The EPL title race may take an explosive turn after today’s matches as last season’s winner and runner up take on possible contenders for the EPL trophy in their respective matches this afternoon.
It is perhaps too early to determine which team will lift the English Premier League title this season, but equally as important as the results of the final day are the clashes among the traditional table toppers and the big spenders in the league because they go a long way in deciding who wins the title.
Their matches don’t often come on same day but when they do, the attention they get far exceeds any of their other fixtures because of the rivalry and bad blood associated with such games.
In the four matches scheduled for today, Liverpool versus Manchester United, and Manchester City versus Arsenal take centre stage.
Picked as the most potentially explosive game of the day, the battle at Anfield is between two sides that have a lot in common.
Both sides have won the Premier League title more than any other side in the division. Liverpool are 18-time winners, while Manchester United have had it 19 times. Both sides have also won the Champions League eight times between them.
Their clashes record the second highest number of red cards in the Premier League history. Only Liverpool against Everton has seen more red cards (20) than Liverpool versus Manchester United (13).
Head-to-head victories have not been far apart either. In the 157 times they have met, Liverpool have won 53 times – 38 of it at Anfield – while Manchester United have won 60 times – 38 of it at Old Trafford.
But unfortunately for Liverpool this season they have won just two of their 11 league games at home in 2012
Liverpool are yet to win since Brendan Rodgers’ arrival and hover precariously over the relegation zone.
United have stabilised their campaign with three successive victories since an opening weekend loss at Everton, but they have failed to win any of their last five matches at Anfield – their worst return for two decades.
Be that as it may, Rodgers will be targeting his first league win of the season as he hopes to reintroduce his rested players today.
He rested Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Joe Allen and Martin Kelly for Thursday’s Europa League victory over Young Boys in Switzerland.
The seven players in question are all expected to start at Anfield, while midfielder Jonjo Shelvey staked a claim for a first-team berth with a two-goal cameo against the Swiss outfit.
But while Sir Alex Ferguson will be without the services of Ashley Young, who is expected to be on the treatment table for up to three weeks with a knee injury, and Wayne Rooney, who is making a speedy recovery from his thigh injury, former Arsenal hitman Robin van Persie will be on hand to deliver the goods. The Dutchman has scored four times in his past five appearances against Liverpool and started the season on a brilliant note since moving to Old Trafford.
While Ferguson will watch out for a temperamental Nemanja Vidic who has been sent off on both of his past two visits to Anfield, focus will also be on Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez who have yet to resolve their differences on the pitch.
The other star match of the day between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Ettihad Stadium represents more than clash for the each of them. There’s pride involved.
Both sides endured contrasting fortunes in the Champions League on Tuesday as Roberto Mancini’s men suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeau, whilst Arsene Wenger’s men fought back from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1 away to Montpellier.
The Gunners looked to have found their form, winning their last three matches in all competitions, scoring ten goals in the process. Last weekend’s 6-1 victory over Southampton was particularly impressive.
However there is unlikely to be a goal feast at the Etihad on Sunday, with there being only six goals scored in the last six meetings between the two sides.
Despite losing their talismanic forward, Van Persie, in the transfer window, Arsenal will still be without Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna who were key to their campaign last season.
Between the two, Arsenal have won more games in the 158 times they’ve met. The Gunners have won 82 of the encounters, while City have just 39.
Arsenal have won the Premier League 13 times, while City’s last season’s success was their third in the history of the competition.
Both teams are currently on eight points, two behind leaders Chelsea but the outcome of today’s game may permanently alter their status in the log.
Source:Punch