Iliman Ndiaye (left) of Everton FC competes for the ball with Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United during the Premier League Summer Series match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 3, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: AFP)
All eyes will be on Old Trafford this Saturday, with Manchester bragging rights up for grabs when arch-rivals Man United and Man City go head-to-head, then later the same day, defending champions Liverpool will aim to hang on to fourth place when they host struggling Burnley at Anfield.
Event # 1 –EPL– Man United vs Man City – 7:30 AM
Former Manchester United star Michael Carrick begins his interim coaching reign at Old Trafford tomorrow, as they go head-to-head with rivals Manchester City in an eagerly anticipated Manchester derby, with bragging rights the prize for the winner. With that said, Man United enter this huge showdown on the back of a disappointing exit from the FA Cup last weekend at the hands of Brighton, in a 2-1 defeat, a result that leaves them winless in their last four overall matches. However, despite their recent poor form and dismal season, they have proven difficult to beat at times, as they have lost just two of their last 10 matches and just two of their 10 premier league home matches so far this season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City enters this crucial encounter having won just one of their last five head-to-head clashes with Manchester United, and, despite an impressive FA Cup win over Exeter, and a 2-0 EFL Cup win away to Newcastle in midweek, Manchester City is winless in the last three Premier League matches. Ahead of this vital clash, City drew 1-1 at home in their last league match, leaving them six points behind league leaders Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title, and they can ill afford to drop any more points. Worryingly for Man City and their fans is the fact that their away form is not impressive as well as they have won five, lost three, and drawn two of their 10 away games so far this season. However, they enter this match unbeaten in nine games and have won three of their last four overall away matches.
Key Stats
• Man United has lost only two of the last 10 Premier League home matches so far this season, but have just one clean sheet from the last 15 overall matches.
• Man City has, despite being unbeaten since the 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle last November, been held to three consecutive draws in a row in the league.
• Both sides – Manchester City has won just one of the last five Manchester derbies, a 3-0 win in the most recent clash. Interestingly, Man City has lost just once at Old Trafford, back in March 2020.
The betting Tip. Man City win.
Event # EPL– Liverpool vs Burnley – 10:00 AM
Fourth-placed Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their hopes of a top-four finish when they host struggling Burnley at home tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. Indeed, Liverpool should not have many difficulties to beat a Burnley side sitting 19th in the table as they have dominated the recent matchups between both sides, winning the last six such meetings, of which two were at Anfield. Liverpool has been very disappointing in the performances so far this season but have won each of the three matches played against the bottom three sides in the division, of which Burnley is currently second to last. With that said, Liverpool seems to have regained some semblance of form recently, having forged a nine-match unbeaten run that has seen them climb to fourth position, but they remain eight points behind third-placed Aston Villa.
Burnley, on the other hand, will be hoping to end the dismal run of form against top five sides this season, having lost all five games against the top five teams. Indeed, it looks like history will repeat itself, and Burnley will face automatic relegation, as they did two years ago, unless they improve immensely, starting with a shock win away to a Liverpool side still lacking confidence in their general play. Securing a win away against Liverpool might not be out of the reach of Burnley, as they did well to earn a point from Manchester United, after holding them to a 2-2 draw. However, securing even a draw might prove difficult for Burnley as playing on the road is not Burnley’s favourite thing to do, as they have lost eight of their 10 games in the league when playing away from home.
Key Stats
• Liverpool is unbeaten in the last five home matches.
• Burnley is winless in the last five away matches.
• Both sides – Liverpool has won the last five head-to-head meetings against Burnley; however, has drawn the last three league games, while Burnley is winless in the last 11 League matches.
The betting Tip. Liverpool win.
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