City all out to marrow gap
Win against Villa will push Pep’s side closer to the Reds
Manchester City have the chance to exert some short-term pressure on runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool this weekend as Manchester United look to end their away-day blues.
Jurgen Klopp’s side saw their long winning streak ended by a hungry United in a draw at Old Trafford last week, but still have a comfortable six-point lead over second-placed City.
Pep Guardiola’s defending champions can cut that gap to just three points, at least temporarily, if they beat Aston Villa at home on Saturday, while Liverpool have a trickier-looking tie against Spurs the next day.
Manchester United will be desperate to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone, but travel to Norwich without an away win in the Premier League since February.
Liverpool go into their home match against Tottenham after falling one game short of matching Manchester City’s record 18match winning run in the Premier League.
Spurs are seeking revenge for defeat in last season’s Champions League final, but the odds are stacked against them.
Tottenham have won just once in 15 matches against Liverpool and have not won away in the Premier League since January.
Guardiola urged his team to be more clinical after their 2-0 victory last week against Crystal Palace and his team responded by thumping Atalanta 5-1 in the Champions League.
Despite his comments about his attackers, Guardiola’s more pressing concern will be sorting out his defence, which has looked vulnerable this season in the absence of Aymeric Laporte.
Manchester United came within minutes of beating Liverpool at Old Trafford last week, but Sunday’s visit to Norwich will likely be a truer test of the team’s current form.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, just two points above the relegation zone, have not won away in the league since the Norwegian was appointed as the permanent boss.
The match at Carrow Road will be the second of four successive away games in all competitions.
United did at least secure their first win on the road since March at Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday.
“It’s an issue that we have to deal with and sort out as soon as possible,” Solskjaer said about his side’s away form.