Liverpool’s impressive win at home to Manchester City on Sunday, a game where their rivals may have expected them to drop points, has intensified the battle for third and fourth place.
Chelsea are likely champions, while second-place City have a four-point cushion over third place, but five teams have realistic hopes of grabbing one of the two remaining Uefa Champions League spots.
Looking at the form guide over the past six matches, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United sit first, second and fifth, and it will surely come down to two of those three, with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton dropping off.
There are 11 rounds left, but two games stand out as being potentially decisive. In the space of two match days, starting on March 21, Liverpool host United and then travel to Arsenal.
Liverpool have won four of their past six games at home to United, but haven’t won at Arsenal since 2000.
Scenario one: they play like they did in the 2-1 win against City and take six points from the two fixtures.
Scenario two: United, who have what looks a relatively straightforward home game against Aston Villa the following week, play for a draw at Anfield and then Liverpool’s Arsenal jinx continues.
The first scenario could have a major impact on how Liverpool approach the second game. And, while title-chasing City attacked at Anfield, a more pragmatic Louis van Gaal may opt to have United batten down the hatches and play for a point.
Expect Di Maria to bounce back
After a flying start, being hauled off by Van Gaal at half time in United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland was a low in Angel Di Maria’s fledgling Old Trafford career.
The pressure of being Britain’s most expensive footballer has nothing to do with Di Maria’s patchy form. It is the constant shifting of positions in Van Gaal’s ever changing formation. Regardless of the price tag, and how versatile they are, most players thrive on consistency.
Ashley Young has been United’s star performer down one flank and it is because his brief seems pretty clear. Run up and down the wing, beat your man, put in a cross or shot, repeat.
Di Maria is far more skilful and would benefit from having his role in United’s team simplified by the Dutchman. He began his career as a winger and his high-speed dribbles can break defences.
It would also be good news for Radamel Falcao who, for all his failings so far this season, is still on of Europe’s most lethal strikers in the air. He just needs the service and Di Maria could provide that.
Has Mertesacker’s starting spot gone?
Arsene Wenger gave new signing Gabriel his chance at the heart of Arsenal’s defence against Everton, in place of Per Mertesacker. The Brazilian impressed, despite almost giving away a goal when he lost possession in the first half.
It was only a matter of time before Gabriel was given his chance, having arrived from Villarreal in January. That it is the German Mertesacker who was replaced is telling.
Gabriel is far quicker than Mertesacker and his pace was demonstrated with a superb goal-saving tackle on Romelu Lukaku in the first half.
twoods@thenational.ae
