Will a Manchester club return to the top of the Premier League in 2021?
Between Manchester United’s 13 league titles and the four that Manchester City have picked up, the city has won more Premier League silverware than any other region. In fact, Manchester has come out on top in almost two-thirds of all seasons.
Manchester has dominated the Premier League ever since it was founded in 1992.
Between Manchester United’s 13 league titles and the four that Manchester City have picked up, the city has won more Premier League silverware than any other region. In fact, Manchester has come out on top in almost two-thirds of all seasons.
Sir Alex Ferguson once quipped that he was proud he’d “knocked Liverpool off their perch”, referring to the fact that the Red Devils, under his leadership ended the Kopite domination of English football.
But in 2020, Liverpool finally ended its 30-year drought, winning the Premier League for the first time.
While it’s too soon to say for certain which club will come out on top next season, many bookmakers have Liverpool and Manchester City as the favourites to win. Now, as you may already know, betting on football is incredibly popular, with some studies showing as many as three-quarters of all fans bet on the beautiful game at least sometimes. Many that do, often take advantage of free bet promotions to help get more value from their wagers. And with the start of the new season just days away, we’ll likely see more generous offers from bookmakers. Perhaps even some nice odds on both clubs to finish above Liverpool?
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While Liverpool and Manchester City are the favourites, Manchester United are close behind. And with 38 games ahead of them, United certainly can’t be written off at this stage.
Can Manchester Beat Liverpool?
The rivalry between the two cities is centuries old, stemming back to the time of the industrial revolution when the Manchester Ship Canal was opened, devaluing Liverpool’s importance as a port city.
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This rivalry is most often seen in football, and Liverpool’s victory in 2020 came as a disappointment to many United and City fans. That means that knocking Liverpool back off their perch once more is important to football fans right across the city.
Doing it is going to be difficult though. Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have been dominant over the last season. The club went a whole year without a league loss, and for a while looked like they may go the entire season without losing a game. Beating this form is going to be difficult.
Resurgent United?
This dominant performance came at a time when United were suffering their worst form for a long time. After his retirement, the club hasn’t managed to replicate its success under Ferguson.
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They’ve begun to turn it around in recent months though, winning a lot more of their games in recent weeks and months. After Bruno Fernandes joined the team in the new year, United haven’t lost a league game.
They may still have a little further to go though before they get back to their title-winning ways.
Another Title for City?
Of the two Manchester clubs, City have been the stars of late. The team had been hoping to win a third consecutive title in 2020, but they were outclassed by Liverpool’s dominance. With its ban from the Champions League and eventually-successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport hanging over it, City underperformed.
With that pressure now gone, Pep Guardiola is free to focus on winning again. The club’s owners would really like a Champions League trophy, as City are yet to win any European silverware.
If they’re forced to prioritise, they’ll likely put their resources into becoming Champions of Europe, but there’s no reason they couldn’t do both.
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Can Liverpool Pull it Off?
As for Liverpool, the club has managed to retain the majority of its squad, with Klopp looking to make a few additions during the transfer window. It seems likely, therefore, that the reds will be able to keep up their consistent dominance going into next season.
The club and its players are riding high off their victory in 2019 and this wave of positivity will give them an edge going into the new season. This is by no means a guarantee of another title though.
One of the Manchester clubs certainly can beat Liverpool next season, but it won’t be easy for either of them.
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Sport
An old clip of Tyson Fury talking about Oleksandr Usyk has come back to haunt him – twice
Danny Jones
This weekend saw Oleksandr Usyk emerge victorious over Tyson Fury for a second time in less than a year as the Ukrainian won the highly-anticipated rematch on points, and now an old clip of the Manc fighter dismissing his opponent has resurfaced online. Again.
Oh, the irony…
After losing following a split decision for what was his first career defeat back in May, Fury lost following a unanimous decision this time around and while some have questioned the scorecards (as tends to happen with these things), there can be no question over Usyk’s dominance now.
However, rewind to a few years ago before the 37-year-old had even won his first fight against Anthony Joshua and Fury’s naive not to mention controversial comments regarding the possibility of ‘giving’ him a fight look pretty silly now:
Tyson Fury a few years ago refusing to fight Usyk
“I want the big fights and that ain’t one of them. He’s a foreigner in a westernised world. The heavyweight champion should be from Britain or America and nowhere else.”
As you can see in the interview from 2020, the now 36-year-old Wythenshawe-born boxer was pretty dismissive about the prospect of fighting Usyk, who ultimately went on to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 following the first win over Fury.
