AFP Sport seems 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 City and Arsenal, journey to Brentford.
Here, AFP Sport seems 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 going through 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 at the again and with a lengthening harm checklist, it’s troublesome to search 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-placed Manchester City.
But they’ll journey to Anfield filled with trepidation. With the exception of final season’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford, United’s current file 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 will not be — sharp in entrance of aim, filled with self-belief and with a never-say-die perspective that has helped them win 18 factors from dropping 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 means this weekend, they may very well be 9 factors off fourth spot and slipping out of the image.
Chelsea search means out of stoop
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 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 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 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 probability 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 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
Last month Everton had been docked 10 factors by the Premier League for breaching monetary guidelines, leaving them nineteenth within the desk, degree 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 reasonably than down.
Everton have gained 9 video games out of their previous 13 in all competitions and could be in mid-table had 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 workforce have given them a lot to cheer.
Manager Sean Dyche admits he has been happy together with his facet’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 (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)
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