Manchester United journey to the house of bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend determined to keep away from one other humiliation however with all of the indicators pointing to a tricky afternoon at Anfield.
Tottenham kick off the motion at struggling Nottingham Forest on Friday, whereas in-form Aston Villa, contemporary from spectacular wins towards Manchester City and Arsenal, journey to Brentford.
A take a look at three speaking factors forward of the motion.
Man United Enter Lion’s Den
Struggling Manchester United, who left Anfield final season with their tails between their legs after a 7-0 drubbing, are dealing with a Liverpool workforce prime of the Premier League and brimful of confidence.
Erik ten Hag’s workforce, dumped out of Europe this week by Bayern Munich, have misplaced 12 of their 24 video games in all competitions this season.
Toothless up entrance, porous on the again and with a lengthening harm record, it’s troublesome to search out any positives for the guests forward of Sunday’s recreation.
Thanks partially to the inconsistency of the groups round them, United nonetheless discover themselves sixth within the Premier League, simply three factors behind Tottenham and 6 behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
But they are going to journey to Anfield stuffed with trepidation. With the exception of final season’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford, United’s current file towards Liverpool is dire — they’ve misplaced 4 of the previous 5 conferences, conceding 21 targets within the course of.
Liverpool are every part that United will not be — sharp in entrance of objective, stuffed with self-belief and with a never-say-die perspective that has helped them win 18 factors from shedding positions this season.
Ten Hag has urged his aspect to concentrate on ending within the prime 4 to qualify for the Champions League subsequent season but when outcomes don’t go their method this weekend, they might be 9 factors off fourth spot and slipping out of the image.
Chelsea Seek Way out of Slump
The cleaning soap opera at Manchester United has taken the main focus off the state of affairs at Chelsea, the place Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get a tune out of his injury-hit squad.
The Blues, who host backside aspect Sheffield United on Saturday, are twelfth within the desk after three defeats of their previous 4 matches, far nearer when it comes to factors to the relegation zone than the highest of the desk.
Pochettino, in his first season on the membership, believes Chelsea have to dip into the switch window once more in January regardless that they’ve spent greater than £1 billion ($1.25 billion) over the previous three switch home windows.
The Argentine has been dogged by absences, with captain Reece James again on the remedy desk with a hamstring harm, alongside a listing of different senior gamers together with Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku.
On paper, the go to of Sheffield United seems to be a golden likelihood for Chelsea to return to successful methods however the Blades, beneath newly returned Chris Wilder, beat Brentford final week for simply their second win of the season.
And Chelsea’s dwelling kind offers little room for hope — they’ve gained simply two of their eight league matches at Stamford Bridge.
Dyche Proves to be the Man for Everton Crisis
Last month Everton had been docked 10 factors by the Premier League for breaching monetary guidelines, leaving them nineteenth within the desk, stage with Burnley, who had been then backside.
But three straight wins have lifted the Goodison Park membership 4 factors above the relegation zone and they’re trying up relatively than down.
Everton have gained 9 video games out of their previous 13 in all competitions and can be in mid-table had been it not for his or her heavy punishment, towards which they’ve appealed.
The Goodison Park followers have been vocal of their opposition to the severity of the factors deduction and the workforce have given them lots to cheer.
Manager Sean Dyche admits he has been happy together with his aspect’s kind however says there’s nonetheless “a lot of work to be done” as he prepares to return to Burnley, who he managed for 10 years between 2012 and 2022.
Fixtures (instances GMT)
Friday
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham (2000)
Saturday (1500 until said)
Bournemouth v Luton, Chelsea v Sheffield United, Manchester City v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Fulham, Burnley v Everton (1730)
Sunday (1400 until said)
Arsenal v Brighton, Brentford v Aston Villa, West Ham v Wolves, Liverpool v Manchester United (1630)
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Source: www.news18.com
