Manchester derby the pick of the fixtures in the Premier League this weekend

Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-09 20:54:35|Editor: huaxia
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LONDON, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The best comes last in the Premier League this Sunday with the Manchester derby between bitter rivals Manchester City and Manchester United closing the weekend's fixtures.

City welcome their neighbors as Premier League leaders and with a nine-point lead over United, meaning a win for Pep Guardiola's men would just about leave the team coached by Jose Mourinho out of the title race.

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has commented that he and his team-mates still remember last season's derby when United came back from 2-0 down at the Ethiad Stadium to win 3-2 and put their neighbor's title celebrations on ice and that City want to avenge that defeat.

Guardiola's men go into the game in great form after putting 6 goals past Southampton last weekend and adding another 6 against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

However, they can't write off United, who scored an injury time goal to beat Bournemouth a week ago before netting twice in the last five minutes to take a vital and morale boosting win from their Champions League clash away to Juventus.

Mourinho is certain to try and play the underdog going into the game, and expect to hear a few comments about alleged financial fair-play irregularities from City as the tension is stoked up before what promises to be a thrilling and possibly decisive game.

Liverpool and Chelsea will probably be hoping for a United win, which would allow both clubs to overtake Manchester City at the top of the table.

Liverpool will view the visit of bottom of the table Fulham as the perfect antidote following their shock 2-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, while Fulham coach Slavisa Jokanovic needs to avoid a heavy defeat if he is to keep his job.

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will face the club he has supported for all his life when Everton visit Stamford Bridge. Barkley's recent form has earned him a return to the England squad, but he admitted that it would be strange to play against Everton and that some of his former fans "might not give him the best" reception.

Meanwhile Arsenal, who are likely to be without Danny Welbeck for a long time after he seriously damaged his ankle against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night, look to extend their unbeaten run when the Wolves visit the Emirates Stadium.

PSV Eindhoven coach Mark Van Bommel was very critical of the Wembley pitch after his side suffered a late defeat to Tottenham at midweek, and maybe the Spurs players will be grateful to play away from home as they make the short visit to play Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace have lost 7 games this season, but former Spurs winger, Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha have the pace to trouble the Tottenham defense.

Leicester play what is certain to be an emotional first home game since the death of club Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha a fortnight ago, and preparations to receive Burnley haven't been helped by a trip to Thailand for the former Chairman's funeral earlier this week.

Elsewhere, Cardiff entertain Brighton, while Huddersfield look to make it two wins in two games when they take on West Ham.

Newcastle face a tricky game at home to Bournemouth, while Southampton coach Mark Hughes is another man whose job is on the line as his team prepare to face Watford. Southampton have just home win since March and have scored once in their last 6 games, which doesn't bode well for Hughes' future. Enditem

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