Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium
Needing to right some wrongs after being served a dose of their own corner medicine in midweek, Arsenal host Everton in Saturday evening’s Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta‘s men left it late to rescue a 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday’s Champions League battle, while his former mentor David Moyes masterminded a 2-0 triumph over Burnley last time out in the top flight.
The performance of Arsenal in Leverkusen left a lot to be desired as they once again emerged with a positive result after an uninspiring display; a common theme of the past few weeks.
Indeed, the Premier League leaders have won each of their last five matches in front of their own fans since January’s shock loss to Manchester United, while scoring multiple goals in five of their last six in their half of North London.
While no Premier League team can match Arsenal’s 24 dead-ball goals this season, Everton have let in just eight from penalties, corners or free kicks this season – the fewest of any side in the English top flight.
The stage is surely set for another low-scoring and potentially unwatchable affair involving Arsenal, but Arteta’s men so often find ways to get over the line – especially at home – and we have faith in them to do so yet again.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
City turn their attention to EPL title race against West Ham
Fresh from their humbling Champions League loss in midweek, Manchester City turn their attention back to the Premier League title race when they face relegation-threatened West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday night.
After enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Man City came crashing back down to earth when they suffered a 3-0 first-leg defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on a sobering night for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Bernabeu. Guardiola has admitted that there is “not much” chance of ousting the Spanish giants in next week’s second leg at the Etihad, and while their quadruple aspirations hang by the thinnest of threads, focus must now shift back to the Premier League and their quest to topple title rivals Arsenal at the summit.
Following a 2-2 home draw with Nottingham Forest just over a week ago, Man City have slipped seven points behind leaders Arsenal who have played a game more. The Citizens are fully aware that they can ill-afford to drop any more points, and may need a favour from Arsenal’s remaining opponents, if they wish to lift the Premier League trophy in May.
Man City will back themselves to make a swift return to winning ways on Saturday, as they are unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League meetings with West Ham.
There is plenty at stake for both teams heading into this weekend’s fixture and failure to collect maximum points could have damaging consequences.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid host struggling Elche at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid will aim to move to within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona when they welcome struggling Elche to Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Los Blancos are second in the La Liga table, four points behind the reigning champions, while Elche are 17th, only one point outside of the relegation zone.
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a spectacular performance against Manchester City in the Champions League, recording a 3-0 victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in the first leg of their last-16 clash, with Federico Valverde scoring a terrific treble.
Los Blancos are therefore in a very strong position when it comes to reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament, with the second leg to come in Manchester next week, but their focus has now switched back to Spain’s top flight and catching Barcelona.
Alvaro Arbeloa‘s side beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in the league last time out, and they are currently second in the table, four points behind the leaders Barcelona, demonstrating the importance of securing all three points in Saturday’s contest at Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have actually lost twice at home in the league this season, and they will certainly be wary of the threat that Elche could provide this weekend.
That said, Los Blancos have only lost six of their previous 54 matches against Elche in all competitions, and they have never been beaten by Los Franjiverdes at Bernabeu
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Atletico Madrid to continue winning ways against Getafe
Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it four straight wins in La Liga when they continue their campaign at home to Getafe on Saturday afternoon.
Diego Simeone‘s side are third in the La Liga table, level on points with fourth-placed Villarreal, while Getafe are ninth, only five points behind sixth-placed Celta Vigo.
Atletico will enter this match off the back of a spectacular 5-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest on Tuesday night. Getafe have actually won four of their last five La Liga matches, including their last two against Real Madrid and Real Betis, so the visitors will enter this game full of confidence. Jose Bordalas‘ side have lost just one of their last seven league fixtures, which surprisingly came at home to Sevilla, but their form since the middle of January has otherwise been excellent.
Getafe have sneaked up the table into ninth position, boasting a record of 10 wins, five draws and 12 defeats from 27 matches to collect 35 points, which has left them just five points behind sixth-placed Celta in the race for Europe.
The Sky Blues have only managed to win five of their previous 46 matches against Atletico in all competitions, though, and they suffered a 1-0 loss in the reverse game earlier this season.
Atletico will, without question, have one eye on next week’s Champions League last-16 second leg with Tottenham, and that will be reflected in terms of their side here.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Saturday
Sunderland 15:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea 17:30 Newcastle United
West Ham United 20:00 Manchester City
Crystal Palace 14:00 Leeds United
Manchester United 14:00 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest 14:00 Fulham
Liverpool 16:30 Tottenham Hotspur
Friday
Saturday
Girona 13:00 Athletic Club
Atletico Madrid 15:15 Getafe
Real Oviedo 17:30 Valencia
Real Madrid 20:00 Elche
Sunday
Mallorca 13:00 Espanyol
Barcelona 15:15 Sevilla
Real Betis 17:30 Celta Vigo
Real Sociedad 20:00 Osasuna
