Premier League Preview Gameweek 29
Only four games are taking place in the Premier league this weekend but there is still plenty of action to keep an eye on in the race for Europe and at the bottom of the table. Spurs, Arsenal, and West Ham all play this weekend and they will hope to make ground on the top five. Last weekend’s games there up some unexpected results.
In the relegation battle, there’s a huge clash between Brighton and Newcastle and a loss for either side could drag them into trouble. Fulham will also hope to move out of the bottom three on Friday evening as they host Leeds at Craven Cottage.
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Fulham v Leeds
Fulham were unable to build on an impressive 1-0 win away at Liverpool recently as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Man City on Sunday. The result was Fulham’s second loss in three games and their sixth at home in their last eight. Despite some improvements in recent months, Scott Parker’s side continue to struggle at home. The West London side have scored one goal in their last six in all competitions and have one win in their last 12 at Craven Cottage.
Leeds secured a well-earned point in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea last weekend. The result ended a run of two straight defeats for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and it was their first draw in 19 Premier League matches. However, Leeds have struggled recently and have just one win from their last six matches. The Yorkshire side have also lost three successive matches away from home in the Premier League and failed to score in their last three games.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid (knock), Tom Cairney (knee) and Marek Rodak (knock) are doubtful for Fulham. Patrick Bamford may return for Leeds after suffering a dead leg last weekend but Liam Cooper (illness), Adam Forshaw (groin), and Pablo Hernandez (knock) are ruled out.
This is a huge game for Fulham and they may just edge it by a goal to nil. But, with both sides lacking a cutting edge, a low-scoring draw is more likely.
Brighton v Newcastle
Brighton ended a run of three straight Premier League defeats last weekend with a narrow 2-1 victory over Southampton. It was Brighton’s first win in six matches in all competitions and the first match in 10 where they scored more than one goal. The result also moved Graham Potter’s side three points off the relegation places but home form will be a concern for the Brighton manager. The south coast side have lost their last two home games and have one win in 14 at the Amex this season.
Newcastle have shown more solidity recently and recorded a third successive draw last weekend, sharing the points in a dramatic 1-1 at home to Aston Villa. Steve Bruce’s side are winless in their last five Premier League matches and have taken just three points from their last 15 available. The Magpies away record is also a cause for concern as they are winless in three and have lost nine of their last 11 in all competitions.
Dan Burn (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Solly March (knee), Florin Andone (knee), Aaron Connolly (cracked rib) and Adam Webster (ankle) are all ruled out for Brighton. Miguel Almiron could return for Newcastle this weekend but the Magpies will be without Callum Wilson (thigh), Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) and Fabian Schar (knee).
Both sides will be fully away how important a win could be on Saturday. Brighton may be buoyed by their win over Southampton last weekend but, given both sides inconsistent form, a low scoring draw is likely.
West Ham v Arsenal
West Ham suffered their second defeat in three games last weekend, narrowly losing 1-0 away to Man United. After a strong start to 2021, the Hammers form has stuttered slightly in recent weeks. But, with three wins from their last six, David Moyes side are still in fairly good form short term. They have also performed well at the London Stadium recently, won three straight games, and won five of their last six at home – the joint best points record in the entire Premier League along with Man City.
Arsenal made it three games without loss on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s side beat North London rivals Tottenham 2-1 at the Emirates. The Gunners have now won three of their last five matches and lost one during this run. They have also improved away from home and have won four of their last seven on the road. However, a concern for Arteta will be the lack of clean sheets recently. Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven Premier League games.
Pablo Fornals, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Ryan Fredericks should be back in contention for West Ham but Arthur Masuaku (knee), Angelo Ogbonna (ankle) and Darren Randolph (groin) are ruled out. Bukayo Saka is unlikely to feature for Arsenal due to a thigh injury.
Although Arsenal have improved recently, West Ham have been excellent at home this season and they should bounce back from last week’s defeat with a win over the Gunners this weekend.
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Aston Villa’s run without a win extended to three games following a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle last weekend. Dean Smith’s side have one win in their last six in the Premier League and have lost two of their last four at Villa Park. Villa have struggled to find the net in Jack Grealish’s absence and the Midlands side have found the net just three times in their last six matches.
Tottenham were unable to make it four wins from four last weekend as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal. Despite Spurs’ upturn in form recently, away form continues to be an issue for Jose Mourinho and his side have lost four of their last five Premier League matches away from home. Spurs have only won twice in their last 10 away games in the league and have only kept two clean sheets in this run.
Jack Grealish, Bertrand Traore and Kortney Hause are set to return for Villa this weekend but Wesley remains side-lined with a knee injury. Erik Lamela is suspended for Spurs and Son Heung-Min is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Neither Aston Villa or Spurs are inspiring confidence at the moment. Given Spurs fixture pile up and the possibility of Jack Grealish returning for Villa, Dean Smith’s side may just edge this fixture on Sunday.
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