England Round 36

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Liverpool vs Tottenham Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Tottenham:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Emerson; Bentancur, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son

Liverpool will welcome Tottenham at Anfield in the most interesting match this weekend. The Spurs won the reverse fixture played in September, but it was a controversial victory. Tottenham secured a 2:1 home win over nine-man Liverpool thanks to Joel Matip's own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but a big referees' mistake in the first half marked the game, when a goal by Liverpool's Luis Diaz was wrongly disallowed because of offside. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later admitted a "significant human error" was made during that situation and apologized to Liverpool, but three points went on Tottenham account.

Liverpool are third with 75 points and it seems the season is over for them. Just one win in the last five Premier League matches ended the title hopes. At the same time, a 'Top-4' finish is guaranteed which means they have secured a Champions League spot for the next season. The poor form is not the only problem for Liverpool. Best scorer Mohamed Salah clashed with Klopp as he was about to come on during last weekend's 2:2 draw at West Ham. The Egypt forward, declined interview requests after the game, saying: “There’s going to be a fire today if I speak.” According to Klopp, everything is ok now, but it is clear the club is in big crisis.

Tottenham were fighting for a Champions League spot, but suffered two defeats in the last few days. First they lost 3:2 to Arsenal in North London derby and then lost 2:0 to Chelsea. What is frustrating the fans, that's the fact they conceded from set-piece again. The unmarked Trevoh Chalobah met Conor Gallagher's free kick to give the hosts the lead. That was the Spurs 22nd set-piece goal conceded in the 2023-24. Only two teams have a worse record - Nottingham (26) and already-relegated Sheffield United (23). The away results are also a problem for Postecoglou as Tottenham have registered just one clean sheet in 17 top-flight games.

Both managers have several missing players due to injuries. Klopp will be without Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Bobby Clark (unspecified) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle). In addition, captain Virgil van Dijk is rated as doubtful, as well as young Conor Bradley, but it seems this game will come too soon for Diogo Jota. Postecoglou, meanwhile, will be without Timo Werner and Ben Davies due to hamstring and calf injury respectively. The duo will miss the rest of the season and joined Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Manor Solomon (knee), Destiny Udogie (thigh) and Fraser Forster (foot) on the long-term injuries list.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Prediction:

I expect an efficient match at Anfield. Liverpool will strongly attack from the first minute. The Reds have scored two goals against West Ham last week, but also conceded twice. The possible absence of captain Van Dijk is also a reason for my pick. Liverpool have not kept a single clean sheet in the last eight Premier League matches. It will be much harder without him. Tottenham are also in poor form, but they have players able to make difference, like Son Heung-min. The South Korean international is set to play his 300th Premier League game. What is important to be mentioned, Son has scored in each of his last four league appearances versus Liverpool.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 1.67 with Pinnacle

 

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Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Crystal Palace:
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Olise, Mateta, Eze

Manchester United:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

In-form Crystal Palace will welcome Manchester United to Selhurst Park on Monday evening. The Eagles currently occupy the 14th place, four points behind 13th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. Palace are in excellent form, they have three victories and one draw on the last four matches in the Premier League. Some of these wins are memorable, like the success at Anfield. New coach Oliver Glasner, who replaced Roy Hodgson, is doing a fantastic job. The 49-year-old tactician has an overall record of four wins, three draws and three losses from his 10 games in charge. The fans are satisfied with his work and they expect better times next season. Palace have not finished higher than 10th since being promoted from the Championship back in 2013, so the fans are not too disappointed. Glasner will be without five players for this match as Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma, Rob Holding and Matheus Franca remain out through injury. Eberechi Eze has overcome a knee problem and could play here, while Marc Guehi has recovered from the knee operation that he underwent in February and it seems this match comes too soon for him.

Manchester United are seventh with 54 points, far away from the Champions League spots. A victory here could see them climbing one position higher, above Newcastle United. The Red Devils could be three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, depending on the Spurs' result against Liverpool on Sunday. It is clear the points from this match are very important. United are unbeaten since their late 4:3 defeat at Chelsea on April 4, but managed to register just one victory on their four league games since then. Last weekend they dropped two points playing a 1:1 draw with struggling Burnley at Old Trafford. The away form isn't at desired level, Man United have won seven, drawn three and lost seven of their 17 away league games this season. Ten Hag, who's under pressure, has injury worries, too. Key player Bruno Fernandes is rated as doubtful. He was pictured wearing protection on his wrist on Friday, but should be ready to play here. Scott McTominay is also expect to overcome a knee injury in time for this match. Jonny Evans has recovered and could be back in the squad, but Anthony Martial remain out injured. Seven more players are also sidelined - Marcus Rashford, Willy Kambwala, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Prediction:

Crystal Palace will be looking to complete a league double over Manchester United for the first time in their history, having recorded a 1:0 win at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture. Furthermore, the Eagles are in good form, they have three victories and one draw on the last four matches in the Premier League. However, they have nothing to play for. Palace have 40 points and they are out of the relegation battle. Manchester United, meanwhile, are fighting for a European spot and the points from this match are very important. The motivation is on their side, as well as the quality.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Pick: Manchester United to win @ 2.85 with Pinnacle