This weekend’s headline match sees Man United take on Arsenal
It’s time for yet another week of Premier League action and there is a lot of interesting matches in store this weekend.
The most notable game would have to be on the Sunday, as Man United face Arsenal in a crunch clash at the top. The Gunners are vying for the title and United will be hoping to stop them from getting the points they need, while also getting themselves valuable points and bragging rights in the process.
Here are the games that are lined up this weekend with a small preview!
West Ham vs Sunderland
Two teams are having completely opposite seasons go head-to-head here. West Ham are doing superbly at the right end of the table, currently sitting in 7th place. Sunderland on the other hand have found themselves in a dangerous relegation battle and unless they start picking up more points, it could spell trouble for the Black Cats.
It won’t be easy for Sunderland at all here, with the Hammers not only having home advantage but they’ve also bagged more team goals and assists this season so far and Dmitri Payet is still on fire and will be looking to nab his side all three points this weekend.
Watford vs Bournemouth
It’s a battle of the newly-promoted sides in this game, with both teams in this match having rather good seasons in the BPL. Watford have managed to climb up into the top ten, surprising many, while Bournemouth are 15th and have played some entertaining football at times this year.
Key Stat – However, this one match might not be as entertaining goals wise, with the last five matches in all competitions between these two having under 2.5 goals. It means that this affair, if it is like it’s predecessors, could be a close one and it will be interesting to see which side is able to come out on top or whether the spoils will be shared.
Leicester vs Norwich
The Foxes will be hoping to keep their sensational run at the top of the Premier League going with a good result against Norwich here. The Canaries are struggling near the bottom of the table though and they too will be desperate for points as they try and survive in the top tier for another season.
Both sides are missing several players too. Most notably, Danny Simpson will miss out for Leicester and Alexander Tettey will miss out for Norwich with both out due to red cards.
Key Stat – It won’t be easy for Norwich to break down the Leicester defence here, even with Danny Simpson missing, with the Foxes having kept a clean sheet in their last four home Prem matches.
Southampton vs Chelsea
In what is sure to be another intriguing game, both sides here will be hoping to keep their impressive runs going and won’t want to lose out on any points here. The Blues have had a mini revival since the appointment of Guus Hiddink and are slowly trying to climb their way up the table, while the Saints are flying in sixth and won’t let anything slow them down here.
Key Stat – Southampton are on a run of four straight home victories in the Premier League, which is no mean feat, and they’ll be hoping to make it five here. The Blues will certainly have a challenge on their hands to end that run.
Stoke vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa have had a torrid season so far, with the club propping up the rest of the table in 20th place. However, anything is possible in football and despite things looking bleak, a survival is still possible if they can start getting the results they need and three points here could help spark a turn in fortune maybe.
Stoke though will not be easy opponents – far from it. They will most definitely feel they can claim all three points here (especially with home advantage too) and they also come into this game on the back of a superb result againsst Bournemouth when many players were out injured. A lot will be back in contention now, so it’ll make them even better here.
Key Stat – Aston Villa have failed to win 23 of their last 25 matches, an absolutely awful run which they will want to start to put right as soon as possible. However, Stoke will not be wanting them to start a recovery here at the Britannia and they will most definitely be tough opponents for Remi Garde’s men here.
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
This game pits two sides against each other who both find themselves on bad runs of form. West Brom have won just one of their last six games and Palace aren’t much better, with the Eagles having last won a top-flight game just before Christmas!
Bolasie could be thrown straight back into the equation for Palace in this game in a bid to rejuvenate the club’s season, while Chris Brunt will potentially have to play for the Baggies despite reportedly considering his future with the club after having a coin thrown at him by his own fans.
Key Stat – In eight of the last ten games between these two sides, there has been under 2.5 goals, meaning that this could be a close affair with barely any goals if it follows that trend again.
Tottenham vs Swansea
Tottenham have had an amazing season and are continuing to battle with Leicester and Arsenal for the Premier League title. Here they face Swansea, who haven’t had a great season at all. They’ve lost Garry Monk and are currently in 16th place and are potentially even in danger of relegation!
Spurs have won their last five Prem games and show no signs of slowing down, with the club desperate for a top four spot and maybe even a first Premier League title. Swansea are without a win in three and will be eager to get out of this mini rut and get some points on the board against these title chasers.
Man United vs Arsenal
Arguably the match of the weekend, this is sure to be an interesting game as always tends to be the case when these two sides face-off. A win for Arsenal and some points dropped from teams above them could see the Gunners leapfrog into second or even first place and it means that there is a lot on the line for the away side here.
As for the Red Devils, they too are desperate for points, as they hope to try and claim a top four spot and close the six point gap that is currently between them and fourth-placed Man City. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last three but lost to Chelsea just before that, while United have had a mixed last four games, losing to Sunderland and Southampton and drawing with Chelsea but beating Stoke 3-0. There’s valuable points up for grabs here and both sides will be eager to get them.
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