England is still in shock after the result of the last round at Anfield, FC Liverpool – Manchester United 7-0! The score difference, one that surely not even the most fanatical Cormorants fan was thinking about, matters less for Liverpool. What matters is the three points that Jürgen Klopp’s side have taken in their fight for a Champions League place. Liverpool has four wins and a draw in their last five games and has closed to within three points of fourth place, occupied by Tottenham. In addition, Liverpool has one game in hand. This weekend, Liverpool plays away to last-placed Bournemouth, the team they beat 9-0 in the first leg on 27 August 2022! In the 18 games played between the two sides in all competitions, Liverpool has won 14, Bournemouth just one (4-3, home 4 December 2016), while three meetings (one league, two FA Cup) have ended in draws.
After the disaster at Anfield, Manchester United will play second-bottom Southampton in front of their own fans at Old Trafford. Since the arrival of the anonymous Spanish Rubén Sellés on the bench, Southampton has won twice (both in the Premier League) and lost twice (one in the league, one in the FA Cup). United was unbeaten against Southampton in their last 14 meetings in all competitions.
Chelsea London, the big disappointment of the current Premier League season, last weekend notched up its first win after three draws and three defeats. Chelsea will play away to Leicester, who they have not lost to in their last four games.
Leaders Arsenal London have made it four wins in a row. With luck or not, Arsenal looks like a future champion! Even though they will be playing at Craven Cottage, the Gunners have the first chance this weekend in the battle with Fulham.
Five points behind the leaders, Manchester City will play 12th-placed Crystal Palace, a winless team in 2023, away at Selhurst Park.
Newcastle United, the big revelation of the current season, is in freefall. In their last five games, Eddie Howe’s sixth-placed side have only drawn twice. Newcastle will play 13th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at home, a team reinvigorated by the arrival of the experienced coach Julien Lopetegui.
