A midweek round of fixtures this week and the top three are all in action. Remarkably, any one of those three sides could finish the Matchday in top spot while these games could also have repercussions on the relegation battle as well as the race for European football next term. Here’s your midweek preview.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
An opportunity for the Gunners
Arsenal brought a three game winless streak to an end on Saturday when they beat Wolves 2-0 to move back to the top of the Premier League table. Victory at the Emirates on Tuesday against Chelsea would see them open up a four point gap over Manchester City, though the reigning champions would have two games in hand. Mikel Arteta’s men could heap pressure onto Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of their Thursday night fixture with Brighton.
They’re all big games at this stage of the season but this is a massive one.
Prior to defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea hadn’t lost a game since the extra-time defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final back in February.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had put together an unbeaten run of eight games and this included wins over Newcastle United, Manchester United, and an empathetic 6-0 victory against Everton.
However, it did also include draws with Sheffield United and Burnley, so consistency still remains an issue for the Blues but they have the ability to cause issues for their hosts.
The Merseyside Derby
Just like Arsenal, Liverpool have the opportunity to extend their advantage over Manchester City to four points with a win on Wednesday. The Reds travel across Stanley Park to take on neighbours Everton with the Blues still looking to guarantee Premier League survival.
Jürgen Klopp’s side returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday when they claimed a 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The German tactician heavily rotated for the trip to the capital, starting the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai on the bench. The quartet should return to the starting XI on Wednesday.
Liverpool haven’t lost to Everton in their last five meetings, with four wins and a draw in that time, but the Goodison Park fixture has been a frustrating one for the Reds in the past. Anything but a win here could jeopardise their title hopes.
Everton lost heavily to Chelsea a little over a week ago but claimed an important win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. They’ll be somewhat confident of getting something against their misfiring neighbours on Wednesday.
The Eagles and the Magpies
Newcastle United are still hoping to claim a Europa Conference League spot. They have been in good form over recent weeks and they might’ve timed this last surge up the table to perfection.
They travel to Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening to take on Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s side have a good record against their hosts over recent seasons. The Magpies are unbeaten in six, winning three of these games. Newcastle are in freescoring form this season too, ranking fourth for goals scored per 90 (2.2).
A few weeks ago, this probably would’ve been viewed as a banker for those in black and white, but Palace have found some form of their own. They followed up a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield by dismantling West Ham United on Sunday. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta all scored in the 5-2 win at Selhurst Park.
They could make it a run of three upsets on the bounce if Newcastle don’t have a proper plan to deal with the dangerous trio of players up front for the Eagles.
Inconsistently consistent, Manchester United
Manchester United have been erratic this season. One week they look like they’re just one or two signings away from being a serious team, the next week they look like they’re an overperforming mid-table team with one or two players keeping them relevant.
On Sunday in their FA Cup semi-final clash with Coventry, they let a 3-0 lead slip with just 20 minutes remaining. Had it not been for a VAR intervention, the Red Devils would’ve lost 4-3 with the last kick of the game in extra-time. United eventually booked their place in the final with a penalty shootout win.
Erik ten Hag’s side looked like the real deal against Liverpool a few weeks ago only to then need help from officials in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. They host bottom of the table Sheffield United on Wednesday and though it should be a routine win, with the Blades struggling to keep a clean sheet this season, you just don’t know what version of Manchester United you are going to witness.
It is because of this that this game should fall into the must not miss category, despite there not being much to play for.
Do Manchester City have it in them?
Manchester City claimed a place in the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Chelsea just days after losing to Real Madrid on penalties in the Champions League. However, this was supposed to be a performance to put to bed any doubts about this City team after their disappointing showing against the LaLiga leaders.
It didn’t though. In fact, there are now more questions than ever over Pep Guardiola’s Man City side after Chelsea carved out better chances than the reigning champions in defeat at Wembley.
There was no reaction from City and had it not been for a questionable refereeing decision, they might’ve even lost the tie.
They travel to Brighton on Thursday likely needing a win to stay within touching distance of the leaders, with both Liverpool and Arsenal playing earlier in the week.
If Guardiola’s players struggle to impress for a third successive match, people may start to doubt whether they have the mentality and the desire for this title race now. This could be pivotal in the grand scheme of things.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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