England English Premier League, 1-2 January, 2020 - Matchday 21

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Liverpool vs Sheffield United Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool (4-3-3):
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Milner, Salah, Firmino, Origi

Sheffield United (3-5-2):
Dean Henderson, Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Baldock, Freeman, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, McBurnie

Liverpool won three trophies in 2019 - the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. It's obvious it was a successful year for Jurgen Klopp and his players. Nevertheless, the fans will be fully satisfy only when Liverpool finish first in the Premier League. This year (2020) could be the year when Liverpool will lift the domestic trophy, first after 1990. The Reds sit at the top of the Premier League and have 13-point advantage to the second-placed Leicester City and 14 points more than the biggest rivals Manchester City. Even Pep Guardiola admitted they are now in a fight for second place. But no-one in Liverpool will say it, as there have been too many near misses and false dawns in the last 30 years. The actual form is good, Liverpool won the last two matches in the Premier League during the festive period. However, they showed two, quite different, faces. Jurgen Klopp's side produced arguably their finest performance of the season to demolish their nearest challengers Leicester City with 4:0 at King Power Stadium. But the last match with Wolverhampton was quite opposite. Liverpool obtained their 17th consecutive victory at Anfield in the Premier League, beating the Wolves with 1:0. The guests were furious on two Video Assistant Referee's decisions. There was a lengthy VAR review for handball from Adam Lallana before referee Anthony Taylor eventually confirmed the goal. In the finish of the first half the guests had a goal disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside. The Reds were inferior in the second half and showed lot of weaknesses. As one fan wrote on social media, it was 'a big old ugly grown up win'. Klopp continues to be short of defensive options as Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Fabinho remain out. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be missing the next period, having injured his ankle in the Club World Cup final with Flamengo. Klopp revealed that the injured quartet will be back earliest in February.

Sheffield United are newcomers in the Premier League and many were expecting to see them deeply involved in the relegation battle. However, they quickly adapt to life in England's top tier. The Blades are on the 8th position with 29 points, far away from the drop zone. Manager Chris Wilder is doing a great job and the fans are pleased. Sheffield are particularly good on away matches as they were unbeaten prior to Sunday's visit to the Etihad. The overall form is also good, they have lost just twice in their last 13 games in a run which stretches back to September. Their defensive record should also be mentioned, they have conceded just 19 goals on 20 matches, with Liverpool as only team with better record (14). As I wrote above, the Blades suffered a 2:0 defeat to Manchester City three days ago. They were unfortunate not to get something from the match against the reigning champions. The first goal scored by Sergio Aguero was controversial as the referee Chris Kavanagh should have stopped the game after getting in the way of a pass which led to the goal. De Bruyne scored the second and Sheffield United lost away from home for the first time since January when they lost 1:0 to Swansea City in the Championship Division. Captain Oliver Norwood is 'Alpha and Omega' in the team, genuine leader. The 28-year-old is excellent this season in both defensive and attacking aspects of the game. He has created more chances (29) than any other Sheffield United player in the Premier League this season. Lys Mousset should also be mentioned, he is the club leading scorer with five goals. The former Bournemouth player, who signed for £10m, also have three assists to his name. The guests are almost complete for the trip to Anfield, only Simon Moore is sidelined. John Lundstram, who missed the Sunday's match with a foot injury, is rated as doubtful. Wilder could rotate the players following the busy schedule. David McGoldtrick and Oliver McBurnie are pushing for starting place.

Liverpool vs Sheffield United Prediction
:

Liverpool are big favorites against the newcomers, but Sheffield United could produce lot of problems to the leaders. The Reds didn't look good against the Wolves. The players are tired, while Klopp has no option for rotation in most of the positions. The Blades already reduced Liverpool in the reverse fixture, but were unlucky to lose after big goalkeepers mistake. I think they won't lose with more than one goal.

