21-22 Premier League Preview Week 26
Another full round of fixtures will take place this weekend as we enter the final third of the Premier League season. Chelsea returns to action off the back of their Club World Cup victory in the United Arab Emirates. Whilst they were away, 16 won once more to keep Liverpool nine points behind and Chelsea now remain 16 points off the Citizens.
At the bottom, Newcastle are on the up and have given themselves hope of Premier League survival. But, Norwich, Watford, and Burnley all lost last time out, leaving them further adrift in the bottom three. This weekend, Newcastle will hope to make it four wins from four as they visit West Ham. Norwich face a tough test against second-placed Liverpool, while Tottenham will be hoping to do a rare league double over Man City as Spurs head to the Etihad. There are also two rivalry matches as Leeds welcome old foes Man United to Yorkshire. In the Midlands, Wolves and Leicester face off.
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West Ham vs Newcastle
West Ham extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to three matches with a comeback 2-2 draw at Leicester last weekend. The Hammers trailed 2-1 at the King Power heading into the closing stages before Michael Dawson grabbed an equaliser in the 91st minutes. Despite gaining a point from a losing position, West Ham are in inconstant form in the Premier League. David Moyes’ side has won once in their last four. Home form has also been an issue, with two wins in five coming against strugglers Watford (1-0) and Norwich (2-0).
Newcastle’s revival under Eddie Howe continued last time out as the Magpies beat Aston Villa 1-0 at St James’ Park. The result followed an impressive 3-1 victory over Everton and a 1-0 win at Leeds. The win over Leeds was Newcastle’s first on the road this season and it ended a three-match losing streak away in the Premier League. Previously, the North East side lost at Liverpool (4-1), Leicester (3-0), and Arsenal (2-0).
Kurt Zouma and Jarrod Bowen could return for West Ham but Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna are out. Newcastle will be without Jamal Lewis (groin), Callum Wilson (calf), Matt Ritchie (knee), Kieran Trippier (foot), Jamaal Lascelles (illness), Isaac Hayden (knee), Federico Fernandez (thigh), and Javier Manquillo (ankle).
West Ham aren’t in the best form and Newcastle are on the up so a draw in East London could unfold.
Man City vs Tottenham
Man City are on a four-match winning run after they trashed Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Champions League. The Premier League leaders also recorded big recent results with wins over Norwich (4-0) and Fulham (4-1). The Citizens have also won 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Home form has also been a real strength for Pep Guardiola’s side as they have won their last ten in a row at the Etihad.
Tottenham are going through their worst spell since Antonio Conte took charge in November. Spurs have lost their last three Premier League matches against Chelsea (2-0), Southampton (3-2) and Wolves (2-0). Poor form has seen Conte’s side fall seven points off the top four. However, the North Londoners have won two of their last three on the road in the Premier League.
Gabriel Jesus may return for City this weekend, but Jack Grealish remains doubtful. For Spurs, Eric Dier and Oliver Skipp could be in contention. Japhet Tanganga is out with a knee injury.
Man City continue to look unbeatable each week in the Premier League. Spurs travel to Manchester in poor form and another home win is likely.
Leeds vs Man United
Leeds have not been able to build on their 3-2 away win at West Ham before the winter break. They are winless in their last three after two losses against Newcastle (1-0) and Everton (3-0) and an away draw at Aston Villa (3-3). Inconsistent form leaves the Whites winless in seven of their last nine Premier League matches. Marcelo Bielsa’s side has also lost two of their last three at home, with a 3-1 against Burnley their only home win in four.
Man United eventually broke their run of three straight 1-1 draws with a 2-0 home win against Brighton in midweek. The Red Devils were on top against ten-man Brighton and Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes scored to seal the points. Although they have rarely won in recent weeks, United have picked up points in recent weeks. They are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches but have drawn three of these fixtures.
Leeds’ Junior Firpo may return from injury. But the Whites will be without Sam Greenwood (knee), Patrick Bamford (ankle), Stuart Dallas (knock), Kalvin Phillips (groin), and Liam Cooper (groin). United defensive pair Eric Bailly and Raphael Varane may return. Edinson Cavani (groin) and Nemanja Matic (calf) remain doubtful.
Leeds cannot seem to put a good run of form together this season and United will be buoyed by their win over Brighton. A narrow away win could take place at Elland Road.
Wolves vs Leicester
Wolves bounced back from consecutive defeats to beat Tottenham 2-0 in North London last weekend. The result capped a fourth win in five for Bruno Lage’s side in the Premier League to keep them six points off the top four. But the Midlands side has been less consistent at home recently. Wolves have won just once in their last five Premier League games at Molineux.
Leicester’s winless run extended to five matches after they gave away a 2-1 lead to draw at home against West Ham. The Foxes are also on a six-match losing streak on the road. During this run, Brendan Rodgers’ side has suffered heavy losses to rivals Nottingham Forest (4-1) and Man City (6-3). Leicester have also failed to keep a clean sheet in 15 of their 16 away matches in all competitions this season.
Joao Moutinho could return to the Wolves squad, but they will be without Pedro Neto (knee), Willy Boly (calf), and Yerson Mosquera (thigh). Leicester defenders Jonny Evans (thigh), Wesley Fofana (ankle), James Justin (thigh), Timothy Castagne (thigh), and Ryan Bertrand (knee) are out along with striker Jamie Vardy (thigh).
Wolves are in good form, despite a couple of narrow recent defeats. Leicester can’t seem to break their losing run on the road and Wolves should record another victory.
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