Gameweek 17 of the Premier League features two big north west derbies which could have massive implications on the title race and the race for a top-six spot too. Here are the picks of this weekend’s fixtures:
Saturday
Manchester City v Everton (Kick-off 12:30 PM)
In Saturday’s early kick-off, Manchester City host Everton at the Etihad Stadium, as reigning champions look to return to the top of the Premier League table.
City’s unbeaten run in the Premier League this season ended in their last game, as Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.
The defeat, in fact, ended a 21-game unbeaten run in the top-flight dating back to last season, when the Citizens suffered a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
City had also been prolific in the top-flight prior to the defeat at Stamford Bridge, scoring at least two goals in their previous five league outings.
The Citizens are formidable on home soil, as they are unbeaten in 11 home games in the league, having ten wins, including winning their last nine matches at the Etihad Stadium in the top-flight.
Everton’s good start to the campaign under Marco Silva has hot the skips slightly of late, as the Toffees have won just one of their last five league games.
Silva’s side has recorded disappointing home draws against Newcastle and Watford in their last two league outings. In fact, the Merseysiders have been the draw specialists of the Premier League this season, as no side has collected more than the Toffees six draws in the top-flight.
The visitors have been poor on their travels of late, as they have won just in their last eight league outings away from Merseyside. The fact they have played Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in their last three games on their travels has not helped their cause. The Merseysiders are major underdogs to get anything from their short trip to Manchester.
Sunday
Liverpool v Manchester United (Kick-off 4 PM)
Liverpool are currently top of the table and one point clear of reigning champions City. However, by the time the Reds kick-off their home game against Manchester United on Sunday they could be back own to second.
Liverpool are enjoying their best start to a Premier League campaign. The Reds are unbeaten in 16 league matches, having recorded 13 wins and three draws. Last time out in the top-flight, Jurgen Klopp’s team recorded a 4-0 win at Bournemouth.
The Merseysiders are strong on home soil, as the Reds are unbeaten on home soil in 28 games in the Premier League. They have also won seven of their last eight league games on home soil in the league.
The Reds have been impressive in attack at Anfield under Klopp. However, the Merseysiders recent defensive record has been a key factor to their good form, as the Reds have conceded just once in their last 12 top-flight games.
Manchester United have endured a rollercoaster of a campaign so far this season. Jose Mourinho’s team are sixth place in the table, but a massive eight points behind Chelsea, who occupy the last Champions League berth.
United’s form has been a real mixed bag of late in the top-flight, as the Red Devils have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five games in the Premier League. The visitors ended a run of three straight league draws last time out by hammering Fulham 4-1 at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils recent away form has been poor of late, as United have won just one of their last five league games on their travels in the top-flight. Both teams have scored in their last six away matches in the top-flight.
This weekend’s other Premier League (3 PM Kick-off unless stated)
Saturday
Crystal Palace v Leicester
Huddersfield v Newcastle
Tottenham v Burnley
Watford v Cardiff
Wolves v Bournemouth
Fulham v West Ham (Kick-off 5:30 PM)
Sunday
Brighton v Chelsea (Kick-off 12:30 PM)
Southampton v Arsenal (Kick-off 1:30 pm)
Who will pick up big results in the Premier League this weekend?
