jamie Vardy, who turns 33 next month, is out on his own at top of Premier League goalscoring charts, with 16 goals in 16 games. Those goals have helped Leicester win a club-record eight consecutive top-flight matches by an aggregate score of 25-3. former England man has struck in all of those victories. In an ordinary season, Brendan Rodgers' side might be top of league but y are doggedly pursuing a Liverpool team who have won 15 of ir 16 games.

If Vardy nets against rwich and Manchester City in Leicester's next two games, he would give himself chance to equal his own Premier League record of goals in 11 straight games against Liverpool on December 26. Vardy says he is more concerned about results for team than finding back of net. "I'm obviously over moon," said forward, referring to his goalscoring record this season. "But first and foremost, points are for Leicester." 

READ | Clasico Leaves Real Madrid And Barca Vulnerable To Distractions

Chelsea kids under pressure

Frank Lampard is desperate t to squander good work he has done with his young side in early months of season but is weighing up where he can strengn w he is able to sign players in January. club's FIFA-imposed transfer ban following violations in recruitment of mirs, was reduced on appeal by Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last week. Lampard hinted this week that he was looking at boosting his options in forward areas, highlighting loss of prolific Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.

Reports suggest he has been given a budget of 150 milllion pound to spend and club have been linked with Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha among or players. Until Chelsea's recent blip, his team, spearheaded by impressive Tammy Abraham, had won six Premier League games in succession. Chelsea host plummeting Bournemouth on Saturday and Lampard kws he must get balance right to strengn Chelsea's hopes of securing a Champions League.

READ | Neymar Rounding Into Form As Marseille Give Chase

City's centre-back crisis

Pep Guardiola is scrambling for defensive solutions after a fourth Premier League defeat of season, against Manchester United, last week -- same number of losses Manchester City suffered in whole of last campaign. defending champions, who are 14 points adrift of Liverpool, had 23 shots against United but looked alarmingly open whenever visitors charged forward. Third-placed City have conceded 19 goals in top-flight, just four fewer than y did in entire 2018/19 season. Midfielder Fernandinho has filled in at central defence after an injury to Aymeric Laporte and Brazilian has said he is happy to help out where needed. But it is a double-edged problem for Guardiola, who is playing one of his best players out of position and losing 34-year-old's steel in midfield, with Rodri still finding his feet in Premier League. 

READ | Australia, New Zealand Join Forces For 2023 Women's World Cup Bid