Matchday 16 of the Barclays Premier League will feature one of the most historic rivalries in soccer on Sunday between Manchester United and Liverpool. Meanwhile, other contenders will be facing some tricky tests this weekend.
Here are the five matches to watch…
Everton vs Queens Park Rangers
Four points only separate Everton and Queens Park Rangers, but the former was tipped as a contender for a Champions League spot, while the other was labeled as a relegation candidate.
In fact, the Toffees are only five points away from the drop and nine behind fourth place. QPR could boost their chances of survival by defeating the Merseyside club at Goodison Park on Monday.
QPR’s top scorer Charlie Austin won’t be available for the game due to suspension, while the hosts will be without Gareth Barry for the same reason. The likes of James McCarthy, Steven Naismith and John Stones are injured.
Both teams have won two games in this fixture in their previous five meetings. Everton earned victories in the matches last year, scoring six goals along with two clean sheets.
Monday programming alert: Watch Everton vs Queens Park Rangers on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Chelsea vs Hull City
Chelsea is through to the last 16 of the Champions League, but their once comfortable lead atop the Premier League has shrunken to just three points over Manchester City.
The Blues face Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they attempt to gain some more ground on the champions.
Chelsea won’t have goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to a minor muscular injury that he suffered in training. Cesc Fabregas will also miss out due to a suspension.
As for Hull manager Steve Bruce, he’ll be welcoming back Gaston Ramirez from his suspension, but Mohamed Diame and Robert Snodgrass are still injured.
On paper, this looks like a herculean task for Hull. Chelsea has earned a clean sheet in 12 of their last 15 league home games, winning seven in a row in the process. They’ve also scored at least twice at Stamford Bridge in their previous seven.
However, Hull has drawn two of their last six matches versus Chelsea, so an upset is possible.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Chelsea vs Hull City on the four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa on Sportsnet World at 10:00 am ET and Arsenal vs Queens Newcastle United on the four main Sportsnet channels at noon ET. || Also, watch Crystal Palace vs Stoke City at 9:30 am ET online at Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Arsenal vs Newcastle United
Newcastle and Arsenal are dealing with a slew of injuries. At least 14 players will be unavailable, but even more may not be fit enough to start on Saturday.
Despite their early struggles, the Gunners are still just four points back of the top four. However, they’re also level with Newcastle.
Injuries aren’t the only issues for these two sides. Arsenal’s Calum Chambers is suspended, as are Steven Taylor and Moussa Sissoko for Newcastle. There should be a lot of rotation from both managers as a result.
Arsenal is unbeaten in 24 of their previous 25 Premier League games at home and has won their last five matches against Newcastle in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in three of those meetings.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Last season, Liverpool finished a whopping 20 points above Manchester United. This year, the fortunes of both teams have changed. United is now seven points above the Reds prior to their match at Old Trafford on Sunday.
It’s been well documented that the two rivals have defensive issues. However, Liverpool has conceded two more goals than United this season. The latter has also scored more than the former.
Chris Smalling is the latest injury to befall the United squad. Manager Louis van Gaal won’t have key players such as Rafael, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Angel Di Maria. Liverpool won’t have Mario Balotelli or Daniel Sturridge, so Ricky Lambert will probably start up front again.
United is currently on a five-game winning streak and has scored at least two goals in four of those matches. Overall, the Red Devils have been victorious in four of the last six meetings versus Liverpool.
Swansea City vs Tottenham
Tottenham and Swansea are just two points apart and both are still in the hunt to qualify for European competition next season. The winner of Sunday’s game can take a step forward in that quest.
Swansea will have to do it without goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who’s suspended after getting sent off against West Ham last week. Defender Federico Fernandez is still injured, so he’ll miss out as well.
Spurs won’t have Emmanuel Adebayor, who was given a leave due to personal reasons. Vlad Chiriches, Kyle Naughton, Andros Townsend and Etienne Capoue are injured for Tottenham.
Swansea is winless against Tottenham in their last six meetings. They drew in December 2011, but Spurs have won every game since that encounter. The North London side has outscored the Swans 11-4 in that span.
