The
Premier League is heating up as the battle for top 4 and the relegation fight enter their most crucial stages. Chelsea top the table with a comfortable 9 point lead while Spurs (2
nd) and Man Utd (6
th) are separated by just 5 points. The small gap in points will bring about some epic match-ups as the top teams battle it out for a top-four finish. The weekend brings a host of games that could change the shape of the table and we’ll be there watching every step of the way.
Down at the bottom, the relegation battle continues in exciting fashion with the bottom 6 teams separated by just 2 points. Sunderland currently sit at the bottom on 19 points but seem to be picking up some good form. A win over a weakened Southampton side could see the black cats, who have not conceded in 2 games, move out of the relegation zone depending on the results of the rest of the strugglers. Elsewhere, Hull City, a side reborn under Marco Silva have a chance to exit the bottom 3 but will have a tough task as they travel to Arsenal. Wenger’s men will be hoping to avoid a 3
rd consecutive defeat but should not have trouble against a Hull City side who have not won in their last 11 away games. The biggest game amongst the bottom 6 will come when Swansea host struggling league holders Leicester City. Both teams are tied on 21 points leaving them just 1 point above the relegation zone which should leave both teams with everything to play for. Swansea have won 3 of their last 5 while Leicester have lost 4 in a row and are coming off a 3-0 home ground hammering at the hands of Man Utd.
The top end of the table will be defined by a few key fixtures that could easily reshape the battle from 2
nd to 6
th. Chelsea can only remain on top as they travel to Burnley. The Blues are 9 points clear and are on fine form having won 16 of their last 18 league matches. The fixture should, however, make for an excellent match-up as Burnley have won their last 5 at home while Conte’s men hold the best away record in the league. As mentioned previously, Arsenal face a tough task at Hull and could lose their familiar 4
th spot if they fail to win and Liverpool and Man Utd take all 3 points. Liverpool will host Tottenham in the most anticipated clash of the weekend and it is quite clear who the on-form side are. Spurs have picked up an impressive 23 of their last 30 available points while Liverpool are struggling to hit form having failed to win in their past 5 league games. Spurs last managed a win at Anfield in 2011 but such a stat will most likely not stop their attempts as they look to continue their fine form with a long overdue Anfield win.
We head to Manchester where Man Utd will host a Watford side who are currently enjoying 2 consecutive league wins. Mourinho’s men, on the other hand, are in familiar territory as they have suffered through 3 draws in their last 4 league games. Although unbeaten in 15, United have a point to prove as they sit in 6
th spot after 9 draws already this season. The age of the big man has returned and we will see it on Saturday when both teams pit their big forwards up-front in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Troy Deeney who have both been on fine form this season. We can certainly expect goals in this one. On Monday night, 3
rd placed Man City travel to Bournemouth but could head into the fixture in 5
th position should Liverpool and Arsenal manage tough wins over the weekend. This is by no means an easy game for the citizens but Pep’s men seem to have finally hit a run of form and should comfortably down a cherries side who have failed to win in their past 6 league games.
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