Premier League: On Sunday, Manchester United travel to Premier League leaders Manchester City, boosted by their recent record at the Etihad, as Leeds begin a new era under Jesse Marsch. In other Liverpool news, the Reds will look to make it seven league wins in a row against West Ham, one of only two teams to defeat the Reds this season. Arsenal could move into fourth place with games in hand when they travel to Watford, taking advantage of visits to the top two for the Hammers and United.
Before the weekend action, we take a look at some of the major talking points.
Can City break United’s curse at the Etihad?
Despite the fact that they are now undeniably the best team in Manchester, City has struggled to beat United on their own field in recent years.
In contrast to their outstanding record at Old Trafford, the Premier League champions have only won one of their last seven home games in all competitions against United.
On Sunday, both teams are hoping for three points, with City looking to keep Jurgen Klopp’s storming Liverpool at bay and United’s top-four ambitions looking fragile.
The Reds are just two points ahead of West Ham and Arsenal in the race to qualify for the Champions League next season, while the Gunners have three games in hand.
City, who often control possession, have been caught off guard by United’s pace on the break in recent years, and Pep Guardiola will be aware of the threat posed by players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Since interim manager Ralf Rangnick took over in December, United has only lost one league game, but this is by far his most difficult assignment yet.
Leeds bows to Marsch
Jesse Marsch, the new Leeds manager, faces two major challenges: following in the footsteps of Marcelo Bielsa, who is a very popular figure in the city and tightening up a horribly porous defence.
Leeds have scored 60 goals in the Premier League this season, which is five more than any other team.
After four straight defeats under the dismissed Argentine, they are barely two points and two places above the relegation zone.
Leeds United, who face Leicester City on Saturday, surrendered 20 goals in the Premier League in February alone, the highest by a team in a single month in the competition’s history.
As he begins the responsibility of salvaging the team from relegation, the former RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig coach have voiced his “huge” appreciation for Bielsa.
“Everything that’s been done has laid an incredible foundation and coming into this moment I just want to try to do everything I can to help take the club into the next phase of our history,” he said.
For Football championship, football match, football result, football club, football score and other football news follow livematchupdatesnews.com.
