The Premier League is coming to a conclusion and there is still plenty to play for. The title race is the best it has been for many years with Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City all separated by a single point. The chase for Europe is heating up also and sides will be looking to make big strides towards solidifying a place in one of Europe’s competitions next season, while at the bottom, the relegation battle is far from finished. Let’s take a look at this weekend’s fixtures.
Saturday 13/4/24
Newcastle v Tottenham (12.30pm)
Brentford v Sheffield United
Man City v Luton Town
Nottingham Forest v Wolves
Burnley v Brighton
Bournemouth v Man United (5.30pm)
Sunday 14/4/24
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (2pm)
West Ham v Fulham (2pm)
Arsenal v Aston Villa (4.30pm)
Monday 15/4/24
Chelsea v Everton (8.00pm)
Newcastle v Tottenham
An intriguing matchup begins this weekend’s Premier League action as Tottenham travel north to take on Newcastle in St James’ Park. With both sides coming off the back of wins last week, it aims to serve up a tight encounter. Earlier this season, Spurs demolished a sorry Newcastle 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Magpies will be hoping for a reaction this time around. Both sides are coming into this game with the same record in their previous 5 games- 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. With Spurs now in the driving seat to claim that final Champions League place, they will know a win at Newcastle will see them go three points clear of Villa with a game in hand. Newcastle have had a turbulent season thus far but a win at home tomorrow will see them leapfrog Man United and into sixth place.
Verdict: Tottenham
Brentford v Sheffield United
Brentford host the Blades this Saturday in a must win game for both sides. Sheffield United remain bottom on 16 points and are almost certain to drop into the Championship for next season. Brentford are still fighting and are in a better position heading into the final few games. They are 4 points above the relegation places and 13 points better off than their counterparts on Saturday. Both teams earned a point last weekend, Sheffield leaving it late to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea while Brentford were denied three points with a late Ollie Watkins equaliser at Villa Park. The Blades and the Hornets are winless in their last 5 games and it was Sheffield who came out on top in the earlier game this season.
Verdict: Draw
Man City v Luton Town
Earlier this season, Luton Town took a shock lead in the game at Kenilworth Road. It took a big effort from the treble winners to fight back and earn a 2-1 win against the Premier League newcomers. At present, Luton are in a fight for survival but are level on points with Nottingham Forest. They lie in the relegation places but are by no means giving up the fight. They managed a 2-1 win last weekend to Bournemouth and it has helped their cause massively. Man City on the other hand are in their stride. Fighting for the title as well as competing in the Champions League and FA Cup. They have a huge fixture at home to Real Madrid coming up next week but their focus this weekend is firmly on Luton Town. A 4-2 win away to Palace last week has kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal and Liverpool. A win this Saturday will see the champions rise to first as both Liverpool and Arsenal play on Sunday.
Verdict: Man City
Nottingham Forest v Wolves
Forest go into this game knowing that they will have to get three points. There are only 6 games remaining and they are above the relegation places on goal difference. A game at home is vital especially in the relegation battle and there are only a couple more left before the end of the season. Wolves travel to Forest on Saturday on the back of a 2-1 loss at home to West Ham last weekend. In another VAR controversy involving Wolves, manager Gary O’Neil was charged with improper conduct this week after his comments about VAR last weekend. It hasn’t been the best period for O’Neil’s side as they have just 1 win and 3 losses in their last 5. Forest come into this game with a somewhat better form as they have 1 win and 2 losses in their last 5. This is a game that Forest have to win and it couldn’t come at a better time.
Verdict: Nottingham Forest
Burnley v Brighton
Burnley are in a similar position to Sheffield United as they come into this game almost certain to be back in the Championship next season. On 19 points, they are 6 points off safety but are struggling to get a win. Last weekend saw the Clarets lose 1-0 to Everton and hurt their survival hopes greatly. Manager Vincent Kompany was again in the headlines as he now faces a two game touchline ban for his comments during and after the game against Chelsea, in which they drew 2-2. Burnley host the Seagulls on Saturday and the away side are also in a poor run of form. Brighton were on the end of a 3-0 thrashing to leaders Arsenal last week and it adds another loss to their previous 5 in which they have only won once and lost three. Similarly to Forest, Burnley have to see this game as a great chance to earn three points. They host a side who are struggling for form and the Clarets will have to make Turf Moor a fortress tomorrow to get back on track in the survival race.
