What a week of football it’s been. I’m sure a lot of you tuned in for this week’s Champions League action. I, as a United fan, was reluctant to do so – partly because I’m still sour about our exit at the hands of Sevilla.
Nevertheless, this weekend features another slate of Premier League features that could be crucial for sides at either end of the table.
Here are all of this weekend’s Premier League games:
Manchester United vs West Brom
After toppling Premier League leaders and bitter rivals Manchester City following a dramatic second-half comeback, Jose Mourinho’s men will face bottom-of-the-table West Brom on Sunday.
Last weekend’s derby win helped United tighten their grip on second place in the Premier League, moving four points ahead of Liverpool in third with a game in hand.
Paul Pogba was crowned man of the match last Saturday after putting in a miraculous second-half performance in which he scored twice, helping his side crawl back from being 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Alexis Sanchez has seemed to have finally found his footing after his arrival in January. The Chilean put in yet another impressive performance, delivering a deliciously weighted ball for Chris Smalling’s winner.
More importantly, however, United’s upset of the champions-elect postpones Pep Guardiola’s title celebrations for another week. The last thing us Red Devils would have wanted was for City to win the title against us at the Etihad. And for me personally, it was the most satisfying United win in years.
Meanwhile, West Brom sit at the bottom of the Premier League table having won just three games under four managers this season.
The Baggies are currently 10 points off safety with just five remaining games this season. If results go against them, West Brom could even be relegated this weekend if they lose.
Jose could field a rotated squad on Sunday given his side is back in action again on Wednesday against Bournemouth. This’ll be the perfect chance for players such as Rashford and Martial to get the playing time they desire and need. Especially with rumours circulating that the Frenchman is unhappy with his lack of time on the pitch.
Spurs vs Manchester City
Arguably the biggest clash of the weekend sees Spurs welcome Manchester City to Wembley. It’s a second consecutive monster game of Pep Guardiola’s men, as they look to finally secure Premier League glory.
If there’s any side who can postpone celebrations for yet another week, however – it’s Spurs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are the only side in the league to remain undefeated in 2018. They enjoyed a 2-1 win over Stoke City last weekend, goals from Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane (arguably) securing three points for the visitors.
City, on the other hand, have had a week to forget. They tumbled out of the Champions’ League at the hands of Liverpool midweek after squandering a 2-0 lead against United to postpone celebrations.
Will the Sky Blues continue to ruin what began as a flawless season, or will they finally achieve the inevitable?
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
Elsewhere in the top four, Liverpool welcome 11th place Bournemouth on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp’s men have enjoyed an impressive season so far, though their inadequacies at the back have caused them to fall short title contention.
However, their quality in attack this season has been remarkable, and the Scousers have even made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions’ League.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth seem to have secured Premier League football for another season and now look for a top-half finish to the season.
A Joshua King equaliser in the 89th minute earned the Cherries a valuable point last week. And the side will have to dig deep yet again if they are to pull off an upset.
Southampton vs Chelsea
Speaking of south-coast sides, Southampton welcome last year’s Premier League champions, Chelsea, in Saturday’s early kick-off.
The Blues currently sit 10 points behind Spurs in fourth, with Europa league football likely to be on the cards for next season. Antonio Conte’s men have lost three consecutive home matches in the league, in what can only be described as a disappointing season for the side.
However, Southampton themselves have struggled this season, having won just five games so far this season, leaving them in 18th place and knee-deep in the relegation battle.
Burnley vs Leicester
In what has been this season’s breakout success story, Burnley have managed to hold onto seventh place for a considerable amount of time, and even face the possibility of European football next season.
They welcome a Leicester City side who sit six points behind them in eighth place, though Claude Puel’s men lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle in their last outing.
The Clarets came from behind to claim their fourth successive victory against Watford last weekend. The matchup between Leicester’s attacking power and Burnley’s defensive capabilities could create a tightly-contested affair.
Newcastle vs Arsenal
It’s been a season to forget for Arsenal. The Gunners currently sit in sixth place – albeit just three points behind London rivals, Chelsea – though the side have managed to put in some impressive performances in recent weeks.
Arsene Wenger’s men have won all of their last six games in all competitions. January marquee signing, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, has found his footing in the Premier League, netting six goals an assisting one in his seven games so far in the top flight.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have managed to separate themselves from the relegation battle, sitting in tenth place with 38 points. The Geordies have also enjoyed an impressive run of form, winning all of their last three games in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton
This matchup on Saturday sees the side with the third-worst home record in the league welcome the team with the third-worst home record.
Crystal Palace currently sit three points clear of the relegation zone in 17th place, while their opponents Brighton sit a comfortable seven points above the drop zone in 13th.
Roy Hodgson’s go into the weekend having held Bournemouth to a 2-2 draw away from home last week. Meanwhile, Brighton also drew their last league runout against Huddersfield in a game that finished 1-1 at Falmer Stadium.
Swansea vs Everton
Both Swansea and Everton have appointed new managers during the 2017/18 season after slumping into the relegation battle – and both newly-appointed managers have managed to steady the ship at their respective clubs.
Sam Allardyce has managed to lift the Toffees into ninth place despite a dire start to the season. Striker Cenk Tosun, has worked wonders for Everton’s goal-scoring abilities since his €22m arrival in January.
Swansea, on the other hand, have done remarkably well to crawl out of the relegation zone as they looked to be favourites to go down earlier in the season, sitting rock-bottom in the league in January.
Everton managed to hold Merseyside rivals, Liverpool, to a 0-0 draw last week, though the side could have easily claimed three points during the game. Meanwhile, Swansea also claimed just a point in their last fixture, though they faced much less-formidable opponents in the form of West Brom.
Huddersfield vs Watford
And finally, the last of this weekend’s fixtures sees Huddersfield host Watford in one of Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs.
The Terriers thrashed Watford 4-1 in the reverse fixture in December, and the home advantage this time around could help David Wagner’s men to sting the Hornets once more.
Javi Gracia’s side have struggled as of late, failing to grab three points since their 1-0 win against West Brom at the beginning of last month.
However, Huddersfield’s win drought is even more impressive. Their last win was also against West Brom at the end of February.