Despite already having an Olympic gold, multiple cruiserweight titles and an undefeated record to his name, Usyk had only fought and won two heavyweight bouts at this point, which is perhaps why ‘The Gypsy King’ felt comfortable downplaying his potential back then.
However, although Usyk had a comfortable division debut against Chazz Witherspoon in 2019, he also went on to best Fury’s familiar foe Derek Chisora – a man he’s beaten on three different times but maintains he admires both in terms of personality and ability – so there were signs of what was to come.
Moreover, not only was Tyson clearly foolish enough to underestimate him back then but the divisive and inflammatory nature of his remarks in this clip has been labelled ‘offensive’ and ‘xenophobic’ by many online, both at the time and after reappearing on social media once again.
Regardless, it seems that Usyk was just as unphased by his posturing then as he is now, coming out in the post-fight press conference to shrug off his trash-talking to reiterate his “respect” for someone who ultimately believes is “a good man”.
Nevertheless, Fury has now lost two him twice and still maintains he didn’t get the right decision on both occasions, dubbing this latest defeat “an early Christmas gift” for his opponent.
In the previous clash, the Greater Manchester athlete even claimed that fans and judges unfairly favoured him because of the war in Ukraine – a response which also received plenty of backlash.
You can hear how he believes he was ‘robbed’ along with his full reaction following the fight down below:
Featured Images — iFL TV/Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Where to watch Tyson Fury vs Oleskandr Usyk 2 in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2: ‘Undisputed’ is nearly upon us with the two contenders fighting to become unified heavyweight champion, and as the biggest fight of the year (at least since the last one), you might rightly be wondering where in Manchester is best to watch it.
With a homegrown albeit controversial talent on one side in Fury and a no-nonsense, not to mention undefeated Ukrainian on the other, there’ll be Mancs cheering for both sides but regardless of who you want to win, we can assure you town is going to be absolutely rammed with fight fans.
That being said, much like getting in the ring itself, you’re best having a game plan if you haven’t already sorted out where you’re going to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch.
Now, you’re going to want to bank on big rooms with plenty of space for those coming last minute; don’t worry, we’ve got a few ideas and they’re decently spaced out in terms of area too.
Where to watch the Fury vs Usyk 2 fight in Manchester city centre
1. Tank and Paddle – Printworks
Spread across too large floors, it still has all the appeal of the old place and more. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
First up on the list is the newest addition to the Printworks entertainment complex: Tank and Paddle, which has taken over the old Yates site. Specialising in craft beers, cocktails, big pizzas and big screens for live sport, if you used to head here for the boxing before you have even more reason to now.
2. BOX – Deansgate
Next up is arguably the current king of Manchester’s live sports bar scene. Famous for great food, live music, shuffleboard, big steins of beer and even pornstar martinis (yes, whole pitchers of the stuff), as well as its giant jumbotron screen, it’s literally impossible for you to miss a single punch thrown here.
ln at number three is what we refer to as old faithful but, to repeat its true title, is The Brotherhood of Pastimes and Pursuits. We never ever say that name in full but we what do on a regular basis is head here after work, as well as pre and post-matchday to watch the rest of the action and play some games whilst we’re at it. It will be heaving for the fight but if you can book or get there early, you’ll have a ball.
Speaking of reliable after work and weekend haunts, they don’t get more tried and tested than Roxy Ball Room as we simply like to call her, our lovely lady Roxy. Shuffleboard, bowling, darts, pool, table tennis, basketball machines, beer pong, curling – oh yeah, and you can look up to watch the boxing if you want…
Fifth and finally, Mother Mary’s is the unsung hero of our list. It’s fast becoming one of our favourite places to watch sport anywhere in town. It’s popped over on New Wakefield St where Manc institution The Font used to be and it won’t stay the city centre’s best kept secret for long, so make sure you grab a table, one the cheapest pints of Guinness around and a seat in front of the big screens whilst you can.
Honourable mention…
Shooters/Bierkeller
Last but not least, we had to throw another suggestion (or two in there) because besides Tank and Paddle in Printworks, there also happens to be the legendary Bierkeller beer hall and the American sports and gaming bar attached it, Shooters, both of which will promise a great crowd for this title fight.
If all else has truly failed, O’Neill’s and Walkabout are just around the corner too – you’ve got to get in somewhere and you really don’t want to miss this clash.
If you were still wondering where to watch to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch in central Manchester this Saturday, that handful of suggestions should just about do you in a pinch, just keep in mind that the earlier the better when it comes to events like this.
The two boxers are expect to begin their ring walks at around 10:25pm UK time, so you should have plenty of time to find a good spot to watch the carnage.
The Manc -
8th September 2020 
