Man United on tenterhooks
By Laolu Olugbenga
Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they travel to Selhurst Park this weekend to face Crystal Palace. The Red Devils have lost their last three games and failed to score a single goal in the process. The defeat to West Brom in particular left a lot to be desired as they had a whooping 80% possession and 24 attempts on goal, with Van Persie having 10 of those to himself. He also missed a penalty that could have levelled the match, which has led to him being stripped of penalty taking duties.
Palace have also lost their last three games and have failed to beat United in their last 3 games, losing 2-0 at Selhurst Park last season. The injury to Michael Carrick has coincided with United’s poor form, and the Englishman has the slightest of chances in terms of featuring in the game. The good news is that Phil Jones is fit and should return to the line-up. Palace have nothing to lose, but a win for United and a Liverpool loss will guarantee a top four finish.
Sunderland will be in need of points when they take on Everton at Goodison Park. Tottenham will also face a tough test when they travel to the Britannia Stadium to battle Stoke City. Newcastle will aim to snap an 8 game losing streak when they host an in-form West Brom at the Sports Direct Arena.
Leicester will hope to continue a fairytale run that has seen them win four of their last five games when they host an out of sorts Southampton at the King Power Stadium.
Burnley’s relegation ticket will be officially confirmed if they fail to beat an upbeat Hull City at the KC Stadium.
Aston Villa can pull further away from the drop zone if they see off West Ham at Villa Park. Christian Benteke has netted 10 times in his last eight games.
On Sunday, the game of the week takes place when the Champions Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Blues secured their first title win in five years with a 1 - 0 win over Crystal Palace, and while they were tipped to take it easy in the remaining games, Mourinho has said his side will complete favorably out of respect for the League.
The Blues have already beaten Liverpool this season in the League Cup and the Premier League, meaning they are the firm favourites going into the encounter. Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League will be dashed if they lose and Man United beat Palace. The Reds will be baffled by the fact that they will have to give the traditional guard of honour to the same side that crashed their title charge last season. It won’t be easy for Steven Gerrard in particular, the man who infamously slipped in last season’s defeat.
Manchester City will take on a hapless QPR at Etihad Stadium. The Citizens seem to have found their best form, albeit at the wrong time with an impressive victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Sergio Aguero put himself in contention for the Golden boot, scoring his 22nd goal of the season. City’s form should see them pick up an automatic Champions League spot ahead of Man United.
QPR’s chances of survival will go further go down the drain if they fail to win here, and given their past records against City. They will still be aware of that 3 - 2 loss at the Etihad in 2012, where they were denied victory with minutes remaining by Edin Dzeko and that Argentine goal assassin, Sergio Aguero.
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