Premier League Preview Gameweek 23
As the Premier League heads towards its final third for the 2020/21 season, there is still plenty to be won and lost at both ends of the table. At the top, United, Leicester and Liverpool are trying to keep chase with a rampant Man City. At the bottom, Fulham, West Brom, and Sheffield United remain cut adrift and face an uphill battle in the coming months to avoid relegation. This weekend, Liverpool has an opportunity to make ground on league leaders City at Anfield, while United host Everton as the Red Devils also look to close the gap.
Elsewhere, there’s a host of mid-table ties between Leeds and Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Southampton, and Aston Villa v Arsenal. The bottom three, however, all face tough fixtures against Tottenham, an in-form West Ham, and Chelsea respectively.
All odds are from bet365 and subject to change.
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Newcastle v Southampton
Newcastle appeared to turn a corner after a convincing 2-0 win over Everton last weekend. However, the Magpies gave up a 1-0 lead against Crystal Palace in mid-week, losing 2-1 to the visitors at St James’ Park. It was Newcastle’s seventh loss in their last eight in all competitions. In their last 13 in all competitions, Steve Bruce’s side have avoided defeat just three times and are winless at home in their last five (drawn two, lost three).
Southampton suffered a second 9-0 defeat in as many seasons in mid-week. The Saints were punished by Man United after Alexandre Jankewitz’s early sending off in the match. The result also handed Southampton a fourth straight defeat in the Premier League, winning just one in their last seven matches. Things aren’t much better away from home, the Saints are winless in their last four on the road, scoring just one goal and failing to find the net in their last three away games.
Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez are both ruled out for Newcastle with thigh injuries. Jan Bednarek and Alexandre Jankewitz are both suspended for Southampton. The Saints will also be without Nathan Tella (thigh), Theo Walcott (hamstring), Michael Obafemi (surgery), Mohamed Salisu (knock), and William Smallbone (knee). Oriol Romeu, Kyle Walker-Peters, and Ibrahima Diallo could return but remain doubtful.
While both of these teams are in dire form, Newcastle have shown some improvement in the last two games, showing they are capable of picking up results. Southampton, however, look low on confidence and still remain without several key players, which will benefit the Magpies in this one.
Man United v Everton
United have responded well to a shock 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United a week ago. The Red Devils held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw and emphatically beat Southampton 9-0 at home earlier this week. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side remain in second but have dropped more points (5) in their last five Premier League games compared to their previous 13 matches (3). Aside from the loss to Sheffield, United have been impressive at home, winning four of their last five matches – only city rivals Man City have picked up more points in the Premier League at home during this time.
After an excellent run throughout December Everton’s form has become fairly patchy in recent weeks, winning two, drawing two, and losing one in the Premier League. The Toffees returned to winning ways in mid-week, edging past Leeds with a 2-1 victory. Despite dropping points at home recently, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been impressive away from home, taking 16 points from their last 18 available, the best return of any side in the Premier League.
Phil Jones is out for United with a knee injury but Edinson Cavani should be back in contention this weekend. Everton keeper Jordan Pickford is expected to return from a recent chest injury but Allan is still doubtful with a thigh injury.
Everton will give United a tough match at Old Trafford. United’s form has stuttered a little in recent weeks, which could give the Toffees a chance to gain at least a point in Manchester this weekend.
Liverpool v Man City
Despite recording back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-December last week, with 3-1 wins over West Ham and Tottenham, Liverpool suffered their second home defeat in a row at Anfield on Wednesday evening, losing 1-0 to Brighton. It was the first time Liverpool have lost successive league games at home since 2012. Jurgen Klopp’s side have won just two of their last eight in the Premier League and taken just seven points from the last 18 available.
City extended their winning streak in all competitions to 13 this week, comfortably beating Burnley 2-0. It is the longest winning run by an English team since 2002, when Arsenal also went 13 games unbeaten. In the Premier League, City have dropped just four points from their last 39 on offer. Pep Guardiola’s side have also won their last four away matches in a row, scoring 11 and conceding just one in the process.
Virgil van Dijk (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Naby Keita (match fitness), Joel Matip (ankle) and Diogo Jota (knee) are ruled out for Liverpool. Alisson, Sadio Mane and Fabio Tavares could return after recent injuries. Kevin De Bruyne (thigh) and Nathan Ake (knock) are out for City while Sergio Aguero also remains a doubt.
Liverpool face City at the wrong time. The Reds’ continue to struggle for form while City look unstoppable currently. Expect Guardiola’s side to win by a few goals this weekend.
Leeds v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time since September last week. The Eagles comfortably beat Wolves 1-0 last weekend and followed this result with a solid 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle in midweek. Despite losses to City and West Ham recently, Palace have looked like a tough team to beat. Roy Hodgson’s side have won three of their last seven and earned a point from Leicester and Arsenal in this run too. But the South Londoners have been patchy on the road, winning just once in their last five.
Leeds could not extend a two-match winning streak this week as Everton beat them 2-1 at Elland Road. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have now lost four matches in their last six in all competitions and their last two at home. Only 11 of Leeds’ 29 points this season have come at Elland Road and they have kept just two clean sheets at home in all competitions this season.
Leeds will be without Diego Llorente (muscular injury), Gaetano Berardi (knee), Rodrigo (groin), Adam Forshaw (groin), Ian Poveda (ankle), and Robin Koch (knee). James McArthur and James McCarthy should be back in contention for Palace following recent knocks. But the Eagles will be without Wilfried Zaha (hamstring), Jeff Schlupp (thigh), Mamadou Sakho (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (thigh), James Tomkins (facial injury), and Wayne Hennessey (knock).
Although Leeds seems to be turning a corner, they will need to be wary of Crystal Palace in this fixture. The Eagles won the previous encounter 4-1 between the two sides at Selhurst Park earlier in the season. But Leeds appears to be much improved recently and, if they take their chances, they could win this one on Monday night.
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