December 2020 - Dunda Football

December 29, 2020

An heated and open Premier League Title Race, 10 in.

A Heated Up Title Race

The English Premier League (EPL) title race is heating up, with several clubs eyeing the coveted trophy. The 2020/21 season is proving to be the most competitive in recent times. Last season, Liverpool won the trophy with little competition from Manchester City. However, this season looks different. After game week 14, Liverpool is still on top of the table with 32 points. Everton is 2^nd with 29 points, while Leicester City sits 3^rd with 28 points. Man United complete the top 4 with 27 points. Only 7 points separate Liverpool and Southampton, who sit 9^th on the table. It is proving to be the toughest title race ever seen.

Bertrand Traore celebrating a past goal for Aston Villa. Aston Villa are contenders in the EPL title race. — Bertrand Traore celebrating a past goal for Aston Villa. Photo Credits : Premier League

Last Weekend’s Results

Over the weekend, most of the title contenders dropped points. Leicester City and Man United shared spoils with a 2-2 draw. Tottenham drew with Wolves as Chelsea lost to Arsenal. Liverpool’s results were the most shocking. Since they drew 1-1 vs. West Brom at Anfield, they have lost the chance of increasing the gap on top to 5 points.

Man City and Everton were the biggest gainers winning all three points in their respective matches. The weekend matches have left the English Premier League title race much open than before.

Outcome of Game week 15 EPL matches. The results have made the Premier League title race more open than before — Gameweek 15 EPL results. Photo Credits (Premier League)

Upcoming Matches

The title race continues in game week 15. Leicester City will be up against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. On the other hand, Aston Villa will visit Chelsea in yet another anticipated match. The biggest game will pit Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park, with both clubs being in good form. Manchester United is up against Wolves at Old Trafford, with Ole looking to win his first EPL match against Nuno Espirito. Furthermore, Tottenham will face Fulham while Newcastle United host Liverpool.

Olivier Giroud celebrating his headed goal vs Aston Villa. The results leave Chelsea and Aston Villa tied at 26 points. — Olivier Giroud celebrating his headed goal vs Aston Villa. Photo Credits : Premier League

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Verdict

The English Premier League (EPL) title race is still very open to most of the clubs in the top 10. The Premier League’s current race is proving to be an exciting fight, with most top clubs posting decent performances. The battle for the Premier League might go into the last matchday of the season.

Main Stories/Premier League

December 27, 2020

A new man at the wheel for Manchester United 20/21 Premier League title race?

by Lawrence Juma

Alex Ferguson as Manchester United coach, lifting the Premier League title. Photo Credits : Alex Ferguson(@alex.ferguson.official) Instagram

Post – Fergie Drought

According to the Premier League Statistics, Manchester United have not won the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013. It has been a season of two halves last time around for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The signing of Bruno Fernandes was an extraordinary move for Manchester United. More so with regards to their title contention. The main idea behind signing Bruno Fernandes was to revitalize the Red Devils club. Eventually, United recovered from the poor start, especially this season and recorded four wins across November and December.

The 2021-21 season is United’s 29^th season in the Premier League. Moreover, Ole Gunnar’s team has successfully achieved the 46^th consecutive season in the English Premier League’s top flight. Bear in mind that the red devils are currently participating in the UEFA Europa League, Premier League, and the EFL Cup. In addition to that, they will participate in the FA Cup. Currently, the team stands at number three in the Premier League, four points behind the leaders Liverpool. On top of that, Manchester United has gathered 26 points in 13 Premier League matches this season. The Red devils and their noisy neighbors, Manchester City, have a game at hand.

The Bruno Effect

Bruno Fernandes has currently been voted as United fans’ superstar player for the year 2020. Most betting platforms have carried out polling activities, which has showcased that Bruno Fernandes is the calendar year’s best player at Manchester United. When Men Sport ran a poll asking its United fans, Readers, to vote for their outstanding player, many votes cast made him the overwhelming choice.

Bruno Fernandes celebrating a past goal for Manchester United in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes was born in Portugal. The Portuguese midfielder was signed for forty-seven million Sterling Pounds (£47m) plus bonuses totaling to twenty-one million Sterling Pounds(£21m). Before joining the Manchester club, the Portuguese magnifico had a remarkable season at Sporting Lisbon. He has being a significant impact on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. Besides that, he propelled Man U to a third position in the Premier League. The main objective is to secure a top four spot. This assures them of a Champions League spot next season.

Most people know him for hop, skip, shoot. Well, you cannot help but notice the three Premier League Player of the Month Awards he has bagged this year. A great fete indeed. Another great Portuguese signing in a Manchester United jersey.

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Whether United wins the league or not, it’s just but a matter of time. But the numbers are currently favorable this far. Numbers do not lie, class is permanent and bottling happens.

Manchester United Coming Fixtures

December 2020.

