(Football news) Liverpool will welcome club legend Steven Gerrard back to Anfield this weekend as they host Aston Villa and hope to win their seventh consecutive game this weekend. The Reds are in fine form and became the first English side to win all six games in the Champions League group stage. Their domestic form is also commendable as Jurgen Klopp’s team leapfrogged Chelsea and are now in second place, one point behind reigning champions and league leaders Manchester City. Aston Villa has seen a resurgence of form since Steven Gerrard took over, winning three out of their last four matches and will look to give Liverpool a tough test at Anfield.
For Liverpool, Curtis Jones, Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott remain unavailable for selection while Naby Keita and Joe Gomez made substitute appearances against AC Milan. Jurgen Klopp is expected to pick a starting XI featuring Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara. As for Villa, the likes of Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet will be unavailable for selection while Danny Ings and Matt Targett are expected to feature. However, anything less than three points for Liverpool would be considered an upset for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
At the Etihad Stadium, reigning champions Manchester City will welcome Wolves and will be out for blood after their disappointing result midweek against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola will be without Nathan Ake and Phil Foden as the pair suffered minor injuries against Leipzig. Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus are also doubtful for the fixture after suffering knocks while Ferran Torres continues to be a long-term absentee. However, the likes of Ederson, Reuben Dias and Raheem Sterling are expected to return to the starting XI alongside Grealish, Silva, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. For Wolves, Willy Boly, Yerson Mosquera, Jonny and Pedro Neto will be unavailable for selection. Pep Guardiola’s men must secure three points to ensure they remain on top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea are currently in a difficult situation, having endured a defeat and a draw in their last two matches and will look to get back to winning ways against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge. Thomas Tuchel will be without Ben Chillwell and N’Golo Kante due to knee injuries while Mateo Kovacic has tested positive for COVID-19 and Trevoh Chalobah is nursing a thigh injury. However, Jorginho and Reuben Loftus-Cheek could be available for selection and provide a much needed boost to Chelsea’s midfield. Timo Werner is expected to partner Romelu Lukaku while Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger will make the defensive lineup.
For Leeds United, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips will be unavailable for selection after enduring thigh injuries against Brentford while Rodrigo has been ruled out due to heel pain, Robin Koch is unwell but Pascal Struijk is expected to return. Tyler Roberts is expected to make the starting XI while Phillips’ place will be taken by Mateusz Klich. A comfortable victory for Chelsea is what we can all expect from this fixture.
Arsenal will face Southampton on Sunday, hoping to get back to winning ways after losing their last two matches. Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly under pressure to get a result and will welcome the return of Granit Xhaka into the squad. However, Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable for selection due to a hamstring issue alongside Sead Kolasinac while Bernd Leno is also doubtful. Emile Smith Rowe is expected to feature in the starting XI alongside Aubameyang who has been less than impressive of late while Nketiah and Lacazette are expected to be on the bench.
For Southampton, Oriol Romeu and Mohamed Salisu will be unavailable due to suspension and Ibrahima Diallo and Jack Stephens are expected to take their place. Stuart Armstrong, Jan Bednarek, Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy are also out of contention due to injuries while Theo Walcott could be on the bench against his former club. Arsenal are expected to secure three points against Southampton and remain in contention for a Champions League spot for next season.
Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United will travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich City, hoping to make it three Premier League wins in a row. The Red Devils defeated the likes of Arsenal and Crystal Palace and now face the bottom most side in the league with 10 points from 15 matches. The hosts will be without Milot Rashica and Christoph Zimmermann while Brandon Williams is ineligible to play against his parent club. Mathias Normann might be available for selection while Dimitris Giannoulis could feature in place of Williams. Dean Smith is expected to go with Joshua Sargent and Teemu Pukki as a front two while Todd Cantwell is also an option he can fall back to.
Manchester United will be without Aaron Wan Bissaka who suffered a knee injury against Young Boys while Raphael Varane, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba remain on the sidelines. Rangnick is expected to go for a side similar to the one that started against Crystal Palace with Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho partnering with Bruno Fernandes in a 4-2-2-2 formation. Despite Luke Shaw’s return from injury, Alex Telles has performed well at left back and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI. Anything less than three points will be a big disappointment for Manchester United.
