MY ACCOUNT
Newcastle and Tottenham face off in a pivotal battle in the top-four race as the business end of the Premier League hots up on Matchday 32.
With Manchester City, Manchester United and Brighton in FA Cup semi-final action, we preview all eight games across the weekend.
Arsenal vs Southampton (Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports)
Arsenal can extend their lead at the top to seven points against Southampton, after two consecutive draws handed the initiative back to City.
Mikel Arteta’s men were held by both Liverpool and West Ham but will see a home clash with the bottom side, who are four points from safety, as a chance to get back on track.
Dropping four points in those 2-2 draws at Anfield and the London Stadium are as many as the Gunners have let slip in their previous 47 matches.
But the North Londoners have never lost a Premier League home game against Southampton in 23 previous meetings (16 wins, seven draws) — the most one side has hosted another without ever tasting defeat in the competition.
Fulham vs Leeds (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport)
Leeds head into their clash at Fulham off the back of 5-1 and 6-1 home maulings by Crystal Palace and Liverpool, leaving them just two points above the bottom three.
The West Yorkshire club have lost all six of their trips to London this season, having already gone down 2-0 to the Cottagers in the FA Cup fifth round in January.
Marco Silva’s men have since lost their last two home games however, as many as the 10th-placed side had in their previous nine (four wins, three draws).
Javi Gracia will hope his centre forward Patrick Bamford shakes off a calf injury to feature — the No9 has been directly involved in six goals in his last four league starts against Fulham, scoring four and assisting two.
Brentford vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm)
In-form Aston Villa are dreaming of a top-six finish as they visit a Brentford team looking to get themselves back in the race for European football.
Unai Emery’s men have won seven of their last eight games, including each of the last five, keeping six clean sheets and conceding just two goals during that run.
The Villans are only six points off Newcastle in fourth and seven ahead of Brentford, who suffered their third successive defeat against Wolves last time out.
Former Bees striker Ollie Watkins has 11 goals in his last 12 games while Jacob Ramsey is looking to build on his five goal involvements in five outings (two goals, three assists).
Crystal Palace vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm)
Just one win in eight leaves Everton outside of the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of their trip to resurgent Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have won three in a row since Roy Hodgson returned to the dugout, though they have beaten the Merseyside club only once in their last 16 Premier League meetings.
Following the Toffees’ 3-0 win at Goodison Park in October, Sean Dyche’s side are looking to complete their first league double over Palace since 2004-05.
Eberechi Eze will hope to continue his fine form having found the net three times in his last two games, as many as he had in his previous 21 league appearances.
Leicester vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm)
Leicester’s home clash with Wolves looks a must-win game as Dean Smith takes charge of the Foxes for the second time.
The East Midlands outfit are in real danger of ending their nine-year stay in the top flight, with one point from their last nine leaving them two adrift of safety.
They are the only team in the division without a clean sheet since the return of the Premier League after the World Cup in December, conceding in all of their last 16 games.
Diego Costa finally opened his Wolves account against the Bees last weekend. The 34-year-old last scored in consecutive Premier League matches for Chelsea in March 2017.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 3pm)
Liverpool will be determined to ensure their mauling of Leeds inspires a strong end to the season as they look to strengthen their European hopes against struggling Nottingham Forest.
Steve Cooper’s men sprung a shock 1-0 win over the Reds in October but are in real danger of an immediate drop down to the second tier after seven defeats during a 10-game run without a win.
The hosts have endured a difficult season but have only lost once in their last 37 Premier League games at Anfield (27 wins, nine draws).
In contrast, the Tricky Trees have the fewest points (six), joint-fewest wins (one), fewest goals scored (five) and worst goal difference (-31) of any team away from home in the top flight this term.
Bournemouth vs West Ham (Sunday, 2pm)
Only Villa (12) have earned more points in April than Bournemouth (nine), helping the Cherries go six clear of the drop zone.
The Hammers have emerged victorious in their last two games against the South Coast club, though the hosts are unbeaten in four clashes against the Irons at the Vitality Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen has been directly involved in six goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances (three goals, three assists), however all of them have come at the London Stadium.
Newcastle vs Tottenham (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)
A huge clash in the race for Champions League qualification sees fourth-placed Newcastle host Tottenham in fifth.
Both are looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats last time out after the Tynesiders were dismantled 3-0 by Villa and Spurs slipped to a last-gasp defeat to Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe’s side were enjoying a five-game winning streak prior to the loss at Villa Park, while their opponents on Sunday are without a victory in their last six games in all competitions on the road.
Magpies striker Callum Wilson could cause the visitors a few problems, with the England marksman having contributed eight goals in his last nine league starts (six goals, two assists).
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