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Premier League Preview: Matchday 35

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We’re into the final stretch of the season and unlike in previous years, there’s still everything to play for. It is still, just about, a three-way title race while the final Champions League spot is still up for grabs, a number of teams are still in contention for European football next season and while the relegation battle has been thinned over recent weeks, three clubs are vying for 17th position. Here’s your matchday 35 Premier League preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

The Reds need a reaction

Liverpool have lost two of their last three in the Premier League. Their title hopes are hanging by a thread and anything but a win against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon could bring their pursuit of a second title under Jürgen Klopp to a premature end. 

The Reds travel to London for the early kick off on Saturday having suffered a shock loss to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday. In truth, it was a deserved defeat for Liverpool. They yet again spurned chances and failed to team with a physical Everton side. 

Worryingly, Liverpool aren’t even guaranteed a top-four place yet. There’s still plenty to play for and they can’t stew on their recent poor form. A reaction isn’t just needed, it is required. 

West Ham are winless in four but a positive end to their campaign could see them claim a Europa Conference League place. David Moyes’ men also need a reaction following the emphatic 5-2 loss to Crystal Palace in their last outing. 

This game potentially falls into the must not lose category for both sides. 

An opportunity to guarantee survival

There’s another must not lose match this weekend, to be played at Goodison Park as Everton host Brentford. Both sides have improved their form over recent weeks and climbed away from what looked to be a relegation battle. 

The Bees are unbeaten in five and have won their last two matches while Everton have won three and drawn one of their last five in the Premier League. The Toffees claimed their first win over Liverpool on home soil in 14 years on Wednesday to lift themselves eight points clear of the drop zone with 12 points still available. 

A win for either side would guarantee safety. A draw could well be enough if Luton lose, considering the Hatters have such a poor defensive record. 

Champions League football at Villa Park?

Aston Villa could move nine points clear in the race for the final Champions League place on Saturday evening – if they overcome a Chelsea side in turmoil following their 5-0 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday. 

Villa wouldn’t necessarily be in complete control given Spurs, the team currently in fifth, would have three games in hand over the Villans, but it would heap all of the pressure onto Ange Postecoglou and his players. They would go into these games knowing they cannot afford to slip up. This must-win environment can be too much for some players. 

Unai Emery’s men will fancy their chances. They have been scoring for fun recently, scoring 11 goals across their last five matches and Ollie Watkins has been in fine form – he’s currently on 19 goals and 12 assists for the campaign. 

Chelsea had been in the best form of the season before their FA Cup loss to Manchester City. They then followed that up with a 5-0 loss to Arsenal. It was a result that further backed the idea that the Blues really are Cole Palmer FC. If the England international isn’t back, the three points feel like a formality for Villa. 

The North London Derby

This game could well be make or break for either side. 

Arsenal need a win to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title. A loss gives the reigning champions full control of where the trophy ends up this season. A win heaps all of the pressure onto Pep Guardiola’s team ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest. 

For Spurs, they need a win to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive. They could well start the game nine points behind Villa, albeit with three games in hand. They still have a few tricky games though and they would likely much prefer points on the board rather than games to be played. Even if Villa slip up in their Saturday night game, Postecoglou and his players know a win here is pivotal in their quest for the top four. This is what makes this match so big. This isn’t just a derby. This isn’t just about pride. This could give Spurs the boost needed to claim a place in next season’s Champions League while denting Arsenal’s title hopes. 

For Arsenal, it could be use as a catalyst for the final few weeks as they look to end their wait for a title while simultaneously ruining Tottenham’s chances of a top four finish. This game could be cinema. 

Can the champions hold their nerve?

Once again, Manchester City are last to play. There’s a chance for them to return to the top of the Premier League if they beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon and Arsenal fail to beat Spurs. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have been ruthless in the Premier League as of late, scoring four or more goals in four successive games. They also have the second best away record in the English top-flight this season.  

They face a Forest team who have conceded seven goals across their last three outings. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are without a clean sheet in their last 10 matches and are right in the relegation mix. If results don’t go their way this weekend, they could finish this matchday in the bottom three. 

Everything points to a Manchester City win but you just never know, do you?

