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Old Firm and Return to Old Trafford
The Easter Sunday football was a let down
Erik Jansson
April 02, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes
Old Firm and Return to Old Trafford
The Easter Sunday football was a let down 😭 for the neutral, but we there’s another Super Sunday coming. 🌟
Hey there MVP,
Over the Easter weekend, the big one in the Premier League turned out to be a cagey damp squib —this was the first time City and Arsenal have played out a goalless draw since January 2011. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s win over Brighton saw Jurgen Klopp’s team return to the top of the Premier League table. On the continent, there were derby wins for the away teams: Borussia Dortmund secured a rare Der Klassiker win over Bayern Munich and in Ligue 1, PSG beat Marseille in Le Classique.
There’s some interesting mid-week Games to Keep an Eye On, but this week we are looking ahead to a couple of big derbies. And don’t miss the classic Old Firm highlights featuring a certain Henrik.
Today's game plan…
Don’t Miss These Games
This Week’s Shocker
Around The World
Games to Keep an Eye On
Goat Trivia, Meme of the Week & Rate the Play
Rangers vs Celtic | Sunday | 12:00 IST
Looking around the top leagues, most of them seem pretty much wrapped up with one team way out in front. So, for all of us neutrals and most of the diehard fans, it’s great to see the Scottish Premiership going right down to the wire this season. Scottish football needs its biggest teams to be competing with each other and this season the top spot has swung both ways. At the moment, Celtic are in 1st place with 74 points and Rangers are in 2nd on 73 points. But Rangers have a game in hand.
Since being appointed as Rangers manager in October 2023, Philippe Clement has overseen a steady improvement in performance levels. Although Clement has only been in charge for 6 months, Rangers have won the Scottish League Cup and went on an impressive 16-game unbeaten run. There’s also been some impressive performances in the Europa League, including an away win over Real Betis and an exciting last-16 tie against Benfica. Despite the improvements under Clements, Rangers have lost both of the Old Firm games that have been played this season; a victory on Sunday would see them take back the top spot though.
Form & Team News
Rangers were on a good run of four consecutive wins in the league, until they went down 2-1 at home to Motherwell. In their last game out they got back on track with a 3-1 home win over Hibernian. Although Rangers will have the fans behind them on Sunday, injuries to key defensive players might lead to defensive vulnerabilities.
Rangers have a number of injury doubts for Sunday’s match. Defender Ridvan Yilmaz is a major doubt for the game after picking up a muscle injury whilst on international duty with Turkey. The problem Rangers have is that Yilmaz’s natural replacement at left back, Borna Barisic was taken off in the 67th minute against Hibs showing signs of injury. The other injury doubt for Rangers is midfielder Ryan Jack, who has struggled with injuries and match fitness this season.
Celtic have won both of the Old Firm clashes this season. In September there was a 1-0 win at Ibrox thanks to a clinical finish from Kyogo. The game at Parkhead in December was another close one, finishing 2-1 to Celtic, including a stunning curling strike from that man Kyogo. In terms of form, Celtic look to be gaining momentum. Their last two games out were home wins against St Johnstone (3-1) and Livingstone (4-2). But before the win against Livingstone, there was a disappointing 2-0 away loss to Hearts, partly because Celtic had Hyun-Jun Yang sent off towards the end of the first half. We’re wondering if Celtic’s away form is a cause for concern heading into Sunday’s game at Ibrox…
Brendan Rodgers is in a good position, as he only has a couple of injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s game. Club captain Callum McGregor is likely to miss the game due to an issue with his achilles whilst Honduran midfielder is a doubt due to a calf injury.
Manchester United vs Liverpool | Sunday | 15:30 IST
After the crazy game in the FA Cup where Amad Diallo bagged the winner in extra-time, we return to Old Trafford this Sunday. As well as being one of the biggest rivalries in English football, Sunday’s game between Man United and Liverpool will have a major impact on each team’s ambitions for the season.
Liverpool are in the title race and aiming to give Klopp a proper send off. Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and Salah is back to scoring goals. United on the other hand will do very well to finish in the Champions League places this season —their stated aim in the league. At the time of writing, United are in 6th place, 8 points behind Tottenham in 5th and 11 points behind Aston Villa in 4th.
For Liverpool, Sunday’s game is part revenge for the FA Cup game but mostly keeping the focus on keeping their title challenge on. For United, the focus is still on 4th place, no matter how unlikely that objective now looks. The other motivation for United is to claw back a bit more respect from Liverpool and the fans of the other top teams.
Form & Team News
In advance of the Liverpool game on Sunday, Manchester United are away to Chelsea on Thursday night. In terms of recent form, of course we will look back to the FA Cup quarter final, but that was a Liverpool team without a fully fit Mo Salah. Even so, if United can play with the same energy that they showed in the first 20 minutes of that game, they will have a chance. As well as being infuriatingly inconsistent, the major problem for United this season has been their defensive frailty, particularly the number of chances they are conceding. United’s most recent game out was a shocking performance against Brentford that ended 1-1 but really should have gone Brentford’s way. In that game Brentford attempted 31 shots and had 85 touches in United’s box —the most touches any team has recorded in an opposition's box over the last three seasons. Although United have a way of getting themselves fired up for the big games, the performance against Brentford was a reminder that this United team is a risky bet.
United have recently brought a few players back from injury including Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount which will bolster the squad. Erik ten Hag is still without Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial though.
