Liverpool Face Merseyside Derby Cauldron, Chelsea Defy Expectations | Soccer Information

Premier League leaders Liverpool will anticipate extra magic from Mohamed Salah after they meet Everton in an emotional Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Chelsea face Tottenham having emerged as surprising title contenders, whereas West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui and Wolves supervisor Gary O’Neil battle to keep away from the sack. AFP Sport appears on the key speaking factors forward of this weekend’s motion:

Salah fuels Liverpool

Mohamed Salah’s blistering kind may very well be the best antidote to Everton’s frenzied followers when Liverpool face their rivals for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park within the Premier League.

Everton host the Reds for the ultimate time at their house of 132 years in a top-flight match on Saturday, with the Toffees attributable to transfer to a brand new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in time for subsequent season.

Goodison is all the time hostile territory for Liverpool however the significance of their newest home squabble means the Everton trustworthy will probably be ramped up much more than ordinary.

“I would wish to assume it will deliver our followers to the fore,” Everton supervisor Sean Dyche stated.

Liverpool will probably be assured of silencing the raucous environment if Egypt star Salah keep his scorching streak

On Wednesday, Salah, who has netted 9 instances in his final seven league matches, scored twice in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s file by scoring and helping in the identical Premier League recreation for the thirty seventh time.

Salah is out of contract on the finish of the season and stated final week he was “disillusioned” by the membership’s failure to supply him a brand new deal.

However, with 15 targets in all competitions this time period, Salah’s worth is evident to Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

“Each time we’d like Mo Salah he scores a objective. We hope and anticipating he can proceed this for a very long time,” he stated.

Chelsea exceeding expectations

When Enzo Maresca arrived at Stamford Bridge in June, the brand new Chelsea boss was broadly seen to have inherited an unattainable job.

Tasked with marshalling a bloated squad full of proficient however underachieving kids, whereas dealing with demanding Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, the Italian had taken a significant danger by leaving promoted Leicester to interchange Mauricio Pochettino.

However quick ahead simply six months and the sound of Maresca being serenaded by Chelsea followers throughout Wednesday’s 5-1 win at Southampton underscored the 44-year-old’s affect in a brief house of time.

Chants of ‘We have got our Chelsea again’ echoed round St Mary’s and forward of Sunday’s London derby at Tottenham, the Blues sit in second place, seven factors behind Liverpool, after extending their unbeaten league run to 6 video games.

It may be too quickly for inexperienced Chelsea to win the title, however a prime 4 end could be tangible reward for his or her enchancment below Maresca.

“It was an excellent feeling, particularly as a result of you may see that they’re completely happy, that’s our goal,” Maresca stated of Chelsea’s followers.

Lopetegui and O’Neil in sack race

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui and Wolves supervisor Gary O’Neil will face their former golf equipment on Monday in a relegation showdown that would finish with considered one of them being sacked.

Within the aftermath of Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at Leicester, Lopetegui was reported to have survived a board assembly about his place.

However the Spaniard, who changed David Moyes within the close-season, is just not secure but, with options he may nonetheless be dismissed if the Hammers lose at house to fellow strugglers Wolves, who he managed within the 2022-23 season.

Regardless of a 130 million kilos ($165 million) funding in new gamers, West Ham are 14th, having received simply 4 of their 14 league matches.

Wolves have fared even worse, with Wednesday’s 4-0 thrashing at Everton leaving them three factors adrift of security in nineteenth place.

O’Neil, who performed for West Ham from 2011 to 2013, heard Wolves followers name for his sacking throughout their ninth league loss this time period.

Requested if he anticipated to be in cost towards West Ham, O’Neil stated: “I can solely maintain going till issues change. You will not discover anybody extra hard-working {and professional} than me.”

Fixtures (all instances GMT)

Saturday

Everton v Liverpool (1230), Aston Villa v Southampton, Brentford v Newcastle, Crystal Palace v Manchester Metropolis (all 1500), Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (1730)

Sunday

Fulham v Arsenal, Ipswich v Bournemouth, Leicester v Brighton (all 1400), Tottenham v Chelsea (1630)

Monday

West Ham v Wolves (2000)

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