United, City, Liverpool Searching for Saturday Success

This past week brought with it the return of European club competitions and teams’ attention now swiftly shifts back to domestic action with a jam-packed weekend of English Premier League action set to entertain its ever-growing global audience.

Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, Old Trafford, Manchester



The Red Devils recorded their third straight win in all competitions by beating Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday with Anthony Martial’s first goal of the season adding to Paul Pogba’a first-half brace.

Wolves are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions and find themselves in the top half of the table. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have notched up three wins and three clean sheets since an impressive 1-1 draw at defending champions Manchester City in August.
 
Man United have won eight of the last 10 encounters between the pair in all competitions. United have not lost to Wolves at Old Trafford since February 1980. Wayne Rooney and Nani each scored twice in a 4-1 win for the home side in the corresponding fixture in the 2011/12 campaign which ended in relegation for Wolves.

Cardiff City vs Manchester City, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

The Blue-birds picked up their first point since promotion back to the top-flight against Huddersfield and followed that up by scoring their first goals of the season but could not prevent defeat at home to Arsenal. Their most recent run-out saw them lose 4-1 to Chelsea despite leading early on through Sol Bamba.

Man City are seemingly struggling for consistency so far this season. They picked up back-to-back wins against Newcastle and Fulham respectively after unexpectedly dropping points at home to Wolves. The air of optimism has been readily replaced with uneasiness once more following a 2-1 home defeat to Lyon in the Champions League in midweek.

Cardiff City came away victorious in their one and only home clash against the more fancied Man City in the Premier League. Fraizer Campbell scored twice in a 3-2 win back in August 2013 to seal a famous win. Kevin de Bruyne, who remains sidelined for City, was on the scoresheet when they beat Cardiff 2-0 in the FA Cup in January.

Liverpool vs Southampton, Anfield, Liverpool

Sadio Mane is set for a reunion with former side Southampton on Saturday. The Senegalese forward has been instrumental to Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the seasons, scoring four goals in his first five appearances. The Reds have Roberto Firmino to thank for his stoppage time winner in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 victory over PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Southampton are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions, beating Brighton 1-0 in the Carabao Cup before a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace prior to the international break. The returned to action with a 2-2 draw against Brighton in the league but will feel they should have gotten more from the fixture having lead 2-0 courtesy of Danny Ings and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s second goals in as many games for the Saints.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four matches against Southampton at Anfield in the league since September 2013. Last season’s top scorer Mo Salah was twice on target for the hosts in 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture in November.
 
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