London, Feb 1 2021 (AFP) -To follow the infernal train of leader Manchester City, second-placed and neighboring Manchester United will not be able to afford a false step, on Tuesday against Southampton, in the 22nd Premier League match.
With eight consecutive Premier League victories, including the last five without conceding a goal, Manchester City are three points ahead of United, one game less.
Over the past twelve days, they have won 32 points out of a possible 36, a route that is very similar to Liverpool last year and could turn into a walk if the rivals do not follow their rhythm.
United, their main rival at the moment, who host Southampton on Tuesday (20:15 GMT), have been defeated and drawn in their last two games.
Against some Saints who have also slowed down, with six points won in the last eight games, after having achieved 23 in the first twelve days, victory will be imperative to put pressure on the Citizens before their move to Burnley, Wednesday (18h00 GMT).
Against a team they have beaten 11 times in the last 12 matches, with a draw, scoring at least three goals on eight occasions, City will start widely as favorites.
A win would allow Pep Guardiola’s men to maintain at least four points ahead of Liverpool, which hosts 17th-placed Brighton (20:15 GMT), before the clash between the champions of the past three seasons at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds will seek to defend their third place in their distance fight with Leicester, which moves to the Fulham field (18th).
At the closing of the day, on Thursday, the London derby will face Tottenham and Chelsea, respectively sixth and seventh, with the same points (33).
An eventual loser would seriously affect his chances in the race for the first four places, qualifying for the Champions League.
– Program of the 22nd day of the Premier League (GMT):
– Tuesday:
(18H00) Sheffield United – West Bromwich Albion
Wolverhampton – Arsenal
(20h15) Manchester United – Southampton
Newcastle – Crystal Palace
Wednesday:
(18h00) Burnley – Manchester City
Fulham – Leicester
(19h30) Leeds – Everton
(20h15) Aston Villa – West Ham
Liverpool – Brighton
– Thursday:
(20h00) Tottenham – Chelsea
Classification: Pts JGEP Gf Gc diff
1. Manchester City 44 20 13 5 2 37 13 24
2. Manchester United 41 21 12 5 4 37 27 10
3. Leicester 39 20 12 3 5 36 22 14
4. Liverpool 37 20 10 7 3 40 23 17
5. West Ham 35 20 10 5 5 30 24 6
6. Tottenham 33 19 9 6 4 34 20 14
7. Chelsea 33 21 9 6 6 35 23 12
8. Everton 33 19 10 3 6 29 24 5
9. Aston Villa 32 19 10 2 7 34 21 13
10. Arsenal 31 21 9 4 8 26 20 6
11. Southampton 29 20 8 5 7 27 25 2
12. Leeds United 26 19 8 2 9 32 35 -3
13. Crystal Palace 26 21 7 5 9 25 36 -11
14. Wolverhampton 23 21 6 5 10 21 30 -9
15. Newcastle 22 21 6 4 11 21 34 -13
16. Burnley 22 20 6 4 10 13 26 -13
17. Brighton 18 20 3 9 8 22 29 -7
18. Fulham 14 20 2 8 10 17 29 -12
19. West Brom 12 21 2 6 13 17 50 -33
20. Sheffield United 8 21 2 2 17 12 34 -22
hap/clv/psr
MANCHESTER UNITED
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
AFP
