MX23RW : Friday, December 13 02:58:02| >> :120:8034:8034:

Five talking points ahead of the weekend's Premier League action

Runaway leaders Liverpool face the only side they have not beaten this season while stuttering Tottenham take on in-form Watford.

Manchester United are the next team who will try to stop the Liverpool juggernaut rolling over all-comers in their quest for a long-awaited Premier League title.

The game at Anfield on Sunday will end an intriguing weekend of Premier League action and here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the next round of fixtures.

Will Klopp's Reds show just how far Manchester United have fallen?

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) will be hoping to end the winning streak of Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) will be hoping to end the winning streak of Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp (Martin Rickett/PA)

Liverpool can continue their march to their first Premier League title by seeing off arch-rivals United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

After years of seeing their near-neighbours enjoy unparalleled success in the competition, to mark their current dominance with an impressive win over the Red Devils would be another memorable afternoon for Jurgen Klopp and his side.

United have some comfort, they remain the only team to take any points off Liverpool from their 21 games this season after a strong showing in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.

Rash decision in FA Cup replay could cost United dear

Marcus Rashford trudged off injured during United's FA Cup win over Wolves.
Marcus Rashford trudged off injured during United's FA Cup win over Wolves (Martin Rickett/PA)

If United are to spring a surprise and become the first team to win at Anfield since April 2017, they will almost certainly need Marcus Rashford to be fit and firing on all cylinders.

The England international was forced off injured just 16 minutes after coming on as a substitute in Wednesday's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Wolves.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted the move backfired, with Rashford now a doubt for Sunday's main event having aggravated a back problem.

Tottenham looking to return to winning ways against buzzing Hornets

Jose Mourinho will want to see his Spurs side pick up three points at Watford to address a slump in form.
Jose Mourinho will want to see his Spurs side pick up three points at Watford to address a slump in form (Tim Goode/PA)

Former United boss Jose Mourinho will definitely be without his own talisman as Tottenham head to Watford without injured striker Harry Kane.

The hamstring issue keeping Kane out in the coming months is one of a mounting number of problems for the Portuguese, whose side have won just one of their last five league games.

They travel to a Watford side reinvigorated by Nigel Pearson, who has guided the Hertfordshire side off the foot of the table after taking 13 points from the 18 on offer since his appointment.

City need to avoid another Palace shock to keep hold of second place

Andros Townsend (left) scored a sublime goal as Crystal Palace won at Man City last year.
Andros Townsend (left) scored a sublime goal as Crystal Palace won at Man City last year (Martin Rickett/PA)

Reigning champions Manchester City have been left trailing in the wake of Liverpool's sensational season.

Pep Guardiola's side sit 14 points adrift of the runaway leaders having played a game more and will instead be looking over their shoulder at Leicester as they look to finish best of the rest.

Crystal Palace are Saturday's visitors to the Etihad Stadium, where Roy Hodgson's side secured a shock 3-2 win last season.

Canaries aiming to pluck points from Cherries to ignite survival bid

Daniel Farke (left) and Eddie Howe both know they need the points when Norwich host Bournemouth.
Daniel Farke (left) and Eddie Howe both know they need the points when Norwich host Bournemouth (Mark Kerton/PA)

Many have already written off the chances of Norwich surviving over a season in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke's side have been cut adrift at the bottom of the table and head into the weekend eight points from safety.

They do, however, welcome fellow strugglers Bournemouth to Carrow Road with their visitors slipping to 19th after a horror run of nine defeats from their last 11 league outings.

ID:386425: cacheID:386425:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9988:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City winger Leroy Sane in action during the Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 14, 2019
Read Next:
Man City 'still hopeful of Sane deal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!