All posts by h79snht.top

Manchester United and Liverpool face each other for the 52nd time in the Premier League this weekend and there is once again big stakes on the line in the Northwest derby.

While the title may be beyond both sides this season, the battle for a runner-up finish is well and truly on with the second-place Red Devils and the third-placed Reds separated by just two points in the table.

But which manager faces the biggest injury problems, how could the referee influence proceedings at Old Trafford, who enters the game in better form and can history tell us anything about the likeliest outcome? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s 12.30pm kickoff…

What History Tells Us

Throughout the Premier League era, Manchester United have claimed a huge 42 points more than Liverpool in this fixture, accordingly boasting better returns for goals scored and clean sheets – however, they have received two more red cards.

Perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise considering the few occasions in which Liverpool have actually finished above United in a Premier League season, but the Red Devils’ dominance has been mostly felt in recent years, winning seven of the last twelve and losing just two.

United’s win-rate at Old Trafford is far superior to Liverpool’s as well, but the big concern for the neutrals is whether this game will be reduced to yet another uneventful draw. The last three top flight meetings have all ended with a point apiece, with neither side scoring in both of the visits to Anfield Jose Mourinho has presided over.

Referee Influence – Craig Pawson

The appointment of Craig Pawson doesn’t spell particularly good news for either side based on their recent encounters with the 38-year-old; Pawson infamously awarded an incredibly soft penalty to hand Everton a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby at Anfield earlier this season, while the last United fixture he officiated was the shock 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

More troubling for United though is the maudlin approach Pawson has shown in the Premier League this season, ranking in the top nine for fouls per tackle, fouls per game, yellow cards per game and penalties per game. While the home side are fourth in the Premier League’s foul charts, Liverpool are a lowly 17th.

But in a derby that will implore full-blooded challenges and drama, Pawson’s returns this season are a warning for both sides not to cross the line. A few too many bookings or a sending off will make a huge difference in a clash between two teams of such similar quality.

Form Guide

It’s Liverpool who enter this fixture in better form – they’ve lost just once in the Premier League since October – but there isn’t a great deal to choose between them and United from the last six games. Both have won four of those, with Liverpool picking up one draw compared to the Red Devils’ two defeats.

The Reds have also scored more goals and kept more clean sheets, although United have faced Chelsea in that time as well as Tottenham, whereas the rest of Liverpool’s opposition have all been members of the relegation battle – the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Huddersfield.

In terms of firepower though, Mohamed Salah is finding the net more frequently than Romelu Lukaku at the minute, and much of Jose Mourinho’s focus on Saturday will be on stopping the Egyptian attacker marauding through his defence before slotting past David De Gea.

Team News

It’s certainly Mourinho who has to contend with the bigger injury issues this weekend. Despite Scott McTominay’s impressive form, Ander Herrera and Maurouane Fellaini would both likely be starting ahead of him on Saturday if they were fully fit – the former is not expected to be part of the squad, but the latter could return to the bench.

There is a boost in defence, however, with Eric Bailly now back to full health after a lengthy layoff. It seems unlikely that Mourinho would rush the young centre-back into the starting XI for such an important game, though.

Accordingly then, we’re expecting Manchester United to stick with the same starting XI that pulled off the 3-2 comeback against Crystal Palace on Monday night. However, don’t be too surprised to see England duo Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford replace Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard respectively although we believe they’ll be overlook.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

They’re probably the key positions for United this weekend; whoever starts at left-back will need to contain Mohamed Salah, and whoever starts on the right wing will need to provide an outlet on the break.

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, faces a few late injury concerns heading into Saturday’s game, with Andrew Robertson and captain Jordan Henderson both doubts – the former was left out in midweek against FC Porto, while the latter lasted the full ninety minutes but suffered a dead leg.

But we’re expecting those players to play through the pain in order to take part in arguably the biggest game of Liverpool’s season, while the usual suspects from Liverpool’s regular Premier League starting XI look set to return to the fold.

In total, we’re anticipating five changes from the side that couldn’t score against Porto at Anfield on Tuesday night.

[ad_pod ]

Emre Can’s Liverpool future has been a regular talking point due to the midfielder’s current contract situation.

The Germany international comes to the end of his deal this summer and there has not been any official word from the club that he will sign fresh terms.

In fact, the rumour mill seems to suggest quite the opposite, with Don Balon reporting earlier this month that Real Madrid as well as Juventus are interested in potentially signing Can.

The 24-year-old has been a regular feature in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad having started 24 Premier League matches and has come off the bench in a further two.

Can has also played in seven Champions League matches, and in total has scored four goals and created four assists in all competitions.

At times this season, Liverpool fans have made it clear on social media that they want the midfielder to stay.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

However, his latest comments have changed the opinion of some of those supporters.