Liverpool have quietly been going about their business this season. Most of the media attention has been on the emerging rivalry between Man City and Arsenal / Guardiola and Arteta. However the announcement from Jurgen Klopp that he will be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season has brought attention back to Liverpool. And over the weekend Liverpool went into the top spot in the league. It’s as if the Liverpool players are peaking at just the right time. Liverpool have won 4 out of their last 5, with the only dropped points being the 1-1 draw against Manchester City. At the time of writing, Liverpool’s last game out was a classic Anfield comeback win over Brighton. After conceding an early goal, Liverpool brought it back to win 2-1 thanks to a winner from Mo Salah. In advance of the game against United on Sunday, Liverpool have a Thursday evening game against Sheffield United. One to keep an eye on, but considering Sheffield United are rock bottom of the table, they shouldn’t pose too many problems for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp has a few injury doubts for this week’s games. Diogo Jota is a doubt due to a knee injury as is Trent Alexander Arnold. Left wing back Andy Robertson is also a ‘maybe’ after he picked up an ankle injury whilst on international duty with Scotland and didn’t feature in the game against Brighton.
This Week’s Shocker…
Is Kalvin Phillips useless, or?
West Ham fan: "Useless!"
Kalvin Phillips: "🖕"— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom)
9:03 PM • Mar 30, 2024
Kalvin Phillips didn’t have the best of games as West Ham let go of a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 to Newcastle. Phillips was brought on in the 69th minute of the game but ended up giving away a penalty as the Hammers lost control of the game.
Some of the West Ham fans voiced their thoughts as Phillips boarded the team bus. But this incident perfectly sums up Phillip’s career since he left Leeds in 2022, signing for Man City in a deal worth £42 million.
Around the world
Kylian Mbappe couldn’t hide his disgust at being subbed off in the 63rd minute by PSG manager Luis Enrique.
Fulham were bottom of the list and unsurprisingly Manchester City were top of the list, but Arsenal's position is surprising.
Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr secure a 5-1 win over Al-Tai in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, by scoring a hat-trick. Currently on 26 goals, the 5x Ballon d’Or winner is leading the race for the Saudi golden boot.
Real Madrid look likely to win La Liga after beating Athletic Bilbao by 2 goals to nil over the weekend. Jude Bellingham got a goal but the outstanding play of the game was the pure strike from Rodrygo (see Goal of the week)
In his first season with Bologna, Motta guided them to 9th —their highest league finish in over ten years. Fast forward to this season and Bologna are sitting in 3rd place and pushing for a Champions League spot.
Bayer Leverkusen were losing to TSG Hoffenheim up until the 88th minute, but went on to win the game 2-1. If this special Leverkusen season continues, they will be the first ever unbeaten Bundesliga champions.
Games to keep an eye on…
Arsenal vs Luton | Wednesday | 19:30 IST
After the gruelling draw against City in which they did a lot of defending, Arsenal host Luton. The game kicks off 45 minutes before City’s match with Villa and Liverpool play the following day, so a big first half and ultimately a win will put pressure on City and Liverpool.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa | Wednesday | 20:15 IST
The goalless draw against Arsenal was the first time City haven’t scored at the Etihad in the Premier League since October 2021. After winning the previous encounter 1-0, Villa will be hoping for a result that can keep them in 4th spot.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United | Thursday | 19:30 IST
If Arsenal beat Luton, Liverpool will go into this game in 2nd place but with Salah looking sharp again, surely Liverpool will win against bottom-of-the-table, Sheffield United. An interesting game though, especially as Liverpool’s following game is away to Manchester United.
Chelsea vs Manchester United | Thursday | 20:15 IST
Chelsea are having a shocker of a season, United are up and down and not great to watch. So you know what that means? This game could turn out to be incredible.
Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen | Saturday | 14:30 IST
We’re trying to catch every Leverkusen game to see if Xabi Alonso’s team can keep the invincibles season going.
Roma vs Lazio | Saturday | 17:00 IST
The Derby della Capitale; the Derby Capitolino; the Derby del Cupolone? Whatever you call it, the Rome derby between Roma and Lazio always has fireworks both on and off the pitch.
Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart | Saturday | 17:30 IST
Fourth place Dortmund play third place Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are the team to watch in Germany right now, but Dortmund are on a damn good run of form, including the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker.
Reims vs Nice | Sunday | 14:00 IST
After the news that club owners can’t have two teams in the same competition, Manchester United fans will be keeping an eye on Nice’s end to the season in Ligue 1. At the time of writing United are 6th in the Premier League, and Nice are 5th in Ligue 1, meaning there’s a real possibility that Nice could play in Europa League instead of United.
Juventus vs Fiorentina | Sunday | 19:45 IST
A classic game in Serie A as the Old Lady host the La viola. Fiorentina aren;t having the best of seasons so Juve will probably win this one, but still, this is a game for football Italia fans.
GOAT Trivia…
Say congrats to…
Clarence Seedorf [@clarenceseedorf], the legendary Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder turns 48 today.
On this day in football…
On this day in 1927, the legendary Ferenc Puskás was born in Budapest Hungary. The famous FIFA Puskás award for most beautiful goal is named after this legend, mainly because of his incredible goal scoring record. He scored 84 goals in 89 matches for the Hungary national team, leading the country’s ‘Golden Generation’ to the 1954 World Cup final.
Puskás' technique, vision, and footballing intelligence made him one of the greatest forwards in history. He played for two clubs in his career, Budapest Honvéd and Real Madrid and incredibly, in 618 matches played, Puskás scored 619 goals.
Goal of the week…
Our goal of the week is from La Liga, where Rodrygo scored an absolute ping against Athletic Bilbao.
Classic game…
With the Old Firm this weekend, we’ve been looking back at classic matches. There’s a few that come to mind, including the 3-2 win for Rangers in 2002, but the game we’ve gone with features one of Henrik Larsson’s most famous goals.
Enjoy these classic highlights!
Meme of the week
Fan Highlights: Your MVP Reviews!
