21-22 Premier League Preview Week 25
After the winter break and FA Cup ties, the Premier League was back in full swing this week. A near full round of mid-week fixtures produced some cracking encounters. Tottenham vs Southampton and Aston Villa vs Leeds saw high-scoring thrillers.
Man City also won again to keep their momentum at the top of the Premier League. Newcastle also beat strugglers Everton at home to keep their survival hopes alive. More action is coming this weekend, with some big clashes across the top-flight. Man United will hope to get out of their rut as they host in-form Southampton. Everton face Leeds at home in a must-win tie. While relegation candidates Norwich and Newcastle face tough home matches against Man City and Aston Villa.
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Man United vs Southampton
Man United were unable to recover from their shock FA Cup exit against Middlesbrough in mid-week. They gave up a 1-0 lead and drew 1-1 at relegation-threatened Burnley. Paul Pogba gave United an early lead but they missed a host of chances with 22 shots. The Red Devils are now winless in three of their last five in all competitions. But, their Premier League form at Old Trafford is strong as United have won four of their last five.
Southampton extended their unbeaten run to three in all competitions after a 3-2 come back win against Spurs on Wednesday. The Saints trailed 2-1 heading into the closing stages but a quickfire double from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Che Adams sealed the win. Southampton has been hard to beat in recent weeks. They have lost once in their last nine in all competitions and won four of their last six.
Fred and Alex Telles are ruled out for United with coronavirus. Eric Bailly will also face a late fitness test. Southampton will be without Lyanco (thigh), Alex McCarthy (thigh) and Nathan Tella (groin) but Nathan Redmond could return.
United are incredibly inconsistent and Southampton are on the up. As a result, the Saints could snatch a point at Old Trafford.
Everton vs Leeds
New Everton boss Frank Lampard helped his side to produce an emphatic display in the FA Cup as the Toffees eliminated Brentford with a 4-1 win. But, a 3-1 away loss at Newcastle followed in the Premier League and Everton struggled to create chances. It was the third defeat in four for the Toffees, who have also lost their last four in a row in the Premier League. Everton has also lost five of their last seven at home, taking just four points from 21 available.
Leeds bounced back from a disappointing 1-0 home loss against Newcastle before the winter break with a 3-3 draw at Aston Villa. Marcelo Bielsa’s side trailed 3-1 before Dan James and Diego Llorente helped the Whites to draw level. Despite the comeback point, Leeds remain in patchy form. They are winless in seven of their last nine in all competitions, losing five of these fixtures. Although, the Yorkshire side are unbeaten in two on the road following a 3-2 win at West Ham before the Aston Villa game.
Everton could see Vitalii Mykolenko and Demarai Gray return. But, they will be without Yerry Mina (hamstring), Tom Davies (thigh), Abdoulaye Doucoure (groin), Fabian Delph (thigh) and Ben Godfrey (thigh). Leeds’ Charlie Cresswell and Junior Firpo could return to the squad. Patrick Bamford (ankle), Kalvin Phillips (thigh), Sam Greenwood (knee) and Liam Cooper (thigh) are out.
Everton and Leeds are not in the most convincing form. The two sides need points and they could cancel each other out at Goodison Park.
Norwich vs Man City
Norwich’s revival continued with a hard-fought 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Teemu Pukki scored the quickest goal of the Premier League season after 38 seconds before Palace equalised in the second half. The Canaries are now unbeaten in four in their last competition. They also won their last three before the Palace stalemate, beating Everton (2-1), Watford (3-0) and Wolves (1-0).
Man City recorded back to back wins this week to recover from their 1-1 draw against Southampton before the winter break. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Fulham 4-1 in the FA Cup before a 2-0 home win against Brentford in the Premier League. Following the results, City has won ten of their last 11 in all competitions. The Premier League champions are also unbeaten in 11 away league games, winning nine.
Ozan Kabak, Josh Sargent, Andrew Omobamidele and Lukas Rupp are set to return for Norwich. Tim Krul (shoulder) and Jakob Sorensen (knee) remain sidelined. City’s Gabriel Jesus is in contention after a recent knock.
Norwich are much more solid under Dean Smith. But, there is no ignoring City on current form and the Citizens are backed to win again at Carrow Road.
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
Newcastle recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season. A narrow 1-0 win at Leeds came before a 3-1 home win against Everton on Tuesday. The consecutive victories also extended the Magpies’ unbeaten run to four in the Premier League as they moved out of the relegation zone by one point. Eddie Howe’s side has also lost just one of their last seven at St James’ Park. Although, four of these fixtures have ended in a draw.
Aston Villa’s 3-3 home draw against Leeds extended their unbeaten run to three in the Premier League. The Villans previously beat Everton away (1-0) which followed a 2-2 home draw against Man United. However, away form remains an issue for Steven Gerrard’s side this season. The Midlands team have lost six of their last nine on the road in all competitions and they have failed to draw once in 14 away games.
Newcastle are without Jamal Lewis (groin), Callum Wilson (calf), Paul Dummett (calf), Matt Ritchie (knee), Isaac Hayden (knee) and Federico Fernandez (thigh). Enzi Konsa is suspended for Villa and Marvelous Nakamba is out with a knee injury. Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Emiliano Buendia could be in contention.
Newcastle are on the up and Aston Villa are struggling for wins. Home advantage could play into Newcastle’s hands for this encounter.
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