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Premier League Preview: Matchday 38

Premier League Preview: Matchday 38

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So here we are. The 2023/24 Premier League season is coming to an end this weekend and there’s still an awful lot to be decided. Manchester City lead the way but Arsenal can still claim their first title in 20 years if results go their way. Spurs had been looking to climb the table over recent weeks but are now looking over their shoulder’s in the race for a Europa League place. One of three teams could end up in the Europa Conference League while one of two sides could still be relegated. For the final time this season, here is your Premier League preview.

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

A must-win for Arsenal 

If Arsenal to have any hope of winning the Premier League, they need to pick up maximum points against Everton on Sunday. 

The Gunners host the Toffees knowing a win is needed and even that might not be enough to stop Manchester City from claiming their fourth successive Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s men have been flawless over recent weeks, winning five on the bounce, to take the title race to the final day. 

They’re up against an Everton side with nothing to play for having already secured safety. But Sean Dyche’s side aren’t going to roll over. He isn’t that sort of manager and the Toffees aren’t that sort of team. They arrive at the Emirates in good form too and are unbeaten in five. 

However, they are winless in 11 away matches this season and do have one of their worst attacking records in the Premier League, averaging just 1.1 goals per 90. They’re up against the team with the most clean sheets (18) and one of the best attacks in the English top-flight with Arteta’s side averaging 2.4 goals per 90. 

It has the potential to be an intriguing match-up, despite everything pointing to a routine Arsenal win. 

Can the champions make it four on the spin?

Manchester City are looking to win their fourth successive Premier League title. Never before has this been done in the English top-flight. The reigning champions host West Ham United at the Etihad on Sunday knowing a win guarantees them the title. A draw, or even a loss, would be enough if Arsenal fail to beat Everton. 

But Pep Guardiola’s side are going to want to win it in style in front of a home crowd. 

They are currently 22 games unbeaten in the Premier League and have won eight games on the bounce. This run has seen them jump ahead of both Liverpool and Arsenal. They always seem to time these winning runs to perfection. 

And Erling Haaland has timed his return to goalscoring ways perfectly too. The powerhouse No. 9 has 27 goals this season having netted nine times in his last six Premier League outings. He’s also got an impressive record against West Ham with four goals in three games. 

The Hammers have nothing to play for on Sunday in what will be David Moyes’ final game in charge. The highest they can finish is ninth. The lowest they can finish is ninth. They are without a clean sheet in 11 and have conceded the most penalties in the Premier League this term (10). 

On paper, it is a straightforward three points for Manchester City, but who knows what might happen. 

Can Chelsea sneak into the Europa League?

Remarkably, Chelsea could claim a fifth place finish this season. 

A few months back, a top half finish looked to be the best bet for the Blues but an impressive run of form has catapulted them up the table. They have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games. A win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against Bournemouth could see them clinch a Europa League spot if Spurs lose to Sheffield United. 

A loss, however, combined with a Newcastle United win would see Mauricio Pochettino’s men miss out on Europe altogether. The margins are really that fine. 

They will be confident though.  They are unbeaten against the Cherries in their last five and momentum is on their side. 

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola penned a new deal with the club this week but they are currently on a two-game losing streak. A top half finish is up for grabs if  Brighton lose and the Cherries win, so there is that as an incentive, but the lowest they will finish is 13th and even that would would be considered a successful season. 

Can Spurs hold on?

Earlier in the season, Spurs looked like title contenders. Then it looked as though they would claim a Champions League place. Now they’re in a battle for a Europa League spot. To say the campaign has fizzled  out would be an understatement. 

Tottenham have just two wins in seven and have lost five of their last six. They are without a clean sheet since March, a run that dates back 10 games. Despite this run of poor form, Ange Postecoglou knows a win would ensure the club are playing in the Europa League next season. All things considered, that could, and should, be viewed as a good debut campaign. 

They travel to already relegated Sheffield United in a game that should, in theory, be a slam dunk for Spurs. Chris Wilder’s side are without a clean sheet in 18 and without a win in 13. The Blades have conceded 101 goals this season and found the back of the net just 35 times. 

But Spurs don’t travel too well and are winless in five on the road. If Sheffield United want to end their season in the Premier League on a high, they have a pretty good opportunity against this out-of-form Tottenham team. 

Will Forest be playing Premier League football next season?

Nottingham Forest could yet still be relegated. 

They face Burnley on Sunday at Turf Moor in a fairly unique situation. A loss keeps them in the English top-flight unless they suffer a heavy defeat and Luton Town romp to a huge victory over Fulham. It is unlikely but not impossible. 

Forest need to be professional and get the job done against Vincent Kompany’s side. The potential is there for it to be a difficult day though. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are without a clean sheet in 13 while Burnley are unbeaten in nine against the visitors having won four and drawn five. They are, however, without a clean sheet in 20 Premier League games. 

They’ll want to end their season in the English top-flight in a positive way so expect them to put in a performance despite their fate already being sealed. 