While speaking to Suddeutsche Zeitung, Can said:

“Sure, the Bundesliga would interest me, why not? Although I must say honestly that the level has waned in recent years. The Premier League has the power to spend more money on players than the Bundesliga . This is very, very important for players. I have the self-confidence to say that my qualities are sufficient to play in a very big club next season.”

Andreas Christensen has impressed during his debut season in the Chelsea first team, replacing David Luiz to become a key part of the Blues’ back three.

But the Danish defender has made some costly mistakes in recent weeks, as Chelsea have come up slightly short against a high calibre of opponent, and was sent home early from international duty due to muscle fatigue.

It’s made Christensen something of a doubt for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, which could essentially end Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with their fourth-placed rivals already five points ahead in the table.

Which all begs the question of whether Antonio Conte should risk starting a youngster who potentially isn’t fully fit and has made key errors in recent weeks, especially considering the quality Spurs boast in attack.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

So, Chelsea fans, would you risk starting the promising 21-year-old this weekend? Let us know by voting below…

Aston Villa won for the first time in the Championship since the start of March courtesy of a 3-0 home success over Reading on Tuesday night.Defeats to Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers, in addition to a draw with Hull City, had led to concern amongst Villa supporters during a key stage of the season.Steve Bruce’s side were resounding winners over Reading at Villa Park, however, as they cemented their spot in the playoffs with just six matches of the campaign remaining.[ad_pod ]Jack Grealish played 75 minutes of the Championship match, and the 22-year-old again showed his class at Villa Park.The midfielder has had his injury problems this season, but made his 21st Championship appearance of the campaign against Reading, and there is no question that he is an extremely popular figure with the club’s supporters.Indeed, a number were keen to once again pay tribute to Grealish, who is valued at £4.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, on Tuesday night. A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

After shining again for Rangers U20s side this week, supporters are eager to see youngster Glenn Middleton in first team action sooner rather than later.

The 18-year-old joined up at Ibrox from Norwich City in January but so far has not had an opportunity in the senior side despite impressing on a consistent basis in development fixtures for the youth squad.

They faced Icelandic side Breidablik on Tuesday afternoon, routing them 4-0, and Middleton was at the heart of the victory, scoring two goals and looking a danger throughout.

Predominately a left-winger, he may find first team opportunities limited with Jamie Murphy in such good form but fans still want to see what he has to offer in Graeme Murty’s starting eleven before the end of the season.

Can the boyhood Rangers fan force his way into senior plans sooner rather than later?

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

[ad_pod ]

Over the last few seasons, Tottenham Hotspur have been transforming themselves into genuine challengers for trophies.

The club will move into a state-of-the-art stadium this summer, and they have an opportunity to end the campaign with silverware as they are two wins away from lifting the FA Cup.

In the last two seasons, Mauricio Pochettino’s team have finished third and second in the Premier League respectively.

In the current campaign, the club have had to settle for a top-four battle due to the dominance of champions Manchester City.

Pochettino’s current team are capable of competing at the highest level, but they need a few more acquisitions to take that step further, particularly as their rivals around them will be strengthening in the summer window.

According to The Independent, Pochettino will be given a transfer kitty of around £120m, and the publication adds that the money available will increase with the likely sale of Toby Alderweireld.

A defender and attacking midfielder is expected to be on the wishlist, and according to our poll, the majority of Tottenham fans would welcome the arrival of Bryan Cristante, who is currently plying his trade at Atalanta on loan.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

After reports emerged of Pochettino’s budget, Tottenham fans tweeted their reactions.

[ad_pod ]

Southampton have had a dismal season full of change and uncertainty.Mauricio Pellegrino was sacked as manager in March and replaced with Mark Hughes, who had a shaky start to his new role in the Premier League.The team failed to win five league games on the trot under the former Stoke City boss and today’s clash against coastal rivals Bournemouth had huge importance.The club headed into the encounter at St Mary’s four points adrift of safety, but they managed to cut the gap to one thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Cherries.Nerves rang around the stadium when Joshua King cancelled out Dusan Tadic’s opener, but the Southampton star responded in the second half with another goal to help the team take much-needed three points.The Saints will head into their remaining matches against Everton, Swansea City and Manchester City with confidence, but it seems that midfielder Oriol Romeu was already optimistic, judging by the message posted to social media by teammate Maya Yoshida.

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle United brilliantly preserved their Premier League status last month as four successive wins saw them surpass the magic 40-point mark, with them previously being well embroiled in the battle to beat the drop.

The last victory in that sequence – a 2-1 success against Arsenal at St James’ Park – took them to 41 points, and with the likes of Leicester City and Everton in reach above them, the aim should have been to try and finish above the duo.

