Matchday 27 Previews
Newcastle United v. Huddersfield Town
Newcastle drew 1-1 at Wolves in their last PL match, but it will feel like 2 points dropped as they conceded the equalizer in 2nd-half stoppage time. They find themselves in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone. Lower in the table, Huddersfield look to be cut adrift as they are 14 points from safety with 12 matches left to play. However, they have a favorable run of fixtures coming up, starting with this match at fellow relegation candidates Newcastle.
Bournemouth v. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Despite back-to-back goalless losses, Bournemouth still sit in a decent spot in the table. They look to make a late push for a top-half finish, and will hope to continue their strong form at home in order to kick start that effort. For Wolves, they continue to show grit and determination, escaping their last match with a point after pulling back an equalizer in second half stoppage time. They lead the charge for the “best of the rest” race, sitting 2 points above 8th-place Watford, and will hope to continue their current unbeaten run against a streaky Bournemouth side.
Leicester City v. Crystal Palace
Despite somewhat lackluster results, Crystal Palace have managed to creep up the table over recent weeks. Still, they sit in a dangerous position, as they are just 3 points above the relegation zone. Results will need to improve to give the Eagles a sense of security as the season begins to wind down. For Leicester, times are tough right now, as they enter the weekend on a 6-match winless run in all competitions. Still, the Foxes sit in a position to make a late push for a top-half finish this season.
Manchester United v. Liverpool
Despite suffering a first loss under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a week and a half ago in the Champions League against PSG, Manchester United bounced back in a big way on Monday, winning 0-2 at Chelsea in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Man United have now won 11 of their 13 matches in all competitions under Solskjaer, and enter the weekend inside the top-4. Meanwhile, the Premier League title chase continues Sunday as Liverpool visit archrivals Manchester United. The Reds sit level on points with 1st-place Manchester City, but with the latter playing in the EFL Cup Final on Sunday, Liverpool know that they will jump back to the top of the table if they can walk away from Old Trafford with at least a point.
Arsenal v. Southampton
After overcoming a first leg defeat at BATE in order to advance to the Europa League Round of 16, Arsenal enter this match in decent form. With 6th-place Chelsea playing in the EFL Cup Final on Sunday and 4th-place Man United facing a tough test against Liverpool, the Gunners will feel that facing Southampton, against whom they are unbeaten at home in the Premier League, could be an opportunity to gain some ground in the race for top-4. At the opposite end of the table, Southampton find themselves in 18th place, 1 point from safety. They have been a mixed bag lately, but their strong recent away form, plus a win against Arsenal in the reverse fixture, will have them feeling like a positive result is in play.