(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 38

So here we are. The 2023/24 Premier League season is coming to an end this weekend and there’s still an awful lot to be decided. Manchester City lead the way but Arsenal can still claim their first title in 20 years if results go their way. Spurs had been looking to climb the table over recent weeks but are now looking over their shoulder’s in the race for a Europa League place. One of three teams could end up in the Europa Conference League while one of two sides could still be relegated. For the final time this season, here is your Premier League preview.

By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert

A must-win for Arsenal 

If Arsenal to have any hope of winning the Premier League, they need to pick up maximum points against Everton on Sunday. 

The Gunners host the Toffees knowing a win is needed and even that might not be enough to stop Manchester City from claiming their fourth successive Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s men have been flawless over recent weeks, winning five on the bounce, to take the title race to the final day. 

They’re up against an Everton side with nothing to play for having already secured safety. But Sean Dyche’s side aren’t going to roll over. He isn’t that sort of manager and the Toffees aren’t that sort of team. They arrive at the Emirates in good form too and are unbeaten in five. 

However, they are winless in 11 away matches this season and do have one of their worst attacking records in the Premier League, averaging just 1.1 goals per 90. They’re up against the team with the most clean sheets (18) and one of the best attacks in the English top-flight with Arteta’s side averaging 2.4 goals per 90. 

It has the potential to be an intriguing match-up, despite everything pointing to a routine Arsenal win. 

Can the champions make it four on the spin?

Manchester City are looking to win their fourth successive Premier League title. Never before has this been done in the English top-flight. The reigning champions host West Ham United at the Etihad on Sunday knowing a win guarantees them the title. A draw, or even a loss, would be enough if Arsenal fail to beat Everton. 

But Pep Guardiola’s side are going to want to win it in style in front of a home crowd. 

They are currently 22 games unbeaten in the Premier League and have won eight games on the bounce. This run has seen them jump ahead of both Liverpool and Arsenal. They always seem to time these winning runs to perfection. 

And Erling Haaland has timed his return to goalscoring ways perfectly too. The powerhouse No. 9 has 27 goals this season having netted nine times in his last six Premier League outings. He’s also got an impressive record against West Ham with four goals in three games. 

The Hammers have nothing to play for on Sunday in what will be David Moyes’ final game in charge. The highest they can finish is ninth. The lowest they can finish is ninth. They are without a clean sheet in 11 and have conceded the most penalties in the Premier League this term (10). 

On paper, it is a straightforward three points for Manchester City, but who knows what might happen. 

Can Chelsea sneak into the Europa League?

Remarkably, Chelsea could claim a fifth place finish this season. 

A few months back, a top half finish looked to be the best bet for the Blues but an impressive run of form has catapulted them up the table. They have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games. A win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against Bournemouth could see them clinch a Europa League spot if Spurs lose to Sheffield United. 

A loss, however, combined with a Newcastle United win would see Mauricio Pochettino’s men miss out on Europe altogether. The margins are really that fine. 

They will be confident though.  They are unbeaten against the Cherries in their last five and momentum is on their side. 

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola penned a new deal with the club this week but they are currently on a two-game losing streak. A top half finish is up for grabs if  Brighton lose and the Cherries win, so there is that as an incentive, but the lowest they will finish is 13th and even that would would be considered a successful season. 

Can Spurs hold on?

Earlier in the season, Spurs looked like title contenders. Then it looked as though they would claim a Champions League place. Now they’re in a battle for a Europa League spot. To say the campaign has fizzled  out would be an understatement. 

Tottenham have just two wins in seven and have lost five of their last six. They are without a clean sheet since March, a run that dates back 10 games. Despite this run of poor form, Ange Postecoglou knows a win would ensure the club are playing in the Europa League next season. All things considered, that could, and should, be viewed as a good debut campaign. 

They travel to already relegated Sheffield United in a game that should, in theory, be a slam dunk for Spurs. Chris Wilder’s side are without a clean sheet in 18 and without a win in 13. The Blades have conceded 101 goals this season and found the back of the net just 35 times. 

But Spurs don’t travel too well and are winless in five on the road. If Sheffield United want to end their season in the Premier League on a high, they have a pretty good opportunity against this out-of-form Tottenham team. 

Will Forest be playing Premier League football next season?

Nottingham Forest could yet still be relegated. 

They face Burnley on Sunday at Turf Moor in a fairly unique situation. A loss keeps them in the English top-flight unless they suffer a heavy defeat and Luton Town romp to a huge victory over Fulham. It is unlikely but not impossible. 

Forest need to be professional and get the job done against Vincent Kompany’s side. The potential is there for it to be a difficult day though. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are without a clean sheet in 13 while Burnley are unbeaten in nine against the visitors having won four and drawn five. They are, however, without a clean sheet in 20 Premier League games. 

They’ll want to end their season in the English top-flight in a positive way so expect them to put in a performance despite their fate already being sealed. 

(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.