Predictions: Arsenal v City, Utd v Liverpool

Two very big matches on the cards on Sunday and rather than just preview them, it is a new year, we are going to predict the games. With both Man City and Man United involved both games impact directly on the top of the table.

Man United v Liverpool is the first kickoff and there are three possible results the most likely of which is a Man United victory. Even with Rooney missing, United have such a strong attack with Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagawa ready replacements to partner with Robin van Persie.

Nani is available again and Antonio Valencia is a sure starter on the right. This is Liverpool’s biggest test of the season and I think they might not have enough especially in defense to handle all of United’s forward talent.

The second and least likely option is a Liverpool win mainly because the reds have had to rely on Suarez for most of their goals and with Vidic and Evans, United may have enough to contain the threat he poses although if Rodgers does play with both new signings Daniel Sturridge and Suarez, United may have a problem as both are speedy, clever and with quick feet and this means Vidic or Evans may find themselves in a one on one situation in an area they would not want to be and that is how the cookie crumbles.

No Liverpool midfield player has been consistently outstanding in terms of going forward this season; Shelvey is young and impulsive and I doubt Rodgers will play him after his red card in the reverse fixture and Gerrard has not been vintage all season but if there is a match that can bring out his champagne self it is this.

The third and fairly possible result is a draw. This game comes with too much emotion and sub plots: Evra and Suarez, the appointment of Howard Webb as referee, the historic rivalry between both clubs, the red card last time round that there is a possibility the contest may suffer from all the nerves involved.

Onto the Arsenal v Man City tie and once again there are three theoretical ways this game could turn out. The first and most likely result is a draw caused by Arsenal’s desire to feel like they are still part of the big clubs and prove that the 7-3 Newcastle result was not a freak occurrence and the 1-1 draw against Southampton is not how they intend to play in 2013. Arsenal want to feel like they are still on a roll with the big boys and with games against Chelsea and Liverpool part of their January lineup, they don’t want to start it off with a loss.

The second and least likely result is an Arsenal victory. The only way this happens in my view is via a major defensive lapse on City’s part and if Wenger does play Walcott as a striker I do not see him troubling the City defense that much. Walcott is only useful if you can spring the offside trap and set him away but he lacks the aggressiveness and tenacity to trouble defenders plus he is of absolutely no help in the air.

The other thing that makes this unlikely is Santi Carzola’s dip in form, he has been Arsenal’s most creative player all season but he has had a quiet couple of weeks and unless he lights up, it is hard to contemplate an Arsenal victory.

The last and fairly likely scenario is a Man City win. Mancini may not have Aguero at his disposal but his strike force is still fearsome nonetheless armed with the services of Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Balotelli. If he starts with both Tevez and Dzeko, it will speak to how badly he wants the win. The bright spot for Arsenal is Yaya Toure is away with Ivory Coast in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations.