After their exit from the Champions League this week Manchester United headline the weekend’s English Premier League action in a loaded derby.
English Premier League fixtures – Friday 11 – Sunday 13 December
Before that Leeds United will seek to keep their unbeaten record on Friday evenings intact against West Ham.
Leeds have never lost a top-flight home match played on a Friday (W3 D6), while West Ham United have lost their last three English Premier League away matches on this day without scoring a goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the Manchester derby was the “best game that you can ask for” as Manchester United seek to bounce back from the disappointment of their Champions League exit.
Jose Mourinho has warned his Tottenham players they face a searching test of their Premier League title credentials over the gruelling Christmas period.
Spurs, top of the table on goal difference, are about to embark on a run of seven fixtures in 21 days, which could have a huge say in whether they will remain as contenders.
They start at Crystal Palace on Sunday before games against Liverpool, Leicester, Wolves, Fulham and Leeds, with a League Cup quarter-final at Stoke sandwiched in between.
For the second time in three English Premier League fixtures Frank Lampard pits his wits against a former coach with whom he enjoyed incredible success as a player. The current Chelsea head coach played 83 times under Double-winner Carlo Ancelotti, who remains immensely popular at Stamford Bridge despite taking residence on Merseyside.
On Sunday Jürgen Klopp anticipates Liverpool will come up against a Fulham side gaining confidence with each matchday upon their return to the Premier League.
Scott Parker led The Cottagers to instant promotion from the Championship last term after they were relegated from the top flight in 2018-19. They currently occupy 17th position in the standings having garnered seven points from their opening 11 matches. However, Klopp feels Fulham can have confidence regarding their prospects of retaining their Premier League status, acknowledging he has been impressed by the manner of some of their performances so far.
English Premier League fixtures
Friday 11 December
Leeds United vs West Ham United 22:00
Saturday 12 December
Wolves vs Aston Villa 14:30
Newcastle vs West Brom 17:00
Manchester United vs Manchester City 19:00
Everton vs Chelsea 22:00
Sunday 13 December
Southampton vs Sheffield United 14:00
Crystal Palace vs Spurs 16:15
Fulham vs Liverpool 18:30
Arsenal vs Burnley 21:30
Leicester vs Brighton 21:30
