Manchester United visit to Liverpool headlines biggest games this weekend

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 16:23 12/12/2018
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  • It has been an enthralling week of football with the Champions League providing us with some adrenaline pumping moments.

    The excitement carries on to the weekend as we are days closer to being treated to some high-voltage clashes across all five top European leagues.

    We take you through the best clashes from this weekend that you should definitely avoid missing.

    PREMIER LEAGUE

    Mohamed Salah

    Mohamed Salah

    MATCH: Liverpool v Manchester United

    WHERE: Anfield

    WHEN: 20:00 PM GST, 16th December, Sunday.

    The tension, the banter, the bragging rights. It probably does not get bigger than this in the Premier League. An undefeated Liverpool host a struggling United who may have found solace in their thumping win over Fulham last weekend.

    The last two games at Anfield saw two pallid goalless draws and all evidence points to something similar on Sunday. Mohamed Salah seems to have got his mojo back and will be looking to build to his near-flawless performances against Bournemouth and Napoli.

    Marcus Rashford will want to lead from the front for Jose Mourinho’s men. But he will be up against one of the best defences in the league and needs to come clutch to help his team get all three points.

    Liverpool start as favourites but you can’t rule out an injury time Marouane Fellaini winner.

    LA LIGA

    Andre Silva

    Andre Silva

    MATCH: Sevilla v Girona

    WHERE: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

    WHEN: 15:00 PM GST, 16th December, Sunday.

    The Raman Sanchez Pizjuan will be witness to an interesting clash on Sunday as second placed Sevilla host a resilient Girona. The hosts have come out on top in both the previous meetings, albeit with the slightest of margins.

    Sevilla have hit a slump after they topped the league table two weeks ago and hence failed to win both the games that followed. Girona have proved to be giant-killers, having knocked points off teams such as Barcelona, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and an in-form Deportivo Alaves.

    The duo of Wissam Ben Yedder and Andre Silva will be crucial for the hosts as the visitors will look to ride on Cristhian Stuani’s hot form. The Uruguayan is level with Lionel Messi in the top-scorer’s chart with 11 goals this season.

    SERIE A

    Mario Mandzukic

    Mario Mandzukic

    MATCH: Torino v Juventus

    WHERE: Olimpico di Torino

    WHEN: 23:30 PM GST, 15th Decemeber, Saturday

    It’s derby day in Turin as Torino host defending Champions Juventus on Saturday. Though there’s a huge gap of 21 points between the two sides, the hosts have done well to lose just one game in their last 10 and will be keen to make their rivals work hard for the win.

    Torino have not won a single Derby della Mole in the last five encounters and will be hoping that the statistics are mere numbers with no significance as they take on a Mario Mandzukic-led Juve.

    Andrea Belotti – who has scored five goals this season – will be key for the hosts as the visitors aim to bank on the duo of Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo for the goals with Miralem Pjanic and Paulo Dybala supplying from behind.

    BUNDESLIGA

    Thorgan Hazard

    Thorgan Hazard

    MATCH: Hoffenheim v Borussia Monchengladbach

    WHERE: Rhein-Neckar Arena

    WHEN: 18:30 PM GST, 15th Decemeber, Saturday

    Borussia Monchengladbach have enjoyed a positive start to the season as they sit in second place, having collected 29 of a possible 42 points.

    On Saturday, the Foals travel to Hoffenheim, knowing that bagging all three points won’t be an easy task. The hosts are unbeaten in seven games and will be fancying their chances against a Gladbach that has stuttered in the league recently with two defeats in their last six games.

    Young Englishman Reiss Nelson and Croatian Andrej Kramaric – who have both scored six goals each this season – are hoping to guide Hoffenheim to a much-needed win after three draws in their last three games. The visitors will be riding on talisman Thorgan Hazard’s incredible form this season as they look to secure three important points away from home.

    LIGUE 1

    Houssem Aouar.

    Houssem Aouar.

    MATCH: Lyon v Monaco

    WHERE: Parc Olympique Lyonnais

    WHEN: 16:00 PM GST, 16th Decemeber, Sunday.

    Thierry Henry has endured a troubled start to his managerial career at Monaco. Les Monegasques are in the 19th position and there is very little evidence to show that Leonardo Jardim’s dismissal has helped the team in any way.

    In contrast, the hosts sit within the European qualification zone and will be looking to make a bid to enter the top two by the festive break.

    In the last five meetings between the two teams, Les Monegasques have come on top thrice while Monaco bagged all three points on two occasions.

    French wonder-kid Houssem Aouar is one to watch and can help the hosts add salt to Monaco’s injuries while the visitors will hope Youri Tielemans can seal redemption.

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