The Magpies had the perfect opportunity to leapfrog the Toffees – who were just one point above them in the standings – when they faced them at Goodison Park last week, but the players certainly didn’t perform to the same levels that they had previously as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

Manager Rafa Benitez wouldn’t have been happy at all by that display, and while the club has ultimately achieved their aims for the campaign, he will know that his team shouldn’t be letting the season peter out with a whimper.

The Spaniard would have been demanding a response for the visit of bottom side West Bromwich Albion to St James’ Park last weekend, knowing that the Baggies were going to be no pushover having taken five points from the previous nine available under Darren Moore.

Instead, the hosts were sloppy and looked to be de-motivated, and that is never a good sign for any club playing a match in the Premier League.

It proved to be the case as careless defending saw Matt Phillips give the west Midlands outfit a 1-0 lead in the first half, and Newcastle had no answer to it as they went a second successive game without finding the net.

Eighth place now looks to be out of reach for the Tyneside outfit with Everton adding to their win against Benitez’s side with another against Huddersfield Town, but the Magpies could still finish above Leicester – who are currently three points above them.

[ad_pod ]

The Foxes are amidst an injury crisis and were thrashed 5-0 by Crystal Palace last weekend, so the Toon players still have plenty to fight for still in those terms.

More importantly perhaps, they could be building momentum for next season right now, because a positive end to the campaign would mean they start the following one with plenty of confidence and belief.

Making a good or bad start to the season can often decide which way it is going to go, and having survived with plenty of games to spare this term, Benitez and his players shouldn’t risk it going to waste with potentially devastating consequences in the future.

The second season can sometimes prove to be a difficult one for newly-promoted clubs, and with uncertainties continuing over whether Mike Ashley will sell the club – or the transfer budget the Spanish manager could be handed – they are not guaranteed to have it easy during pre-season and beyond.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Newcastle have the perfect opponents to prove that they aren’t yet on their holidays when they face Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with the Hornets themselves enduring a dreadful end to the campaign having taken just two points from the previous 21 available.

Benitez may well be considering freshening things up in Hertfordshire having largely stuck with the same 11 players in recent weeks, and that could be a positive thing in more ways than one.

As well as allowing some fringe players that have likely been champing at the bit an opportunity to impress, it will also send a message to some of those individuals – the likes of Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle, who Magpies fans on Twitter want to be sold this summer – that may have been getting a little complacent that their spot in the XI isn’t guaranteed.

Benitez is a hugely experienced manager and he now needs to ensure that Newcastle’s high standards return, because it is unacceptable for the team to be slacking off when they still have three Premier League fixtures left to play, and a big chance to build for next season.

According to France Football, Newcastle United are considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

It would be fair to say that Newcastle had a goalkeeping issue in the first half of the 2017-18 campaign, but that was solved in the January transfer window when they signed Martin Dubravka on loan from Sparta Prague.

The Magpies reportedly have the chance to sign Dubravka on a permanent deal this summer, and that is something that the club’s supporters want to happen.

However, according to France Football, Rafael Benitez’s side have been made aware that Areola could be available from PSG this summer, and the Premier League club are closely monitoring proceedings as they eye a surprise move.

The report claims that Crystal Palace are also watching developments, with PSG said to be considering the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Would Areola be a good signing?

In short, yes. The 25-year-old, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has developed into a fine goalkeeper.

[ad_pod ]

This term, Areola managed 21 clean sheets in 43 appearances in all competitions, and with PSG said to be keen to sell, it is unlikely that Newcastle would have to break the bank for his signature.

The news comes as a bitter blow to Dubravka, who has previously spoken of his desire to move to St James’ Park on a permanent basis.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Areola is a title-winning goalkeeper with Champions League experience, however, and it would be a fine signing for Newcastle if they managed to pull it off this summer.

That said, Italian giants Napoli are also said to be in the hunt as they prepare to replace Pepe Reina, and it will not be plain sailing for Newcastle in their pursuit of the Frenchman.

The rivalry between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool has never been intense until this season.

The competition between Spurs striker Harry Kane and Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah heated up as both fought for the Premier League Golden Boot.

In the end, Salah took home the individual award, but it was still an impressive campaign for Kane as he netted 30 top-flight goals.

This week, the 24-year-old was given a very big honour as he was named England captain for the World Cup in Russia this summer.

[ad_pod ]

Manager Gareth Southgate has not had a permanent skipper since taking over as England boss in November 2016, but on this occasion, Kane is the lucky one.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson would also have been a contender, but he was overlooked.

Unsurprisingly, Reds fans were disappointed with Southgate’s decision, and even the Liverpool Echo launched a dig at Kane by reminding Tottenham of their failed Champions League campaign.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liverpool are one win away from lifting the European trophy, but they will have to get past Real Madrid this Saturday in order to do so.

Tottenham fans were not best pleased with the publication’s tweet.