Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

1) Time for Liverpool to turn the screw
The last time Liverpool visited Old Trafford, they met a United side struggling with injuries วิธี ฝาก เงิน w88 – even before three players were forced off during the first half. But, though Liverpool were three points clear at the top, they played as though the goalless draw they eventually achieved was an acceptable result. In the event, Manchester City pipped them to the title by a point, and though that required a phenomenal run of 14 straight wins, had Liverpool embraced the pressure and played with their usual intensity in that game they would now be champions of England, not into their 30th season without a league title.

On Sunday, Liverpool will arrive able to wear and excuse any slip-up: they are eight points clear at the top, while United, who are not quite as abhorrently awful as they’ve looked recently, will have some key players back from injury and should be up for the fight. Even so, Liverpool would be foolish to entertain those thoughts. They have one foot on City’s throat and the other aimed at United’s solar plexus; allowing them to escape instead of kicking them when they’re down would be a significant oversight with potentially significant repercussions. Playing safe is not always the safe option. DH



• Manchester United v Liverpool (4.30pm, all times BST, Sunday)

2) Alarms sounding for Tottenham
If there is a state-of-the-art crisis klaxon in Tottenham’s stadium, it is likely to be sounded for the first time should the Premier League’s bottom side consign Spurs to their third defeat in as many games. Having shipped a combined 10 goals in two games against Bayern and Brighton, Tottenham are unlikely to approach this game with confidence, but the international break will at least have provided the majority of their players with a change of scenery in which to try to rid themselves of the ennui permeating their Enfield training HQ. Despite reports that he was distinctly unimpressed with summer transfer dealings, Mauricio Pochettino has said he does not expect any January signings because “I believe in the players we have w88 line ”.

All available evidence suggests his players currently have little or no belief in themselves. A home defeat would likely prompt fury in the stands, albeit among a fanbase who seem as yet undecided in whose direction exactly their ire should be aimed. Marco Silva survived the international break but should Everton lose to West Ham there is a chance he may not survive beyond the weekend. The situation is that critical for the Portuguese, following four straight league defeats which has put his side in the relegation zone before Saturday’s game. The omens are not good either.

Two years ago, Ronald Koeman was sacked after Everton lost to a team from London in October; Arsenal were the visitors, 5-2 the final score, and given Everton’s defensive travails right now – particularly at set pieces – who is to say they will not concede as many this weekend? Silva needs to tighten up his side and change it. The 4-2-3-1 formation he stubbornly sticks to is not working while certain players, most notably Gylfi Sigurdsson, have been performing poorly for some time. What’s for sure is that a failure to improve and adapt will cost Silva and, if he’s not careful, could do so very soon w88 ดีไหม .

4) Vulnerable champions head to Palace
Crystal Palace have made a brilliant start to the season, and could scarcely be better placed for the visit of the champions. Manchester City, on the other hand, have not looked as vulnerable in quite some time, and Roy Hodgson will seek to exploit that. Most likely, he will ask Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew to rove in the spaces between City’s full-backs and centre-backs – such as there are – and, if their teammates can get them the ball, Palace are in the game. Pep Guardiola clearly doesn’t fancy John Stones – and with fair reason – but he must now rely on him, while Nicolás Otamendi remains a liability. However – and it really is an enormous however – Stones’s return from injury means Fernandinho is no longer required at the back, and with Kevin De Bruyne also fit again, City have a full complement of midfielders. Hodgson cannot simply plan his team’s route to goal but must somehow fathom how they avoid being taken apart. One job is significantly easier than the other