Manchester United take on Liverpool in one of the EPL’s biggest fixtures of the season today but Louis Van Gaal’s preparation for the game has been disrupted by reports of unrest in the dressing room about the way he is running the club.
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Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage discuss what’s happening at Old Trafford and this weekend’s other game.
Andy Gray: The fact United were well beaten by Swansea last time out will give Liverpool heart. Having said that Liverpool got taken apart by West Ham at Anfield which was a real shocker.
So we have two giants of English football in arguably the biggest fixture in the Premier League going into it on the back of dismal results. It will be tight so don’t expect a goal-fest. 1-0.
Richard Keys: I think Van Gaal is a divisive individual. He might deliver Champions League football again but I don’t think anybody at Old Trafford is overly impressed and all the whispers I have heard are now surfacing.
Saturday’s clash is the biggest game on the Premier League calendar but I don’t think either of these teams are very good. 1-1.
Everton v Chelsea
AG: Chelsea are not firing on all cylinders at the moment so Everton will fancy they can get something out of this.
The loss of Thibaut Courtois for three months is not as big a blow as it could have been after the signing of Asmir Begovic but I still think Chelsea will have to settle for a draw. 2-2.
RK: I have had reservations about Diego Costa all season and I really don’t think he is the same player who lit up the Premier League last season. Eden Hazard has also gone off the boil and they are suspect at the back. 2-1 home win.
Arsenal v Stoke
AG: Arsenal always beat Stoke at the Emirates but it is always a struggle and I can see the same thing happening again. Stoke will try and frustrate the Gunners but Wenger’s side will just edge it. 1-0.
RK: Arsenal have a squad capable of winning the title and with Chelsea struggling and Man City looking like their only threat they need to get points at home. 2-0.
Crystal Palace v Man City
AG: Palace will fancy this on the back of that unbelievable victory at Stamford Bridge but I think City will keep their good run going. 1-2.
RK: It’s hard to go against City who are playing so well but the international break may have put them off their stride a bit so I’ll go 1-1.
Leicester v Aston Villa
AG: Villa haven’t quite settled yet and Leicester is a tough place to go, particularly in the kind of form they are in. 2-1.
RK: I thought Leicester were one of the teams who would struggle but instead they look like title contenders so it has to be a home win. 3-1.
Norwich v Bournemouth
AG: They know each other pretty well from last year in the Championship so this will be close. Norwich have done ok, apart from the loss at Southampton, but they need to win at home. 2-0.
RK: Both will try to play attractive football and although you would think home advantage would give Norwich the edge I am not sure they have enough to beat Bournemouth. 1-1.
Watford v Swansea
AG: Watford have struggled for goals and having watched Swansea do what they did to Manchester United I can’t see anything but an away win. 0-1.
RK: Watford really have nothing and they will struggle to survive at this level. Swansea, on the other hand, are excellent. 0-2.
West Brom v Southampton
AG: If this was last year I would not hesitate in backing Southampton but they will find West Brom a hard nut to crack and I think the Baggies can nick this. 1-0.
RK: West Brom’s season will be based on good, solid defending and nicking a goal here and there and although Saints won last time out they won’t get anything here. 1-0.
Sunderland v Tottenham
AG: I don’t know if either team is good enough to win the game. Sunderland showed good fighting spirit to get a point at Villa Park last time out and the fact Harry Kane found his scoring boots for England might boost Spurs, but this has 1-1 written all over it.
RK: You would expect Spurs to win this but I am still baffled by what Mauricio Pochettino is trying to do. There just doesn’t appear to be a plan and I think they have taken a step backwards. I doubt Sunderland can win this but they can nick a draw. 1-1.
West Ham v Newcastle
AG: Newcastle have no real identity in the way they go about their game and West Ham, after two away wins at Arsenal and Liverpool, need to win at home which I think they will. 3-1.
RK: The Hammers will win their first home game of the season after good wins on the road at Liverpool and Arsenal. Slaven Bilic needs to add a bit of steel to his side and although Newcastle are always a threat, they have no game plan so the Hammers will win this 2-1.
