English Premier League to see 2 blockbuster derbies this weekend

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Football fans in UK cannot wait for this weekend as there will be two big derbies to be played in the English Premier League.

On Saturday, Manchester United will take on title contenders Manchester City at Old Trafford, and leaders Arsenal will visit Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday.

Home team Manchester United had four wins in a row in the Premier League and are looking for a revenge after a devastating 6-3 loss against Man City in October.

In their recent meeting at Etihad Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022, Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-3.

Man City regulars Phil Foden and Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick each against visitors Man Utd.

Meanwhile, Man City should win the Manchester derby on Saturday to pressure Arsenal in the title race.

Second-place Man City have 39 points in 17 matches to follow leaders Arsenal, who collect 44 points.

Manchester United have 35 points to be fourth in the league table. Man Utd have same points as third-place Newcastle United.

The Red Devils want to oust Newcastle United and narrow the gap against Man City.

Manchester City's Portuguese defender Ruben Dias, 25, is likely to miss the derby for a hamstring injury that he sustained during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Dias missed the Leeds United, Everton, and Chelsea matches held after the World Cup break.

Manchester City's Norwegian star Haaland is spending an excellent season to score 21 league goals, so he will be their main goal threat.

Haaland is also leading the 2022-23 Premier League's top scorers list.

English forward Marcus Rashford, one of the integral parts of Manchester United for many seasons, had seven goals to lead the Red Devils in goalscoring.

Antony, Manchester United's Brazilian winger, scored three goals in the league to be the his club's second-highest goal scorer with his French teammate Anthony Martial.

On Saturday, the Manchester derby will kick off at 1230GMT.

- Leaders Arsenal to visit Tottenham Hotspur

Meanwhile on Sunday, London archrivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Antonio Conte's men are quite far from the league's top as Tottenham Hotspur have 33 points to come fifth, however Spurs eye higher ranks in the standings.

In the latest meeting of the London clubs, Arsenal won against Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 on Oct. 1 at Emirates Stadium, the home of the Gunners.

Arsenal's Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus has been injured in his knee to have missed several matches in the Premier League.

Jesus suffered the injury while he was on the World Cup duty for Brazil this winter and underwent a surgery in December.

However Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli and Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard have been on duty in the Arsenal's offensive line as they scored seven goals each to lead the Gunners.

Arsenal are balanced in scoring as their English star Bukayo Saka scored six goals and his teammate Jesus, who is still injured, tallied five goals in the league.

Longtime Tottenham Hotspur and England forward Harry Kane scored 15 goals this season for his club.

In the meantime, Tottenham Hotspur may lack Rodrigo Bentancur from Uruguay and Brazilian forward Richarlison for injuries.

Bentancur had adductor problems, and Richarlison previously faced a hamstring injury.

Conte is expected to sideline both players for the Arsenal clash.

Sunday's North London derby will begin at 1630GMT.