Liverpool vs Sheffield United Pick
: Sheffield United +1.5 @ 1.84 with 188Bet
 
Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal:
Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette

Manchester United:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Pereira, Matic, Pogba; James, Martial, Rashford

Arsenal sit on the 12th place with 24 points. This is the club worst run of results in 27 years. The fans were disappointed, so the owner Stan Kroenke was forced to sack manager Unai Emery. But nothing have changed under interim-manager Freddie Ljungberg. The overall record was just one win under his guidance, against even poorrer West Ham. It became clear Ljungberg is unable to improve the results. Kroenke decided to appoint the former player Mikel Arteta. The fans are still not sure this was the best solution. The North London club failed to record victory in the first two matches under the Spaniard. The Gunners played an 1:1 draw with relegation candidates Bournemouth on Boxing Day, while lost 2:1 to Chelsea on Sunday. It was a frustrating defeat as they lead until the 83rd minute thanks to an early goal by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It was his 45th Premier League goal since his debut in February 2018. Nevertheless, Arsenal conceded twice in just five minutes to left the Emirats empty-handed. So far Arteta worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City and this is the first job as head coach. His inexperience could be a problem. The big pressure, busy festive schedule and lot of injured players are additional issues for Arteta. For this match he will be missing Kieran Tierney, Sead Kolasinac and Rob Holding, while six more players are rated as doubtful. Dani Ceballos, Hector Bellerin, Gabriel Martinelli, Sokratis and Calum Chambers are struggling with injury, while the situation with Granit Xhaka is not simple. I thought his time at Emirats came to it's end after the incident with his own fans, but Arteta said it's possible to be involved in this match.

Manchester United started the season poor, but the last results are much better. The Red Devils are on the fifth place with 31 points. They are targeting the Champions league spots, however the difference is four points at the moment. That is why the points from this match are extremely important. The actual form is good, they have improved in the last period. According to statistic, only Liverpool picked up more points than Man United over the last six games of 2019. Even better, the Red Devils are in mini-series of two victories. They managed to beat Newcastle with 4:1 at Old Trafford and Burnley with 2:0 on road. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be satisfy with the latest performance of his players. Anthony Martial scored twice against the Magpies, while 18-year-old Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford also found the back of the net. Martial and Rashford were again scorers at Turf Moor last weekend. What is more important, United have kept an away clean sheet in the Premier League for the first time since February 2019, ending a run of 14 games without a shutout on the road. The atmosphere in the squad is much better, while the players confidence is higher. Rashford had hand in 16 goals in 20 Premier League games this season - he scored 12 and assisted four. Martial, meanwhile, has been directly involved in 10 goals in his 13 Premier League starts this season. They are both ready to start in this match, although tired. Paul Pogba is expected to return to the starting eleven after sitting out of the win over Burnley. Scott McTominay, Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot remain sidelined, as well as long-term injury victims Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Prediction:

This is a big derby in the Premier League. Manchester United are one short of 100 wins against Arsenal across all competitions, whereas the Gunners have won 83 of the past 231 mutual games. I expect a tight match with less than four goals. Arteta already feels the pressure, while Solskjaer enjoys the moment. However, the home advantage shouldn't be underestimated. But the players from both teams are tired after a busy festive period. This will be the third match in short period. That's the key reason for my pick. It's impossible to expect an intense game here.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Pick
: Under 3.5 goals @ 1.57 with Pinnacle
 
Manchester City vs Everton Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester City:
Ederson; Cancelo, Garcia, Fernandinho, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Rodri; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling

Everton:
Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Holgate; Sidibe, Sigurdsson, Davies, Delph, Digne; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison

Manchester City are on the third place with 41 points, huge 14 behind league leaders Liverpool. This is the first time Guardiola is facing such situation, to be so far away from the top of the table at this stage. The Citizens have already lost five matches this season. Pep composed a great team, his players have scored 54 goals in 20 games so far in the Premier League - seven more than Liverpool. However, it is clear Manchester have defensive issues. The Citizens have conceded 23 goals, more than some mid-table teams like Sheffield United (19) and Crystal Palace (22). The atmosphere in the squad is better following the last round's victory over Sheffield United. Guardiola's men played good and secured a 2:0 win at the Etihad thanks to the goals scored by Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne. That was the first away defeat for the Blades this season. De Bruyne also assisted the first goal, providing assist in each of his past three league matches. The Belgian international has been directly involved in 19 goals in the Premier League this season. He has scored seven goals and also has 12 assists. The hosts have some injury issues ahead of this match. Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane remain sidelined with injury. David Silva and John Stones continue to improve their fitness, but this match come too soon for both. On the positive note, goalkeeper Ederson is available to play after serving one-match ban. Striker Gabriel Jesus has recovered from illness and could take part in this match, although Sergio Aguero is expected to start again.

