The Premier League is finally back. And for the first time since the weekend of March 8th, we have a full round of fixtures in the English top-flight. Oddly enough, following the international break, matchday 30 is being played across mid-week. Still, though, good news that football is back, isn’t it?
By Sam McGuire
The random fixture generator has been awfully kind to us too. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the upcoming games to keep an eye on this week.
Cut the gap at the top
Arsenal have the opportunity to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to single digits when they welcome Fulham to the Emirates on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners play a day ahead of the Reds and though it is still a big ask to really put pressure on Arne Slot’s side with just nine games remaining, Arsenal have to just keep on doing all they can to prolong this title race.
Heading into the international break, this was probably viewed by rivals fans as a game in which Mikel Arteta’s side could drop points. Fulham have been deceptively good this season. They’re just three points off of fifth-placed Manchester City and four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. A few positive results on the bounce could lift them into the Champions League places.
Away from home this term, Marco Silva’s side have lost just four of their 14 games. They have the eighth best record in the Premier League on their travels.
The narrative has completely shifted following their 3-0 humbling at home to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-final over the weekend.
Fulham had more of the ball and more shots but Palace were more of a threat, finishing with a higher Expected Goals haul and more big chances.
A reaction is needed but will they be able to get up for this game after such disappointment? Can Arsenal take full advantage of this? Two big questions and we’ll know the answer to both by the end of tomorrow evening.
Can Newcastle now focus on the Premier League?
The last time Newcastle United played a football match as a team, they ended a 70-year trophy drought. The Magpies defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
Their season could now go one of two ways.
They could use this victory at Wembley as a platform for the rest of their campaign. Champions League football is within their grasp, they’re just two points off of the pace right now and could have momentum on their side having been freed from the shackles of needing to deliver a trophy.
Alternatively, the Carabao Cup success could derail their 2024/25 season. They’ve won a piece of silverware, there’s an emotional toll to that, as well as a physical one, and to get up for the remainder of the campaign might be too much of an ask. Champions League football is still up for grabs, and if they claim European football it boosts their chances of keeping the in-demand Alexander Isak, but sometimes there’s a hangover to success.
They’re up against an inconsistent Brentford on Wednesday. The Bees have won three of their last five, and this includes a victory over the impressive Bournemouth in their last outing, but they don’t travel too well. Surprisingly, though, they’re just six points behind their hosts.
The Newcastle performance this week could well give us a glimpse of things to come for the rest of the season.
The Merseyside derby
Liverpool’s lead at the top could be down to just nine points before a ball is kicked at Anfield. The Reds have lost two on the bounce. They were defeated in the Carabao Cup final and knocked out of the Champions League, at Anfield, in a penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Their last good performance probably arrived in February when the Reds swept Newcastle aside in a confident and competent showing. Since then, Slot’s side have looked sluggish. They eked out a 1-0 win in Paris and had to overturn a 1-0 half-time deficit against Southampton to claim a 3-1 victory.
A good showing and result against Everton is needed. It will settle nerves. It could even extend their lead at the summit to 15 points depending on results elsewhere. If it does, they have one hand on the Premier League title. That is how monumental this game is in the grand scheme of things.
Everton are unbeaten in six but have won just one of those matches. The Toffees have drawn their last four outings, and their last three have all finished 1-1. They’re difficult to beat and they’re now more of a threat going forward under David Moyes.
Having claimed a last minute equaliser against the Reds at Goodison Park, they’ll be determined to further dent Liverpool’s title charge at Anfield. Taking more points off the champions elect could be huge.
Can Chelsea stay in control of their fate?
At the time of writing, Chelsea are in possession of the final Champions League position. The Blues have been the best of a bad bunch recently. But with how tight things are at the top of the table, they could finish matchday 30 in as low as seventh. For that to occur, there would have to be a massive swing in goal difference but you never know what you’re going to get in the Premier League, do you?
Enzo Maresca’s side are up against Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.
On paper, there should only be one winner. Chelsea are pushing for European football, Spurs are struggling in the lower half of the table. Ange Postecoglou’s side are rooted in 14th position in the Premier League without a win in the Premier League since February.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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