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Premier League Preview: Matchday 36

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The majority of teams in the Premier League now have just three games left to play. At this stage of the campaign, every point matters. There’s still a title race, there’s still a battle for the final Champions League place and three teams are scrambling to secure 17th position in the English top flight in a bid to avoid the drop. There really is a lot to play for. So, here’s your Matchday 36 preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

Can Everton keep their run going?

A few weeks ago, this clash between Luton Town and Everton looked like it could’ve been a real six-pointer with both teams in a relegation battle. However, the Toffees have found form at the perfect time, winning their last three matches. In fact, Sean Dyche’s side have won four of their last five, all while keeping four clean sheets. This has seen them move 11 points clear of their Friday night hosts.

Rob Edwards’ men are just a point away from safety. This may come as a surprise given they’ve been in horrendous form in 2024. Luton are yet to keep a clean sheet in 15 matches and have conceded 12 goals in their last three outings.  

They have beaten Everton on two occasions this term though, and the Toffees don’t travel well. They are winless in 10 away matches this season and are the second-lowest scorers in the Premier League, averaging 1.1 goals per 90. So while they might be in good form, Luton can still be confident of getting something from this game. If they manage it, it will give their survival hopes a huge boost. 

Another opportunity for Arsenal 

The Gunners travel to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Bournemouth. Once again, Mikel Arteta’s side are playing before Manchester City and have the opportunity to extend their lead at the summit. 

Arsenal have won three on the trot since their shock home defeat to Aston Villa. They are unbeaten in eight against the Cherries and they have won seven of these clashes between the two sides during this period. 

All three points for the Premier League leaders would ensure they remain top of the English top flight and it would make Manchester City’s game against Wolves a must-win clash for the reigning champions.  

This might not be an easy game for the title hopefuls, despite their good form. Bournemouth have won back-to-back games and a win could move Andoni Iraola’s men into eighth, temporarily at least.  

Relentless City need to go again 

Manchester City are the form side in the Premier League with a 100% record in their last five outings. The reigning champions have scored 19 goals and conceded on just four occasions. They always seem to click at the right time of the season. 

They have the second best home record this term having picked up 41 points from 17 matches and are the only side in the English top-flight yet to lose at home. They won’t treat their Saturday evening game against Wolves as a formality but anything other than three points at the Etihad for the hosts will be viewed as a shock. 

However, City’s performance against Nottingham Forest last weekend showed they aren’t as convincing as they have been in previous campaigns. The relegation-threatened side lost 2-0 but won the Expected Goals battle. They limited Guardiola’s side, an achievement in itself, while carving out decent chances. 

Wolves, who haven’t kept a clean sheet in 10 games, do have the individuals within their team to cause this City side some issues. The big unknown is whether or not they have the consistency within their game to punish their hosts on Saturday. 

Can Liverpool finish the season on a high?

A few weeks ago, Liverpool were in a title race. Now they’re just looking to confirm their place in the top four after a forgettable April. The Reds are 13th in the form table having taken just five points from five games. 

Despite their loss to Crystal Palace recently, Jürgen Klopp’s side still have the best home record in the Premier League with 42 points from 17 matches. 

Spurs make the trip to Anfield this weekend looking to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for the final Champions League place. 

It is looking unlikely though. Defeat to Chelsea means Ange Postecoglou’s men are seven points off the pace with a game in hand. If results go against them this weekend, their top four dreams are over. 

And Spurs are in terrible form at the worst possible time. They have lost three on the spin, falling to defeats against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea. 

A difficult Monday night for Manchester United?

This round of fixtures ends at Selhurst Park on Monday evening as Crystal Palace host Manchester United. 

The Red Devils have drawn three of their last four in the Premier League and are without a clean sheet in eight. They have been erratic during Erik Ten Hag’s second season in charge and are in a battle to claim a sixth-place finish. They’re coming up against the Eagles at the worst possible time. 

Palace are unbeaten in four and only Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City have picked up more points than Oliver Glasner’s side in the last five matches. 

They aren’t great at home though and have won just six games in 17 games at Selhurst Park this term. Only five teams have picked up fewer points in front of home fans. So they are inconsistent at home and Manchester United are inconsistent in general. It makes for a fascinating match-up. 

