Premier League preview: Another big week in store for title-chasing trio

Guardiola
Guardiola

With a third of the season remaining there are still three teams in with a genuine chance of winning the Premier League.

Just four points separates Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, although the Reds can extend their lead at the top when they face West Ham United on Monday.

Read on as we look at this week’s Premier League fixtures.

West Ham United vs Liverpool

Liverpool’s lead was cut to just two points by Manchester City on Sunday, but they could move five clear with a victory at the London Stadium.

The Reds have dominated recent meetings with West Ham, winning the last four league matches by a combined aggregate of 16-2.

However, the Hammers have been in decent form at home over the past couple of months, losing just one of their last five games.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side could move into the top half of the table if they can beat Liverpool and it would be foolish to underestimate their chances of success on Monday.

Everton vs Manchester City

City bounced back from their shock defeat at Newcastle United with a show of strength against Arsenal and they will fancy their chances of following up at Goodison Park.

Pep Guradiola’s side have recorded 3-1 victories in their last two meetings with Everton and it’s difficult to imagine them slipping up on Wednesday.

The Toffees were woeful against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and have now won just three of their last 12 league matches.

City have lost three of their last five games away from home in the league, but they are one of the week’s strongest betting tips to pick up three points against Everton.

Fulham vs Manchester United

Marcus Rashford celebrated his 100th Premier League appearance with a fine goal to secure a 1-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday and maintain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dream start as temporary manager.

The victory moved United onto 48 points, two adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea and one ahead of Arsenal in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Solskjaer has deservedly been hailed for his attacking football, but his impact on United’s defensive record should not be ignored.

In eight Premier League games since he replaced Jose Mourinho, United have conceded only six goals and kept three clean sheets – their good form should continue at Craven Cottage.

Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal

Arsenal were ruthlessly dismantled by City on Sunday, meaning they have now gone 21 away matches without beating one of the other so-called ‘Big Six’.

They also remain the only Premier League team not to keep a clean sheet away from home this season and face a huge battle to finish in the top four.

However, the Gunners haven’t been beaten by Huddersfield since 1971 and it’s highly unlikely that they will slip-up this weekend.

The Terriers are 13 points adrift of safety having won just twice this term and relegation to the Championship looks nailed on.

Southampton vs Cardiff City

Ralph Hasenhuttl has certainly sparked a revival in Southampton’s fortunes since replacing Mark Hughes as manager.

Saints are unbeaten in the league during 2019 and a victory over Cardiff would move them five points ahead of the relegation zone.

However, the Bluebirds deservedly beat Bournemouth over the weekend to prove that they will not give up their Premier League status lightly.

Cardiff triumphed 1-0 when the two sides met back in December and another close encounter is on the cards at St Mary’s.

Watford vs Everton

Any thoughts that Marco Silva was a better option as Everton manager than Sam Allardyce have surely been quashed by the club’s recent form.

The Toffees’ form has been awful over the past couple of months and their place in the top half of the table is now seriously under threat.

Silva has claimed Everton’s players are failing to motivate themselves consistently, a worrying statement from someone whose job it is to inspire positive performances.

Watford have lost just two of their last seven meetings with Everton and they look a good bet to enhance that record this weekend.

Crystal Palace vs West Ham United

Palace boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday and another three points against West Ham would further ease their relegation worries.

However, they have failed to beat the Hammers in their last seven meetings, with their last victory coming at Upton Park back in 2015.

Palace have won three and drawn one of their last six games at home, while West Ham have lost their last three away fixtures without scoring a goal.

Michy Batshuayi’s arrival on loan from Chelsea could prove to be an inspired piece of business and Palace look a solid bet on Saturday.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth

Liverpool will undoubtedly be eager to crank up the pressure on their title rivals with two victories this week.

The Reds could be up to eight points clear by the time City face Chelsea on Sunday and manager Jurgen Klopp will be keen to ensure his side don’t start feeling the pressure.

Liverpool have smashed 11 goals without reply in their last three meetings with the Cherries and the visitors’ recent away form doesn’t suggest they will cause too many problems at Anfield.

Eddie Howe’s side have lost seven league games in a row and Liverpool should comfortably come out on top this weekend.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Burnley

Brighton have lost just one of their last nine meetings with Burnley, although that solitary defeat came in the reverse fixture back in December.

There have been just 10 goals scored between the two sides during that run of games and another low-scoring encounter looks likely this weekend.

Brighton have scored just three goals in their last five home matches, while Burnley’s 11-goal tally away from Turf Moor is the fourth worst record in the top flight.

The home side are favourites to win the game, but a 0-0 or 1-1 draw would not be a surprise.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City

Spurs had 21 shots against Newcastle United on Saturday, but they only had Son Heung-min’s 83rd minute goal to show for their efforts.

Three wins in a row has kept Spurs in the title mix, although it’s fair to say that their performances have been laboured during that run.

Leicester’s defeat against Man Utd on Sunday was their fourth league game without a win and they will be desperate to end that run at Wembley.

Spurs ran out 2-0 winners at the King Power Stadium back in December – a similar scoreline is on the cards this weekend.

Manchester City vs Chelsea

City were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and Pep Guardiola’s side will be keen to set the record straight this weekend.

They have won 12 out of 13 matches at the Etihad Stadium this term, smashing 43 goals in the process.

Chelsea have lost their last two away matches without scoring a goal and they were particularly poor in their recent 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

City were superb against Arsenal over the weekend and a repeat of that display should be enough to see off Chelsea on Sunday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United

Wolves’ 3-1 victory at Everton on Saturday left them seventh in the table and it would not be a shock to see them retain that position during the rest of the season.

Nuno’s side recorded a 2-1 success at St James’ Park earlier in the season and they should complete the double on home soil.

Newcastle are without a win in their last four away matches and remain just two points above the relegation zone.

The Magpies triumphed 1-0 on their last visit to Molineux in 2017, but Wolves are fancied to pick up three points this weekend.

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