This weekend marks a significant moment for half of the Premier League, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe observes his Manchester United taking on Spurs while Newcastle faces an imposing challenge against Manchester City.
Key Match – Manchester United vs. Tottenham
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to witness the outcome of his substantial investment as he attends the match at Old Trafford. However, given the inconsistency of this Manchester United side, there’s a possibility he may be scrutinizing his purchase by Sunday evening.
The unpredictability of United is well-known, having won 13 and lost 14 games. The initial setback occurred on matchday two against Tottenham, exposing the myriad issues within the team. Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, remains a formidable opponent, employing pace and intensity that has troubled United throughout the season.
While Erik Ten Hag’s side showed promise against Villa, Ten Hag may contemplate maintaining the same formation or consider partnering Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield base to thwart a potential midfield overrun by Spurs. The outcome will undoubtedly leave Ratcliffe contemplating his decisions.
Team of Interest – Newcastle
Newcastle seeks redemption after triumphing in the derby against Sunderland, but their upcoming encounter with Manchester City on Saturday evening presents a more formidable challenge.
Having endured six defeats in seven matches, Newcastle avoided a potentially damaging FA Cup loss to Sunderland, providing some relief to manager Eddie Howe. However, they must kickstart their Premier League campaign, aware that a defeat against City could push them into the bottom half of the table ahead of their next fixture against an impressive Villa side.
The return of Kevin De Bruyne and a potential comeback by Erling Haaland make City a formidable opponent. Howe faces a daunting task against Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning team, who are currently in ominous form with seven wins in their last eight matches.
Manager to Monitor – Vincent Kompany
While the top four teams take a break, the bottom four teams are in action, with Everton hosting Aston Villa and Burnley facing Luton in a crucial relegation battle.
Luton and Everton show more positive signs from a distance, with encouraging moments even in defeat, particularly for Luton. Burnley, although seemingly plodding through the season, remains in the relegation battle. The outcome against Luton could significantly impact their position, and Vincent Kompany’s optimism will be tested if they fail to secure a league double over Luton.
Kompany acknowledges the need for improvement, and a win against Luton is crucial for Burnley, who previously defeated them and a struggling Sheffield United side this season.
Vincent Kompany appears dejected after a game.
Player to Keep an Eye On – Armando Broja
The upcoming weeks are critical for Armando Broja, who needs to seize the opportunity to showcase his worth to manager Mauricio Pochettino, especially in the absence of Nicolas Jackson due to AFCON.
After scoring against Preston in the FA Cup, Broja received a warning from Pochettino to improve not only in fitness but also in body language and positivity. Chelsea’s recent struggles in goal-scoring highlight the importance of Broja stepping up.
Benching Broja in the Carabao Cup semi-final and giving him the last half-hour in the recent match against Boro, Pochettino emphasizes that the Albanian striker will start against Fulham, providing him with a chance to display his ruthless side for both Chelsea’s prospects and his personal career.
EFL Fixture to Watch – Ipswich vs. Sunderland
With half of the Premier League taking a break, the Championship takes center stage with four televised matches this weekend. The Ipswich vs. Sunderland clash on Saturday evening stands out as a particularly intriguing fixture.
Ipswich has faced a recent stall, going winless in five matches, and faces the risk of dropping out of the promotion spots. Sunderland’s previous weekend was marred by a loss to Newcastle, but prior to that, they had an unbeaten run, creating an opportunity for Michael Beale to earn credit by securing a victory at Portman Road.
European Fixture to Watch – Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim
The Bundesliga resumes after the winter break, and all eyes will be on Bayern Munich as they pay tribute to Franz Beckenbauer in their first game since his recent passing.
Bayern faces Hoffenheim, a side vying for European qualification, providing a challenging restart for the Bavarians. While honoring Beckenbauer, Bayern aims to close in on league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who play Augsburg the following day. The match promises excitement as Bayern strives to set the tone for an enthralling rückrunde.
