Premier League Preview Gameweek 31
Manchester City took another step closer to the 2020/21 Premier League title last weekend with a 2-0 win over Leicester. The Citizens are now 14 points clear at the top with seven games remaining. Behind them, Manchester United are edging closer to second place as they beat Brighton 2-1 last weekend.
But the race for the top four is still alive as Leicester, West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Everton all remain in the hunt for Champions League football next season. In the relegation places, West Brom gave themselves a slither of hope with an emphatic 5-2 win over Chelsea last weekend. Losses for Sheffield United and Fulham leave them in further relegation trouble. Fulham will hope to gain a vital three points against a struggling Wolves side in the Friday evening kick off this weekend.
There are also clashes at the top as West Ham face Leicester and Tottenham take on Man United in key matches in the race for Europe.
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Liverpool v Aston Villa
Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-0 away last weekend to secure consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since January. However, a poor performance in mid-week against Real Madrid ended the Reds’ three match winning streak in all competitions as they lost 3-1 in the Champions League. Despite a slight return to form recently, Liverpool is still unconvincing at home this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost their last six Premier League games at home and scored just once in their last seven at Anfield.
Aston Villa beat Fulham 3-1 last weekend to end their four-match run without a win in the Premier League. Dean Smith’s side scored three goals in the last 15 minutes to gain a vital three points, which gives them an outside chance of reaching the Europa League places. But Villa have been patchy away from home recently. The Midlands side have two wins in their last nine away matches. The have failed to win in their last two on the road and recently lost 1-0 away to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United.
Virgil van Dijk (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Joel Matip (ankle), Jordan Henderson (groin), Caoimhin Kelleher (abdominal), and Divock Origi (muscular injury) are ruled out for Liverpool. Aston Villa will be without Wesley (knee) but Jack Grealish could be back in contention.
Despite recent wins, Liverpool and Villa are still in unconvincing form in the Premier League. A draw would be a good bet and Villa are unlikely to repeat their 7-2 heroics against Liverpool from earlier in the season.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Crystal Palace earned a solid point away at Everton earlier this week as Michy Batshuayi struck late for the Eagles in a 1-1 draw. Palace remain a tough side to beat and have lost once in their last six Premier League matches. Roy Hodgson’s side have also been resolute at home in recent weeks. The South London side have kept three consecutive clean sheets at Selhurst Park and lost just once in their last five at home.
Thomas Tuchel’s new manager bounce came to a disappointing end last weekend. The Blues were humbled by an emphatic West Brom side, who beat Chelsea 5-2 at Stamford Bridge. It was Tuchel’s first loss as Chelsea’s manager, ending his unbeaten run of 14 matches in all competitions. The Blues are still in good Premier League form and have won three of their last five away, but they were held to a 0-0 draw away at Leeds before the international break.
James Tomkins (facial injury), Mamadou Sakho (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (thigh) and James McArthur (calf) are out for Palace and Michy Batshuayi is unable to face his parent club. James McCarthy and Nathaniel Clyne could return for Palace. Chelsea will be without Thiago Silva, who is suspended.
Chelsea face another tough test this weekend away at Selhurst Park. The Eagles have been a tough side to beat in recent months and they could earn a draw against a reeling Chelsea.
West Ham v Leicester
West Ham took another step closer to their best Premier League finish in 22 years earlier this week. Jesse Lingard inspired the Hammers to a 3-2 win over Wolves, putting them in fourth place in the Premier League. The result ended a run of two winless matches for David Moyes’ side. But, despite a slight drop in form recently, West Ham remain in good shape at home. At the London Stadium, the Hammers have won six of their last eight in all competitions and have lost once in their last 10 at home.
Leicester’s three match winning streak came to an abrupt end last weekend as Man City beat the Foxes 2-0. Brendan Rodgers’ side have now gained seven points from their last 15 available in the Premier League as they look to maintain their top four position. However, most of Leicester’s recent losses have come at the King Power. The Foxes are in good form away and are unbeaten in their last 13 on the road in all competitions.
West Ham will be without Andriy Yarmolenko(knee), Darren Randolph (groin), Declan Rice (knee), and Angelo Ogbonna (ankle). Michail Antonio is also doubtful with a hamstring injury. Wes Morgan (back), James Justin (knee), and Harvey Barnes (knee) are ruled out for Leicester but Cengiz Under and Caglar Soyuncu could be back in contention.
This is a key clash in the race for the top four. A win for West Ham will give them a brilliant chance to secure Champions League football next season. But Leicester is in good form away so the points are likely to be shared this weekend.
Tottenham v Man United
Tottenham drew 2-2 last weekend against Newcastle after Joe Willock’s late equaliser stunned Spurs and left them three points from fourth place in the Premier League. Jose Mourinho’s side have put together a solid run of form in the Premier League recently, losing once in their last six matches. Spurs are also performing well at home and have won their last three matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and scored eight in their last two matches.
Man United made it three wins from three matches in the Premier League last weekend. The Red Devils had to bounce back from Danny Welbeck’s early strike to earn all three points against Brighton. The result also extended United’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 matches. But, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side have struggled for wins away recently. Aside from their impressive 2-0 win away at City before the international break, United drew four consecutive matches in the Premier League and scored just once in this run.
Tottenham defenders Ben Davies (calf) and Matt Doherty (muscular) are unavailable but Serge Aurier and Toby Alderweireld are likely to return. Anthony Martial (knee), Phil Jones (knee), Juan Mata (knock), and Eric Bailly (coronavirus) are ruled out for United but Marcus Rashford could return from an ankle injury.
Tottenham will be desperate to keep chase with the top four this weekend and a win is essential. Given their recent good form at home, Spurs could hold a hard to beat Man United side.
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