Liverpool and Manchester City are set to renew their fierce rivalry this weekend as both sides aim to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal. The highly anticipated clash at the Etihad Stadium promises another thrilling chapter in a rivalry that has defined English football over the past decade.
Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, hoping their two closest challengers cancel each other out. However, victory for either City or Liverpool would deliver a huge psychological boost heading into the busy festive period.
Liverpool have shown signs of revival under Arne Slot after enduring a rough patch of four straight league defeats. Recent back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Aston Villa in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League suggest the Reds are regaining momentum. Slot has reverted to a reliable defensive lineup featuring Conor Bradley, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson — the same back four that brought stability last season.
Their defensive improvement will be severely tested on Sunday by Erling Haaland, who has been in sensational form. The Norwegian striker has already netted 27 goals in 17 appearances for club and country this season. He has scored twice in each of his past four home league matches, and two more goals this weekend would see him reach 100 Premier League goals in record time.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United in a rematch of last season’s Europa League final. Spurs, now under Thomas Frank, have struggled at home but impressed with a 4-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen. United, led by Ruben Amorim, are eager to bounce back after their winning run was ended by Nottingham Forest. Both teams are level on 17 points and battling for a top-four finish.
Arsenal, meanwhile, travel to Sunderland, where they will face their former captain Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder has been outstanding since joining the newly promoted side, helping them climb into fourth place. Arsenal have won their past eight games in all competitions without conceding a goal and will look to extend that remarkable run as they strengthen their title challenge.
