Liverpool vs Man City, Anfield
Kick-off: 4.30pm
RECENT FORM
Liverpool (LDDWW)
Man City (WWWWD)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool: Alisson Becker, Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino
Man City: Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne
INJURIES
Liverpool: Luis Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip
Man City: John Stones, Kyle Walker
PREVIEW
Liverpool’s enviable unbeaten record at home, spanning 5-and-a-half years, comes under heavy threat as rampaging Erling Haaland and Man City visit Anfield this evening.
The Reds have had a topsy-turvy season, failing to replicate the past form that saw them blitz through the league to directly challenge City for the title.
The performance of striker Roberto Firmino this season has given fans something to hold on to. The Brazilian has surprisingly led the line for the Reds, his record of 6 goals and 3 assists in 7 league matches is praiseworthy but for Haaland.
The Reds sit in 11th place on the table (2W4D2L) winning just 2 matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle, although with 2 outstanding games for Liverpool. Although with 2 outstanding games, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Despite recording an exciting 7-1 win over Rangers in the Champions League, Liverpool will be under no illusions as Man City present an all too different and more formidable challenge, led by the goal-hungry Haaland who has made a mockery of the league, scoring 15 goals in 9 matches, (7 goals off last season’s golden boot-winning 22).
The Citizens who start in 2nd place (7W2D0L) are the only unbeaten team in the league this season and will be raring to go against Liverpool who haven’t been at their best this season, but will be wary as Mo Salah who has been asleep all season, finally woke up in the midweek clash against Rangers.
The Egyptian came off the bench in the second-half to score a six-minute hattrick, assisted all three times by fellow substitute, Diogo Jota.
PREDICTION: High-scoring draw
Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Kick-off: 3.15pm
RECENT FORM
Real Madrid: (WDWWW)
Barcelona: (WWWWW)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Madrid: Vinicius Jnr, Karim Benzema
Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele
INJURIES
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois
Barcelona: Andreas Christensen, Memphis Depay, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo
PREVIEW
Joint-league leaders, Barcelona and Real Madrid square off this afternoon in the highly-anticipated El Clasico clash in Madrid. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways after recording disappointing draws in their midweek Champions League fixtures.
Barcelona and Madrid sit in 1st and 2nd positions respectively, having won 7 of the 8 matches played, recording one draw in the process. The Catalans have been more impressive though, scoring 20 goals and conceding a solitary goal.
The arrival of star striker, Robert Lewandowski, has sparked new life into Xavi’s charges, scoring an impressive 9 goals in 8 league appearances. The point man has been ably supported by Dembele, Fati and Raphinha who have chipped in with goals and assists to lift Barcelona to the summit of La Liga.
Despite the form of their forwards, Barcelona know a trip to the Bernabeu is no child’s play and will need to be on their A-game to come out victorious.
Deadly duo, Vinicius Jnr and Karim Benzema will lead the line for Los Blancos, although they haven’t been at their blistering best like last season, they have the quality to hurt Barcelona, whose shaky defence has come under scrutiny in recent fixtures.
PREDICTION: 2-1 win for Barca