Two teams with aspirations to challenge at the top of the table face two sides looking to stay up, in Sunday’s Premier League double header.
The early kick-off sees bottom against top as Southampton play host to Liverpool at St Mary’s, with a 2pm start.
All eyes will be on new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim from 4:30pm, when the Portuguese takes charge of the Red Devils for the first time away at an Ipswich side looking to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
- LIVERPOOL TO WIN TO NIL
- MAN UTD TO WIN AND BTTS
Bet On The Premier League
Mean Defence Part Of Slot Success
Much has been made of Liverpool’s attacking options this season, but it is their defensive figures that make for impressive reading.
Arne Slot’s men have conceded just six goals in their opening 11 league games, while also allowing only one goal in four Champions League matches.
That is even more notable when considering that first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been sidelined for the last month.
Nine wins, one draw and just one defeat have seen the Reds open up a five-point lead at the top of the table and their away form has been another key reason for their strong start.
Liverpool have won four and drawn one of their five away league games and will expect to collect another three points at St Mary’s.
Slot’s team have also kept four clean sheets in eight away matches in all competitions – with three of those coming in the Premier League.
Saints head into the game with just one win in their first 11 matches and have the lowest goals scored tally in the top flight.
Russell Martin’s squad have tried to play on the front foot, but have scored just seven league goals, although four of those have been bagged on home soil.
The head-to-head stats highlight the tough assignment facing the home side, with Liverpool unbeaten in their last six meetings with Southampton.
Martin has also been dealt a double injury blow ahead of Sunday’s encounter, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defender Jan Bednarek both ruled out.
The visitors are still without Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa due to injury, while Trent Alexander Arnold is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Virgil van Dijk will be fit to feature having had to withdraw early from the Netherlands squad.
LIVERPOOL TO WIN TO NIL
First Test For United’s New Formation
Only four places separate Ipswich and Manchester United going into Sunday afternoon’s clash at Portman Road, which shows the task Amorim faces.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss has had a week on the training ground, after taking up the offer to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hotseat earlier this month.
United have already lost four games this season but the owners will expect a quick response under the new man, who will feel he can still help the club qualify for Europe.
Amorim will hope to get off to a quick start, especially with a tough fixture list facing the Red Devils in the coming weeks. After Sunday’s clash, United take on Everton, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in their next four league games.
A lot was made of Ten Hag’s inability to establish a way of playing or a future plan, which is something Amorim has already started to implement.
The 39-year-old has already used a 3-4-3 formation in training and it will be no surprise to see United line-up like that at Portman Road.
Ipswich have picked up four points from their last two matches to move out of the relegation zone, and now have eight points from 11 games to lie one point better off than Crystal Palace in 18th place.
Kieran McKenna is understood to have been close to being offered the Old Trafford job in the summer, before the United hierarchy decided to stick with Ten Hag.
The Northern Irishman remained with Ipswich and his stock will rise if he can keep the Suffolk club in the Premier League this season.
In Liam Delap, the Tractorboys have a player who could be key to their survival, with the former Man City man having already bagged six goals this term.
In fact, the home side have scored in all but one of their last seven games, while United have conceded six goals in their last four away fixtures in all competitions.
The impact of a big-name managerial arrival though should sway this game in favour of the visitors, who have beaten Ipswich in each of their last four meetings.
McKenna has revealed that George Hirst will be facing a spell on the sidelines, after suffering a knee injury in the win at Spurs.
Ipswich are also expected to hand a late fitness test to Omari Hutchison, after the England Under 21 forward suffered a hamstring problem.
Bruno Fernandes was allowed back to Manchester early, having been suspended for Portugal’s Nations League clash with Croatia, and the playmaker is expected to keep the captain’s armband following the appointment of his countryman Amorim.
The new coach has also had Marcus Rashford playing through the middle in some training sessions this week, which is something he may decide to choose to do at Portman Road.
Amorim could have Harry Maguire available after his recent calf problem, but Lisandro Martinez is expected to miss out with a knock suffered prior to the international break.
MAN UTD TO WIN AND BTTS
