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 troublesome afternoon at Anfield.
Tottenham kick off the motion at struggling Nottingham Forest on Friday, whereas in-type Aston Villa, contemporary from spectacular wins in opposition to Manchester City and Arsenal, journey to Brentford.
A glance 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 staff high of the Premier League and brimful of confidence.
Erik ten Hag’s staff, 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 at the again and with a lengthening harm listing, it’s troublesome to seek out any positives for the guests forward of Sunday’s recreation.
Thanks partly 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-positioned Manchester City.
But they may journey to Anfield filled with trepidation. With the exception of final season’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford, United’s current document in opposition to Liverpool is dire — they’ve misplaced 4 of the previous 5 conferences, conceding 21 objectives within the course of.
Liverpool are every part that United are usually not — sharp in entrance of aim, filled with self-perception and with a by no means-say-die perspective that has helped them win 18 factors from shedding positions this season.
Ten Hag has urged his facet to deal with ending within the high 4 to qualify for the Champions League subsequent season but when outcomes don’t go their manner this weekend, they could possibly 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 scenario at Chelsea, the place Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get a tune out of his harm-hit squad.
The Blues, who host backside facet Sheffield United on Saturday, are twelfth within the desk after three defeats of their previous 4 matches, far nearer by way of factors to the relegation zone than the highest of the desk.
Pochettino, in his first season at the membership, believes Chelsea have to dip into the switch window once more in January despite the fact 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 therapy 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 probability for Chelsea to return to profitable methods however the Blades, below newly returned Chris Wilder, beat Brentford final week for simply their second win of the season.
And Chelsea’s house type provides little room for hope — they’ve received simply two of their eight league matches at Stamford Bridge.
Dyche Proves to be the Man for Everton Crisis
Last month Everton have been docked 10 factors by the Premier League for breaching monetary guidelines, leaving them nineteenth within the desk, degree with Burnley, who have been then backside.
But three straight wins have lifted the Goodison Park membership 4 factors above the relegation zone and they’re trying up slightly than down.
Everton have received 9 video games out of their previous 13 in all competitions and can be in mid-desk have been it not for his or her heavy punishment, in opposition to which they’ve appealed.
The Goodison Park followers have been vocal of their opposition to the severity of the factors deduction and the staff have given them a lot to cheer.
Manager Sean Dyche admits he has been happy together with his facet’s type 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 (occasions GMT)
Friday
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham (2000)
Saturday (1500 until acknowledged)
Bournemouth v Luton, Chelsea v Sheffield United, Manchester City v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Fulham, Burnley v Everton (1730)
Sunday (1400 until acknowledged)
Arsenal v Brighton, Brentford v Aston Villa, West Ham v Wolves, Liverpool v Manchester United (1630)
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
