Premier League Preview Gameweek 30
Following the international break, Premier League teams return for the final stretch of the 2020/21 Premier League season this weekend. Manchester City remain the clear favourites to lift the title this season. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently 14 points clear of second placed Man United. But the race for Europe is still alive with Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham, and Liverpool still vying for Champions League qualification.
Towards the bottom, Brighton beat Newcastle 3-0 before the break to plunge Newcastle into relegation trouble as the Magpies are just two points above 18th placed Fulham. West Brom and Sheffield United, meanwhile, have it all to do as they are 10 and 14 points off safety. As the action returns, there are some big fixtures at both ends of the table. Leicester host Man City, Liverpool travel to Arsenal while Fulham take on Aston Villa and Brighton face a tough test away at Man United.
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Leicester v Man City
Leicester won their third match in a row before the international break, defeating Man United 3-1 in the FA Cup quarter final. The result extended the Foxes’ unbeaten run to four games in all competitions. Brendan Rodgers side have also won four of their last six at home and they have scored eight goals in their last two at the King Power, after their 5-0 drubbing of Sheffield United recently.
Man City bounced back from their loss to Man United at the end of February by going on a four-match unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola’s side cruised into the latter stages of the FA Cup and the Champions League, defeating Everton and Borussia Monchengladbach in their last two games. City have also won 14 consecutive matches away from home and they have only lost one away Premier League match all season.
Harvey Barnes (knee), Wes Morgan (back), and James Justin (knee) are ruled out for Leicester. James Maddison and Cengiz Under are also doubtful but Ricardo Pereira should be back in contention. Man City have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions.
Although Leicester was in good form before the international break, Man City look unbeatable on all fronts and they should record another win at the King Power.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Arsenal’s league form was improving steadily before the international break. The Gunners made it four games unbeaten after coming back from three goals down to draw with West Ham two weeks ago. At the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s side are in decent form, winning three of their last five in the Premier League at home. A concern for Arteta will come from the fact his side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten matches in all competitions.
Liverpool recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since January recently, defeating RB Leipzig 2-0 in the Champions League and Wolves 1-0 in the Premier League. The win over Wolves ended the Reds spell of seven losses from their last six games and kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the Champions League. Despite their poor recent form, Liverpool have been strong away from home. Jurgen Klopp’s side have won their last three and five of their last six on the road in all competitions.
Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, and Wilian are likely to return for Arsenal this weekend. Virgil van Dijk (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Joel Matip (ankle) and Jordan Henderson (abductor) are ruled out for Liverpool but Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino, and Caoimhin Kelleher should return for the Reds.
Although Arsenal have looked fairly resilient recently, Liverpool have looked stronger recently, particularly away from home. This could be a low-scoring game the Emirates on Saturday but Liverpool may just edge it.
Aston Villa v Fulham
Aston Villa’s struggles continued before the break as Dean Smith’s side lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham. It extended Villa’s run without a Premier League win to four matches and the Midlands side have won just once in their last seven matches. Home form has also been a concern for Smith and his side and they have lost three of their last five at Villa Park and failed to score in three of their last four.
Fulham were unable to climb out of the relegation places two weeks ago. They lost 2-1 at home to Leeds, leaving Scott Parker’s side two points from Premier League safety. The result left Fulham with back-to-back defeats after City comfortably beat the Cottagers 3-0. But a saving grace for Parker’s side has been their resilient away form. Fulham are unbeaten in nine away games in all competitions and beat Liverpool 1-0 in their last match on the road.
Jack Grealish and Kortney Hause should return for Villa this weekend but Wesley remains out with an ACL injury. Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid is likely to feature this weekend but Tom Cairney (knee) and Marek Rodak (hand) are ruled out.
This is a big match for Fulham and Scott Parker will be desperate for his side to get back to their resolute best. However, Villa will have Jack Grealish back in the squad that could relieve their goal scoring woes. A low scoring draw could be likely at Villa Park.
Man United v Brighton
Man United’s 14 match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end two weeks ago as they lost 3-1 away at Leicester in the FA Cup. The result came off the back of big wins for United against AC Milan in the Europa League and Man City in the Premier League. Despite the loss to Leicester, United’s Premier League form has been good. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side won their last two league matches against West Ham and City, and they have kept four consecutive clean sheets. The Red Devils have also won three of their last four league matches at Old Trafford.
Brighton have taken huge strides towards securing Premier League safety recently. Graham Potter’s side beat relegation rivals Newcastle 3-0 two weeks ago, which followed a 2-1 away win at Southampton. The back-to-back wins for Brighton ended a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League. Consecutive wins also moved Potter’s side six points above the relegation zone. But, with three wins in their last five away, Brighton have shown more consistency on the road recently.
Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, and Juan Mata should return for United this weekend. Phil Jones remains side-lined with a knee injury. Brighton will be without Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Aaron Connolly (calf), Adam Webster (ankle), Solly March (knee), and Florin Andone (knee).
Despite Brighton’s recent improvements, it is difficult to look beyond Man United for this fixture. Solskjær’s side suffered from fatigue against Leicester last time out. But, given the Red Devil’s recent home form, and some rest for certain players over the international break, the Manchester side will be clear favourites to bounce back this weekend.
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