Premier League Preview Gameweek 26
Man City took another step towards the title last weekend, beating Arsenal 1-0 to make it 18 consecutive wins in a row last weekend. City are now ten points clear at the top of the Premier League but there’s still plenty at stake for teams at the top and bottom of the league. The race for Europe remains wide open, with a host of teams including Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham and Leicester all vying for a top four place. Fulham have also blown the relegation battle wide open, closing the gap on Newcastle to three points.
This weekend, there’s a big match up in the top four as Chelsea host Man United, while two of the league’s most in form teams face off at the Etihad when City host West Ham. At the bottom, West Brom could drag Brighton into the relegation battle as they meet at the Hawthorns. Fulham will also be looking to make up ground as they travel to South London to face Crystal Palace.
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Man City v West Ham
City recorded a comfortable 1-0 win away at the Emirates last weekend to take their Premier League winning streak to 13 in a row. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 17 consecutive league games, have kept 13 clean sheets and scored in all but one of these games. At home, City have win six consecutive games, scored 13 and haven’t conceded a single goal in this run. The Citizens have dropped just seven points from a possible 36 at the Etihad this season.
West Ham beat Tottenham 2-1 in a London derby last weekend to remain in the top four. David Moyes’ side are now unbeaten in the last three matches and have won seven of their nine Premier League matches in 2021, losing just once. The Hammers are also in good form away from home, winning three of their last five away and conceding three goals. However, West Ham were held by Fulham for a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage in their last away fixture – the first time in three away matches where they failed to find the net.
Nathan Ake will be the only absentee for City as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Arthur Masuaku (ankle), Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Andriy Yarmolenko (knee) are ruled out for West Ham.
It’s difficult to look beyond Man City in any match this season. But West Ham could be the team to at least hold Guardiola’s side as they look in sensational form themselves. It could be close this weekend but City may just edge this one.
Leeds v Aston Villa
Leeds beat Southampton 3-0 at Elland Road earlier this week in an impressive performance. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have now won four of their last six on home soil and have kept consecutive clean sheets at home for the first time this season. Although Leeds’ home form is becoming more consistent, the Yorkshire side’s overall form remains patchy and they have won just two of their last five, conceded seven goals and scored eight. Leeds have not drawn in the league since a 0-0 draw against Arsenal in late November, 17 games ago.
Aston Villa suffered a first loss in three games last weekend, narrowly losing 2-1 at home to Leicester City. Villa have now lost four of their last eight games in the Premier League, winning three and drawing one. Dean Smith’s side have only gained seven points from their last 18 available. However, the Midland’s side have taken four points from their last six available away from home and haven’t conceded a goal in two consecutive away games.
Mateusz Klich could return from a back injury this weekend. But Leeds will be without Robin Koch (knee), Jamie Shackleton (abductor), Kalvin Phillips (calf), Ian Poveda (ankle), Adam Forshaw (groin), Rodrigo (groin) and Gaetano Berardi (knee). Jack Grealish’s return for Villa is still doubtful this weekend. Villa will also be without Wesley (knee), Kortney Hause (ankle) and Matty Cash (hamstring).
Both of these sides are vying for most inconsistent team of the season. However, Leeds should record a third successive home win this weekend. If Jack Grealish remains sidelined, it will be a huge loss for Villa.
Leicester v Arsenal
Leicester recorded back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since mid-January with a solid 2-1 away victory over Aston Villa last weekend. The Foxes’ have won three of their last four Premier League games and lost just once in their last 12. Brendan Rodgers side have also won three of their last four fixtures at the King Power, scoring eight and conceding four in this run. However, five of Leicester’s losses in the league have come at home this season.
Arsenal were unable to build on a 4-2 win over Leeds two weeks ago as they lost 1-0 to Man City at the Emirates last weekend. The result is Arsenal’s third loss in four games and the Gunners have taken just four points from the last 15 available in the Premier League. Goals have been a problem at both ends of the pitch for Arsenal recently. Mike Arteta’s side have conceded six and scored six in the last four matches. Arsenal have also lost their last two away matches to Wolves and Aston Villa respectively.
James Maddison is set to return for Leicester after a recent hip injury. But Wes Morgan (back), James Justin (knee), Ayoze Perez (knee), Wesley Fofana (thigh) and Dennis Praet (thigh) are ruled out for the Foxes. Rob Holding should return for Arsenal this weekend after recovering from a concussion injury.
Leicester look incredibly solid lately and are certainly proving a tough side to beat. Their improving home form will also make things tough for Arsenal, who continue to struggle for form. They will have to be at their best to take a point at the King Power, but a home win looks likely.
Chelsea v Man United
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel extended his unbeaten run to six in the Premier League following a 1-1 draw away to Southampton last weekend. Since the German manager took over at Stamford Bridge eight games ago, his side have won six and drawn two in all competitions. Only Manchester City have a better record since Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard in January. The Blues have taken 14 points from a possible 18 and are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in two games (drawn one, won two).
Man United ended their run of two straight draws with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Newcastle last weekend but it was just their second win in six Premier League matches. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side have lost just one match in their last 19 in the league and they have not lost an away game this season. However, the Red Devils have only won twice in their last six on the road and drawn three of their last four away.
Thiago Silva is Chelsea’s only absentee and he is unlikely to return from a muscle injury. Both Phil Jones (knee) and Paul Pogba (thigh) have been ruled out for United this weekend.
Both sides come into this match in good form. But Chelsea’s rejuvenation under Tuchel could cause problems for United, who have not been able to see off teams in the Premier League in recent weeks. A home win for the Blues could end United’s excellent away record on Sunday.
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