The English Premier League is back this weekend after midweek replay fixtures of the FA Cup. Some of the teams that featured in those fixtures shall be back to top flight action after shading tears of joy and pain in the gruesome replays that some argue are now archaic and should never be played again in a league worth it’s name.
For example, a team like Wolverhampton Wanderers that’s placed 7th on the table has played 38 games so far this season, with engagements in the EPL, Europa League and other domestic cups, far spreading out themselves too thin, yet without putting up a noticeable challenge in any tourney.
Well, the top fixture of the weekend shall be at Mersey Side where Liverpool shall take on their seasoned nemesis Manchester United. With the latter team being a sleeping giant in the recent past, the former has seemed to keep rising. This contrasting trajectory has however taken nothing away from this fixture. Since the last title winning season for Manchester United in 2013, they have played 15 times, United has won 7, Liverpool have one a meagre 3 times while there have been 5 draws. However, the last team to win this fixture was Liverpool and that culminated into the firing of Jose Mourinho as United manager.
Since then, both teams have held each other to a nil:nil and 1 a piece draws both coming at the Old Trafford with the last one coming so close for the Mancunians. The injury situation at both ends is damning. United shall be without their midfield pairing of Paul Pogba and Scott McTomminay while Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Eric Baily seems doubtful. The Mersysiders welcomed back Fabinho, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren to training but they are still doubtful of their fitness. James Milner and Naby Keita shall be no where near the starting line up.
Key stats:
Head to Head (since 2012/2013)
W D L
Manchester 7 5 3
Liverpool 3 5 7
Table standings
Position P W D L Pts
Liverpool 1 21 20 1 0 61
Manchester 5 22 9 7 6 34
