Preview of the Weekend: Leaders Liverpool host Man Utd, Juve visit city rivals

Welcome to All Football's Preview of the Weekend. You should miss not even one game! Below are the best matches the world of football would bring to you.

Liverpool  vs  Manchester United

Kick off: 16:00 (CET)

Date: Sun, 16-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Liverpool won their crucial Champions League group game in midweek but it came at a cost. Matip is now out for six weeks and Alexander-Arnold is a huge doubt for Sunday.

Clyne is also an injury concern for Liverpool, which may see Milner start at right-back for the second league game in a row.

Pogba audition for a starting berth against Liverpool didn't go exactly to plan and it remains to be seen whether Mourinho will pick him to start at Anfield.  Lukaku's place in the team is not certain, though that may depend on Martial's availability.

Dalot certainly deserves to start ahead of Valencia at right-back, but Mourinho may opt for Young if Shaw is fit enough to start on the opposite flank.

Smalling is also carrying a knock but is expected to be fit in time to start against Liverpool. Jones or Bailly will partner him at the back with Lindelof still sidelined.

Focus:

Liverpool replaced Manchester City at the top of the Premier League last weekend but could well be back down to second by the time they host Manchester United on Sunday.

United supporters must be watching Liverpool's season with envy. Things have largely been poor under Mourinho this season and they head to Anfield 16 points behind Liverpool. 

United are unbeaten in their last five matches against Liverpool, though four have been draws.

Liverpool haven't won a Premier League game at home to United since September 2013 but it's hard to look beyond a Liverpool win on Sunday. Klopp's side are superior in almost every department and should really have a field day up against United's leaky defence.

Prediction:

Liverpool 3-0 Man Utd

Manchester City  vs  Everton

Kick off: 12:30 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Stones is expected to miss out against his former club after being forced off against Hoffenheim with a knee injury. Kompany or Otamendi will deputise.

Aguero has missed City's last four matches in all competitions and Guardiola will be desperate to have his star striker back in the mix here.

Marco Silva recently suggested he would play a three-man defence to accommodate Zouma, Mina and Keane and could implement that approach on Saturday.

Focus:

Manchester City lost top spot in the Premier League last weekend following a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. City have a 100 per cent record in their eight home league matches this season and have scored 30 goals and conceded just five in that time.

Everton have only won one of their last five league matches and have dropped down to seventh in the league, two points behind United. Marco Silva's side have only won one of their opening seven away league matches this season.

For all of Everton's struggles on the road this term they have never conceded more than twice in a single match and have already drawn at Stamford Bridge and Anfield in recent weeks. This fixture has been drawn on three of the last four occasions but City are favourites despite a depleted squad at the moment.

Prediction:

Man City 2-1 Everton

Southampton  vs  Arsenal

Kick off: 13:30 (CET)

Date: Sun, 16-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Hasenhuttl still has question marks surrounding the fitness of a number of first-team players.

Koscielny made his first start since May in Thursday's Europa League win over Qarabag and may be required for the Gunners here with Mustafi and Sokratis both suspended and Holding and Mavropanos injured. Monreal will also start at centre-back.

Ozil made his first appearance in more than a month on Thursday but may have to settle for a place on the bench when Arsenal travel to Southampton. Ramsey is also back from injury for the Gunners.

Lacazette surprisingly started against Qarabag, meaning he may not feature from the off here.

Focus:

Southampton lost 1-0 to Cardiff last weekend in Ralph Hasenhuttl's first game in charge. Saints have only won one Premier League game this season and are winless in their last 12 top-flight matches. 

Hasenhuttl's side have failed to score in seven of their 16 league matches thus far. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 22 matches in all competitions and are expected to prolong that streak here despite the fact they have to contend with an injury-crisis in defence.

Prediction:

Southampton 0-2 Arsenal

Brighton  vs  Chelsea

Kick off: 13:30 (CET)

Date: Sun, 16-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Duffy is suspended for the home side and that should see Balogun continue alongside Dunk at the heart of the defence.

Jahanbakhsh has returned to training and comes into Hughton's plans, though he may start from the bench if called upon.

Kovacic is a doubt with a thigh problem and is unlikely to be risked, with Barkley and Loftus-Cheek competing to deputise in midfield.

Focus:

Brighton saw a three-match unbeaten run come to an end at Burnley last week as they fell to a 1-0 defeat. Back on home turf, though, they should be confident of picking up a positive result having lost just once and winning four of seven at the Amex in the league this season.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have won only two of their last five league matches, but did blow the title race wide open with a 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend. They have lost back-to-back away league games, however, and faced a tough midweek trip to Hungary, where they were held to a 2-2 draw.

Given Brighton's home form this season, the home side will be confident of landing a positive result here.

Prediction:

Brighton 2-2 Chelsea

Torino  vs  Juventus

Kick off: 19:30 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Ansaldi is finally back at full fitness and might keep Aina on the bench. Baselli is reportedly a doubt, which means Soriano could start instead.

Former Juventus duo Zaza and Rincon will have to settle for places on the bench.

Bentancur is the most improved player for Juventus this season but he misses out this weekend due to suspension.

Dybala will be restored to the starting XI after scoring from the bench away to Young Boys in midweek.

Focus

Torino are unbeaten in their last three games and they head into the weekend's action only four points off fourth place.

Juventus slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat away to Young Boys in the Champions League in midweek but still managed to secure top spot as Manchester United also lost. Allegri will demand a response from his players.

