Arsenal to prolong title ‘fight’ as they host Crystal Palace
As Liverpool players and fans watch on with bated breath, Arsenal can prolong the Premier League title ‘fight’ for a little while longer by beating Crystal Palace in Wednesday’s London derby at the Emirates.
The Gunners kept the Reds waiting by hitting Ipswich Town for four over the Easter weekend, while the Eagles and Bournemouth shook hands on a 0-0 draw following yet another dose of refereeing controversy. Nursing no Champions League hangover from their marvellous feats in Madrid, Arsenal ensured that Liverpool would not be breaking out into a title party at Leicester City later in the day, dominating and eventually dismantling Championship-bound Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Still 13 points below Liverpool in the top-flight standings, Arsenal will officially hand the title to Arne Slot‘s side if they lose on Wednesday, not that Gooners should be losing sleep over what has been a foregone conclusion for some time; it is Champions League or bust in terms of silverware.
Before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to North London for next week’s blockbuster semi-final first leg, the Gunners endeavour to extend their unbeaten run in all tournaments to 12 matches, against opponents who may feel justifiably aggrieved at a sense of injustice at the weekend.
A third game in the space of seven days may lead to some jellied Arsenal legs, but Arteta can make a handful of changes here and there, and his side are arguably in their best moment of the season so far.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Athletic Bilbao welcome relegation threatened Las Palmas
Top-four chasing Athletic Bilbao welcome relegation candidates Las Palmas to San Mames in La Liga on Wednesday night. There was a late heartbreak for Bilbao away at the Bernabeu at the weekend, but most of their focus will be elsewhere for the remaining few weeks of the season.
Athletic took one step closer to playing in a European final at their home stadium by beating Rangers on Thursday night, and all eyes will now be on their semi-final with Manchester United at the start of May.
There is no La Liga gameweek at the weekend with the Copa del Rey final taking place, so that will afford Bilbao more time to prepare for the semi-final, but they do have a Basque derby against Real Sociedad coming up in between the two legs.
That will be important in the race for the top five, where sixth-place Real Betis are chasing down those above them, so Bilbao will hope to maintain their excellent home form this midweek, having won over two points-per-game at San Mames this season.
Bilbao star man Nico Williams is set to be rested again ahead of the Europa League semi-finals after he was left out of the squad to face Real Madrid with a minor thigh problem.
Apart from that, Valverde has a fully-fit squad to choose from, and many changes could be in store again, after he made 10 alterations to his XI at the weekend.
While Valverde is evidently prioritising the Europa League, they will still be clear favourites here, and with good reason, given their excellent form at home.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Parma and Juventus will clash at Stadio Tardini
Both battling for different objectives at either end of the Serie A standings, Parma and Juventus will clash at Stadio Tardini today. While the Gialloblu are fighting for survival, Juve aim to secure a top-four finish and salvage something from another below-par campaign. After beating both Genoa and Lecce on home turf – either side of an away draw with in-form Roma – Juve have now won eight of 13 league games in the second half of the season, and they hold their destiny within their own hands.
Among seven sides still vying for two Champions League places, Juventus are therefore targeting a sprint to the Serie A finish line before featuring in FIFA’s new Club World Cup.
So, as Juve have won on their last three top-flight visits to the Tardini – already a club record – and have lost just one of their last 15 meetings with Parma, they will expect to prevail again. Following a recent series of stalemates, , Parma have inched four points clear of the relegation places, as they aim to consolidate their Serie A status after last year’s promotion.
Having cast off the shackles, Juventus are finally finding some form, and they should have too much firepower for Parma to withstand.
Though the Gialloblu have tightened up under new management, they sometimes struggle to score goals – and that could yet cost them a place in Serie A.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Inter Milan, AC Milan meet in Coppa Italia semi-finals
All square following a tense first leg, old foes Inter Milan and AC Milan meet for the fifth and final time this season when they conclude their Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday.
Both beaten at the weekend, the city rivals reconvene at San Siro for another Derby della Madonnina, with the winner set for a place in next month’s final.
Inter are now keen to reinstate their derby dominance and stay on track for a treble, as they chase success in Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia – not to mention this summer’s new Club World Cup.
The Nerazzurri won six straight derbies between January 2023 and April 2024, but Milan have bitten back with two victories and two draws this season, so reaching Rome may not be a straightforward task.
With a 13-game undefeated streak now ended, Inter’s nosediving away form will cause Inzaghi some concern, but they now head home to San Siro for a clash with familiar foes.
While the Nerazzurri have lifted the cup in two of the past three seasons, Milan’s sole Coppa success for almost half a century came 22 years ago, so the stakes are even higher for the red-and-black side of Italy’s second city.
The gulf between these two Lombardy giants can be seen in the league table, though Milan have held the upper hand this season and are fond of a fightback.
While they may have other priorities, disciplined Inter should still beat their arch-rivals for the first time in five attempts, helping them reach another Coppa Italia final.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
Athletic Club 18:00 Las Palmas
Deportivo Alavés 20:30 Real Sociedad
Coppa Italia
Semi-finals
