PREMIER LEAGUE games could be called off for the second weekend in a row as Storm Dennis prepares to batter the UK.
Manchester City’s clash with West Ham was postponed last Sunday as Ciara hit Britain.
Storm Ciara ensured Manchester City vs West Ham was called off and now Storm Dennis could jeopardise this weekend’s Premier League fixturesCredit: Reuters
And this weekend’s fixtures are at serious risk of being rearranged due to the conditions.
Leicester City head to Wolves for the Friday night clash – that game should go ahead unscathed before the worst of the weather arrives.
But the 60mph winds and heavy rain set to arrive by Saturday will put the other matches in jeopardy.
Southampton host Burnley on Saturday lunchtime before champions-elect Liverpool travel to Norwich for the evening kick-off as they look to continue their sensational winning run.
The Reds kicked-off the new 2019/20 season by beating Daniel Farke’s men 4-1 on August 9 but may have to wait to get the chance to take on the Canaries again.
Both of those games, at St Mary’s and Carrow Road, may have to be scrapped if it is unsafe for the teams or spectators.
‘NOT AS SEVERE’
The conditions are expected to ease up somewhat by Sunday, however.
That means Aston Villa vs Tottenham (2pm) and Arsenal vs Newcastle (4.30pm) should be safe to go ahead.
The matchday – split over two weekends to accommodate the inaugural Premier League winter break – concludes with Manchester United heading to Chelsea as the race for the top four heats up on a cold February night.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: “Storm Dennis will bring widespread winds and very wet conditions this weekend.
“Storm Dennis is following a similar pattern to Storm Ciara with low pressure coming in from the northwest, but we do not expect it to be as severe.
“However we will see inland gusts of 57mph quite widely and further very heavy rain on saturated ground there could be issues with flooding.
“Like Ciara, this storm is being pulled in by the jet stream which is amplifying and passing over Britain at around 250mph.”
There are 11 Championship and 11 League One games scheduled for Saturday afternoon as well as a full round of League Two fixtures.
West Ham’s game at the Etihad has been rearranged for February 19 – next Wednesday – meaning both sides will have to cut their winter break short.
When will storm Dennis hit the UK and how bad will it be?
Liverpool thumped Norwich 4-1 in the opening game of the 2019/20 season but may have to wait to face Daniel Farke’s side againCredit: AFP or licensors
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