Torino can be happy with their season so far but they will need to be even better if they are to get a positive result against Juventus. The Old Lady have only dropped points in the league once this season and should return to winning ways here.

Prediction:

Torino 1-2 Juventus

Levante  vs  Barcelona

Kick off: 19:45 (CET)

Date: Sun, 16-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Morales is a doubt for the home side this weekend, Mayoral is expected to start up top alongside Marti.

Vidal is expected to get the nod in midfield ahead of Arthur.

Dembele should feature on the left wing ahead of Coutinho after some good recent form.

Semedo will continue at right-back, as Roberto still isn't fully fit.

Focus:

Levante are unbeaten in their last four games and have taken two comfortable wins against CD Lugo and Athletic recently at Ciutat de Valencia.

One defeat in their last 11 games shows the good form that Levante are in heading towards the weekend. Not only that, but this side ended Barcelona's unbeaten run last campaign.

Barcelona had a chance to rest players during their 1-1 Champions League draw with Tottenham midweek, which should put Ernesto Valverde's side in great shape.

Prediction:

Levante 1-2 Barcelona

Real Madrid  vs  Vallecano

Kick off: 17:30 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Bale should be fit to start after an injury scare in the Champions League in midweek.

Kroos is back available after injury but may start on the bench for a second game in a row.

Llorente is expected to continue to anchor the midfield in Casemiro's absence.

Amat is suspended for the away side, so Velazquez should feature at centre-back.

Star striker Tomas is unavailable due to a clause in his loan deal from Real Madrid.

Focus:

Real Madrid suffered their biggest ever Champions League home defeat in midweek, losing 3-0 to CSKA Moscow with a heavily-rotated side. Nothing else than a comfortable victory will suffice this weekend.

The visitors have won just one away league match this season and will surely struggle to trouble the home side.

Prediction:

Real Madrid 3-1 Vallecano

Valladolid  vs  Atletico Madrid

Kick off: 15:15 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Moyano is fit for the home side and will feature at right-back.

Antonito is expected to retain his place on the right-hand side at Verdi and Keko's expense.

Koke is back after a ban and should slot straight back into midfield.

Hernandez and Gimenez are both sidelined with injury problems.

Filipe is fit to feature at left-back, while Lemar has a minor ankle problem and is a doubt.

Focus:

Real Valladolid have recorded back-to-back wins, though one was in the cup. They have only won one of their last six in the league and that is not good enough.

Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last 11 games and turned in a very strong performance against Alaves last time out in the league. They will be disappointed to have conceded top spot in the Champions League group with a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Club Bruges in midweek.

Prediction:

Valladolid 1-1 Atletico

Tottenham  vs  Burnley

Kick off: 15:00 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team News

Sanchez, Trippier, Aurier and Foyth are all doubts ahead of the welcome of Burnley and Pochettino may elect to avoid using the quartet as the games come thick and fast.

Lucas may start on the bench, despite his heroics in midweek, while Dier could feature alongside Sissoko in midfield.

Gudmundsson and Defour are doubts, with Lennon in line to deputise for the former should he fail a late fitness test.

Ward and Pope are out, but Gibson is an option for Dyche at the back.

Focus:

Pochettino needs to ward against complacency ahead of the welcome of Burnley, particularly after the midweek 1-1 draw at Barcelona. Back-to-back league wins has pushed Tottenham back into third coming into this clash.

Burnley ended a eight-match winless run with a narrow 1-0 win over Brighton last week and Dyche will hope to use that as a springboard to spring an upset at Wembley.

Last season's stalemate at Wembley can be attributed to the unfamiliarity of playing at the national stadium, but Spurs should make no mistake in this one.

Prediction:

Tottenham 3-1 Burnley

Hannover 96  vs  Bayern Munich

Kick off: 14:30 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Lineups:

Team New

Elez could return to the starting XI to replace the suspended Sorg at the back.

Korb provides a more defensive-minded option on the right wing, Wydandt could get another chance up front, with Wood most likely remaining on the bench.

Süle, Boateng and Hummels compete for two spots at centre-back.

Kimmich could switch back to right-back, with Thiago possibly returning in central midfield and Rafinha dropping to the bench.

Coman is fully fit again and challenges Ribéry for the spot on the left wing.

Focus:

Hannover have lost four of their last six matches and continue to be stuck in the relegation zone. They face another very tough challenge here in their current form.

Bayern were involved in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday, which saw them win their group. They're are back on track in the Bundesliga after back-to-back wins, but need to improve their balance again.

Prediction:

Hannover 0-3 Bayern

Inter  vs  Udinese

Kick off: 17:00 (CET)

Date: Sat, 15-Dec-18

Probable Line-ups:

Team New

Mario was not eligible to play in the Champions League in midweek but should start here.

Nainggolan surprisingly recovered from injury to make Inter's matchday squad in midweek but will not be rushed back.

Vecino may have to miss out for the second game in a row, which means Valero and Gagliardini are in competition for his starting berth.

Lasagna scored last weekend and that should guarentee him a starting berth away to Inter.

Behrami is tipped to start in central midfield ahead of Barak.

Focus:

Inter performed well against Juventus last time out in Serie A but fell to a 1-0 defeat and are now 14 points adrift of the league leaders. Confidence will be low after being eliminated from the Champions League in midweek.

Udinese are one place and two points above the bottom three after a run of just one win in their last 10 league matches. They should prove the ideal opponents for Inter to get back on track against.

Prediction:

Inter 1-0 Udinese