International football has been the order of the day and the past week has seen England qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Gareth Southgate's team did it in style too thrashing San Marino 10-0 away from home to record England's 2nd biggest victory ever.
For Harry Kane the last two games have been nothing short of spectacular. The Tottenham forward who has struggled in the Premier League so far scored 7 goals (a hat trick against Albania and four against San Marino). True the opposition were poor but goals changes a striker's mindset and he scored some memorable ones too. Kane will be hoping that now he has the taste back he can perform equally as well for his club.
The usual suspects are making it to the World Cup finals but there have been some surprises. Italy the reigning European champions will have to participate in the play-off and so will Portugal who lost at home to a last minute Serbia goal.
Back in the Premier League it was all change for Dean Smith who was sacked as manager of Aston Villa but just a week later picked up the vacant job at Norwich who had in turn sacked Daniel Farke. Farke's dismissal isn't a surprise and despite doing so well for the Canaries in the Championship he was overseeing one of the very poorest campaigns we have witnessed in the top flight. Norwich currently has 5 points from a possible 33.
However one could question why Villa sacked Smith? True they had lost 5 games in a row, but they came into the season having to deal with the loss of Jack Grealish who went to Manchester City for £100m. Could it be that Villa just had a poor month and that Smith would have turned it round? In September for example Villa swept aside Everton 3-0 and they went to Old Trafford and beat Manchester United. Smith did well last season too. However stepping in his place is Steven Gerrard who swiftly left his job at Rangers to take this one. What does that say about the level of Scottish football that a manager would switch clubs in November. Of course the Premier League is light years ahead of the Scottish but it could be argued that Villa are not as big on the football stage as Rangers.
As we enter the 12th games of the season there is nothing in it and this league campaign looks like it could be the closest in years. There are only 6 points separating league leaders Chelsea from 5th placed Arsenal. And who would have predicted that West Ham would be above Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United with just over 30% of the season played? The Hammers are also the most in form side in the league and have won their last 4 games and they will play Wolves away this weekend a team who has lost just once in their last five games.
Perhaps the game of the weekend will take place between Liverpool and Arsenal. Although there is a gulf between the sides now, it remains a huge fixture and it is also a fight for 4th place. One thing to note is that despite Liverpool playing some fantastic football this season they come into this game with no wins in their last two.
Premier League top goalscorers odds: Mohamed Salah 1.91, Cristiano Ronaldo 7.00, Romelu Lukaku 10.00, Jamie Vardy 15.00, Harry Kane 20.00
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