21-22 Premier League Preview Week 31
After two weeks of FA Cup ties and internationals, the Premier League is back this weekend with a full fixture list. Results before the break have left the title race wide open as leaders Man City dropped points at Crystal Palace, while Liverpool beat Arsenal and closed the gap to one point.
City and the Reds will be targeting maximum points once more this weekend as they face relegation-threatened Watford and Burnley respectively. In the race for the top-four, Tottenham made a big statement with a 3-1 win over West Ham as Spurs battled with Man United and Arsenal for fourth place. Towards the bottom, Leeds notched three massive points before the break with a 3-2 comeback win over Wolves.
They welcome Southampton this weekend, while relegation-threatened Everton face a tough trip to West Ham and bottom club Norwich travel to Brighton. There is plenty to play for across the board as the Premier League enters the final stages of the season.
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Liverpool vs Watford
Liverpool recorded a ninth consecutive Premier League win last time out as they comfortably beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates. It was also the fourth straight league match where Jurgen Klopp’s side have won to nil and they have only conceded one in their last seven. Home form has also been key to Liverpool’s title challenge. They have won their last nine Premier League games at Anfield and they are unbeaten in all 14 at home this season. The Red’s impressive form has helped them close the gap on title rivals Man City to one point.
Watford ended their four-match winless run in the Premier League with a vital 2-1 win at Southampton before the break. The Hornets had previously lost their last two and conceded seven goals in the process. Just two wins in their last 17 leave Watford three points from safety. However, Roy Hodgson will take confidence from his side’s recent away form. Watford has drawn three and won two of their last seven on the road.
James Milner and Naby Keita could return for Liverpool but Trent Alexander Arnold is out with a thigh injury. Watford pair Nicolas Nkoulou and Jeremy Ngakia may be in contention after recent injuries.
Liverpool should have enough quality to break down Watford at Anfield. Generally, the Hornets have lacked an attacking threat this season and a home win to nil could take place.
Man United vs Leicester
Man United’s topsy turvy season continued in their last two matches. A 3-2 home win over Spurs strengthened their push for the top-four. But, the Red Devils were then eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid after a 1-0 loss in their following match. United now have just three wins in their last nine in all competitions, two of which came at home in the Premier League. The Red Devils have also been hard to beat at Old Trafford in the league recently. They are unbeaten in eight of their last nine, winning six.
Leicester bounced back from consecutive defeats against Arsenal (2-0) and Rennes (2-1) with a 2-1 home win over Brentford last time out. The victory was the Foxes’ third in four Premier League matches, form which leaves the Midlands side comfortably in mid-table, but way off the European places. Away form has been an issue for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season. They have lost nine of their last 11 in all competitions and won just three of their 13 on the road in the Premier League.
Edison Cavani (calf) is United’s only absentee. Wesley Fofana, Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton may return for Leicester. Danny Ward, Ryan Bertrand and Wilfred Ndidi remain sidelined with knee injuries.
Man United are solid at Old Trafford in the league. The Red Devils should edge a Leicester side struggling for results away from home.
West Ham vs Everton
West Ham’s two-match winning streak came to a crashing halt as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Spurs before the international break. Previously, David Moyes’ side had beaten Seville 2-0 to progress in the Europa League, and they defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League. But the Hammers are impressive at home. The East London side has won four of their last five and lost just one of their last eight at the London Stadium.
Everton were unable to build on their 1-0 home win over Newcastle in the Premier League as they then lost 4-0 at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. It was Frank Lampard’s sixth loss in ten since taking charge at Goodison Park, five of which have come in the Premier League. On the road, Everton has the worst record in the top flight. The Toffees have lost nine of their last 11 away. They have not won since their only away victory on the road in August.
Hammer’s forward Jarrod Bowen could return to the squad but defensive duo Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Vladimir Coufal (groin) are out. Everton trio Donny van de Beek, Fabian Delph and Asmir Begovic should return this weekend. Yerry Mina (thigh), Allan (suspended), Tom Davies (thigh) and Andros Townsend (knee) are ruled out.
West Ham should be too strong for an Everton side severely lacking confidence, particularly away from Goodison Park. A home win is likely in this one.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run to six in all competitions with a 4-0 home win over Everton in the FA Cup. The Eagles have now won four of their last six and lost just once in their last ten. Despite the upturn in form, Palace remains patchy at home in the Premier League. They are winless in their last five top-flight games at Selhurst Park but have drawn their last two against Man City (0-0) and Burnley (1-1).
Arsenal recovered from their 2-0 defeat at Liverpool to beat Aston Villa 1-0 away in their most recent match. It was the Gunner’s sixth win in seven Premier League matches, which has helped them move into the top four with a three-point cushion. The victory was also Arsenal’s fifth straight win away from home as they won to nil for a third time in four away matches.
Palace’s Michael Olise could be in contention. James McArthur (knock), Wilfried Zaha (hamstring) and Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) are ruled out. Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu could be in contention after recent knocks and illness.
Crystal Palace is likely to prove difficult to break down. However, in-form Arsenal should find a way and continue their impressive run of form.
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