The Premier League action continues this weekend, with two huge fixtures taking centre stage. Manchester United travel to London to take on Tottenham Hotspur, while the Merseyside Derby takes place on Monday evening, with Liverpool hoping for the three points as they close in on the league title.
Everton vs Liverpool
The countdown for Liverpool’s first-ever Premier League title, and first domestic title in 30 years is on. We could potentially be weeks away from the Reds being crowned Premier League champions, and it could be sooner depending on Manchester City’s results between now and Monday. Liverpool will head into this game as the overriding favourites, but they will have to play better than they have done in the Premier League over recent weeks.
Liverpool’s unbeaten record was ended by Watford in their last away game in the Premier League, while they managed to get back to winning ways in the league last time out against Bournemouth. Jurgen Klopp would be slightly concerned by Liverpool’s away form at present as they have lost their last three on the road in all competitions. But, form goes out of the window when it comes to derbies.
Everton haven’t had the ideal preparation for this fixture as they were handed a heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge in their last league game. The Toffees were outclassed and the victims of their own downfall in that game. The 4-0 defeat was the biggest loss of the Carlo Ancelotti era, but the Italian will be demanding a response. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be Everton’s most important player, as he has scored 13 goals so far this season. Liverpool will need to keep the 22-year-old quiet if they want to get the three points.
Liverpool will be the favourites to get the win in this fixture, and bettors will not be betting against the Reds. Klopp’s side will get back to their best with a big Premier League win against the neighbours.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
Manchester United have appeared from nowhere in the battle for a Champions League place. They are now just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and a win against Spurs would be a significant marker. United have a great record over their last five games, as they have won three times and drawn twice.
Their last outing was the Manchester derby, and United ran out 2-0 winners. Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay scored the goals in that win, and United will now be considered by some as the leading chances in the fight for a top-four finish. A finish in the top-four would cement a positive first full season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and that seems well within the grasps for the Red Devils.
Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish are fading with every passing week, as they are now seven points behind Chelsea. Jose Mourinho has been critical of his midfield over the past couple of weeks, with Tanguy Ndombele’s future looking uncertain after being dragged off at half time last time out. The Frenchman was extremely poor in that fixture, as Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley. Dele Ali scored the equaliser in that fixture from the penalty spot.
Tottenham’s injury list has increased further over the past week as Steven Bergwijn now looks to be out for the season. Mourinho has been lamenting his luck since taking over at Spurs, as he currently has no first-team strikers available. That could be a decisive factor for this fixture, as the preference would be for United to get another big win.
