Premier League preview: a look forward to the best of this weekend’s Premier League football.
Arsenal vs Liverpool – Emirates Stadium – Saturday 4th April – 12:45 Kick off (BST)
The only place to start this weekend is with Saturday’s lunch time kick-off. Arsenal will have one eye on second place due to Manchester City’s stuttering form. As for Liverpool, they will feel after losing their crunch game with Manchester United at Anfield before the International break that only a win will keep them in contention for a top four spot.
Arsenal expect to have key players such as Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Debuchy available for selection, after they successfully completed a friendly behind closed doors on Tuesday afternoon. As for Liverpool, they expect Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana to be available after they were both forced to withdraw from England duty.
One expects a tight yet entertaining affair on Saturday afternoon. Liverpool haven’t conceded a goal away from Anfield in their last six. However, Arsenal haven’t lost at home since Manchester United beat them 2-1 back on November 22nd.
Manchester united vs Aston Villa – Old Trafford – Saturday 4th April – 3:00 Kick off (BST)
The importance of a United win will be clearer when the final whistle blows at The Emirates. This is because if Liverpool beat Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off then the gap between the two North West clubs will be down to two points yet again. If Arsenal avoid defeat however, anything other than an Aston Villa win will help cement Louis Van Gaal’s side in the top four.
Aston Villa will consider any points at Old Trafford a bonus as Tim Sherwood aims to steer the Midlands club away from the drop zone.
Despite the Manchester Club being under potential pressure at kick-off, looking at their current form they should win this one easily.
Chelsea vs Stoke – Stamford Bridge – Saturday 4th April – 5.30 Kick off (BST)
With title rivals Manchester City not playing until Monday, league leaders Chelsea have the opportunity to open up a nine point gap on City. Many consider the title race already over, but with Manchester City’s two previous Premier League titles coming from what seemed like impossible positions, only a fool would count them out. Therefore expect Jose Mourinho and Chelsea to treat this game like a cup final, as they know three points would put serious pressure on an already faltering Manchester City.
As for Stoke, they have been enjoying another solid season under Mark Hughes and a top half finish is most definitely the target. However, it seems that they will have to wait until the next round of fixtures before they pick up any more points.
Sunderland vs Newcastle – Sunday 5th April – Stadium of Light – 4:00 Kick off (BST)
Sunderland will face Newcastle late on Sunday afternoon with the opportunity to make it five successive wins over their arch rivals. On this occasion not only could bragging rights be retained for Sunderland, but they could also be elevated four points clear of the drop zone should Spurs beat Burnley in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off. However, should Newcastle win and Burnley find a way past Spurs at Turf Moor, Sunderland will be in the relegation zone.
Both sides are expected to enter the game with no new injury worries after the international break. New Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat will be hoping striker Steven Fletcher can work in tandem with Jermaine Defoe. Fletcher scored an international hat-trick in midweek and his new manager will be hoping he continues to find the back of the net on Sunday.
As for a prediction, rarely has a game between these great rivals been harder to call. Sunderland, who are in quite awful form, will feel their need to win is the greater, but Newcastle would love nothing more than being the ones responsible for their North East rivals being plunged into further relegation worries.
Remaining Premier League fixtures
Saturday 4th April 2015
Everton v Southampton – Goodison Park – 3:00 Kick off (BST)
Leicester v West Ham – King Power Stadium – 3:00 Kick off (BST)
Swansea v Hull – Liberty Stadium – 3:00 Kick off (BST)
West Brom v QPR – The Hawthorns – 3:00 Kick off (BST)
Sunday 5th April 2015
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur – Turf Moor – 1:30 Kick off (BST)
Monday 6th April 2015
Crystal Palace v Man City – Selhurst Park – 8:00 Kick off (BST)
