Man United vs West Ham United
Old Trafford, Manchester
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @8pm
Ref: Paul Tierney
West Ham are looking to complete their first league double over United since 2006-07. They won September’s reverse fixture 2-0. Manchester United have lost only two of their 23 Premier League home matches against the Hammers (W19, D2). United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played in both of those defeats.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must decide whether to stick with under-fire goalkeeper David de Gea or play his understudy Sergio Romero. Eric Bailly is unlikely to be involved because of the head injury he suffered on Sunday but Luke Shaw could recover in time from a swollen ankle.
West Ham report no fresh injury problems and may remain unchanged. Felipe Anderson returned to the squad last time out, leaving Robert Snodgrass as the Hammers’ only absentee.
Manchester United are unbeaten in their past 12 Premier League games (W8, D4). It’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s equal-longest league sequence without defeat as United boss. The Red Devils will move into the top four should they avoid defeat. They have not ended a full round of fixtures in the Champions League places since mid-September. David de Gea needs one clean sheet to surpass Peter Schmeichel’s Premier League club record of 112. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have scored 12 and 11 home league goals respectively this term. It is the only the third time in Premier League history that United have had two or more players reach double figures at Old Trafford. Paul Pogba last scored at Old Trafford in United’s 2-0 win over West Ham in 2018-19. He scored both goals that day.
West Ham are looking to win three consecutive league matches for the first time since the final three league fixtures of last season. The Hammers have scored at least three goals in six different league matches in 2020, a joint high alongside Manchester City and Manchester United. West Ham have dropped an unrivalled 24 points from winning positions. David Moyes is looking to become the first ex-Manchester United boss to win a league game at Old Trafford since Dave Sexton achieved it in 1982, while manager of Coventry City. Moyes is yet to win a league match at Old Trafford as an away manager in 12 previous attempts (D3, L9). Michail Antonio can become the first West Ham player to score in three consecutive league matches since Marko Arnautovic in December 2017.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
Wednesday, 22-07-2020 @10:15pm
Ref: Andre Marriner
Liverpool are expected to welcome back James Milner, who has missed the past two matches with a muscular injury. The Reds have no new injury concerns, with Dejan Lovren, Xherdan Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino pushing for selection.
Chelsea retain the same available squad from their FA Cup win against Manchester United, with N’Golo Kante ruled out for a sixth match. Christian Pulisic will be assessed, with a minor injury restricting him to a place on the bench at Wembley.
Chelsea’s only Premier League victory in their past 10 attempts against Liverpool was by a 1-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge in May 2018 (D5, L4). Liverpool can become the third Premier League club, after Arsenal and Blackburn, to do the Premier League double over Chelsea on four occasions.
The Reds need just one more victory to set a club record of 31 in a league season. A Liverpool victory would equal the best Premier League home record for a season of 18 wins and a draw. It was previously set by Chelsea (2005-06), Manchester United (2010-11) and Manchester City (2011-12). They have lost three of their past nine Premier League fixtures, following a run of three defeats in 79 matches. Liverpool can lose consecutive league games for the first time since September 2015 under Brendan Rodgers. Mo Salah is unbeaten in all 56 Premier League appearances at Anfield (W46, D10), including a 2-0 win with Chelsea in April 2014. Roberto Firmino has gone 19 league appearances without a goal at Anfield since scoring in a 2-1 win against Tottenham on 31 March 2019. The Brazilian has since had 53 unsuccessful attempts on goal.
Chelsea could lose 12 Premier League matches for only the second time since Roman Abramovich became owner in 2003. The Blues have conceded 49 goals in the Premier League, the most of any team in the top half of the table. Kepa has a save percentage of 55% in the division this season, the joint-lowest alongside Southampton’s Angus Gunn. Chelsea have kept only one clean sheet in 18 Premier League away matches this season, their worst return in the top flight since 1991. Olivier Giroud has scored five goals in six league and cup starts since football’s resumption.
Latest Premier League results
Monday, 20-07-2020
-Brighton 0-0 Newcastle United
-Sheffield United 0-1 Everton
-Wolves 2-0 Crystal Palace
Tuesday, 21-07-2020
-Watford 0-4 Man City
-Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
