OneFootball
Dan Burke·26 April 2019
OneFootball
Dan Burke·26 April 2019
The finish line is in sight, but there is still much to be decided at both ends of the Premier League table.
If either of these two sides want to finish in the top four this season, three points at Old Trafford on Sunday is an absolute must.
United were better in the mid-week derby defeat against Manchester City than they were at Goodison Park, but that isn’t saying much.
However, this game gives them an opportunity to restore some pride, given they’re facing Chelsea who are yet to pick up a point away from home against the top six this season.
Solskjaer will know that his summer rebuilding job is going to be a lot harder if he can’t offer Champions League football to new recruits, and if United don’t win on Sunday, they might as well forget it.
City’s win at Old Trafford on Wednesday means they now need just three more wins to guarantee a second successive Premier League title.
But having overcome tricky tests against Tottenham and United in their last two games, wouldn’t it be just incredible if they slipped up and handed the initiative back to Liverpool at Turf Moor on Sunday?
If Pep Guardiola is hoping to get a good night’s sleep on Saturday night, the following statistic might just keep him awake.
In each of their four Premier League seasons, Burnley have beaten the reigning champions.
What are the chances of them extending that remarkable run this weekend?
Of their three remaining Premier League fixtures, Friday night’s clash at Anfield is surely the one Liverpool fans will be least concerned about.
Already relegated Huddersfield head to Merseyside on a torrid run of 13 straight defeats and they almost certainly don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of ending that sequence in this game.
In fact, if Liverpool don’t beat the Terriers, they probably don’t deserve to win the title and this one should really be seen as an opportunity to make up some of that goal difference between them and City.
This weekend could be hugely pivotal for the sides fighting for survival at the foot of the table.
Burnley’s draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday puts them on 40 points and pretty much safe, while Southampton can put themselves a safe distance from the danger zone if they win at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Brighton – who are now without a win in the last six – host Newcastle on Saturday, a game which is particularly important given their final two games are away to Arsenal and at home to Manchester City.
But perhaps the most interesting fixture in this mini-league this weekend sees Cardiff travel to face Fulham, who are already relegated but have won their last two matches.
It promises to be a brilliant weekend of Premier League football, at both ends of the table.