Verdict: Draw
Bournemouth v Man United
It was a contrasting weekend for both of these sides last week. Bournemouth fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to struggling Luton Town while Man United claimed an important point in a 2-2 draw with title chasing Liverpool. The Cherries were on a run of three straight wins until last weekend and they have been impressive this season. Bournemouth aren’t worried about a relegation battle but are more concerned about a top 10 finish and possible European place. With 7 games to go for the Cherries, they are 6 points off 8th place and they know that a possible Conference League place could be on the cards. Man United are looking at higher aspirations as they know that the Champions League places are still fully reachable. Although they sit 11 points off the top four, stranger things have happened and they know a possible fifth place could be awarded later in the season. After a rollercoaster of results last week, United will aim to claim three points and put pressure on Villa in fifth.
Verdict: Man United
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
This matchup is always one that fans love to see. It has produced terrific battles down through the years and it comes at a time when Liverpool are most vulnerable. After a disappointing performance in the draw at United last weekend followed by a 3-0 hammering at home to Atalanta in the Europa League, the Reds know they have been performing under par in recent weeks. Palace need to earn points as they are being dragged into a relegation battle. Although they may see it as a huge task ahead of them this weekend, they know that they can cause Liverpool problems as seen before. Liverpool haven’t been themselves but knowing that they are more than likely facing an early dismissal from the Europa League, their focus is solely on the League and will react at home on Sunday.
Verdict: Liverpool
West Ham v Fulham
Fulham travel to the London Stadium after a poor 1-0 home loss to Newcastle at Craven Cottage last week. The Cottagers have been performing well this season and are 4 points off a top ten position. West Ham had a difficult game on Thursday in the Europa League quarter finals, against Bayer Leverkusen. A 2-0 defeat to the German side wasn’t deserved as they conceded two late goals against Xabi Alonso’s side who remain unbeaten this season. The Hammers now return their focus to the Premier League and know that a win on Sunday will see them keep pressure on Man United in the hunt for a Europa League place for next season. David Moyes and Marco Silva have been targeted by fans in recent times for their sides performances this season, but they have remained positive and their positions have shown this. This London derby may seem like a tame affair but there is still plenty to play for for these sides.
Verdict: Draw
Arsenal v Aston Villa
In what is ultimately the game of the weekend, Aston Villa will look to top off a brilliant week with a win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. After a 2-1 win at home to Lille in the Conference League quarter final, Villa now travel to London to put a dent in the Gunners title hopes. They are locked in a battle with Spurs for the final Champions League position and need to get something from Sunday’s encounter. Arsenal are flying and have been in top form in recent weeks. Arsenal had a comprehensive 3-0 win at Brighton last week and this was followed up with a 2-2 draw against German giants Bayern Munich on Tuesday. They have been in top form and have been arguably the most consistent side in the league this season. They must win on Sunday to keep their dreams of the title going and fend off the constant threats of Liverpool and City. At home they have been brilliant and it will continue this weekend.
Verdict: Arsenal
Chelsea v Everton
After Everton received yet another point deduction, the Toffee’s now are plunged into the relegation race yet again. A 1-0 victory to Burnley last weekend has been their only win in their previous 5 attempts. Goals have been hard to come by but against a shaky Chelsea defence on Monday, this could be the game they needed. Chelsea have been so inconsistent this season and it has almost boiled over with fans watching on. A brilliant 4-3 win over Man United was dampened by a disappointing 2-2 draw with Sheffield United. Ollie McBurnie equalised in the final minute of the game to once again cost Chelsea an important 3 points. Chelsea have been poor against the lower sides this season and could face a stiff challenge from Everton on Monday.
Verdict: Draw
Let us know what your thoughts are for this weekend!