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Four things to look out for this weekend

By on September 26, 2014

Double Derby Day
Not often is it that two major derbies are played on the same weekend, much less the same day. But here we are – the Merseyside Derby will take place as Everton face Liverpool in the early Saturday game before Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in the late game. To say the least it will be a scintillating day, with everybody but West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Stoke City, and Newcastle United playing on Saturday. Have fun trying to get in a bit of all those games.

However, the Merseyside Derby hasn’t always been a major rivalry, in fact, only once England’s top division rebranded itself as the Premier League in 1992 did the rivalry kick off. Beforehand, the two sets of supporters weren’t even separated when they met, and the match had been known commonly as the “friendly derby” in which the two sets of supporters often banded together to taunt their rivals over in Manchester. Only recently has it been the source of the most red cards in a single match since 1992.

The same can’t be said for The North London Derby, though. Ever since the early 1920s there has been bad blood between the two clubs, and the 176th meeting won’t be any less exciting than the first.

Balotelli hoping to impose himself once and for all
When Liverpool last played Everton, The Reds beat Everton in an imposing 4-0 win, and that day, Daniel Sturridge scored two while Luis Suarez bagged one himself. That win kicked off a run which saw Brendan Rodgers’ side hit the top of the table while winning thirty-seven points out of a possible thirty-nine. Daniel Sturridge is expected to miss tomorrow’s derby via injury, while Balotelli replaced Suarez over the summer. Super Mario has made five appearances alone up front for Liverpool since joining, yet has only scored once. Now is the do or die time for Balotelli to prove himself, considering Sturridge is likely to return next weekend. And there would be no better time to do so – and possibly start another run like that after Liverpool’s Merseyside Derby last season.

Pochettino getting his first taste of Arsenal
Balotelli isn’t the only major newcomer to either of Saturday’s derbies – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will also be getting his first taste of a North London derby. Winless in their last three Premier League matches Spurs come into the match desperately needing a result, and Pochettino can only hope he fairs better agains Arsenal than Andre Villas-Boas did before him – Tottenham only have one win from the last six London Derbies.

How will Manchester United approach West Ham?
Manchester United’s main problem this season has not been scoring goals, but keeping them out. Considering West Ham United are having the same problem we could he in for another high scoring match. After allowing five to Leicester City last weekend Robin Van Persie admitted the team had a meeting to settle everything down a bit, but United will likely go all out attack again considering West Ham’s defense has been as all over the place as theirs recently. It may well be a sigh of relief that United are facing such a vulnerable side, considering their attack is undoubtedly of a higher standard than their opponents. If it comes down to it they should be able to out-score them, however, they will be deeply troubles if Enner Valencia can cause the same havoc that Jamie Vardy did at Old Trafford last weekend. Daley Blind may be shifted back to left full-back if Marcos Rojo is dropped into center back to replace the suspended Tyler Blackett, but more likely Luke Shaw will earn his United debut and Blind will remain in the holding midfielder role he had been so impressive in.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.