25/04 - 20:00
Our weekly pick of the one-to-watch fixture from each of England's top four tiers finds you some top of the table beauties, as title challengers take on promotion pushers.
Liverpool’s only points dropped points so far in a faultless season came at Old Trafford, and recent history suggests, three points may once again be hard to come by. Liverpool have just one league win in their past 10 against United and Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have combined for just a single goal in that time.
Liverpool seem to have somewhat of a mental block when it comes to their greatest of rivals, and this weekend there is plenty at stake as a win at Anfield might be enough to put the league virtually to bed.
It probably won’t be a goal-fest, but it could be one of the most intriguing match-ups this weekend, as Ole Gunnar Solskjær often sets his side up well against the big teams, and Liverpool might find it difficult once again to find a way through.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have been empty shirts in recent fixtures against United and it might well be left to Mané to take the game to United, who will be sweating on Marcus Rashford's fitness. His inclusion could determine the game, as he has the most goals of any current player in this fixture .
🔴⚪️⚫️Liverpool's front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah have scored more combined goals against their own side, Liverpool (3) than they have against this weekend's opponent, Manchester United (1).#MUFC#LFC@UnitedStandMUFC pic.twitter.com/rX4SMSRqQt
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 14, 2020
At the start of the season, Millwall looked like they were in for another relegation battle while Reading seemed all-set for League One. However, both teams took highly questionable decisions to replace their respective coaches - and since then both sides have been on the up, quite literally: Gary Rowett’s side in eighth, a point out of the play-off places, and Mark Bowen’s Reading 14th, a whole 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
Millwall have just a single loss in 12 while Reading are unbeaten in seven. Two of the best form teams in the league, a home win could see Millwall into the play-off places, while victory for Reading could see them just three points short of the promotion fight.
Millwall have had their keeper issues and the re-upping of Bartosz Białkowski on a permanent deal was a huge relief, while 21-year-old John Swift has been a key man for Reading and recently started finding the net regularly.
👈 Best points-per-game averages in 2019/20 (top 4 tiers; INCOMING managers)
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 10, 2020
1.93 👈: Mark Bowen*
1.92 👈: Gary Rowett
1.78 👈: Jose Mourinho
1.60 👈: Neil Harris
1.50 👈: Glyn Hodges
*Bowen has won 27 points in his opening 14 matches#Royals #Millwall #THFC #Bluebirds #AFCW pic.twitter.com/17dOKij0r2
Doncaster haven’t conceded in three, while Coventry have bagged nine goals in the same period, and a win would be gigantic for either; City have the chance to go joint top, while Rovers could re-enter the play-off places.
Matt Godden recently bagged back-to-back hat-tricks for Coventry, but oddly, Doncaster have scored more, and conceded less despite being five places back, a win on Saturday would leave them just a point behind.
While Whiteman has been running things from midfield for Doncaster, Godden recently bagged back-to-back hat-tricks for Coventry
📈 Most League One goals fr. 2018/19:
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 3, 2020
30⚽: I Henderson, Toney
28⚽: Madden
27⚽: Ladapo
26⚽: Marquis
25⚽: J Collins, Clarke-Harris
24⚽: Evans
23⚽: 💥@MattyGodden24*💥
* 14 for Peterborough, 9 for Coventry.#PUSB @Coventry_City pic.twitter.com/eQKa0caJxL
Two of League Two’s most attacking young sides meet in a top four clash that could be massive in determining where each side’s seasons are heading.
The top two are starting to look a little distant, but with three automatic promotion places up for grabs, there are five teams all on 44 points, this group headed by Cheltenham on a goal difference of +20, with Crewe just behind on +15.
Cheltenham’s cautious approach is costing them with 11 draws seeing them fall back into the chasing pack, while Crewe have gone back to an all out approach that occasionally costs all three points.
The Robins might well take an away point, but Crewe’s season risks losing control with three 3-1 losses in their past five. The undisputed game of the weekend in the fourth tier could well be a headline maker.
Powell has four in his last three, while Sheaf has netted the opener in Cheltenham's last two, and both sides will need to keep a keen eye on their opposing marksmen.
🏠 Most goals at HOME (top 4 tier teams; all domestic comps):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 13, 2020
38⚽: 💥CHELTENHAM💥, Oxford
36⚽: Man C, QPR
35⚽: Liverpool, Portsmouth
34⚽: Blackpool, Peterborough, Accrington, Crewe#CTFC @CTFCofficial pic.twitter.com/mA4tJgzJkB
