Expert Premier League and Serie A predictions from Mark Langdon: Ralf revolution

It's normal for football clubs to go for the complete opposite of their last manager and Manchester United have done just that with each of their previous couple of appointments.

Jose Mourinho's aggressive and constant demands were replaced by the far more relaxed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, Solskjaer's united front with the supporters and close links to a successful past couldn't ultimately mask the fact he was completely unqualified for the job.

Solskjaer's lack of training ground prowess eventually highlighted a need for change and United swapped a Norwegian novice for the German godfather of philosophy in Ralf Rangnick, who is reportedly set to be tasked with getting things heading back on track once his application for a work permit is approved.

The two men could hardly be any different and as Martin Samuel wrote in the Daily Mail: "If Ole's at the wheel, Rangnick's style is to be at the wheel, in the passenger seat and shouting instructions from the back too."

Some have mocked a lack of elite clubs on Rangnick's CV - Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim and Leipzig are his limit - and his trophy haul certainly doesn't compare to that of many other top managers.

A German Cup with Schalke and the second division title with Hannover. Great! Get Ole to do a U-turn.

However, in much the same way that Marcelo Bielsa leaves a mark on his teams and those who work with him, Rangnick has similar powers and the burst of brilliant coaches out of the Bundesliga will have taken much from his work behind the scenes.

Rangnick is a great identifier of talent, both in the playing department but also in the coaching ranks, and if given the time could lead a much-needed revolution at Old Trafford.

A once-mighty stadium is falling apart and it's a metaphor for a club lacking direction ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

That must be changed and a visionary such as Rangnick can play a leading role if he is given time, probably more as a sporting director type rather than as the actual manager, the role he will perform in the interim before reportedly being used as a consultant.

And it's the word consultant that is the biggest concern. He is either the best person to take on a proper influential role, or he isn't, and Rangnick will only be able to put his philosophy all over the club if given the keys to the kingdom.

What remains to be seen before then is how Rangnick, a founding member of gegenpress, fits Cristiano Ronaldo into his team given United's superstar is seemingly unable to do that part of the game.

But Rangnick will at least have a plan. He always has a plan and United haven't had one of those for quite some time.

There is a derby of sorts in Italy as Empoli welcome Fiorentina in an all-Tuscan tussle, although it is always seen as a much bigger game for the hosts rather than for their far more glamorous visitors.

We should see goals at both ends. Empoli's total xG (for and against) is 39.5 this season which is the third highest in Serie A behind Atalanta and Roma and they have failed to score only twice.

Empoli have kept only two clean sheets and that spells danger against Fiorentina's flavour of the month Dusan Vlahovic, who is the joint-top scorer in Serie A.

Best bet

Both teams to score in Empoli v Fiorentina 2pm Saturday
1pt 8-13 Hills

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