21-22 Premier League Preview Week 23
Another full set of Premier League fixtures take place this weekend as the season enters its final third. Man City remain the pace-setters as they created an 11-point gap at the top of the table following a 1-0 win against Chelsea last weekend. The Blues dropped more points in mid-week with a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Liverpool remain in second following a commanding 3-0 win over Brentford. There was also movement in the relegation battle with Norwich winning and Newcastle and Watford sharing the points at St James’ Park. This weekend, another key basement clash takes place as Watford host Norwich on Friday evening. There’s also a massive clash in the race for fourth place as Man United welcome West Ham to Old Trafford. Chelsea will also try to get back to winning ways as they host London rivals (and former manager, Antonio Conte) at Stamford Bridge.
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Watford vs Norwich
Watford came back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with Newcastle last time out. Joao Pedro’s 88th-minute strike was vital to keep Watford just one point outside the relegation places. The Hornets mid-week match against Burnley was then cancelled, giving Claudio Ranieri’s side more days to prepare for the Norwich visit this weekend. However, Watford are in poor form at Vicarage Road, losing their last four in a row at home.
Norwich also ended their losing streak with a 2-1 home win against Everton. A Toffees own goal and Adam Idah’s strike in the opening 20 minutes gave the Canaries some much-needed positivity after they lost their previous six in the Premier League. Dean Smith’s side are also winless in their last four away. A 1-1 tie at Newcastle came before three straight losses on the road without scoring.
Watford’s Nicolas Nkoulou (thigh), Danny Rose (knock), Peter Etebo (thigh), Kwadwo Baah (ankle) and Ismaïla Sarr (knee) are injured. Imrân Louza and defenders Adam Masina and William Troost-Ekong are at the AFCON and unavailable. Tim Krul, Brandon Williams and Max Aarons are doubtful for Norwich. Christoph Zimmermann (ankle), Andrew Omobamidele (back), Lukas Rupp (thigh), Mathias Normann (groin), Bill Gilmour (ankle), and Kenny McLean (knock) are ruled out.
Watford’s home advantage may be crucial in this relegation clash. The Hornets have also won their last five matches against Norwich and the Hornets could edge their relegation rivals once more.
Man United vs West Ham
Man United bounced back from a disappointing 2-2 draw at Aston Villa with a 3-1 away win against Brentford. The Red Devils raced to a 3-0 lead in the second half before conceding a late consolation goal. The win was United’s first in three matches following the tie with Villa and a 1-0 home loss against Wolves. Ralf Rangnick’s side won their previous three home matches before the Wolves defeat. They defeated Arsenal (3-2), Crystal Palace (1-0), and Burnley (3-1).
West Ham’s four-match winning streak in all competitions ended last weekend. The Hammers fell to a 3-2 home loss against Leeds, despite coming back twice to almost salvage a point. But the Hammers may be looking forward to another away trip after beating Crystal Palace (3-2) and Watford (4-1) in their last two away matches. The back-to-back victories ended a four-match winless run away in the league.
Edinson Cavani (knock), Luke Shaw (thigh), Eric Bailly (AFCON), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness), and Paul Pogba (groin) are out for United. Jadon Sancho should return to the squad. West Ham’s Mark Noble (knee), Kurt Zouma (thigh), Said Benrahma (knock), and Angelo Ogbonna (knee) are ruled out. Tomas Soucek may be back in contention.
Man United have produced some below-par performances recently and they remain unconvincing. West Ham are in decent away form, and their additional rest in mid-week could help them to earn an away point.
Southampton vs Man City
Southampton looked to have turned a corner recently with a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions. But the Saints showed a return to their inconsistency after a poor 3-1 away loss at Wolves last time out. Southampton has dropped a lot of points away this season, but they remain in decent home form. The South Coast side has lost just one of their ten home league games this season. They are also unbeaten in seven at St Mary’s, drawing four and winning three.
Man City have shown no signs of slowing down in their bid for a fourth Premier League title in five seasons. The Citizens extended their winning run to 12 consecutive matches with a comfortable 1-0 win against Chelsea on Saturday. During this run, seven of City’s 12 wins have come away, including victories at Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea, and Leicester. Since losing 1-0 at Tottenham on the opening day of the season, City has dropped just two points from a possible 30 away.
Valentino Livramento (knee), Mohamed Elyounoussi (coronavirus), Theo Walcott (coronavirus), Moussa Djenepo (AFCON), and William Smallbone (calf) are ruled out for Southampton. Alex McCarthy could return to the squad. City midfielder Riyad Mahrez is at the AFCON and unavailable. Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko are doubtful with knocks.
Despite Southampton’s strength at home this season, City’s strength cannot be ignored. Pep Guardiola’s side will be favourites to take all three points again on the South coast.
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Chelsea’s chances of mounting a title challenge in the second half of the season were dealt a double blow this week. First, the Blues lost a crucial title match at the Etihad as they fell to a 1-0 loss against City. Then, Thomas Tuchel’s side gave up a 1-0 lead at Brighton to draw 1-1 on Tuesday. The results now leave Chelsea 12-points off City. Draws have been too frequent for the West Londoners, who have shared points in five of their last seven Premier League matches.
Tottenham produced late heroics to salvage three points after trailing Leicester 2-1 heading deep into injury time on Wednesday. Steve Bergwijn netted in the 94th and 97th minute to secure the comeback win. The result extended Spurs’ unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches under Antonio Conte. The North London side are also in decent away form, having won their last two in the Premier League against Watford and Leicester.
Chelsea will be without Ben Chilwell (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (coronavirus), Edouard Mendy (AFCON), and Trevoh Chalobah (thigh). Son Heung-Min (knock), Eric Dier (knock), and Cristian Romero (thigh) are ruled out for Spurs.
Tottenham have drawn regularly away under Conte, while Chelsea has also seen plenty of stalemates recently. Another tie for the Blues and Spurs is likely.
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