Manchester United head to Liverpool in the stand-out fixture of a Premier League weekend that could see another twist in the title race following Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea last Saturday.
City begin the action at home to Everton on Saturday lunchtime while the big clash at Anfield brings down the curtain on the weekend at 4pm on Sunday.
Here Press Association Sport looks at five key talking points heading into the weekend.
Will the ‘English Clasico’ change the title race again?
We're back at Anfield on Sunday for #LIVMUN!😁
Here's a little something to give you that #FridayFeeling… pic.twitter.com/K5UAxyzwr2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 14, 2018
Manchester United may appear to be completely out of it themselves, but they can have another say in the title race on Sunday when they head to Anfield in a match Sir Alex Ferguson dubbed the ‘English Clasico’. Liverpool go into the weekend top of the table but could well be second again before kick-off with City going first at home to Everton. Jurgen Klopp’s side are the last unbeaten team in the league this year and have been particularly impressive at home, but to extend their record they will have to overcome their own recent history against United. They have beaten their old rivals only once in the last 10 meetings – a Europa League clash in 2016 – and have not tasted Premier League success against United since a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in March 2014. Both teams have injury problems coming into the game, particularly in defence, which make this one harder to predict.
Chelsea fans in the spotlight
WARNING: The following film contains footage some people may find distressing.
Our message is clear – antisemitic abuse in football is not acceptable. If you see it in a stadium, report it: https://t.co/OEMEj0uPVb @ChelseaFC @CST_UK pic.twitter.com/e0EzD3KlFh
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) December 3, 2018
When Chelsea make the short trip to Brighton on Sunday eyes and ears will be on the travelling contingent for the wrong reasons. Last weekend’s 2-0 win over Manchester City was overshadowed by alleged racial abuse directed from the stands at Raheem Sterling, and a bad situation was made worse when Chelsea fans were heard singing anti-Semitic songs about Tottenham during their Europa League match against Vidi in Budapest on Thursday. A Chelsea spokesman condemned the chants and said “any individuals that can’t summon the brainpower to comprehend this simple message and are found to have shamed the club by used using anti-Semitic or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action.” All will be hoping there is no repeat of either incident at the Amex.
Southampton hoping for Hasenhuttl impact
Watch live as Ralph Hasenhüttl previews his first #PL home game in charge of #SaintsFC against Arsenal on Sunday: https://t.co/HPvqeXOOFM
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 14, 2018
Southampton fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Cardiff in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first game in charge, but as the Austrian gets settled in at the club the Saints will be hoping to see some points on the board soon. His first home game is far from easy as Arsenal – unbeaten since the second weekend of the season – make the trip to St Mary’s. Hasenhuttl appears to have been laying down the law this week, cancelling a day off on Monday and hosting longer training sessions to make sure his players fully get to grips with what he wants from them, and Saints fans will be eager to see the results.
Huddersfield in need of home comforts
David Wagner: “Jonathan Hogg and @KongoloTerence look fine and are back in training.
“@Chilliams19 got a knee injury in training. We expect him to be out for 10 weeks.
“We’ve lost three midfielders in a week, not what we wanted, but we will deal with it.” #htafc (AT) pic.twitter.com/xTL5hFyeNc
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) December 14, 2018
Huddersfield remain mired in a relegation battle and results at home are a key reason why. They sit bottom of the Premier League home form table with just five points from eight matches, their only victory at the John Smith’s Stadium having come against fellow strugglers Fulham at the start of November. Newcastle, who have won only once on the road this season, might be the sort of visitors they will welcome. Rafael Benitez has just been named manager of the month but that was based on results in November, and they have started December with two defeats and a draw to leave them once again nervously looking over their shoulders.
Hammers on the up
That #FridayFeeling when you’re going for your fourth W in a row… pic.twitter.com/6LDddLhPfy
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 14, 2018
Manuel Pellegrini endured a rough start to life at West Ham at the beginning of the season, but all that has been forgotten of late as three straight wins have powered them up to mid-table and the fringes of the European places. The loss of Marko Arnautovic to an injury which could rule him out of the festive period did not slow them against Crystal Palace. How Fulham could do with a run like that as Claudio Ranieri continues to look for some sort of spark to get them off the foot of the table.
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