As we wrap up an exciting week of European football, EPL Gameweek 34 has an astonishing 14 games. This week’s game of the week is the clash between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs. This match will be previewed separately and in more depth. As the season starts to come to an end there is still lots to play for. Whilst the top four looks all but sealed, there are still seven teams fighting it out to avoid relegation.
Image courtesy of lasthl.com
Southampton head into the game versus Chelsea needing a victory to drag them out of the bottom three. The 17/18 season has been one to forget for the Saints as they have struggled to put together any kind of form. Chelsea has also had a season they will hope to forget. From winning the title in the 16/17 season to most likely missing out on a top-four spot will be tough for most Chelsea fans.
Southampton’s last win in the Premier League was against fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion back at the beginning of February. Chelsea has begun to string together some ok form and will be expected to carry that on against the Saints.
Overall I think Chelsea will have too much for Southampton and will walk away with the 1-0 win.
Normally a game between Burnley and Leicester this late in the season has mid-table bore draw written all over it. That is not this case this year, as both teams are scrapping it out for seventh place and a potential spot in Europe.
Burnley comes into this game with four straight league wins and within touching distance of both Arsenal and a first campaign in Europe. This season Burnley have surprised everyone, including many of their own fans. Leicester, on the other hand, are most likely looking towards the summer and the eventual departure of star player Riyad Mahrez.
Burnley will prove too much for Leicester here and will come away 2-0 winners.
The third game of the weekend sees South East rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton scrap it out in a potential relegation six-pointer. Crystal Palace comes into the game three points clear of the drop, whilst Brighton is in 13th place but has a very tough run in.
Palace comes into the game of the back of a tough game versus Bournemouth and will hope that they can continue there miraculous recovery with a strong win over rivals Brighton.
Brighton will have been hoping to have reached the 40 point safety mark as they have the worst run in of any team in recent memory. They have 5 games left all of which are against teams in the top seven. A win against Palace this weekend is crucial for there survival.
Heading into this game it is all to play for and I think both teams will cancel each other out, leading to a 1-1 draw.
Looking back at the first half of the season and both teams would have thought they would be safe by now. Instead, both have had trouble to pick up important points and are now looking to avoid relegation.
Watford comes into the game winless away since November 17, they are however only one win away from the safety of the 40 point mark. Huddersfield, on the other hand, has had a massive capitulation, not winning since February. They are five points clear of the drop but have a resurgent Crystal Palace on their heels.
Watford should show why they deserve to be a Premier League team here and come away with the 2-1 away victory.
Another game, another relegation prospect. Swansea who has been a firm midtable favorite in recent years is getting closer and closer to the drop zone. This weekend they come up against an underwhelming Everton. The Merseyside derby was arguably the worst derby in years, in part because of Everton’s unwillingness to attack.
Everton has very little to play for and Swansea are in front of their home crowd. Swansea is desperate for a win and some breathing space from the chasing pack. Swansea should be able to aid their attempt to reach safety here with a 3-1 win over Everton.
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Liverpool comes into this game on fire. They have the best strikeforce in the league and are hot off a controversial, but deserved, victory over league leaders Manchester City in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth has struggled to pick up results of late and have a tough game against Mo Salah and the rest of the Reds.
Liverpool has been amazing this season and expect this to carry on with a strong 2-0 victory against the Cherries.
In this clash between Newcastle and Arsenal, both teams have very little to play for. Arsenal will come into this game on the back of a tough clash against Russian CSKA Moscow. Newcastle is on 38 points and rooted firmly in mid-table.
Arsenal is set to miss out on the top four in back to back seasons, something unheard of in the Arsene Wenger era. Time seems to be running out for Wenger and he will be looking to the Europa League as a potential saving grace on a very average season.
Newcastle under Rafa Benitez is a side growing in confidence and will want to finish the season strong in a bid to set up a potential charge for the European spots next season. This game has score draw written all over it, with a 2-2 result likely.
Man Utd comes into this game of a season-defining 3-2 victory against rivals Man City. They will be hoping to show the critics that they can win the title next year with a dominant display over a poor West Brom team.
West Brom, on the other hand, are already looking like a team preparing for life in the Championship. They parted ways with manager Alan Pardew after only four months and will now have caretaker boss Darren Moore in charge until the end of the season.
The Red Devils will look to make a statement with more than just Paul Pogba’s hair choice. Look to Man Utd to rack up the goals in a 3-0 victory.
This Monday night relegation six-pointer has all the makings of a classic. A resurgent West Ham under David Moyes, a struggling Stoke City and the return of Marko Arnautovic who left Stoke in the summer.
West Ham took a shocking point off of Chelsea last week which as buoyed their survival hopes. On the opposite side of the pitch, Stoke is drifting further and further away from safety. Stoke are without a win in their last five and this game looks set to be no different.
West Ham at home, with the fans behind them and Marko Arnautovic, has a point to prove. This game looks set-up for a West Ham 2-1 victory over Stoke.
This week looks set to cement two of the three teams that will be relegated this season. Man City are on the cusp of securing the title. Whilst Burnley look to take another step towards a first season in Europe.
The end of the season is upon us and things are beginning to get spicy.
Featured image by The Premier League
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