(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 36

The majority of teams in the Premier League now have just three games left to play. At this stage of the campaign, every point matters. There’s still a title race, there’s still a battle for the final Champions League place and three teams are scrambling to secure 17th position in the English top flight in a bid to avoid the drop. There really is a lot to play for. So, here’s your Matchday 36 preview. 

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

Can Everton keep their run going?

A few weeks ago, this clash between Luton Town and Everton looked like it could’ve been a real six-pointer with both teams in a relegation battle. However, the Toffees have found form at the perfect time, winning their last three matches. In fact, Sean Dyche’s side have won four of their last five, all while keeping four clean sheets. This has seen them move 11 points clear of their Friday night hosts.

Rob Edwards’ men are just a point away from safety. This may come as a surprise given they’ve been in horrendous form in 2024. Luton are yet to keep a clean sheet in 15 matches and have conceded 12 goals in their last three outings.  

They have beaten Everton on two occasions this term though, and the Toffees don’t travel well. They are winless in 10 away matches this season and are the second-lowest scorers in the Premier League, averaging 1.1 goals per 90. So while they might be in good form, Luton can still be confident of getting something from this game. If they manage it, it will give their survival hopes a huge boost. 

Another opportunity for Arsenal 

The Gunners travel to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Bournemouth. Once again, Mikel Arteta’s side are playing before Manchester City and have the opportunity to extend their lead at the summit. 

Arsenal have won three on the trot since their shock home defeat to Aston Villa. They are unbeaten in eight against the Cherries and they have won seven of these clashes between the two sides during this period. 

All three points for the Premier League leaders would ensure they remain top of the English top flight and it would make Manchester City’s game against Wolves a must-win clash for the reigning champions.  

This might not be an easy game for the title hopefuls, despite their good form. Bournemouth have won back-to-back games and a win could move Andoni Iraola’s men into eighth, temporarily at least.  

Relentless City need to go again 

Manchester City are the form side in the Premier League with a 100% record in their last five outings. The reigning champions have scored 19 goals and conceded on just four occasions. They always seem to click at the right time of the season. 

They have the second best home record this term having picked up 41 points from 17 matches and are the only side in the English top-flight yet to lose at home. They won’t treat their Saturday evening game against Wolves as a formality but anything other than three points at the Etihad for the hosts will be viewed as a shock. 

However, City’s performance against Nottingham Forest last weekend showed they aren’t as convincing as they have been in previous campaigns. The relegation-threatened side lost 2-0 but won the Expected Goals battle. They limited Guardiola’s side, an achievement in itself, while carving out decent chances. 

Wolves, who haven’t kept a clean sheet in 10 games, do have the individuals within their team to cause this City side some issues. The big unknown is whether or not they have the consistency within their game to punish their hosts on Saturday. 

Can Liverpool finish the season on a high?

A few weeks ago, Liverpool were in a title race. Now they’re just looking to confirm their place in the top four after a forgettable April. The Reds are 13th in the form table having taken just five points from five games. 

Despite their loss to Crystal Palace recently, Jürgen Klopp’s side still have the best home record in the Premier League with 42 points from 17 matches. 

Spurs make the trip to Anfield this weekend looking to keep the pressure on Aston Villa in the race for the final Champions League place. 

It is looking unlikely though. Defeat to Chelsea means Ange Postecoglou’s men are seven points off the pace with a game in hand. If results go against them this weekend, their top four dreams are over. 

And Spurs are in terrible form at the worst possible time. They have lost three on the spin, falling to defeats against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea. 

A difficult Monday night for Manchester United?

This round of fixtures ends at Selhurst Park on Monday evening as Crystal Palace host Manchester United. 

The Red Devils have drawn three of their last four in the Premier League and are without a clean sheet in eight. They have been erratic during Erik Ten Hag’s second season in charge and are in a battle to claim a sixth-place finish. They’re coming up against the Eagles at the worst possible time. 

Palace are unbeaten in four and only Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City have picked up more points than Oliver Glasner’s side in the last five matches. 

They aren’t great at home though and have won just six games in 17 games at Selhurst Park this term. Only five teams have picked up fewer points in front of home fans. So they are inconsistent at home and Manchester United are inconsistent in general. It makes for a fascinating match-up. 

(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.