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Premier League Preview: Matchday 28

Premier League Preview: Matchday 28

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This could be a season-shaping weekend for some teams. It may seem a little premature to make such a claim given this is only Matchday 28 and there are still 10 games to be played but have you seen some of the fixtures? Top spot is up for grabs, there’s a huge match in the race for a top-four finish while there will be ramifications in the battle to stay in the Premier League. Here’s your weekend preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

An Old Trafford opportunity for Everton

The first match of the weekend sees Everton travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. The Toffees had their points deduction reduced recently and it catapulted them up the table into 16th. However, they’re just five points clear of the drop zone and have played a game more than 18th-placed Luton. 

Sean Dyche’s men are winless in seven, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in five and are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League, averaging just 1.1 goals per match. And yet they still might fancy their chances this weekend against Erik Ten Hag’s side. 

The hosts have lost five Premier League matches at Old Trafford this season and they’ve taken just 22 points from 13 home fixtures. United have lost two of their last three across all competitions and their last outing was a 3-1 loss in the Manchester Derby. 

They do, however, have a good record against Everton having won the previous four clashes. The hosts need a win to keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive. If results don’t go their way, they could finish the weekend nine points off of fifth having played a game more. 

Can the Eagles soar?

Crystal Palace host Luton Town this weekend looking to open up an 11-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. It would give them ample breathing space heading into the final stages of the 2023/24 campaign. 

But the visitors are desperate for points and this is going to be a tricky game for Oliver Glasner’s side. 

Especially when you consider that the Eagles aren’t in the best form. Palace have taken just 15 points in their 13 home matches this season and are averaging just 1.2 goals per game in the Premier League. They also lost 2-1 to Luton earlier in the season.  

Granted, Luton are struggling too but Rob Edwards’ side can and do score goals. The problem is they are also conceding a lot of goals. They’re without a clean sheet in six games and have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches. 

An opportunity for Arsenal

A win for Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday evening lifts them into top spot, at least until Sunday afternoon. 

The Gunners are the form team in the Premier League, taking 15 points from 15 while scoring 24 goals and conceding just two. They have taken 32 points from 13 at home this season and have the third-best record in the English top flight. 

By comparison, Brentford have taken four points from the last 15 on offer, scoring seven and conceding 11. 

This should be a routine win for Mikel Arteta’s side. They are the top scorers in the Premier League, they have the best defensive record and have kept the most clean sheets (11). The Gunners have been ruthless and rampant since the turn of the year and yet you can never really rule out a surprise result, can you? Brentford aren’t in the best form but have scored two goals in three of their last five matches. They do have the potential to cause a few problems. 

The top four race

Aston Villa and Spurs are separated by just five points ahead of their clash at Villa Park on Sunday. A win for the hosts would open up an eight-point lead in fourth, though Spurs would have a game in hand. It doesn’t guarantee them a Champions League spot but it does give them a serious advantage heading into the final 10 fixtures. 

Unai Emery’s men have been in good form over recent weeks. In fact, only Arsenal (15) and City (13) have picked up more points than Villa (12) over the past five matches. Villa have the fourth-best record at home this season having taken 31 points from 13 games at home. Spurs, on the other hand, have the sixth-best away record in the English top flight having won 20 points from 12 matches. 

There should be goals in this game. Villa haven’t kept a clean sheet in five while Spurs are without one in seven. Perhaps surprisingly, Spurs have lost their last three matches against the Villans. They’ll be wanting to halt that run of poor results but they’ll have a task containing Ollie Watkins, the man with the most goal involvements in the Premier League (26).

Top of the table clash

Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday afternoon knowing a win ensures they retain their place at the top of the table for another week. 

Both teams are in good form heading into this fixture. City have taken 13 points from a possible 15 while Liverpool have claimed 12 points. The Reds have scored 13 across those five matches though while the champions have managed just eight goals in what has been a bit of a dry spell by their standards. 

Jürgen Klopp’s men have the best home record in the Premier League having taken 35 points from a possible 39. City have the second-best away record having picked up 28 points on their travels. It really is two of the best teams in Europe facing off to determine who claims top spot. 

The final third could be key for both teams. Erling Haaland has seven goals in his last three appearances while Darwin Núñez has scored in each of his last three league appearances. There’s also a chance Mohamed Salah makes his first start for the Reds since New Year’s Day. 

