MADRID, 11 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Liverpool visits Brighton this Saturday (1:30 p.m.) in the match corresponding to matchday 29 of the Premier League, with the aim of continuing to tighten the fight for the title by putting itself, if they win, just three points behind the leader Manchester City, who will play next Monday against Crystal Palace forced not to suffer a slowdown that further limits their chances of becoming champion for the second consecutive season.
Jurgen Klopp’s team continues unstoppably in the hunt for the lead. The ‘reds’ come to this crucial match after stringing together seven consecutive victories in the league and could put even more pressure on City if they achieved the three points this Saturday. However, Liverpool saw their streak of 15 straight games without losing in all competitions come to an end when they lost (0-1) in the ‘Champions’ against Inter last Tuesday.
With very good feelings in the last month and a half, the German coach’s team is aware that it has the opportunity to sleep just three units behind the leader, with one game less, and hit the table. His main threat will be the scoring power of the team led by Salah, when the club is just two goals away from 2,000 Premier League goals.
Opposite will be a Brighton without Webster and in free fall with only one win in their last eight games and four consecutive losses. A very poor balance that reduces their options, with relegation getting closer and closer. They are now thirteenth in the table with 33 points.
The result of this game will surely affect the way in which Manchester City faces their league commitment, which will play on Monday against Crystal Palace. Those of Guardiola, who now do feel the real threat of Liverpool as the only serious candidate, arrive with morale through the roof after sweeping United (4-1) in the city derby and qualifying for the quarterfinals of the ‘ Champions’.
The ‘citizens’ know that a new puncture, after the defeat at the last moment (2-3) against Tottenham three days ago, could mean giving life and hope to a Liverpool that is lurking and it does not seem that it will stop believing in his options, however remote. City travels to South London with Rúben Dias out and Cancelo in doubt, but with the statistics in their favour, since their last away defeat dates back to matchday 1.
The other main course on Saturday will be Manchester United-Tottenham in the middle of the fight for the Champions League places. The ‘Red Devils’, beaten by City in the last derby, must now change the chip to get away from one of the direct rivals for their goal. Rangnick’s men are fifth with 47 points, two above the Londoners and one above Arsenal, which is fourth.
United, with Atlético on the horizon, faces this important game with the doubts of Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues with his hip problems; Cavani and Shaw. For their part, Tottenham arrives at a better time, thanks to their three consecutive wins against City (2-3), Leeds (0-4) and Everton (5-0). Thus, they are facing their great opportunity to storm the top of the table and confirm their good form.
On Sunday a Chelsea-Newcastle will be played, with the ‘magpies’ on the rise and already far from relegation (14th) thanks to their series of eight games without losing, although with sensitive casualties such as those of Trippier or Hayden. On the other hand, the ‘blues’ face their worst moment of the season due to extra-sports circumstances, with uncertainty surrounding the future after Abramovich’s sanction. Although their victory against Norwich made them forget the ghosts and settled them in third place with 56 points.
Finally, Arsenal, fourth in the standings with 48 points, receives Leicester after linking four winning games to present their candidacy for the Champions League, while the ‘foxes’ live in the placid mid-table with 33 points, without a clear goal in the medium term, but with the peace of mind that it does not seem that it will suffer between now and the end of the season.
SCHEDULES OF THE DAY 29.
-Saturday 12.
Brighton – Liverpool 13.30.
Brentford – Burnley 16.00.
Manchester United – Tottenham 18.30.
-Sunday 13.
Chelsea – Newcastle 15.00.
Everton – Wolves 15.00.
Leeds United – Norwich 15.00.
Southampton – Watford 15.00.
West Ham – Aston Villa 15.00.
Arsenal – Leicester 17.30.
-Monday 14.
Crystal Palace – Manchester City 21.00.