The Euro 2024 qualifiers may well be underway but this coming weekend will see a quick resumption of games in the Premier League.
And what a weekend of action it promises to be with two blockbuster games to enjoy!
First up on Saturday lunchtime, we kick things off with a clash between the current Premier League Champions Manchester City and their great rivals over the last few years, Liverpool.
Then on Sunday, we head to St James’ Park where Newcastle United could jump up to third in the table with a win over Manchester United in what should be a cracking game on Tyneside.
There are also key games at the bottom of the table with a number of relegation six-pointers including Crystal Palace v Leicester City, Nottingham Forest v Wolves and on Sunday, West Ham v Southampton.
The final game of the week takes place on Monday night and will see Everton hosting Tottenham at Goodison Park.
However, it is the two big games we are going to focus on this weekend, starting with the game at the Etihad.
A quick reminder that all odds shown in this article were taken from bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing, but may have changed in the lead up to the game.
BONUS CODE: BET247
Get up to €100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365
Bet365 Review
Premier League – Saturday 1st April
Manchester City v Liverpool
Head To Head Record
- Played – 225
- Man City Wins – 59
- Draws – 56
- Liverpool Wins – 108
Trends
Man City have won one of the last four, a 3-2 win in the League Cup back in December in both clubs first game after the FIFA World Cup Finals.
Liverpool have not won against Manchester City in the Premier League away from home since a 4-1 win in November 2015.
Seven of the last eight games between the two have seen both teams score and nine of the last 11 games between the two have seen over 2.5 goals scored in the game.
Both games last season finished in 2-2 draws, Liverpool won the first league game between the two 1-0 at Anfield in October, Mo Salah scoring the winning goal.
Manchester City Stats
- Premier League – 2nd
- Played – 27
- Points – 61
- Goal Difference – +42
- Goals Scored – 67
- Goals Conceded – 25
- Leading Goalscorer – Erling Haaland – 28 goals
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City could be without Erling Haaland and Phil Foden for the home game with Liverpool this weekend with Foden having had an appendectomy in the week and Haaland coming back from international duty with an injury.
Foden is already ruled out and Haaland’s participation looks in jeopardy after a groin injury sustained in the FA Cup win over Burnley ruled him out for Norway.
Man City Likely Team – 4-3-3 – Ederson (GK), Walker (RB), Dias (CB), Laporte (CB), Lewis (LB), Rodri (CM), Gundogan (CM), Silva.B (CM), Grealish (AML), De Bruyne (AMC), Mahrez (AMR)
Liverpool Stats
- Premier League – 6th
- Played – 26
- Points – 42
- Goal Difference – +18
- Goals Scored – 47
- Goals Conceded – 29
- Leading Goalscorer – Mohamed Salah – 11 goals
Liverpool Team News
Thiago will likely not be fit for this game for the Reds, while it is still 50/50 whether Darwin Nunez is fit after sustaining a nasty cut ankle against Real Madrid.
Cody Gakpo though should be fit after he recovered from a bout of food poisoning on international duty with Holland, returning to the Dutch squad after a few days rest. Youngster Stefan Bajcetic will be out for the rest of the season.
Liverpool Likely Team – 4-3-3 – Alisson (GK), Alexander-Arnold (RB), Robertson (LB), Van Dijk (CB), Konate (CB), Henderson (CM), Fabinho (CM), Gakpo (AMC), Salah (AMR), Nunez (AML), Jota (AC)
Match Preview And Prediction
With Manchester City not having two key men available, that does seem to favour Liverpool a little, but in truth, I am not sure it does as City are very used to playing with Kevin De Bruyne as the withdrawn forward and there are many that argue City are a better team playing that way.
Liverpool’s away form is shocking this season and they have been handed some big defeats and I fear another may be on the way here.
Tip – Back Manchester City to beat Liverpool 3-1 at 12/1 with bet365 Sport.
Premier League – Sunday 2nd April
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Head To Head Record
- Played – 175
- Newcastle Wins – 43
- Draws – 41
- Manchester United Wins – 91
Trends
Both teams have not scored in the last two games between the two, but before that, both teams had scored in the previous five.
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seven games against Newcastle United, winning five and drawing two of those games.
Newcastle United have beaten Manchester United at home just twice since September 2012, both came by a 1-0 scoreline in Feb 2018 and Oct 2019.
None of the last three games between the two have seen over 2.5 goals scored, but prior to that all the previous four did see over 2.5 goals scored (including three 4-1 victories for Manchester United)
Newcastle United Stats
- Premier League – 5th
- Played – 26
- Points – 47
- Goal Difference – +20
- Goals Scored – 39
- Goals Conceded – 19
- Leading Goalscorer – Miguel Almiron – 11 goals
Newcastle United Team News
Miguel Almiron will miss the game due to a thigh injury, while Ryan Fraser is not being considered for selection and Amil Krafth is a long term injury casualty with an ACL tear.
On the positive side, Allen Saint-Maximin, Nick Pope and Sven Botman should be fit, while Joelinton will return from suspension. Anthony Gordon has an ankle issue which is a concern and his participation in the game is rated 50/50.
Newcastle Likely Team – 4-5-1 – Pope (GK), Trippier (RB), Botman (CB), Schar (CB), Burn (LB), Longstaff.S (CM), Bruno Guimares (CM), Willock (AMC), Saint-Maximin (LM), Joelinton (RM), Isak (AC)
Manchester United Stats
- Premier League – 3rd
- Played – 26
- Points – 50
- Goal Difference – +6
- Goals Scored – 41
- Goals Conceded – 35
- Leading Goalscorer – Marcus Rashford – 14 goals
Manchester United Team News
Casemiro is suspended for this game while Garnacho is out through injury as are Eriksen and van de Beek, but Marcus Rashford should be fit despite missing the game for England, while Raphael Varane is also expected to be fit for this game.
On loan Marcel Sabitzer could get his chance in midfield with a couple of key men missing for United, while Dalot should continue at right back ahead of Wan Bissaka.
Man Utd Likely Team – 4-3-3 – De Gea (GK), Dalot (RB), Shaw (LB), Martinez (CB), Varane (CB), Fred (CM), Sabitzer(CM), Fernandes (AMC), Antony (AMR), Weghorst (AC), Rashford (AML)
Match Preview And Prediction
Both these teams will be well aware of the importance of a win, but equally both will also be aware of the problems that will arise should they lose the game. Matches between the two have been very close of late and I can’t see this one being any different.
Newcastle can take advantage of some key absentees here and I think they’ll take the lead but I am backing Man Utd to grab an equaliser so the spoils are shared.
Tip – I fancy a 1-1 draw here between the two which is a 6/1 shot at bet365 Sport.
