With Manchester United, City and Arsenal all earning the full three points today, the top of the league table hasn’t changed since two weeks ago. However with all three teams playing mid-week Champions League games before focusing on the league next weekend, the big question is where does this leave United and the Premier League table?
Louis van Gaal will hope United continue their away form that blew Everton away at Goodison Park as he looks ahead to battling CSKA Moscow in Russia. With PSV Eindhoven, CSKA, United and Wolfsburg all on level points and goal difference, top spot in the group is up for grabs – so the pressure is on in chilly Moscow.
However, United will be keeping one eye on next Sunday as they will host bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford for the coveted Manchester Derby with more at stake than ever. City have the luxury of playing at home in the Champions League this week but face stiff competition against back to back Europa League Champions Sevilla.
Despite that, City will most likely win; although I expect Sevilla to tire them out which will bode well for United already having home advantage and City being without Sergio Aguero and David Silva, even more pressure will be placed on the noisy neighbours’ shoulders – they will have to rely on the newly formed Sterling, de Bruyne and Bony attacking force.
As if the odds in the Premier League weren’t already leaning towards United, to make matters better, Arsenal have to host German giants Bayern Munich mid-week before entertaining Everton on the weekend. Personally I feel the Bundesliga champions will demolish Arsenal and destroy the momentum they’re gaining in the league. With that being said, I reckon Everton could get a surprise win or at least a draw.
For United to return to the top of the table where they rightly belong, they need to beat City and hope that Arsenal lose or get a draw against Everton and with the tough Champions League fixtures this week, it’s more than possible.
