Premier League Matchday 17: Liverpool Will Use Momentum To Beat Rivals United
9 min read
The big game of the weekend in the Premier League sees Manchester United travel to Anfield on Sunday in one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures of the whole season.
Manchester City v Everton
City have failed to beat Everton in the last three Premier League games between the sides at the Etihad, but I expect the champions to bounce back following their reverse at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Everton have played well on the road so far this season, but City have won their last nine home league games, scoring 33 times in the process. I expect to see Pep Guardiola’s side return to the top of the league, albeit for only 23 hours or so, in Saturday’s early kick-off although I expect Everton to play their part in an open, attacking game.
Tip: City to win and both teams to score at
Crystal Palace v Leicester City
Crystal Palace have won and kept a clean sheet in their last couple of games against Leicester and I don’t expect to see many goals at Selhurst Park.
Harry Maguire was only considered fit enough to take a seat on the bench in the Foxes 2-0 home defeat to Spurs last weekend, but the England international looks sure to be restored to the visitors’ starting XI by manager Claude Puel.
There have only been 12 goals scored in the eight PL games at Selhurst Park so far this term and one might be enough at either end on Saturday.
Michael’s recommendation: Under 1.5 goals at
Huddersfield v Newcastle United
The last five games between these two clubs in the top-flight of English football have seen just four goals and I expect to see another tight, close game at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Both sides conceded late winners last weekend, and both will feel they did enough to get a draw. Town haven’t scored more than once in their last 13 home PL games and I feel both sides will pick up a valuable point in west Yorkshire.
Tip: Game to finish in a draw at
Tottenham v Burnley
From agony to ecstasy… ?#COYS pic.twitter.com/LDDgdDzkk8
— Tottenham Hotspur (at ?) (@SpursOfficial) December 12, 2018
Burnley picked up a valuable three points at home to Brighton last weekend, but they continue to struggle away from Turf Moor, having picked up just six points from their last ten away league games.
Spurs’ confidence will be sky-high as a result of their 1-1 draw in Barcelona midweek, a result which ensured all four PL sides would be in Monday’s draw for the last 16 of the Champions League. A comfortable home win for me.
Tip: Spurs to win to nil at
Watford v Cardiff City
Watford have lost their last couple of home games, but they played well at Goodison Park on Monday and if they play with the same verve and intensity they can return to winning ways against Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds picked up another home win against Southampton in south Wales at the weekend, but they haven’t won back-to-back in top-flight football since April 1962. The Hornets won their first four Pl games but since then have only picked up nine points in 12 games although I do think they will keep the points at Vicarage Road.
Tip: Watford to win at
Wolves v Bournemouth
You must go back to March 1980 for the last time Wolves won three top-flight games on the spin, but they won’t have many better opportunities given Bournemouth have lost five of their last six in the league.
Wolves have scored two 90th minute winners so far this term and they may have to be patient against the Cherries, but I feel the hosts will edge a low scoring affair.
Tip: Wolves to win and under 2.5 goals at
Fulham v West Ham
West Ham have won their last three league games, but I feel they will have to settle for a point at Craven Cottage against a Fulham side who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 20 PL games – conceding 51 times in that sequence.
The Cottagers have won three of their last four PL home games against the Irons, but I feel it will be a point apiece in an entertaining and feisty London derby.
Tip: Game to finish in a scoring draw at
Brighton v Chelsea
Chelsea have lost their last couple of PL games on the road, but they are a quality outfit and are taken to take the points back to the capital even though Brighton have only lost one of their last ten home PL games.
Chelsea have won all six games between the clubs in top-flight English football and the last time Brighton beat the Blues in any competition was a 1933 3rd Round FA Cup tie!
Eden Hazard has provided an assist in his last three PL games and the Belgian international has been back to his brilliant best of late. He might be the difference between the sides at the Amex.
Tip: Eden Hazard to score at anytime at
Southampton v Arsenal
Arsenal have scored at least twice in their last seven away games in the PL and I expect to see goals at St Mary’s with Unai Emery’s side coming out on top of an entertaining game.
The Gunners have lost just two of their last 17 games against Southampton in all competitions and the hosts are currently on a barren run of 14 games. These are difficult and worrying times for the Saints and I can’t see them getting anything against an inform Arsenal.
Tip: Arsenal to win and both teams to score at
Liverpool v Manchester United
I was surprised to see that Liverpool are without a win in their last eight PL games against United, but I think the hosts will keep all three points at Anfield in the game of the weekend.
The last couple of league games between the clubs at Anfield have finished goalless, but United have struggled to keep clean sheets in the PL so far this term and I would be surprised if Jose Mourinho’s side were able to keep Liverpool at arm’s length.
That said Liverpool’s much-vaunted attacking trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have yet to score, or indeed assist, a goal against United in a combined total of 855 minutes in the PL.
I expect the Reds front-three to buck that trend at Anfield in what promises to be a fiercely-fought game between these two great clubs.
Tip: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at
Weekend wager: Spurs, Watford and Liverpool at
