AFP Sport seems to be at three speaking factors forward of the motion.
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.
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Tottenham kick off the motion at struggling Nottingham Forest on Friday, whereas in-form Aston Villa, recent from spectacular wins in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal, journey to Brentford.
Right here, AFP Sport seems to be at three speaking factors forward of the Premier League motion.
Manchester 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 crew prime of the Premier League and brimful of confidence.
Erik ten Hag’s crew, 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 damage checklist, it’s troublesome to search out any positives for the guests forward of Sunday’s sport.
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 Metropolis.
However they are going to journey to Anfield filled with trepidation. Except final season’s 2-1 win at Previous Trafford, United’s latest report 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 little thing that United are usually not — sharp in entrance of objective, filled 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 facet to give attention to ending within the prime 4 to qualify for the Champions League subsequent season but when outcomes don’t go their manner this weekend, they might be 9 factors off fourth spot and slipping out of the image.
Chelsea search manner out of stoop
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 facet 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 although 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 damage, alongside an inventory 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, below newly returned Chris Wilder, beat Brentford final week for simply their second win of the season.
And Chelsea’s house kind provides little room for hope — they’ve gained simply two of their eight league matches at Stamford Bridge.
Dyche proves to be the person for Everton disaster
Final 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.
However three straight wins have lifted the Goodison Park membership 4 factors above the relegation zone and they’re trying up moderately than down.
Everton have gained 9 video games out of their previous 13 in all competitions and could be in mid-table have been it not for his or her heavy punishment, in opposition to which they’ve appealed.
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The Goodison Park followers have been vocal of their opposition to the severity of the factors deduction and the crew have given them lots to cheer.
Supervisor Sean Dyche admits he has been happy together with his facet’s kind however says there may be nonetheless “lots of work to be performed” 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 except said)
Bournemouth v Luton, Chelsea v Sheffield United, Manchester Metropolis v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Fulham, Burnley v Everton (1730)
Sunday (1400 except said)
Arsenal v Brighton, Brentford v Aston Villa, West Ham v Wolves, Liverpool v Manchester United (1630)