Man United vs Everton
Old Trafford, Manchester
Sunday, 15-12-2019 @5pm
Ref: Michael Oliver
Manchester United could be without Jesse Lingard because of the muscle injury he sustained during last week’s derby. Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and Tim Fosu-Mensah are not yet fit but will all start full training next week.
Everton’s Seamus Coleman could feature after three games out with a rib injury, but fellow full-back Lucas Digne is struggling with a groin issue. Theo Walcott and Fabian Delph are also doubts and Yerry Mina’s hamstring complaint will be assessed.
United have won three of the past four league meetings, but lost 4-0 the last time the teams met in April. Manchester United have won 36 of their 54 Premier League games versus Everton (D9, L9), more than any side has won against another. Everton’s solitary victory in their past 26 Premier League away matches against United was by 1-0 in December 2013 (D5, L20).
United could win three successive Premier League games for the first time since January, when they won six in a row. They are unbeaten in their last 10 matches at Old Trafford in all competitions (W6, D4). However, 24 points after 16 matches is their joint-lowest points tally at this stage of a Premier League season. Manchester United could set a club Premier League record of 11 consecutive games without a clean sheet. United have had eight penalties in the league this season, scoring four – both totals are higher than those of any other side. Manchester United have fielded five teenagers in the division this season, more than any other side. Marcus Rashford has already equalled his best Premier League goal tally in a single season with 10 in 16 games, including seven goals in eight appearances at Old Trafford.
Wolves vs Tottenham Hotspur
Molinuex Stadium, West Midlands
Sunday, 15-12-2019 @5pm
Ref: Scot Attwell
The home team hasn’t won any of the last five times these sides have met, with the away side winning on three occasions. Tottenham have scored eight goals in their past three visits to Wolves. Three of Wolves’ last four Premier League home goals against Spurs have come from penalties.
Tottenham have won three of their four Premier League games under Jose Mourinho. They won only three of their final 15 league matches under Mauricio Pochettino. Their total of six league victories so far in 2019-20 is exactly half as many as they had at this stage last season. Spurs have not kept a clean sheet away from home since New Year’s Day – a club Premier League record run of 15 consecutive matches. Dele Alli has been involved in eight Premier League goals in nine games this season (five goals, three assists), as many as he was in 25 appearances in the top flight last season. Harry Kane has scored nine Premier League goals in 2019-20, and could become the first player to score 10 or more in six consecutive seasons for Spurs since Robbie Keane in 2008.
Wolves are set to be much changed from the side that won in Europe in midweek. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo made seven changes for the game against Besiktas and top scorer Raul Jimenez is among those set to return.
Spurs are also likely to restore many first-choice players, who were rested for the midweek trip to Bayern Munich. Harry Winks could feature, having returned to training after an ankle injury, but Tanguy Ndombele is still nursing a groin problem.
Arsenal vs Man City
Emirates Stadium, London
Sunday, 15-12-2019 @7:30pm
Ref: Paul Tierney
Arsenal have lost their last five games against Manchester City, including the 2018 League Cup final, which gave Pep Guardiola his first trophy in charge. The other four defeats came in the league – Arsenal haven’t lost five consecutive top-flight matches against one side since doing so versus Manchester United between September 1983 and August 1985.
Arsenal’s win at West Ham last weekend was their first in eight league games. They haven’t won any of their last five home matches in all competitions, losing the last two. The Gunners have won five of their 16 Premier League games in 2019-20, exactly half as many as at this stage last season. They have kept just one clean sheet at home in this season’s Premier League. Arsenal could concede the opening goal in a sixth successive Premier League match for the first time. They have won 10 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season – no other side has earned more. All five of Alexandre Lacazette’s goals this season have come at home.
Manchester City have already lost four Premier League games this season, as many as they did in the whole of 2018-19. Their tally of 32 points is Pep Guardiola’s worst return after the first 16 matches of a top-flight season in his managerial career. City remain the top flight’s leading scorers with 44 goals. They could equal their club record by scoring in a 20th successive Premier League away match, set from March 2014 to March 2015. Guardiola’s side have won 10 of their past 11 top-flight games in London.
Upcoming fixture – Monday, 16-12-2019
-Crystal Palace vs Brighton @10:45pm
