The two best teams in England go head-to-head this week and next, as Manchester City and Liverpool battle in the Premier League, and FA Cup.
Sunday’s match (11.30pm) could very well determine the destination of the Premier League with the Citizens leading the Reds by one point – 73-72 – with eight games left for both.
The teams also clash in next week’s FA Cup semifinal.
Veteran coach Steve Darby said Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker must be on form if their team hopes for a good result at the Etihad Stadium.
“Whichever side wins this match will lift the Premier League title,” said Darby, who has coached all over Asia and Australia.
“They are two magnificent teams. A draw is a likely outcome, and the drama will continue. Any slip-ups by either side, and the title would be lost.
“If Liverpool is to get a victory, Salah, who has been off form lately, needs to find his shooting boots.
“Alisson in goal has to make sure he stays focused throughout the match.”
KL Kopties president, Sashidaran Nair, thinks the match will end in a stalemate.
“The sides are evenly matched. My prediction is a draw, but I do not think that will stop Liverpool from winning the league,” said Sashidaran.
“We also have a good chance of winning the Champions League, and even the FA Cup, even though City is in contention for those trophies, too.”
City fan Mark Darren Savuriar, meanwhile, is feeling a little nervous.
“I was at the derby against Manchester United where we won 4-1. That was an insane game,” said Savuriar, who recently started a job in England after completing his Master’s in Electronics Engineering at the University of Surrey.
“Sadly, I cannot make it to this match and will watch it in a pub somewhere!
“I am a little nervous about the game and will take a draw.”
Savuriar added, he plans to attend the final game of the season, where he hopes to witness the presentation of the Premier League trophy.
While all eyes are on the big match, Darby is keeping tabs on Everton’s game against Manchester United tomorrow (7.30pm).
“Everton is in a crisis. The fans want Lampard out, and Duncan Ferguson in. That would be the last chance saloon,” said Darby.
Everton suffered a 3-2 defeat to Burnley in mid-week and is now just one point above the relegation zone. Everton last suffered relegation in 1951, and has the toughest run-in among those in the bottom five.
After United, it faces Leicester twice, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea – teams chasing European slots – and Brentford and Watford.
Burnley travels to bottom of the table Norwich on Sunday (9pm) and might end the weekend above Everton.
Watford, which looks doomed to relegation, faces a Leeds side desperate for the points.
As it stands, Norwich has 18 points from 30 games, while Watford has 22 from the same number of matches.
Burnley (24 points) and Everton (25) have played 29 times. Leeds has 30 points from 31 games, one behind Newcastle. Brentford has 33 points.
It promises to be an exciting finish at the top and the bottom of the table.
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Newcastle vs Wolves (3am)
Everton vs Manchester United (7.30pm)
Watford vs Leeds (10pm)
Southampton vs Chelsea (10pm)
Arsenal vs Brighton (10pm)
SUNDAY
Aston Villa vs Tottenham (12.30am)
Leicester vs Crystal Palace (9pm)
Norwich vs Burnley (9pm)
Brentford vs West Ham (9pm)
Manchester City vs Liverpool (11.30pm)
