Huddersfield 1-1 Man Utd: Time for the Red Devils to kiss this horrendous season goodbye

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United had the final chance to go into the top four, with the second to last league fixture being against Huddersfield, a side that have been in the relegation zone for most of the campaign and were confirmed to go down to the Championship since the end of March.

The visitors unsurprisingly started the game off well, making good movement on and off the ball whilst attacking with serious intent, which allowed them to take the lead, as Scott McTominay’s attempt fortunately, went through goalkeeper Jonas Lossl in the eight minute of the match. Meanwhile, the hosts were aiming to prevent conceding anymore goals but somehow ended up finishing the first half as the better team.

After the half-time break, Huddersfield started off well again and were cutting through United’s midfield and defence with pure ease. The side’s equaliser actually came from a corner set-piece for the opposition; with Lossl’s long and instant goal kick being poorly misjudged by left-back Luke Shaw, before winger Isaac Mbenza pounced onto the ball and calmly slotted it past David De Gea.

The last 30 minutes of the game was filled with excitement and tension for both sides, as the hosts were looking to bow out of the Premier League in their final fixture at home on a high note, whilst the away side were chasing for the needed three points to get out of sixth-place and a step close to Champions League football. In the end, the result led to many disappointments for both teams, as they had the chances to get the victory.

Here are the three valuable factors we learnt from United’s latest league game…

Lack of ability to be dominant and ruthless

United were all over Huddersfield for more or less the whole game, in terms of the 65% possession, 23 shots attempted and seven shots on target, and still somehow ended the match with only one goal scored. Just after McTominay’s early goal, two good chances fell to the feet of both Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford, who were unable to make them count or take on the shot convincingly.

Although the defensive record and the side’s backline is seen as the main weak link, the lack of combination in the final third as well as big chances created has been one of the main problems this season. United have constantly failed to dominate possession of the ball or forced the opponent to make mistakes high up the pitch, which have prevented the team to attack and be more effective when required.

Europa League football is what they all deserve in the end

The last couple of months has been all about whether they will finish in the top four or not, but in the end, Europa League may truly be a blessing in disguise, where it will allow the board, the players and Ed Woodward to understand the mediocre and lethargic football has led to this outcome. If this isn’t a wake up to the people in charge, then the Old Trafford faithful are unsure of what actually is.

Manchester United were previously in the competition during the 2016-17 campaign, where they went on to win the trophy under Jose Mourinho as they went on to beat Ajax in the finals. Since then, majority of the people who run and support the club would have thought and predicted this would be the turning point to revive the sleeping giants, but fast forward two years, that hasn’t been the case as they look a number of years away from competing seriously in the Premier League and the Champions League.

Most of the squad are not fit enough to play for Manchester United

You would have to go back to just before the middle of April to remember the last time United won a match in the league, and even then, it was an unconvincing victory against West Ham, who were the better side and were unlucky to lose to a very late penalty. Since then, the team have embarrassingly lost to Everton and Manchester City whilst drawing to both Chelsea and Huddersfield, when the results mattered the most.

Over that period of football, the desperation, hunger and motivation has not been there for a team that feels they should be playing in the Champions League next season. Despite the big talk from the players and motivational interviews by the manager, the squad is simply not good enough and a rebuilding job is desperately needed, or the club will fall even more behind than they currently are.

EPL Player of the Week – Lucas Moura (Tottenham)

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Tottenham welcomed Huddersfield Town to their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the weekend, and sent the home crowd home very happy indeed with a 4-0 win over the Premier League’s bottom side. The performance was as impressive as one may expect of a side with Spurs’ quality, though goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was barely troubled throughout the game. He was only called into action in the dying stages to keep a free-kick from Huddersfield’s Juninho Bacuna out of the net, but otherwise it was a great showing all round. The star, however, was easily Spurs midfielder Lucas Moura. Victor Wanyama opened the scoring on 24 minutes, but Moura scored just three minutes later when he was played in by Moussa Sissoko – and never looked back.

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Predicted lineups for this weekend’s EPL action

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It’s FA Cup weekend coming up so there are just five EPL matches to look forward to.

Saturday’s games see Bournemouth host Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United at the Vitality Stadium while Huddersfield Town make the trip to London to face West Ham United.

Brendan Rodgers brings his Leicester team to face Burnley at Turf Moor at the same time. Burnley have lost their last three league games while Leicester won 3-1 against Fulham last time out.

On Sunday, Liverpool travel to meet Fulham as The Reds look to go back to the top of the Premier League, temporarily at least. Everton play host to Chelsea later that day. The Toffees have won just once in their last six games. Chelsea drew 1-1 with Wolves last Sunday.

Predicted lineups for this weekend’s EPL fixtures

Premier League predicted lineups

It’s time to look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League action as we predict the starting lineups for each EPL game.

Cardiff City v Watford

Cardiff XI: Etheridge, Peltier, Manga, Bamba, Bennett, Paterson, Gunnarsson, Arter, Murphy, Cordova-Reid, Niasse

Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra, Sema, Deeney, Deulofeu

Questionable: Ashley Darel Jazz Richards (Cardiff)

Out: Sean Morrison (Cardiff); Holebas, Kiko Femenia (Watford)

EPL Fantasy Predictions: Matchweek 5

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Tottenham vs Liverpool Wembley Stadium

This lunchtime kickoff is one you won’t want to miss. While Spurs slipped up against  surprisingly imperious Watford,  Liverpool remained stalwart at the King Power. These kinds of tests away from home prove championship quality, and we think Klopp and the reds are at that level. Salah was Liverpool’s sole scorer against Spurs last season, and this may be a good time to jump on the wagon.

