United’s cup half full

United’s cup half full

While Arsenal and Manchester City will both be on the hunt for valuable league points this weekend against Leicester and Bournemouth respectively, TAB soccer players will be hunting for their share of a R32-million Soccer 13 pool.

By Mark Gleeson

Erik ten Hag got off to a rocky start when he took over at Old Trafford but now has many admirers for his efforts at reviving a moribund Manchester United.

On Sunday there is a chance for some silverware to back up that promise as Man Utd take on Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley.

The Red Devils are favourites to win against the Geordies, who are playing in a cup final for the first time since Man Utd beat them in the 1999 FA Cup final.

Newcastle have made giant strides since Eddie Howe took over as manager on the back of the Saudi money that has helped the club to improve the quality of the squad. This season they have a chance for a first cup trophy since the mid-1950s and could also qualify for next season’s UEFA Conference League, so their supporters are already in seventh heaven.

Premier League action continues this weekend with the title race gaining momentum. Leaders Arsenal have a two-point lead, and a game in hand, over second-placed Manchester City but are away at Leicester City tomorrow.

The Foxes are a tough outfit who have not had the best of seasons but are still dangerous, especially at home. There is added pressure on the Gunners, too, because Man City will kick off later tomorrow, already knowing the result at Leicester, and where they are fancied to take points at Bournemouth.

There are also top of the table clashes in Germany and France to savour this weekend and a chance for upsets.

Union Berlin, long on the fringes of the German game, have never previously beaten champions Bayern Munich but go to Bavaria on Sunday in a three-way tie at the top of the Bundesliga and with a quiet confidence.

The comparison is being made with them and the Leicester side that shocked the Premier League with title success in 2016.

The mastermind behind their rise is head coach Urs Fischer. Having assembled the team on a shoestring budget, Fischer and his key players such as Robin Knoche and Sheraldo Becker took Union to the top of the table after the first 10 games, with a four-point advantage over Bayern. Many expected them to drop off as the season went on, but they remain well in the hunt for the Bundesliga title.

In Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille are five points behind leaders Pars St-Germain but beat them in the French Cup earlier this month.