Premier League Preview Gameweek 32
There is a scaled-back Premier League schedule this weekend due to the FA Cup semi-finals taking place. However, there are still a few key clashes where teams can make up ground in the race for Europe and in the relegation places. Everton and Tottenham dropped points last weekend to Brighton and Man United respectively in the race for the top four. They face each other this weekend at Goodison Park with an opportunity to catch up with the Champions League places.
West Ham travel to Newcastle as the Hammers look to keep their chance of Champions League football going for next season. Liverpool also remain in the hunt for the top four and they face a Leeds side returning to form on Monday evening. At the bottom of the table, Fulham will be looking to keep any hopes of survival alive when they travel to Arsenal.
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Everton v Tottenham
Everton’s winless run extended to five matches on Monday evening as they drew 0-0 away at Brighton. It is the Toffees’ longest run this season without a victory and their four-match run without a win in the Premier League leaves them six points off the European places. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have struggled at Goodison Park recently, winning one and losing four of their last six on home turf in all competitions.
Tottenham were unable to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Newcastle two weeks ago as they lost 3-1 at home to Man United on Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s side have one win in their last five matches in all competitions. In the Premier League, Spurs have also won once in their last four matches and are winless in five of their last seven away matches. This poor run of results leaves Spurs in sixth place and six points behind West Ham in fourth.
Jordan Pickford will return for Everton this weekend but Josh King (knock), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (groin), Andre Gomes (thigh), and Allan (knock are doubtful. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Fabian Delph, Yerry Mina and Bernard are ruled out. For Tottenham, defenders Ben Davies (calf) and Matt Doherty (muscular) are ruled out.
Both sides are in poor form and are struggling to keep up with the top four this season. A low scoring draw is likely with two defence minded managers unwilling to drop even more points this season.
Newcastle v West Ham
Newcastle beat Burnley 2-1 last weekend to record their first win in eight matches. The result put the Magpies six points clear of Fulham in 18th place with a game in hand. Steve Bruce’s side have been hard to beat of late and have drawn four of their last six Premier League matches. At St James’ Park, Newcastle is unbeaten in their last four, winning one and drawing three.
West Ham beat Leicester 3-2 on Sunday to remain one point ahead of Chelsea in fourth place. It was the Hammers second consecutive win since the international break and extended their unbeaten run to three Premier League matches. David Moyes’ side have been in patchy form away from home recently. The East London side beat Wolves at Molineux two weeks ago, their first win in four away matches.
Newcastle will be without Isaac Hayden (knee), Fabian Schar (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (ankle) and Ryan Fraser (groin). Michail Antonio (thigh), Declan Rice (knee) and Angelo Ogbonna (ankle) are ruled out for West Ham. Mark Noble (arm), Aaron Cresswell (thigh), Andriy Yarmolenko (knee), Darren Randolph (groin) and Manuel Lanzini (knock) are doubtful.
Newcastle have been solid recently, especially at home, and have picked up vital points to move clear of the relegation places. West Ham are in good form, but have struggled away from home so a draw is likely at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Arsenal v Fulham
Arsenal ended their four-match run without a win last weekend as they beat Sheffield United 3-0 at Brammall Lane. Despite the result, Arsenal are still outsiders for the European places and sit in ninth, nine points off Chelsea in fifth. The Gunners have struggled for wins at the Emirates recently and have failed to win in their last three home matches in all competitions. Mikel Arteta’s side have lost three of their last six at home to Liverpool, Olympiacos and Man City.
Fulham’s bid to escape relegation has slowed recently. The Cottagers lost their fourth consecutive match on Friday as they fell to a late defeat at home to Wolves. Adama Traore’s 90th minute winner sunk Scott Parker’s side, who remain in 18th and six points from safety, Fulham lost their last away match 3-1 to Aston Villa two weeks ago. However, it was their first loss away in nine matches.
Arsenal will be without Kieran Tierney and David Luiz due to respective knee injuries. Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe will return to the squad but Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (illness) remain doubtful. For Fulham, Tom Cairney (knee), Marek Rodak (wrist) and Ademola Lookman (thigh) are ruled out.
Arsenal are clear favourites to pile the misery on to a struggling Fulham side. But, despite some difficult, late losses recently, Scott Parker’s side are tough to beat and could grind out a draw away at Arsenal.
Leeds v Liverpool
Leeds beat Man City 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to record a third consecutive Premier League win. Marcelo Bielsa’s men went down to 10 men late in the match against City, but Stuart Dallas scored in the dying moments to make it four matches unbeaten for Leeds. The Yorkshire side have also been in good form at Elland Road recently. They have won three of their last five at home and have only conceded two goals during this run.
Liverpool ended their terrible run of losses at Anfield on Sunday as they beat Aston Villa 2-1. It was the Reds’ first home Premier League win in eight matches and they moved three points off the Champions League places as a result. Jurgen Klopp’s side have returned to form in the league recently and won three consecutive matches against Wolves, Arsenal and Villa. They are also in good form away from home, winning five of their last six.
Jack Harrison will return for Leeds this weekend but Rodrigo (knock) and Raphinha (thigh) are doubtful. Liam Cooper is suspended and Adam Forshaw is ruled out with a thigh injury. Divock Origi (muscular), Virgil van Dijk (knee), Caoimhin Kelleher (chest), Joe Gomez (knee), Joel Matip (ankle) and Jordan Henderson (groin) are unavailable for Liverpool Curtis Jones could return from a recent muscle issue.
Leeds and Liverpool have been in excellent form recently and this could be an exciting clash. However, a draw is backed as both teams will be full of confidence and unwilling to give anything away.
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