21-22 Premier League Preview Week 28
The Premier League fixtures rumble on with teams in midweek action. Others turned their attentions to the FA Cup and the EFL Cup as the matches pile up as we enter the final third of the season.
There were some big results at both ends of the table last time out. City just kept Liverpool at an arm’s length with a late 1-0 win against Everton. In the race for the top four, Man United dropped points once more. Tottenham and West Ham both took advantage, closing the gap on the Red Devils. In the relegation dogfight, Newcastle won again to provide some breathing space. But, Norwich, Watford, and Burnley remain in the bottom three after failing to win.
Everton are also perilously close to dropping into the relegation places. This weekend, Liverpool will hope to keep chase with City as the Reds take on West Ham, while City take on rivals Man United. At the bottom, Watford, Norwich, and Burnley face tough home games against Arsenal, Brentford, and Chelsea respectively.
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Leicester vs Leeds
Leicester ended their five-match winless run in the Premier League last time out with a 2-0 win at Burnley. The Foxes had previously lost three of their last five and taken just two points from 15. Brendan Rodgers’ side has shown a return to form in recent weeks. Three wins from four in all competitions eased pressure on the Midlands side. Home form also remains a strength as Leicester are unbeaten in eight of their last nine at the King Power.
Leeds lost 4-0 against Tottenham at home on Saturday for their fourth straight Premier League defeat. The Whites have taken one point from their last six matches and conceded 20 goals in their last five. Defat against Spurs led to the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa as manager. The Argentinian was replaced with former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch in mid-week.
Ricardo Pereira, Wesley Fofana and Ryan Bertrand are doubtful for Leicester. James Justin, Jonny Evans and Timothy Castagne remain sidelined through injury. For Leeds, Patrick Bamford (ankle), Kalvin Phillips (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (knee) and Liam Cooper (thigh) are out.
Leicester’s form is improving and Marsch will need more time to bed in his tactics at Leeds. As a result, the Foxes could come away with another win.
Norwich vs Brentford
Norwich were knocked out of the FA Cup on Wednesday after a 2-1 away loss at Liverpool. It was a fourth consecutive loss for the Canaries in all competitions. In the Premier League, Norwich has lost their last three against Man City (4-0), Liverpool (3-1) and Southampton (2-0). One point from 12 leaves Dean Smith’s side rock bottom of the table and five points from safety.
Brentford’s winless run extended to nine matches following a 2-0 home loss against Newcastle last time out. The Bees have lost eight of their last nine in all competitions. Their only recent point came from a 0-0 draw at home against Crystal Palace. The West London side are also struggling away, losing their last five on the spin, conceding 15 and scoring just three.
Norwich trio Max Aarons, Brandon Williams and Ozan Kabak may return. Andrew Omobamidele (back) and Adam Idah (knee) are ruled out. Brentford’s Josh Dasilva is suspended and Tarique Fosu (thigh) and Julian Jeanvier (knee) are out.
Norwich and Brentford will see this game as an opportunity to get much-needed points on the board. A cagey draw could unfold at Carrow Road.
Liverpool vs West Ham
Liverpool has shown no sign of slowing down in recent weeks as they remain in contention for a potential quadruple. The Reds beat Norwich 2-1 in the FA Cup last time out for their 11th straight win in all competitions. Before the Norwich victory, Liverpool beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final for their first silverware of the season. At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in 21 matches and they have won 14 of their last 15.
West Ham’s five-match unbeaten run came to a halt after a 3-1 away loss against Southampton in the FA Cup. However, the Hammers remain unbeaten in four in the Premier League after wins against Wolves and Watford and draws against Leicester and Newcastle. David Moyes’ side has struggled for consistency away in recent weeks. The East Londoners are winless in six of their last eight on the road.
Liverpool pair Roberto Firmino (thigh) and Thiago Alcantara (groin) are doubtful. Vladimir Coufal (groin), Ryan Fredericks (groin), Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Arthur Masuaku (knee) are ruled out for West Ham.
Liverpool are in top form and they look unbeatable currently. West Ham aren’t convincing away and a Reds home win is likely.
Man City vs Man United
Man City bounced back from their 3-2 loss against Spurs with back to back wins. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park before defeating Peterborough 2-0 in the FA Cup. The Citizens have now won five of their last six in all competitions without conceding. Despite losing in their last home match, City are still in good shape at the Etihad, winning ten of their last 11.
Man United dropped points in their push for the top four with a goalless draw against Watford last weekend. It was the fourth draw in six for the Red Devils in all competitions and United have tied four of their last seven in the Premier League. Ralf Rangnick has made United hard to beat and they have lost just once in their last 13 league matches.
Ruben Dias and Zack Steffen could return for Man City after recent injuries. United’s Scott McTominay is in contention, but Edinson Cavani (groin) is out.
United are a different side to the one that were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture. With the Red Devils hard to beat, a close-fought draw could take place.
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