The weekend is around the corner, and that means one thing for footy fans, stacks of fixtures! And this weekend is a little bit special… because there’s not just one derby, but two!
Gettin’ Started at Goodison
To kick off the weekend’s Premier League action we have the Merseyside derby. Everton host Liverpool with an early start on the Saturday (UK time). It could be a tough task for Frank Lampard’s Toffees. They’re 17th in the table and have managed just three points from five games. They’re without a win this season and are limp in attack having only found the net four times.
By Liverpool’s high standards, they got off to a rocky start, too. Their opening three games saw them draw with newly promoted Fulham, then draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield and were beaten by a spirited Manchester United.
Jürgen Klopp clearly demanded more from his squad. In their next game, Liverpool appeared to be back to their ruthless best. Bournemouth were demolished 9-0. A tougher test followed against Newcastle, but a revived Liverpool showed their grit and earned all three points. A last-minute winner from new boy, Fabio Carvalho, saw Anfield erupt into a sea of limbs. The reason we love football is because it’s unpredictable and full of surprises. Could the Blue side of Merseyside get their first win of the season against their fiercest rivals? Don’t miss this one!
Old Firm
Kickin’ off at the same time is the Old Firm derby. Celtic Park is gonna’ be bouncing. The Green and White of Glasgow take on their bitter city rivals, Rangers, in a match that’ll be watched across the world. It’s all to play for: Celtic sit at top of the table but are only ahead by two points; the Gers will be hungry for all three points.
The current Champions won’t roll over and they’re in fine form, too. In their last league outing, the Hoops stuck nine goals past Dundee United whilst keeping a clean sheet. Japanese international, Kyogo Furuhashi, netted four times with Liel Abada bagging himself a hattrick. That’s an attacking output sure to send shivers down the spine of any defence!
With that said, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has Rangers’ squad and fans buzzing after bringing them Champions League football. Not only will they be tussling with Europe’s elite, but their performances in the domestic league are impressive, too.
They’ve four wins from five, but a perfect record and 15 points was snatched away from them with a last-minute equaliser by Hibernian’s Josh Campbell. As all good sides do, Rangers responded in a ruthless manner in their following fixture. Ross County conceded four goals and failed to trouble the home side.
How does a game with two teams that are defensively sound with fluid, free-scoring forwards going head-to-head with the top of the table at stake play out? Hard to say, but you’re gonna’ want to buckle up for this one, it promises to be a belter.
JD Predicts…
Given Everton’s slow start to the season and their lack of options in forward positions, we can’t see them being a threat to Liverpool. We think it’ll be a comfortable 3-0 win for Klopp’s men.
It’s tight for a spot at the top of the Scottish Premiership, we reckon this will be reflected in the game and it’ll end in a 1-1 draw.
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