Saturday 26^th December – EPL
Tuesday 29^th December – EPL
Friday 1^st January – EPL
Saturday 9^th January – The FA Cup – Sunday
Wednesday 17^th January – EPL
Wednesday 20^th January – EPL

Manchester United vs Leicester, Premier League Prediction

by marina

Scott Mc'Tominay celebrating his goal for Manchester United vs Leeds United in the Premier League. Photo credits: Manchester United Instagram

A Club on Form

Manchester United are flying high in the premier league right now. The lethal red devils are winning games convincingly week in week out. Despite starting the premier league season on a low note, United have gained momentum in recent weeks. They have won six of their last 7 games in the EPL. The most recent win came against Leeds United. 6 goals were scored by Man United while conceding 2 in the process. The win has pushed them up to position 3 in the table standings and a point above their next opponents Leicester City. A win against Leicester City is therefore an important test to Manchester United’s premier league title chase.

Cavani celebrating his goal vs Everton in carabao cup. Photo Credits : Manchester United

Leicester City’s Form

The Foxes have a somehow poor home form. In 7 home games this season, they have gannered 9 points only out of a possible 21. This means that they have lost 12 points at home this season. This gives Manchester United an upper hand in the much-anticipated clash. This is because Manchester United have a perfect away record this season winning 6 out of 6 games this season. They are therefore poised to be a major threat to Brendan Rodgers’s side.

Jamie Vardy and Tielemans celebrating goal in one of their past matches. Source Credits : Jamie Vardy

Head to Head Record

Surprising enough, Leicester City have not beaten Manchester United in the premier league since 2014. Their last victory was a 5-3 thumping of Ole Gunnar’s boys in September of that year. Their only other premier league win is a 1-0 win at Old Trafford that happened in 1998.The last 5 meetings at the king power have seen Man U win 4 matches while drawing once. Leicester City will therefore have to be on top form to dispatch off Manchester United.

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Injuries, Suspensions and Key Players

The Red devils are still missing the services of long-term absentees Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones. Scott McTominay and Aaron Wan Bissaka are also major doubts for the clash. Leicester City are also missing the services of defenders Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira. No player is suspended for the match. Leicester City’s main man is Jamie Vardy who has scored 11 goals and assisted 4 more. On the other hand, Bruno Fernandes is United’s key man for the game. With 9 goals and 5 assists to his name, he is expected to cause more problems to Leicester City.

Verdict

Both clubs are having a great season. However, Manchester United have a better consistency. Most factors favour Manchester United including the head to head record. They could squeeze a win here.

England/Main Stories

December 18, 2020

Manchester United Fans Show Disgust At Romero Treatment

by marina

Sergio Romero in action for Manchester United

Manchester United fans have shown their displeasure at the treatment of one time second choice goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The fans are displeased with the way their club has handled the Romero situation. This was vivid in the fans social media posts.

Why Romero Lost It

Last season, Romero played the role of the second goalkeeper and was entrusted with the cup games. However, during the latter stages of the competition, Ole decided to use first choice goalkeeper David De Gea. This meant that Sergio Romero was to enjoy the matches from the bench. Manchester United got eliminated from the competition at the semi finals stage. This was disappointing to the fans since they preferred Romero to De Gea. Romero reportedly showed his displeasure at being denied the chance to perform his role in the team.

Sergio Romero lifting the Europa trophy after winning it back in 16/17 season. Photo Credits: Manchester United

The Transfer Request

The Argentine submitted a transfer request with some decent premier league sides in need of his services. However, Manchester United did not accept any offer and decided to keep him. At the time, Ole had already frozen him out of the team and made Dean Henderson the second choice goalkeeper. Moreover, Romero was axed from the season squad. His wife was frustrated by this mistreatment. She took to social media expressing how Romero had been treated with disrespect and wanted to leave Manchester United. The season started with the Argentine still frozen out of the squad. Since he has not been registered for the season matches, he has had to settle for mild trainings to keep his form as he anticipates a January move.

Sergio Romero heading to training. Photo Credits: Manchester United.

The Fan’s Verdict

The fans have given their opinion about the issue, with most advocating for a move for the goalkeeper. Most fans feel the goalkeeper should be allowed to leave for a club of his choice having given a hundred percent effort whenever he played for Manchester United. United fans consider him one of their best goalkeepers of modern times due to his impressive statistics in the cup games.

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At one time, he was nicknamed ‘Mr Cleansheets’ and even earned the title of ‘the best back up goalkeeper in the world’. This was due to his regular performances that saw him keep clean sheets day in day out. The goalkeeper is famously remembered for the incredible role he played in the 2016/17 Europa league season. United won the trophy with Romero between the posts. Both the goalkeeper and the fans will be expecting the goalkeeper to part ways with the club in January. This is in a bid to save the already soiled relationship between the two.