Premier League Preview Gameweek 28
Man United caused one of the biggest upsets of the season last weekend as the red Devils defeated Man City 2-0 in the Manchester derby. The result ended City’s 21 match-winning run. But it is unlikely to blow open the title race and City still hold an 11-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
Towards the bottom, Fulham took a huge step towards securing an against all odds survival this season. Scott Parker’s side held on at Anfield for a 1-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side while a late 2-1 loss for Brighton dragged them further into relegation trouble. This weekend, City will hope to bounce back with a win against a resurgent Fulham. United and West Ham face off in a top four clash, Arsenal host Spurs in a North London derby and Brighton have a do or die encounter away at Southampton.
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Leeds v Chelsea
Leeds fell to a 2-0 defeat away at West Ham earlier this week, the Yorkshire side’s fourth loss in five games. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have also won just two of their last seven in the Premier League. At Elland Road, Leeds have been in slightly better form and won two of their last three and four of their last seven. However, a concern for Bielsa will be the lack of goals recently. Leeds have failed to score in four of their last three games.
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel to 11 with a 2-0 win over Everton earlier this week. The Blues have now won eight games with Tuchel at the helm in all competitions and dropped just six points from a possible 27 in the Premier League. Clean sheets have been vital to Chelsea’s turn around in form. In their last nine league games, the Blues have kept seven clean sheets and let in just two goals.
Adam Forshaw (groin) and Robin Koch (knee) are ruled out for Leeds but Pablo Hernandez, Pascal Struijk and Jamie Shackleton could be back in contention. Tammy Abraham should return for Chelsea this weekend after a recent knee injury.
Leeds will face an uphill battle against Chelsea and their lack of goals recently will play into the Blues’ hands this weekend. Expect another win for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Fulham v Man City
Fulham have gone from relegation certainties to one of the most in-form teams in the league recently. Scott Parker’s side beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield last weekend to make it three wins from seven matches. The Cottagers have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games and two of their last ten. But home form remains an issue for Fulham. Despite beating Sheffield United 1-0 two weeks ago, Fulham have lost five of their last seven at Craven Cottage in all competitions and they are the lowest scorers at home in the league, only netting eight goals in 14 games.
Man City’s exceptional winning run came to an end last weekend with a 2-0 defeat at home to fierce rivals Man United. The loss was City’s first in 22 matches in all competitions and their first in the Premier League in 20 games. However, Pep Guardiola’s side are still on a 15-match unbeaten run away. The Citizens have lost just once away from home in the Premier League and have won seven straight matches on the road, scoring 19 and conceding three in this run.
Tom Cairney is ruled out for Fulham with a knee injury and Marek Rodak is also doubtful with a finger injury. Nathan Ake could return for City after a long spell out with a muscle injury.
City will be desperate to return to winning ways but Fulham will be buoyed by their Anfield triumph. Guardiola’s side will be clear favourites to win this weekend but Fulham’s recent solidity will make them a tough side to beat.
Arsenal v Tottenham
Arsenal have recovered from their patchy form at the beginning of February and were unlucky not to make it three wins in four last Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Burnley. The Gunners have lost just three of their last 13 Premier League fixtures and lost only one of their last seven at the Emirates. In this run at home, Arsenal have only conceded five goals.
Tottenham’s resurgent form continued last weekend as they comfortably defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It capped three wins in three for Spurs and the North London side have scored nine goals and conceded just one during this time. Jose Mourinho’s side also ended a three-match losing streak away from home last weekend as they defeated Fulham 1-0. Spurs have only won twice in their last nine on the road.
Arsenal and Tottenham will both have a fully fit squad ahead of the North London derby. Neither side has any fresh injury concerns.
Both sides have shown improvement in recent weeks to keep their European hopes alive. Arsenal have been strong at the Emirates, and Spurs away form has been generally poor, but each side should have enough to gain a point in what could be a tense North London derby.
Man United v West Ham
United ended a run of three straight 0-0 draws with a deserved victory over Man City last weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side maintained their defensive resoluteness and added the attacking quality to earn their first win in three Premier League games. United are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games but they have only won three of these matches. At Old Trafford, United are also in good form and have won six of their last nine and lost just one in this time.
West Ham bounced back from their narrow defeat to City two weeks ago ad comfortably defeated Leeds 2-0 earlier this week. The Hammers have now won three of their last four games in the Premier League and have lost just once in their last six. Away from home, David Moyes’ side have started to struggle recently and failed to win in their last two on the road. However, longer term, they have only lost two of their last nine away from the London Stadium.
David De Gea (personal reasons), Paul Pogba (thigh), Juan Mata (knock), and Phil Jones (knee) are all ruled out for United. Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford should also be back in contention after recent knocks. West Ham will be without Arthur Masuaku (knee), Angelo Ogbonna (ankle), Andriy Yarmolenko (knee), and Jesse Lingard, who is unable to face his parent club. Ryan Fredericks and Darren Randolph should return to the West Ham squad this weekend.
This will be a close encounter with two teams in great form. The Hammers held United to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in January and another draw could be on the cards this weekend.
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