December 05, (THEWILL) –Â The standout draw from Sunday’s games in the English Premier League will be the Old Trafford meeting between Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
Most followers of the league will be looking out for the difference that will reflect in United’s play with the coming of German tactician Ralf Rangnick.
While that will be the most interesting pick of Sunday’s fixtures, there are other ties of interest such as Antonio Conte’s progress in the managerial dugout at Tottenham Hotspur against relegation-threatened Norwich and the meeting of two Liverpool icons in Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers in the 5:30 pm kickoff.
THEWILL presents a preview of the EPL games billed for Sunday.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – 3 pm
On Sunday afternoon, Ralf Rangnick will take charge of Manchester United for the first time when the Red Devils host Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Old Trafford. The hosts are coming off a 3-2 home win over Arsenal on Thursday, while Palace are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Leeds United on Tuesday.
Rangnick, who is open to staying as head coach beyond the end of the season, is preparing the Red Devils for a new era, and the German will be seeking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since mid-September. Given the talent in the squad, the new head coach will be expected to secure a top-four finish this season, at least.
Patrick Vieira’s Eagles defeated Manchester City 2-0 away from home in late October, and they won 3-1 at Old Trafford last season in the Premier League. Despite sliding to 11th in the table owing to their recent troubles, Palace have not lost at Old Trafford since September 2017, winning two and drawing one of their last three road meetings against the 20-time English champions.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City – 3 pm
Tottenham Hotspur welcome Norwich City to North London on Sunday afternoon, looking for their third Premier League home win in a row. In midweek, the lilywhites defeated Brentford 2-0, but Dean Smith’s team could not beat 10-man Newcastle United in a 1-1 draw.
Conte has brought Spurs back into European contention, with the club currently sitting sixth in the table, only one point behind fierce rivals Arsenal with a game in hand, and having won three consecutive home games in all competitions.
Norwich may be unbeaten in four Premier League games, including all three during Smith’s tenure, and are currently 19th in the table, however they are three points adrift of safety. Even if they prevailed away from home in this fixture back in 2012, that cannot afford them comfort today.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City – 5:30 pm
When Aston Villa hosts Leicester City at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, they will be seeking to get back on track in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard’s side is coming off a 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City on Wednesday, while Leicester drew 2-2 with Southampton on the same night.
Gerrard will be keen for a positive outcome ahead of next weekend’s crucial meeting against his former club Liverpool, since Villa have lost two of their past three Premier League games against Leicester.
On the other hand, Brendan Rodgers’ team was anticipated to fight for a top-four berth once again this season, but they have struggled for consistency in the league, winning five, drawing four, and losing five of their 14 games, leaving them in 10th place with 19 points.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
