With Tottenham’s heavyweight clash with Chelsea on the books, it’s time to move quickly from Matchweek 22 in the Premier League – as another full weekend of action calls for what surely must be more and more tired legs.
But no one has time to feel sorry for themselves, there is too much to play for right now – the title race is heating up, West Ham is legitimately pushing for Champions League qualification and bottom of the table, well, it’s getting a little boring …
That could change everything with shocking results in week 23; the question is: will there be? Here is 90 minsoverview and forecast of …
Aston Villa v Arsenal
What time is the kick-off? 12:30 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Villa Park
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
The weekend fun begins at Villa Park, as Dean Smith aims to get his team back on track after being blown away by Jesse Lingard midweek.
The Villans are experiencing a mini drop in form, and while they continue to gain points with some consistency, they don’t seem as confident at home as they do – especially with tired legs. that creep in.
Arsenal are on the rise, and the return to the starting lineup of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – along with the continued good form of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – could give Mikel Arteta’s boys three more valuable points.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
Burnley vs. Brighton
What time is the kick-off? 3:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Turf Moor
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
One of the surprise results of the season saw Brighton defeat Liverpool at Anfield in midweek, but in a season where literally everything and everything has already happened, maybe it wasn’t so surprising after all?
Either way, there is nothing to dispute the fact that Liverpool’s two home winners this season are in action against each other this weekend – as Graham Potter takes his troops to Jordan’s happy place. North for a clash with Burnley at Turf Moor.
Two contrasting styles will be on display on this one, and that leads us to believe that only one thing will happen – Burnley will score on a cross or a set piece, and Brighton will score an aesthetic natural beauty goal. Even honors.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Brighton
Newcastle v Southampton
What time is the kick-off? 3:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? St James Park
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Some like to think the UK’s best roller coaster can be found at Alton Towers, while most southerners would probably tell you Thorpe Park is where it is.
But why go to theme parks for the roller coaster of a lifetime when you could be the manager of Newcastle, right Steve? Poor old Brucey got it from every angle this season, and just as he thought things might get better after a smash win at Everton, things fell apart with a grim home loss to Crystal Palace.
Still, he could be poor Ralph Hasenhuttl, who saw his Southampton side get spanked 9-0 for the second consecutive season Wednesday. For the trip to St James’ we’re not even sure the Austrian has 11 fit players – but don’t be surprised if they bounce and steal a point when they really shouldn’t.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Southampton
Fulham vs. West Ham
What time is the kick-off? 5:30 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Cottage Craven
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
If you are a West Ham fan, you are currently on cloud nine. Damn, you’re probably on cloud 99 given the club’s incredible form of course in 2021.
Form – or a sustained version of it – is one of the things that Scott Parker’s Fulham has missed this season, and it’s one of the main reasons, next to a lack of quality, for where they are stuck in relegation issues.
Games between these two normally produce goals, and it’s hard to look past the visitors who are improving their phenomenal record against non-“big six” teams this season.
Prediction: Fulham 1-3 West Ham
Manchester United v Everton
What time is the kick-off? 8:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Old trafford
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
Manchester United’s season has been remarkable.
Shining away from home, the Red Devils have yet to be beaten, but at Old Trafford they’ve been pretty ordinary for the most part. The ordinary until Wednesday has just passed, that is, when they wiped out poor Southampton 9-0 to tie the Premier League’s biggest win.
Everton have always been good under Carlo Ancelotti, and in Dominic Calvert-Lewin they have a striker who can score all kinds of goals. On this occasion, he can draw a blank, with the confidence of United at home surely stratospheric.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Everton
Tottenham vs. West Brom
What time is the kick-off? 12:00 (GMT)
Where is it played? Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Once upon a time if you had compared Tim Sherwood to Jose Mourinho, you would have been ridiculed.
But such is the bad race that Spurs are in, and the fact that Harry Kane is injured, such assumptions really do the trick, and the pressure is mounting on Mourinho to stop playing such negative football.
Thursday’s sad loss to Chelsea was the latest chapter in fairly poor form, although a bit of comfort was in knowing things aren’t going much better for West Brom under Sam Allardyce. The Baggies haven’t really tightened at the back and still have relegation fodder written all over it. So obviously they’re probably going to improve their game here and score a point.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 West Brom
Wolves vs. Leicester
What time is the kick-off? 2:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Molinous
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
The fun of Sunday continues in Molineux when high-flying Leicester entrusts their Champions League qualification ambitions to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves.
The Foxes outscored Fulham midweek to strengthen their grip on third, but they won’t have things their way against a Wolves side whose confidence will be high after coming in from behind to beat Arsenal.
A close game can be expected, but the return of Jamie Vardy will provide Leicester with momentum that could deliver all three points from the final whistle.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Leicester
Liverpool vs Manchester City
What time is the kick-off? 4.30 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Anfield
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
Off color Liverpool renews their rivalry with Manchester City in what should, but probably won’t, the weekend’s game.
The gloves have already come off between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, with an indirect press conference exchange between the two that stokes the fire even before a ball has been kicked. The Reds ‘title defense is on the rocks, and a loss to a resurgent city would seriously reduce the hosts’ chances of retaining their title.
The result? No goal, probably.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City
Sheffield United v Chelsea
What time is the kick-off? 7:15 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Bramall lane
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
Some sections of Chelsea’s support felt Frank Lampard’s sacking was unnecessary, while others felt the club needed to make a change in order to get things back on track.
But what everyone can agree on is that Thomas Tuchel has done a good job so far – in terms of results anyway – having collected seven out of nine possible points. The Blues have not yet conceded a goal under the German and seem to adapt well to their passage to three at the back.
Sheffield United’s season, meanwhile, is finally on and the Blades’ return to West Brom will have done wonders for confidence. However, scoring goals is still a problem and overcoming a resilient Chelsea side seems unlikely.
Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Chelsea
Leeds v Crystal Palace
What time is the kick-off? 8:00 p.m. (GMT)
Where is it played? Elland Road
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)
The last match of game week 23 will be Leeds United against Crystal Palace.
The hosts have been very high and low this season, but one thing is guaranteed when Marcelo Bielsa’s boys take to the pitch; goals. Palace are also a team struggling for consistency, but they will be supported by their victory at Newcastle midweek after dropping a goal early on.
The absence of Wilfried Zaha could be crucial, giving the Whites three valuable points in what is bound to be a fast-paced game.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Crystal Palace
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