LONDON – The English Premier League season 2022/23 matchday 29 will resume this weekend, after resting for a week to make way for the UEFA European Championship 2024 qualification round.
Ten matches will be played from this Saturday to next Monday, including two focused shows featuring the current top six.
In the earliest game on Saturday, there will be a great rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium.
The Cities who are in second place of the EPL table with 61 points, eight points behind Arsenal with one game less to play, need a victory to maintain their possibility in defending the league title.
The Blue Moons are also eager to avenge the Reds, after their 0-1 loss in October last year at Anfield.
Big question for Haaland
Will Erling Haaland appear in this clash of the giants?
The Norwegian who missed the Euro Cup qualifiers due to injury, still absent in the club training session, will probably be listed out from the first line-up tomorrow.
The fiery striker scored a total of eight goals in City’s last two matches. His absence is certainly a crucial issue for the home team to destroy Liverpool’s defence.
Team manager Pep Guardiola is expected to send Julian Alvarez to replace Erling as a forward in his formation. The Argentinian might not be as powerful or efficient as the number 9, but has a wider range of playing in the front court.
Otherwise, Pep could also put his playmaker Kevin de Bruyne as an attacker in the middle, which he practised in seasons before.
Liverpool is in sixth place with 42 points, the same points as Brighton but one game less to play, and five points behind Newcastle.
Jurgen Klopp has a nearly completed squad to visit Manchester, including Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, seeking a surprise to double kill the Cities.
Magpies welcome Red Devils
On Sunday, Newcastle welcomed Manchester United at St. James Park, regarded as the battle of top four in the EPL standings.
The Magpies are in fifth place with 47 points, three points behind the number three’s Red Devils.
United is expected to stay unbeaten in the away game, as they are stronger overall with players in better conditions.
The guest team’s top striker Marcus Rashford will probably appear as first line-up, the Englishman had missed the international matches due to slight injury, but was already back for training.
Centre-back Raphael Varane and forward Anthony Martial joined the pre match session as well, giving them opportunities to feature in the Sunday show.
Arsenal and Chelsea
In other EPL matches this weekend, Arsenal will face Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, begging for three points to maintain their leading advantage.
The Gunners again relied on their best attacker Bukayo Saka who had marvellous performance in the Euro 2024 qualification round.
Another giant club from London, Chelsea will play against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on the same day.
The Blue Lions who got two wins and a draw in their last three league games, are still struggling to rise from tenth place currently.
For more daily UEFA Champion League new kindly check here: 24.Live