It is a game you don’t want to miss. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Premier League Preview: Matchday 28

This could be a season-shaping weekend for some teams. It may seem a little premature to make such a claim given this is only Matchday 28 and there are still 10 games to be played but have you seen some of the fixtures? Top spot is up for grabs, there’s a huge match in the race for a top-four finish while there will be ramifications in the battle to stay in the Premier League. Here’s your weekend preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

An Old Trafford opportunity for Everton

The first match of the weekend sees Everton travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. The Toffees had their points deduction reduced recently and it catapulted them up the table into 16th. However, they’re just five points clear of the drop zone and have played a game more than 18th-placed Luton. 

Sean Dyche’s men are winless in seven, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in five and are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League, averaging just 1.1 goals per match. And yet they still might fancy their chances this weekend against Erik Ten Hag’s side. 

The hosts have lost five Premier League matches at Old Trafford this season and they’ve taken just 22 points from 13 home fixtures. United have lost two of their last three across all competitions and their last outing was a 3-1 loss in the Manchester Derby. 

They do, however, have a good record against Everton having won the previous four clashes. The hosts need a win to keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive. If results don’t go their way, they could finish the weekend nine points off of fifth having played a game more. 

Can the Eagles soar?

Crystal Palace host Luton Town this weekend looking to open up an 11-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. It would give them ample breathing space heading into the final stages of the 2023/24 campaign. 

But the visitors are desperate for points and this is going to be a tricky game for Oliver Glasner’s side. 

Especially when you consider that the Eagles aren’t in the best form. Palace have taken just 15 points in their 13 home matches this season and are averaging just 1.2 goals per game in the Premier League. They also lost 2-1 to Luton earlier in the season.  

Granted, Luton are struggling too but Rob Edwards’ side can and do score goals. The problem is they are also conceding a lot of goals. They’re without a clean sheet in six games and have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches. 

An opportunity for Arsenal

A win for Arsenal against Brentford on Saturday evening lifts them into top spot, at least until Sunday afternoon. 

The Gunners are the form team in the Premier League, taking 15 points from 15 while scoring 24 goals and conceding just two. They have taken 32 points from 13 at home this season and have the third-best record in the English top flight. 

By comparison, Brentford have taken four points from the last 15 on offer, scoring seven and conceding 11. 

This should be a routine win for Mikel Arteta’s side. They are the top scorers in the Premier League, they have the best defensive record and have kept the most clean sheets (11). The Gunners have been ruthless and rampant since the turn of the year and yet you can never really rule out a surprise result, can you? Brentford aren’t in the best form but have scored two goals in three of their last five matches. They do have the potential to cause a few problems. 

The top four race

Aston Villa and Spurs are separated by just five points ahead of their clash at Villa Park on Sunday. A win for the hosts would open up an eight-point lead in fourth, though Spurs would have a game in hand. It doesn’t guarantee them a Champions League spot but it does give them a serious advantage heading into the final 10 fixtures. 

Unai Emery’s men have been in good form over recent weeks. In fact, only Arsenal (15) and City (13) have picked up more points than Villa (12) over the past five matches. Villa have the fourth-best record at home this season having taken 31 points from 13 games at home. Spurs, on the other hand, have the sixth-best away record in the English top flight having won 20 points from 12 matches. 

There should be goals in this game. Villa haven’t kept a clean sheet in five while Spurs are without one in seven. Perhaps surprisingly, Spurs have lost their last three matches against the Villans. They’ll be wanting to halt that run of poor results but they’ll have a task containing Ollie Watkins, the man with the most goal involvements in the Premier League (26).

Top of the table clash

Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday afternoon knowing a win ensures they retain their place at the top of the table for another week. 

Both teams are in good form heading into this fixture. City have taken 13 points from a possible 15 while Liverpool have claimed 12 points. The Reds have scored 13 across those five matches though while the champions have managed just eight goals in what has been a bit of a dry spell by their standards. 

Jürgen Klopp’s men have the best home record in the Premier League having taken 35 points from a possible 39. City have the second-best away record having picked up 28 points on their travels. It really is two of the best teams in Europe facing off to determine who claims top spot. 

The final third could be key for both teams. Erling Haaland has seven goals in his last three appearances while Darwin Núñez has scored in each of his last three league appearances. There’s also a chance Mohamed Salah makes his first start for the Reds since New Year’s Day. 

It is a game you don’t want to miss. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.