Manchester United’s next six fixtures compared with Premier League title rivals

Manchester United took the first step along the road to redemption with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford sealed a routine win for United, who bounced back from the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool in an ideal manner, albeit against a very poor, lifeless Tottenham side.

Victory in the capital, following West Ham United’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side fifth in the table with 17 points to their name, three behind the fourth-placed Hammers.

Considering United were deemed to be on the rocks and their title aspirations were all but over after the defeat to Liverpool, they will enter Saturday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City just two places and three points behind them in the standings, meaning their fortunes could soon be transformed with another win.

Currently, Chelsea sit at the top of the table on 25 points, three ahead of nearest challengers Liverpool in second and five clear of City in third and West Ham in fourth. United are currently eight behind Thomas Tuchel’s charges.

With ten games having now been ticked off this season’s Premier League fixture schedule for United, here is a closer look at how their next six league fixtures compare with the three clubs you would expect to be up there challenging for the title come the end of the campaign.

United – 5th (17pts)

United’s form may have stuttered in recent weeks, but Saturday’s win at Tottenham, combined with Liverpool’s draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and City’s surprise defeat to Crystal Palace, has allowed them to bridge the gap a little.

However, United’s upcoming run of games could be the defining period in their season, with them due to lock horns with three of the current top six in their next four games.

United welcome cross-city rivals City to Old Trafford on Saturday, before facing Watford in their first game after the international break.

After travelling to Vicarage Road, United then travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Arsenal will visit Old Trafford four days later.

The Reds then earn a sense of an easier-looking set of fixtures, locking horns with Crystal Palace and Norwich City in the final two games of their next six.

United’s next six Premier League fixtures:

Manchester City (H)

Watford (A)

Chelsea (A)

Arsenal (H)

Crystal Palace (H)

Norwich City (A)

City – 3rd (20pts)

Saturday’s shock 2-0 home reverse to Crystal Palace was City’s first defeat in the league since the opening day of the season, and it has proven to be costly, certainly in terms of Chelsea being allowed to open up a bit of a gap.

Like United, City’s upcoming fixtures are certainly going to pose a challenge, starting with Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford.

Once the first Manchester derby of the season is out of the way, Pep Guardiola’s side will welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium. A week later, West Ham will travel north, looking to continue their excellent run of form.

After back-to-back home games, City face a trip to Villa Park to face Aston Villa, before visiting Watford three days later.

City will conclude their upcoming six-game set with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

City’snext six Premier League fixtures:

Manchester United (A)

Everton (H)

West Ham United (H)

Aston Villa (A)

Watford (A)

Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

Liverpool – 2nd (22pts)

Liverpool, unexpectedly, slipped up in their title charge at the weekend, blowing a two-goal lead at home to Brighton, resulting in them being forced to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw.

The Merseysiders do remain unbeaten in the Premier League this term, but four of their opening ten games have ended up level-pegging, meaning they have lost a tiny bit of ground as a result.

Liverpool’s next two outings promise to be tough, facing an in-form West Ham at the London Stadium this weekend, with Arsenal then to follow at Anfield after the international break.

After back-to-back games against London clubs, Liverpool then host Southampton, before travelling to Goodison Park to face local rivals Everton in their first game of December.

Meetings with Wolves and Aston Villa conclude Jurgen Klopp’s side’s next six games.

Liverpool’snext six Premier League fixtures:

West Ham United (A)

Arsenal (H)

Southampton (H)

Everton (A)

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

Aston Villa (H)

Chelsea – 1st (25pts)

Currently on a run of four straight league wins and sitting pretty at the top of the table, Chelsea are the team to beat.

The Blues extended their lead at the top on Saturday with an impressive 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Tuchel’s side’s next six fixtures have a varied look to them, with Saturday’s clash with Burnley at Stamford Bridge looking like one of the more favourable ones on the horizon.

After facing Burnley, Chelsea face Leicester City away from home, with their next outing after that being at home to United.

The west London club then faces back-to-back away games against Watford and West Ham, before rounding off their next set of six games at home to Leeds United.

Chelsea’snext six Premier League fixtures:

Burnley (H)

Leicester City (A)

Manchester United (H)

Watford (A)

West Ham United (A)

Leeds United (H)

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