Everton are on the 10th place with 25 points, seven away from the relegation zone. The Toffees play much better since the former manager Marco Silva was sacked and Duncan Ferguson was appointed as interim coach. They managed to beat Chelsea with 3:1 on his debut thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brace. In the next game Everton remain unbeaten against Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing an 1:1 draw. Finally, the Merseysiders played a goalless draw with Arsenal in the third and last game under Ferguson. Five points from three matches is an excellent result, particularly because the opponents were three of 'top-six' clubs. I must admit I was expecting Ferguson to be promoted as permanent manager, though the club officials decided to bring Carlo Ancelotti. The 60-year-old former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan tactician has signed a deal to lead the Toffees until 2024. The Italian made a winning start as Everton manager as his side edged past Burnley at a packed and passionate Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored the lone goal and decided the match. But he didn't stop there. The 22-year-old scored both goals against Newcastle at St James Park to give the Italian the perfect start to his reign. It was a brilliant display in attack as Everton had nine shots on target in this match, their most in a Premier League away game since May. Ancelotti, meanwhile, has recorded his 50th win in his 78th Premier League match and became the fifth fastest manager to reach this milestone in the competition. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is higher. Ancelotti has few injured players ahead of this match. Alex Iwobi, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are definitely sidelined, while Morgan Schneiderlin is rated as doubtful with a calf injury. Some rotation are possible due to a busy schedule, so Lucas Digne, Fabian Delph, Seamus Coleman and Yerry Mina may start after they were all left out of the starting eleven against Newcastle on Saturday.

Manchester City vs Everton Prediction:

I expect Everton to lose with more than one goal at Etihad. The Toffees are in series of two victories and play much better under Ancelotti, however the key players are tired following the busy Christmas schedule. Guardiola has longer roster and he could rotate the players. Finally, the quality is on Pep side, as well as the home advantage.

Manchester City vs Everton Pick: Manchester City -1.5 @ 1.80 with Pinnacle
 
Liverpool vs Sheffield United

Time: 04:00 GMT+8 on January 03, 2019
Venue: Anfield

Key Insights:

Liverpool has won their 1st league fixture in only one of the last five calendar years with 2 draws and 2 losses. The lost for their 1st game for the 2019 against Manchester City, the only loss in Premier League in 2018 to 2019.

Liverpool win the reverse game against Sheffield United in a 1 - 0, and will try to make it on league double against the Blades for the 1st time since 1990 to 1991 event.

Under the management of Jurgen Klopp, the Reds has won the entire 11 of their ground league matches against promoted squads by an aggregate scoreline of 33 - 5. Liverpool are undefeated coming from their last 26 matches at Anfield since were defeated in a 1 - 2 against Blackpool in October under Roy Hodgson with 21 wins and 5 draws.

Sheffield United defeated Everton in a 2 - 0 at the Goodison Park earlier on this campaign they have not won in on the road against both Merseyside squads in the same competition since 1965 to 1966, a campaign that saw Liverpool victory the league and Everton win the FA Cup.

Sheffield United have won only one coming from their last 13 on the road matches against Liverpool in the entire tournaments with 1 draw and 11 losses, getting up a 2 - 1 victory within the Premier League in April 1994.

However, for the final statement and prediction, We are still backing up Liverpool squad for a full time of 2 - 0 scorecard, and with the trusted website in Malaysia football betting tips handicap of Liverpool -1.5

Head to Head of Liverpool vs Sheffield United:

Date
Team​
Score​
Team​
28/09/19
Sheffield United​
0 - 1​
Liverpool​
24/02/07
Liverpool​
4 - 0​
Sheffield United​
19/08/06
Sheffield United​
1 - 1​
Liverpool​
 
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