Another round of mid-week fixtures is upon us and we’ve not really had a chance to mull over what happened over the weekend. That is the beauty of this stage of the season though. For the players, the schedule is relentless. For fans, however, it feels as though there is football on every single evening and all of the matches seem to matter. With that in mind, here’s what we believe have the potential to be the biggest matches this week.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Can Newcastle build momentum?
Newcastle United netted a last-minute winner against West Ham United on Saturday evening to put them right back in the mix for European football next season. If they finish the campaign well, a Europa Conference League place could well be up for grabs.
A win on Tuesday evening over Everton could potentially move Newcastle into seventh and they would be just two points off of sixth-placed Manchester United. Not only will they be buoyed by the result on Saturday but they’ll also fancy their chances due to their impressive home form – they are now unbeaten in four on home soil.
Their visitors are in dire need of a performance. Everton are without a win in the Premier League since December. Their 12-game winless streak includes seven losses and they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven outings.
There hasn’t been a draw between these two sides in their last seven meetings, so the likelihood is that one side will be celebrating tonight.
Worrisome form for West Ham
West Ham host Spurs on Tuesday evening looking to get back on track following a second half capitulation against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers held a 3-1 lead early on after the break but lost 4-3 after a lacklustre showing.
David Moyes’ men aren’t in great form. They are winless in three Premier League matches and have won just two of their last 11 in the English top-flight. They’re now in a battle for a Europa Conference League spot and they’re going to need favours from other teams to claim that position come the end of the season.
By comparison, Spurs are in the hunt for a top four place. A win moves the visitors level on points with Aston Villa and they could potentially leapfrog the Villans into the final Champions League spot, at least temporarily.
Spurs haven’t been in the best form since the 4-0 win over Unai Emery’s side. They lost 3-0 to Fulham and they needed a late Heung-Min Son goal to record a 2-1 victory over struggling Luton on Saturday. They are doing enough to keep the pressure on though and that is all they can do at this stage of the campaign.
Top spot up for grabs at the Emirates
Arsenal claimed a point at the Etihad on Sunday. A good result but it did see them lose top spot to Liverpool. They have an opportunity to return to the summit on Wednesday as they welcome Luton Town to the Emirates.
The visitors are without a host of key players and they currently find themselves in 18th position in the Premier League. It is quite remarkable when you consider Rob Edwards’ side are without a win in 10 and haven’t kept a clean sheet in 10 either.
The Hatters have taken just 10 points on their travels this season. Only Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest have collected fewer points on the road. While only Liverpool (39) have won more points at home than Arsenal (34). This should be a routine victory for Mikel Arteta’s men. If they secure all three points, it heaps all of the pressure back onto the Reds in this title race ahead of their Thursday night match.
How will the Champions react?
Manchester City are still in this title race but they seem to be struggling to go through the gears at the pivotal part of the season. Pep Guardiola’s men have drawn three of their last six matches in the English top flight and are currently three points off of the pace.
City have the third-best home record this season but have actually drawn a third of their fixtures at the Etihad in the English top-flight. They are unbeaten at home but it isn’t quite the fortress it usually is.
They host an in-form Aston Villa side on Wednesday evening, a team still holding onto the final Champions League spot. Villa, who have suffered just one loss in their last six Premier League outings, are without a raft of players heading into this game with John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey and Matty Cash all missing.
They are, however, unbeaten in eight away games and do have the fourth best away record in the English top-flight. An upset could be on the cards.
Liverpool versus Sheffield United
At the time of writing, this match sees top-of-the-table Liverpool host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United. It should be a formality for the Reds but the Premier League always has a surprise or two for us during the title run-in.
The Reds have come from behind in each of their last two outings in the Premier League to claim four points. Their comeback victory over Brighton on Easter Sunday lifted them above Arsenal and into top spot.
Jürgen Klopp’s side have the best home record in the English top-flight. They are unbeaten against Sheffield United in five matches and they have Mohamed Salah back in their starting XI. All of the signs are positive.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United are leaking goals – 17 in their last five – they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 10 outings and they have given up two-goal leads in their last two games. It could be a long night for the Blades if Liverpool get an early goal. The longer it remains 0-0, the more confident they’ll become.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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