Manchester United vs Liverpool
The rivalry between England’s two most successful teams intensifies this week as Manchester United prepare to put a dent in Liverpool’s title credentials.
After Liverpool’s 3-1 win in December, the Red Devils were 11 points outside the top four and sacked manager Jose Mourinho.
Fast-forward two months and with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer at the helm, United sit a point clear inside the top four and have relinquished the off-field turmoil embroiled with Mourinho.
United would take delight in denting Liverpool’s title chances, even if it means Manchester City attain the ascendency.
Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard will both miss the game through injuries, but against Chelsea in the FA Cup, United showed they can handle the loss of the two wingers.
Against the Blues, United deployed a 4-1-2-1-2 with Juan Mata as an attacking midfielder behind Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku.
The system allowed Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera to make runs into the box to give United a 2-0 win.
Pogba has been instrumental for United since Solksjaer’s appointment, contributing nine goals and seven assists.
Liverpool require a win to regain their three-point lead at the top of the table.
The Reds are equal on points with Manchester City, but sit second due to goal difference.
City have played one extra game, which means Liverpool do have the ascendency in the title race.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed defender Dejan Lovren will miss the clash against United, but Vigril Van Dijk will return from suspension in the Champions League.
The Reds have only conceded 15 goals all season, but will need to be on form if they are going to hold United at Old Trafford.
Liverpool enter the game as favourites, despite not winning at Old Trafford in the Premier League since 2014.
Prediction: Manchester United win - $3
Tottenham’s titles aspirations could be boosted with a win over Burnley on the weekend.
Spurs are five points behind Manchester City and Liverpool, but a victory against Burnley and a defeat to Liverpool will cut the deficit to two points.
Tottenham have not received enough credit for what they have been able to achieve this season, despite their off-field issues.
The Lillywhites did not add any players to their squad in the summer and winter transfer windows due to a lack of money courtesy of the construction of the new White Hart Lane.
They have also had to deal with the exclusion of Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Dele Alli over extended periods of time. Despite the setbacks, Tottenham have continued to perform and are the only side in English Football to have not drawn a game this season.
Burnley require a win to steer clear from the relegation battle. Currently, the Clarets sit 15th on the table, three points clear of the drop.
The Clarets are undefeated in their last seven games in the Premier League and recorded a 3-1 victory over Brighton in their last start.
Despite their good form, Burnley will find it difficult to take points off Tottenham this week.
Prediction: Tottenham win - $1.66
Two of the Premier League’s entertaining mid-table sides meet at Vitality Stadium when Bournemouth host Wolves.
Bournemouth’s form has dipped since the early part of the season when they were in the top six, losing three of their last five games.
However the two victories sandwiched between the defeats was a 2-0 victory over West Ham and a 4-0 demolition of Chelsea, signifying the Cherries ability to cause havoc on their day.
Wolves will be buoyed by their victory over Bristol City in the FA Cup and will next face Manchester United in the quarter finals.
So far the Wanderers cup run has not impacted on their league form as they have won three of their last five games in the Premier League.
But with their position in the league secured for next season and the prospect of advancing in the FA Cup at the back of their minds, Wolves could lose focus in the league.
Wolves recorded a 2-0 win when these sides met in December.
Prediction: Draw - $3.20