(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 35

We’re into the final stretch of the season and unlike in previous years, there’s still everything to play for. It is still, just about, a three-way title race while the final Champions League spot is still up for grabs, a number of teams are still in contention for European football next season and while the relegation battle has been thinned over recent weeks, three clubs are vying for 17th position. Here’s your matchday 35 Premier League preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

The Reds need a reaction

Liverpool have lost two of their last three in the Premier League. Their title hopes are hanging by a thread and anything but a win against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon could bring their pursuit of a second title under Jürgen Klopp to a premature end. 

The Reds travel to London for the early kick off on Saturday having suffered a shock loss to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday. In truth, it was a deserved defeat for Liverpool. They yet again spurned chances and failed to team with a physical Everton side. 

Worryingly, Liverpool aren’t even guaranteed a top-four place yet. There’s still plenty to play for and they can’t stew on their recent poor form. A reaction isn’t just needed, it is required. 

West Ham are winless in four but a positive end to their campaign could see them claim a Europa Conference League place. David Moyes’ men also need a reaction following the emphatic 5-2 loss to Crystal Palace in their last outing. 

This game potentially falls into the must not lose category for both sides. 

An opportunity to guarantee survival

There’s another must not lose match this weekend, to be played at Goodison Park as Everton host Brentford. Both sides have improved their form over recent weeks and climbed away from what looked to be a relegation battle. 

The Bees are unbeaten in five and have won their last two matches while Everton have won three and drawn one of their last five in the Premier League. The Toffees claimed their first win over Liverpool on home soil in 14 years on Wednesday to lift themselves eight points clear of the drop zone with 12 points still available. 

A win for either side would guarantee safety. A draw could well be enough if Luton lose, considering the Hatters have such a poor defensive record. 

Champions League football at Villa Park?

Aston Villa could move nine points clear in the race for the final Champions League place on Saturday evening – if they overcome a Chelsea side in turmoil following their 5-0 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday. 

Villa wouldn’t necessarily be in complete control given Spurs, the team currently in fifth, would have three games in hand over the Villans, but it would heap all of the pressure onto Ange Postecoglou and his players. They would go into these games knowing they cannot afford to slip up. This must-win environment can be too much for some players. 

Unai Emery’s men will fancy their chances. They have been scoring for fun recently, scoring 11 goals across their last five matches and Ollie Watkins has been in fine form – he’s currently on 19 goals and 12 assists for the campaign. 

Chelsea had been in the best form of the season before their FA Cup loss to Manchester City. They then followed that up with a 5-0 loss to Arsenal. It was a result that further backed the idea that the Blues really are Cole Palmer FC. If the England international isn’t back, the three points feel like a formality for Villa. 

The North London Derby

This game could well be make or break for either side. 

Arsenal need a win to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title. A loss gives the reigning champions full control of where the trophy ends up this season. A win heaps all of the pressure onto Pep Guardiola’s team ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest. 

For Spurs, they need a win to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive. They could well start the game nine points behind Villa, albeit with three games in hand. They still have a few tricky games though and they would likely much prefer points on the board rather than games to be played. Even if Villa slip up in their Saturday night game, Postecoglou and his players know a win here is pivotal in their quest for the top four. This is what makes this match so big. This isn’t just a derby. This isn’t just about pride. This could give Spurs the boost needed to claim a place in next season’s Champions League while denting Arsenal’s title hopes. 

For Arsenal, it could be use as a catalyst for the final few weeks as they look to end their wait for a title while simultaneously ruining Tottenham’s chances of a top four finish. This game could be cinema. 

Can the champions hold their nerve?

Once again, Manchester City are last to play. There’s a chance for them to return to the top of the Premier League if they beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon and Arsenal fail to beat Spurs. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have been ruthless in the Premier League as of late, scoring four or more goals in four successive games. They also have the second best away record in the English top-flight this season.  

They face a Forest team who have conceded seven goals across their last three outings. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are without a clean sheet in their last 10 matches and are right in the relegation mix. If results don’t go their way this weekend, they could finish this matchday in the bottom three. 

Everything points to a Manchester City win but you just never know, do you?

(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.