Arsenal are likely to be without several players as they head into their home tie with Crystal Palace. After completing a move to Everton, Theo Walcott will no longer be an option and Alexis Sanchez is also likely to have played his last Arsenal game. After failing to win four of their last five games Arsenal are hitting poor form at a key point of the season. They are now eight points off the pace of the top four and face a Palace side who are performing better at the moment. The away side have won their last two and are unbeaten in their last five games away from Selhurst Park. A win for Palace could move them into the top half of the table.
After suffering their first defeat of the season last time out Manchester City will be hoping that normal business is resumed as they welcome Newcastle. Wins in their last ten home games is part of why City have such a lead at the top of the table and they could increase the 12 point advantage they currently hold by the end of the day. The 1-0 home defeat to City in late December is the only one in Newcastle’s last five. Their home form is what has prevented and daylight opening between themselves and the relegation places after failing to win in their last seven. Having won the last two trips away though means they are three points above the bottom three.
Chelsea needed extra time and penalties to get past Norwich in their FA Cup replay and face an early kick off in Brighton tomorrow. Many of the first team were involved in the midweek game and so will be hoping to have recovered in time to face Brighton. Both Alvaro Morata and Pedro were sent off in the reply so are unavailable for selection on Saturday’s game. Chelsea sit in 4th in the table having drawn three of their last five games but only three points separate them and 2nd place United. Brighton have also fallen down the table a little of late and are just three points above relegation before kickoff. A repeat of the 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season may put them into further trouble.
Last season saw Manchester United’s first Premier League win away at Burnley and they will travel to try again in Saturday’s match. Burnley are still riding high in the league thanks to their superb early season form but they have been poor of late. Results have fallen away and no win in the last six has seen them drop to 7th, ten points behind 5th place. In contrast to that Manchester United seem to have turned the corner. A poor run at the end of last year seems to be over and they have back to back wins in the league. Victory in this game will keep United 2nd and briefly close the gap to the top.
Four straight wins have lifted Liverpool into 3rd and breathing down the neck of United above. They travel to Swansea on Monday evening looking to continue that run. Swansea are still bottom but have improved a little since the change in manager. Both sides have won two of the last four but Liverpool’s comfortable 5-0 win earlier this season perhaps shows the difference between the sides.
Tottenham have won four of the last five games in the league, including the 5-2 victory over Southampton on Boxing Day. They face the same opponents on Sunday aiming to get the win which could move them into the top four. Southampton are on a rotten run and could be in the bottom three prior to kick off. Ten games without a win has seen them slide down the league and another defeat could pile on the pressure with difficult games to come.
One side hoping to escape the bottom three this weekend is Stoke who welcome Huddersfield in what will be Paul Lambert’s first game in charge. This is the first game of a favourable run for the hosts and one which could decide if they survive this season. Huddersfield haven’t won in five games and have picked up Just eight points on the road this season. A win for them in this game will move them closer to the top half.
Everton had put a good run together towards the end of last year to move them up the table away from danger. They may have hoped to kick on into contention for a European spot but have seen that fall away due to three straight defeats. West Brom are their opponents this weekend who ended their winless run last time out. Their 2-0 win over Brighton was the first since August and they may be able to climb towards safety with another win at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth and West Ham are two teams in very similar form over the last few weeks with two wins, two draws and a defeat. That run has helped them both move clear of the relegation zone for the time being. It is tight at the bottom however and neither side can afford to let their form slide with the teams behind looking to improve. West Ham could move into the top ten with their fifth home win of the season but a Bournemouth win would see them move above their hosts.
Both Leicester and Watford have won just once in their last five league games and meet on Saturday. Leicester have probably the best chance of finishing highest of the sides outside the top six. They are currently eight points behind 6th but could break back into Europe for next season. Watford’s season started with promise but has since fallen away. They could still improve and have a decent finishing position by the end of the season.
Arsenal are falling further away from the top four and may have to accept that they won’t break in again this season. A rebuild job is perhaps needed so they can finish as high as possible this season but perform much better next.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
