Palmer Can Test Stricken Man U
No Harry Maguire, no Lisandro Martínez, no Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United’s defence is in a tricky spot before Saturday night’s trip to Chelsea.
The absence of Martínez, sent off for his hair pull against Leeds, the injured De Ligt and Maguire, who was given an additional one-game ban for his reaction to his red card against Bournemouth last month, has left Michael Carrick with a big decision to make.
He could bring Ayden Heaven in as Leny Yoro’s partner but another option is to move Luke Shaw inside from left-back.
Either way, a faltering Chelsea will see a chance to get their season back on track. Could this be the game that gets Cole Palmer going at last?
*Chelsea v Manchester United, Saturday.
Man City vs Arsenal, A Seismic Match In Title Race
Buckle in for what will be a riveting, breathless watch on Sunday. After Wednesday’s draw with Sporting took Arsenal into a second consecutive Champions League semi-final (for the first time), Mikel Arteta’s team arrive at the Etihad Stadium buoyed.
Manchester City do, however, have last month’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final triumph over their visitors as a psychological boost.
If Arsenal are victorious, they motor back to London with a nine-point advantage and the 22-year wait for the title is surely over.
If City win, then it is time to break out the popcorn as the title race will surely go down to the wire.
*Manchester City v Arsenal, Sunday
Everton Hopes High For Landmark Derby
There is expectation on Everton for the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium and that never sat comfortably with David Moyes during his first spell as manager.
Whether Liverpool were reduced to 10 men, fielding a third-choice goalkeeper in an FA Cup semi-final or coming into a derby in worse form, Everton regularly failed to capitalise as their players – and the manager himself – let the occasion get to them.
The older, mellower Moyes might handle the derby differently but the importance of Sunday’s first meeting on the banks of the Mersey will not be lost on him as Everton chase a remarkable run to qualify for European football next season.
It is not only Liverpool’s six defeats in 10 games and low morale after their Champions League exit in midweek that should encourage Everton. The way Moyes’s team bullied and exposed Chelsea in their previous home game has fuelled hopes for a repeat showing against Arne Slot’s side. But it is a question of realising them.
*Everton v Liverpool, Sunday
*PHOTO CAPTION: Cole Palmer (in blue) will hope for more joy than he found against the other Manchester club last weekend.
