Matchweek 28 Previews
Bournemouth v. Chelsea
The Cherries continue to flirt with relegation, sitting just 2 points above the drop zone following their second straight loss last weekend at Burney. Bournemouth have 12 losses in their last 16 league matches, which certainly isn’t helping their search for a 6th straight Premier League season. As for Chelsea, they picked up a much-needed win last Saturday against Tottenham to stay 3 points above 5th place. However, the Blues have lost 3 of their last 4 league meetings against Bournemouth and haven’t won back-to-back Premier League matches since November.
Newcastle United v. Burnley
Newcastle are winless in their last 4 Premier League matches, as their recent struggles continued last weekend in a 1-0 loss at Burnley. Steve Bruce’s men still sit comfortably 7 points above the relegation zone but haven’t won a league match in well over a month and haven’t scored in any of their last three games. Burnley, meanwhile, have quietly climbed into the top half of the table with four wins in their last five league matches. Sean Dyche’s Clarets haven’t lost in the Premier League since January and will be looking to win three straight league matches for the first time in nearly a year to continue a surprising run in the second half of the season.
Watford v. Liverpool
The momentum Watford gained after Nigel Pearson was appointed head coach in December has fizzled out, as the Hornets are winless in their last 6 matches in all competitions following a 3-0 loss at Manchester United last weekend. They sit just 1 point from safety, but it’ll be quite a task to earn a result against undefeated Liverpool this weekend. The Reds might have come closer to losing than they have all season on Monday against West Ham but they still managed to come from behind in the second half to win a joint-record 18th straight Premier League match. A win at Watford would see Liverpool break the longest win streak in top-flight history and come within three wins of guaranteeing their first league title in 30 years.
Everton v. Manchester United
Despite suffering defeat at Arsenal last Sunday, it’s been a good run for Everton under Carlo Ancelotti. The Toffees only have 2 losses in their last 12 Premier League matches and are still in position to challenge for a spot in European football sitting 5 points behind 5th place. They enter the weekend unbeaten in their last 6 league matches at Goodison Park, last losing a Premier League home game back in November. Manchester United, meanwhile, are coming off two straight wins and three straight clean sheets in the Premier League. Behind a recently stout defense and strong attacking play from new signing Bruno Fernandes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils have moved into 5th place as they chase a place in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham Hotspur v. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tottenham enter this weekend with 2 straight losses in all competitions for the first time under Jose Mourinho: a goalless loss at home to Leipzig in the Champions League and a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. Spurs sit 4 points behind 4th place but need to quickly figure out how to put goals in the back of the net without their top two goalscorers this season – Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son – who both continue to recover from their respective injuries. As for Wolves, they continued their impressive season on Thursday by advancing past Espanyol into Europa League Round of 16. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are unbeaten in their last 5 matches in all competitions and sit just 2 points behind 5th place. They also enter this match with 3 straight clean sheets in the Premier League, having last conceded a goal in the league over a month ago.