Bournemouth vs Leicester – Vitality Stadium

Two teams commanded by two impressive managers who know how to get results in the Premier League. Chelsea gave nothing away to Bournemouth when the Cherries visited Stamford Bridge before the international break, but we are picking Howe’s men to beat the Foxes who looked uncoordinated in the attack against Liverpool without Jamie Vardy.

Chelsea vs Cardiff – Stamford Bridge

If I were a fantasy Premier League manager I’d be jumping out of my seat to bring in a couple of Sarri’s forwards in for this one-sided looking clash at the Bridge. Pedro is in a good run of scoring form, while Hazard netted for Belgium against Scotland during the break.

Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace – John Smith’s Stadium

Huddersfield did very well to get a point at Goodison Park last matchweek, but Crystal Palace will know they absolutely need to start picking up points sooner or later. We are looking at the height of Crystal Palace to make the difference and snatch a draw from a set piece.

Manchester City vs Fulham – Etihad Stadium

If you’re asking us to pick Fulham over the champions, it’s a real shout. But Wolves held the stellar Citizens attack at bay earlier in the season, and Fulham have shown more in an attacking sense. – especially with Mitrovic’s double for Serbia over the break. We are still going with Pep, singling out Mr. Aguero to continue his good run of form.

Newcastle vs Arsenal – Saint James’ Park

With defense proving as optional as ever under Emery’s brief tenure, Newcastle will feel they could really upset the oddsmakers when the Gunners visit Tyneside. Solomon Rondon will by drooling at the chance to have the home crowd behind him as he runs at the shaky pairing of Mustafi and Sokratis.

Watford vs Manchester United – Vicarage Road

We like Holebas and Pereyra in this one, but goals are coming from everywhere amongst the Watford ranks these days. United meanwhile have had to rely thoroughly on Lukaku. The big Belgian has only 16 in 68 games against the top six, and since Watford have already beaten a top six club, we feel this will be a draw, with Mourinho shutting up shop as he is want to do away from home.

Wolves vs Burnley – Molineux

Nunu Espirito Santo is doing his best to make Molineux a fortress in his first EPL season, and we think this is a good opportunity to nab some clean sheet points from the Wolves defense and GK as Burnley are tied for the second fewest goals scored.

Everton vs West Ham – Goodison Park

Away at Everton will be a difficult place for Manuel Pellegrini to try and affect some positive change around the Irons dressing room, so we are going with Everton and backing Theo Walcott to make the difference.

Southampton vs Brighton – Saint Mary’s Stadium

We like Southampton in this South Coast clash, with Danny Ings looking particularly good for his price. He’s already scored with the Saints this season, even after such an enormous spell out with knee injuries at Liverpool.
Challenge the best EPL Fantasy Managers at www.fantasy-premier.com

 

Fantasy EPL Predictions: Matchweek 4

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Leicester vs Liverpool – King Power Stadium

While Maguire’s 95th minute winner will certainly send the Foxes tail up into this clash against the early league leaders, we think Liverpool will continue building their defensive record this season and claim the win. Fantasy managers who own stock in the Anfield Defense will look ahead with joy, as Leicester will be without Jamie Vardy, whose scoring record against the Reds is remarkable – 7 strikes in 5 games.

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Premier League Expected Line-Ups – Week 3

palaceliverpoolWolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City

Wolves (3-4-2-1)

Rui Patricio, Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady, Willy Boly, Matt Doherty*, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, Jonny, Helder Costa, Jota, Raul Jimenez

Questionable: *Matt Doherty, Leander Dendoncker
Out: Ivan Cavaleiro

Manchester City (3-1-4-2)

Ederson, John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Benjamin Mendy, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus

Questionable: None
Out: Kevin de Bruyne, Danilo, Philippe Sandler, Claudio Bravo, Eliaquim Mangala

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Premier League Expected Line-Ups – Week 2

chelseaCardiff City vs Newcastle United

Cardiff City (4-1-4-1)

Neil Etheridge, Lee Peltier, Sean Morrison, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Joe Bennett, Sol Bamba, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Callum Paterson, Joe Ralls, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Reid

Questionable: Kenneth Zohore
Out: Aron Gunnarsson

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1)

Martin Dubravka, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame, Kenedy, Joselu, Ayoze Perez

Questionable: None
Out: Freferico Fernandez, DeAndre Yedlin, Florian Lejeune

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Premier League Expected Line-Ups – Week 1

fredMan Utd vs Leicester City

Man Utd

David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Fred, Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford

Questionable: Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Romelu Lukaku

Out: Diogo Dalot, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Nemanhja Matic, Sergio Romero

Leicester City

Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan, Ben Chilwell, Yohan Benalouane, Ricardo, Vicente Iborra, Marc Albrighton, Wilfred Ndidi, Adrien Silva, Kelechi Iheanacho, Shinji Okazaki

Questionable:  James Maddison, Harry Maguire, Jamie Vardy, Jonny Evans, Nampalys Mendy, Demarai Gray

Out: Matthew James

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