Everton, Liverpool cross paths in Merseyside derby
A Merseyside derby with major ramifications at both ends of the Premier League table is on the Goodison Park menu this Wednesday, as Everton and Liverpool cross paths once again.
While the Reds enjoyed a drama-free 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon, Sean Dyche‘s men overcame relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 2-0 before an astonishing aftermath.
Everton’s perennial Premier League status is still far from assured, but they also have the luxury of a game in hand over Forest, Luton and Burnley and have lost just one of their last six at Goodison Park, where they have continued their trend of wins to nil.
Indeed, each of the hosts’ last 11 Premier League victories on home turf has seen Everton keep a clean sheet, but they have failed to win any of their last 22 top-flight matches at Goodison Park when conceding, falling to defeat in 17 of them.
Everton’s scoreless streak against Liverpool could come to an end against a Reds defence that has been far from watertight in 2024, but if the visitors can continue their sequence of scoring in every Premier League away game so far this term, the writing will be on the wall for Dyche’s team.
Klopp’s side comfortably made their way past Fulham even with some celebrated names only enjoying second-half cameos, and a return to a full-strength XI at Goodison should see the title-chasing Reds earn the bragging rights once more.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Inconsistent Man United host bottom-side Sheffield Utd.
A wildly inconsistent Manchester United host Sheffield United in the Premier League this week.
On paper, the Red Devils would surely look at this particular fixture as nothing short of a routine victory.
Still, the chaotic nature of their performances make it hard to definitively suggest United are capable of getting through a game without collapsing, albeit it may not always result in a defeat.
Into the FA Cup final they may be but that certainly does not tell the whole story. Erik ten Hag’s side conceded three goals to Championship outfit Coventry at Wembley after racing into a 3-0 lead and were saved by VAR in extra-time before winning on penalties.
It remains to be seen whether or not INEOS stick with the Dutchman going forward but performances like that will do little to raise confidence.
Ten Hag is dealing with injuries. Such are the lack of options defensively, Casemiro played in central defence, with all of Willy Kambwala, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez injured. The hosts should have enough to win at home against a team rooted to the bottom of the table.
Credit: espn.co.uk
Crystal Palace welcome Newcastle United to Selhurst Park
Requiring just one more victory to mathematically assure themselves of Premier League safety, Crystal Palace welcome Newcastle United to their Selhurst Park home on Wednesday night.
While Eddie Howe‘s men enjoyed a weekend off, the Eagles ran riot in a 5-2 demolition of London rivals West Ham United, setting a new club record along the way.
The Crystal Palace faithful may have believed that their season had reached its zenith with their astonishing Anfield success over Liverpool on April 14, the Reds’ first home loss in the top flight in 18 months.
A refreshed and well-rested Newcastle side will prove a much different kettle of fish to a fatigued West Ham for Crystal Palace, who have tried and failed several times to breach the Magpies’ net over the past couple of seasons.
The manner of Sunday’s marvellous attacking display means that the hosts’ scoreless sequence should be snapped against Howe’s decimated defence, but the visitors should benefit from Palace’s weekend fatigue to prevail in what may be a goal-laden thriller.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth in mid-table clash
Both bound for mid-table in the Premier League’s final standings, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth meet on Wednesday, with the hosts holding a one-point advantage over their visitors.
Wolves remain at Molineux following their weekend loss against Arsenal, while the Cherries let another lead slip at Aston Villa, hurting hopes of a top-half finish.
After suffering a tame 2-0 defeat to title-chasing Arsenal on Saturday, Wolves are now winless in six matches, having previously won four from five to improve their prospects of finishing inside the Premier League’s top 10.
Sitting 11th in the table with a seven-point deficit to seventh-placed Manchester United, Gary O’Neil‘s side are therefore all but out of the reckoning for European qualification – though that would hardly have been on the agenda at the start of this season.
The longstanding injury crisis at Wolves reached a new peak last weekend, as Gary O’Neil was without Craig Dawson, Nelson Semedo, Pedro Neto, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha against Arsenal. Highlighting his dearth of resources, 15-year-old Wes Okoduwa was named on the bench.
Wolves have lost just one of their seven Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, and there is every chance that trend can continue this week. While the hosts have several players short of full fitness, they should have enough firepower to at least hold the Cherries, whose progress has stalled of late.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Wolverhampton Wanderers 19:45 AFC Bournemouth
