These mid-week games feature missed match-ups from rounds 18, 25 and 30. On paper, there's a few big battles this week.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
We’d say this is a big clash……but it really isn’t. It feels like every week we take a shot at Manchester United and unfortunately this week won’t be any different. How can a team with the quality of the players that they have, throw away a two-goal lead to a team that are rock bottom of the league? It’s downright embarrassing. Yet again, they’ve been saved by the skin of their teeth by Cristiano Ronaldo. He is single handedly carrying this team through to the end of the season.
Liverpool will be too good for Manchester United. However, they have conceded seven goals in their last four games, albeit two of those games were against United’s biggest rivals, Manchester City: goal scoring machines in their own right.
With the form that Ronaldo is in, United could grab a goal or two, but they’ll have to seriously sort themselves out defensively to cope with the Liverpool attack that has scored 13 goals in their last five games.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Wow, we don’t know what to make of Arsenal’s recent form. Three back-to-back losses in the league, two of which without scoring is shocking. Arsenal do not deserve European football next season.
Their form isn’t going to change here against a Chelsea side that are on fire. After being humbled by Madrid in the Champions League. Chelsea have come out swinging with a point to prove. High off their domestic success with their FA Cup semifinal win against Palace and their 6-0 demolishing of Southampton, I’m sure they’ll fancy themselves against a struggling Arsenal.
Everton vs Leicester
Everton have had a few extra days to prepare for this fixture due to their match-up against Palace being rearranged because of their FA Cup semi-final. Hopefully, they’ve put that extra time to good use and identified what they did well last time out in their win against Manchester United. There are points available here for Everton. Leicester have had a busy schedule recently. Their European campaign followed up by league action at the weekend and now this fixture means three games this week for the Foxes. They’re no doubt the better team here, but they’re bound to be tired.
Everton have been better at home, only conceding twice since February, subsequently they leaded to their only two losses at home too. Leicester struggle to keep clean sheets away from home. With the crowd behind them, the Toffees may fancy themselves here. With upcoming games against Liverpool and Chelsea, this may be the best chance Everton will get for three points in a while.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle have been solid at home, only one loss in their last ten league games. That one loss coming against Manchester City. They’re facing a Palace side which seems to have lost their mojo a little bit with their first league loss since February against Leicester preceding their recent semi-final loss to Chelsea. The loss to Chelsea will be hard to take for them but they’ll be looking to focus their attention back on the league and push for a top 10 finish.
Last time out for Newcastle, Bruno Guimaraes bagged two goals and will be hoping to continue his goal scoring form. With their recent home form, we find it hard to see Newcastle losing here.
Manchester City vs Brighton
Fresh off their conquering of North London, you’d have to expect Brighton to be up for playing a city team that just lost to Liverpool in the cup. Although seemingly nothing to play for, Brighton is playing a key part in deciding the order of the top six. They’ve definitely shaken things up at the top with their most recent wins. They’re also sitting 10th in the League and will want to hold on to their top half finish.
City’s league form has faltered slightly with the loss to Tottenham and draw with Liverpool, but they’ll be hoping to put themselves back on track and ease to a victory here. With Liverpool facing their biggest rivals in United, they’ll be hoping for United win or draw coupled with their own win, so that they can create some space between Liverpool and themselves.
Burnley vs Southampton
Burnley could easily have gotten nine points in the past three games. Instead, they have four. It’s simply not good enough for a team that is fighting for survival, especially when it comes to winnable games. Not to mention the sacking of Dyche, the timing of which seems very bizarre to us.
Nevertheless, they’re facing a Southampton side that have one win in their last seven. And bar their last game with a win against a struggling Arsenal, the Saints are leaking goals for fun.
As a neutral this should be a good game to watch with the previous two matchups between the two sides resulting in nine goals.
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