London: 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.
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 following day. Frank Lampard's young Chelsea side travel to Burnley on the back of a six-match winning run in all competitions while third-placed Leicester visit Southampton on Friday. 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.
Talking points
Liverpool go into their home match against Tottenham after falling one game short of matching Manchester City's record 18-match winning run in the Premier League. The European champions, on a 44-match unbeaten run at home in the league, have forgotten how to lose at Anfield but will be facing a Spurs team buoyed by a 5-0 victory at home to Red Star Belgrade in midweek. Erik Lamela, who scored against Red Star on his 200th appearance for Spurs, said the size of the victory had given the struggling team an injection of confidence. "Our confidence is better after winning the game 5-0," said the Argentine. "We need to take this game, keep going, try to get better and better and now focus on Liverpool." Spurs are seeking revenge for defeat in last season's Champions League final, but the odds are stacked against them.
Pep urges for clinical approach
Pep 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 Guardiola's exhortations, City have not been shy in front of goal this season, hitting 29 in just nine Premier League matches.
United's away woes
Man U 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.
