England Round 20

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Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Chelsea:
Kepa; Chalobah, Badiashile, Silva, Hall; Kovacic, Jorginho, Gallagher; Ziyech, Aubameyang, Mount

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime in a derby match of the round in the Premier League. However, this is a derby only on paper. Both teams are far away from the top of the table. They are sharing the ninth place with 28 points, huge 19 away from the leaders Arsenal. The Blues already changed the manager as Potter replaced Tuchel, while Klopp is under enormous pressure. So far he managed to stay on his position, but the club officials could start thinking about new name. Liverpool beat 1:0 Wolverhampton in the FA Cup on Tuesday, but failed to impress. A moment of Elliott's brilliance in the first half made the difference on that clash. The Wolves had several good opportunities during the second half, but failed to score. It was a small relief for Klopp, particularly because came after two painful defeats. As You know, Liverpool lost 3:1 at Brentford and 3:0 at Brighton last weekend. It was the first time since 1993 that Liverpool had suffered back-to-back league losses at the start of the calendar year. The Reds have six defeats so far in the Premier League, four more than in the whole of last season. The injury situation is still complicated, key defender Virgil van Dijk picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for more than a month. Roberto Firmino remain sidelined, while Arthur, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are long-term victims.

As I wrote above, Chelsea are sharing the ninth place with 28 points. The last results are poor, three defeats on the previous four competitive games across all competitions. The away form is also bad, they haven't recorded a league victory on road since the middle of October. If something could be rated as positive, that's the narrow win against Aston Villa last weekend. Kai Havertz scored the only goal after 64 minutes. The arrival of Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk is another good news. But Potter has huge injury and suspension issues ahead of this match. He is still without a number of key players for the Liverpool clash, with Denis Zakaria the latest absentee. He has impressed in recent weeks, forcing his way into the first-team after a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge. However, in a huge blow to the side, he was forced off after 56 minutes in the defeat to Fulham and has handed a major blow to Potter's midfield options. Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, N'Golo Kante, Reece James and Armando Broja remain sidelined through various injuries. Havertz was not pictured at Chelsea squad training at Cobham, casting doubt over his availability for this match. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could replace the German international if necessary. Joao Felix will serve the second of a three-game suspension after his sending off against Fulham.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Prediction:

I expect both teams to score at Anfield. Liverpool are in big crisis, however they will go for the victory. Not since a 1:0 defeat to Fulham in March 2021 have Liverpool failed to score in a home Premier League game. Chelsea are also in poor form, but I think they could take advantage from Van Dijk's absence.

Liverpool vs Chelsea Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.65 with Pinnacle

 

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Arsenal vs Manchester United
This week's most thrilling matchup is between Arsenal and Manchester United. Here's my prediction on the game.

Arsenal have not not lost any point at home this season. Besides, they have not lost to Man United in their previous four games, giving them the psychological advantage at Emirates Stadium.

Considering their strong offense and high spirit, I suggest to bet on both team to score, with a maxium of four total goals and home win with -0.5 handicap.

Pick: 1

AH Pick: Arsenal -0.5

O/U Pick: Under 3.5

BTTS: Y

 

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Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah

Manchester United:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Eriksen, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst

The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United was a fierce one in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the teams regularly competed against each other for the Premier League title and FA Cup. There was also an enmity between the managers - Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson. The mutual games often involved on-field trouble as seven red cards were shown in matches from February 1997 to February 2005. By 2008 former Arsenal player Lee Dixon noted that the rivalry had diminished. Ferguson also stated that the two teams' meetings had cooled from their previous "heated" exchanges. Other factors for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the last years were the ascendancy of other clubs, including local rivals of both (Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City).

Arsenal are the leaders in the Premier League with 47 points, five more than second-placed Manchester City. After many years they are competitive in the champions battle. The actual form is very good, they have three wins and one draw on the four matches after the World Cup break. Last weekend they beat 2:0 Tottenham in North London derby. An own-goal by Hugo Lloris and Martin Odegaard's effort were enough for the Mikel Arteta's side. The Spanish manager has some worries ahead of this match. Striker Gabriel Jesus remain long-term injury victim, while three other players are rated as doubtful - Reiss Nelson is unlikely to be back from a hamstring issue in time for this match, but Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares should recover from knocks. However, none of the mentioned trio is expected to start anyway. Leandro Trossard came from Brighton & Hove Albion and the Belgian attacker could make his debut.

Manchester United will enter the match off the back of a disappointing 1:1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday. The Red Devils scored in the first half through Bruno Fernandes, but Christian Eriksen should also be mentioned for his assist. And just when everybody at the stadium thought Ten Hag's men will celebrate the 13th league victory, Michael Olise equalized in the stoppage time with his stunning free kick. Manchester United remained inside the Champions League zone with 39 points, and they benefited from the goalless draw between Liverpool and Chelsea. The atmosphere in the squad is very good, while the players confidence is high. But Erik ten Hag has some injury and suspension worries. Casemiro has picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and must skip the derby through a suspension. Jadon Sancho has returned to training but is unlikely to start here. Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial are both rated as doubtful, while Axel Tuanzebe and Donny van de Beek are definitely out.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Prediction:

I expect both teams to score at the Emirats. Arsenal play at home and they are between the most efficient sides in the Premier League. The Gunners have scored 42 goals and only Man City are better. Not since the high 4:0 defeat at Brentford in August have Manchester United failed to score away from home in the league. At the same time they have just one clean sheet on road since October. The Red Devils won 3:1 in the reverse fixture played in September and I expect another efficient game.

Arsenal vs Manchester United Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.66 with Pinnacle