It promises to be an interesting match up in the EPL as the top four sides square off against each other in what promises to be an interesting round of fixtures. High flying Leicester would take on Arsenal at the Emirates while City tackle Spurs in the tea time kick off on Super Sunday. Here is our match by match preview of the games.
SUNDERLAND V MAN UNITED
Man united must be seething with anger after they let their lone goal lead against Chelsea at the Bridge slip in the dying minutes and would quickly want to banish memories of the game with an emphatic win against the weakest defence in the league, Sunderland have won just once in five games and are second from bottom. Their spitited fight back against Liverpool where they snatched a comeback in the dying embers of that game would surely give them hope. Unfortunately, they are having problems both on the pitch and off it as the main architect of that fight back, Adam Johnson is facing charges for sexual activity with a minor and has since been sacked by the club. The club would therefore have to rely on their floundering players to turn things around at the stadium of light. Unfortunately, United appear to have turned a corner with some eye catching displays and would be keen to maintain their sights on the top four as they are already 6 points adrift of fourth placed, City.
BOURNEMOUTH V STOKE
Stoke have suffered a great dip in form of late as they lost three in a row as well as crashed out of the cup competitions to Liverpool and Crystal Palace and are currently 11th on the log. They have won just once in six games and would be hoping for a resurgence. Bournemouth are 15th and were in a decent vein of form where they have won two out of four games , losing only once to Arsenal in their last game. Stoke are showing glimpses of their old mid table self after wowing the bookies with some scintillating performances this season where they beat both Manchester clubs and Chelsea in the process. Arnautovic, one of the Architects of that run is looking out of sorts at the moment and it remains to be seen whether they can rediscover their early season form
CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD
Both teams are in dire need of points. For Watford, the lethal partnership between Deeney and Ighalo Jude seems to be waning and is therefore affecting the team's overall form. sitting 10th on the log is the loftiest of the heights they can aspire to on a good day given the quality of the teams in the league but a continued run of poor results could drag them further down and Quique Flores would not want that. Watford have lost 4 of their last 6 games but still maintain a midtable position.They would be hoping Ighalo and Deeney rediscover their early season form and fire them to wins once more.Crystal Palace are 12th on the log and had lost 6 games in a row and only managed a draw in their last game.It is left to be seen how the acquisition of Emmanuel Adebayor would help their quest.
EVERTON V WEST BROM
The Toffees have suddenly kicked themselves back into reckoning after their mid season slump with back to back wins for the first time in a while and would wish it continues if they can realize their quest for European football. Their recent form has seen them climb up to 8th on the log and leap frog bitter Mersey side rivals, Liverpool who are in 9th. West Brom are 14th and flirting dangerously with relegation. Tony Pulis' men have not won in 5 games and would face a resurgent Everton side at Goodison Park.
SWANSEA V SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints continue their impressive form after triumphing over West ham last time out. They have won 4 out of their last five games and kept five consecutive clean sheets in the process. Not ebven the sending off of Victor Wanyama early in the second half against West ham could deter them as they ran out 1-0 winners. Swansea have not lost in 4 games but would question their form following back to back draws after they won their first two games under new Manager, Francesco Guidolin. Southampton are 7th and look poised for another win in Wales. they would hope to get fit again Graziano Pele firing again and probably form a strong attacking partnership with Charlie Austin.
CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE UNITED
a tale of two teams in need of the points. Which ever way it swings this time would be a reflection of who wants it the more. Chelsea are definitely resigned to missing out on European football next season as their laborious climb up the table continues. they are yet to lose under Guus Hiddink but they have won only twice in six and are rooted to 13th on the log. The Toons are briiefly out of relegation waters and would be keen to remain there with their hard fought win last time out. Chelsea are playing at the Bridge and would bank on their spirited fight back against United last weekend to snatch a win here. Diego Costa has rediscovered his scoring touch and would be keen to add to his tally. Indeed, a chelsea win looks firmly poised.
ARSENAL V LEICESTER CITY
This is arguably the biggest fixture this weekend . It is a battle between 3rd & 1st place. The Gunners triumphed 5-2 at the King Power stadium last year but Leicester's confidence has since soared in leaps and bounds. Their emphatic win over City is a confidence boost and they would be hoping to get the scalp of the Londoners on sunday. The likes of Mahrez, Ngolo Kante, Vardy & Drinkwater would want to keep up their impressive form. Keeping the creative king pin of the Gunners, Ozil quiet would be key. Sanchez has struggled for form since he came back from injury. The returning Per Mertesacker would be tested by the pace of Vardy. An interesting match up no doubt.
ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL
They Merseysiders saw a two goal lead slip late on at home against Sunderland and then lost in extra time in the FA Cup replay with West Ham in midweek. Sums up their week as a whole. They are 9th on the log and have won just once in 6. Playing the bottom placed team in the league could be another potential banana peel for them as we saw against Sunderland. Depending on which Aston villa turns up on the day. if we see the Aston Villa against Norwich that showed fight and character , then Liverpool might be in trouble. But if the Aston Villa we have seen all season decide to turn up, then a potential thrashing from their foes could be on the cards.
MANCHESTER CITY V TOTTENHAM
Tottenham are certainly the form team of the league. winning four games on the bounce in this crazy season is no mean fit. The likes of Kane and Alli are showing the signs of leaders in the team. Both solid defensively and offensively, Spurs are quietly mounting a title challenge no one expected. City on the other hand have paid for their inconsistency. Yaya Toure & Silva dont seem to have that form and chemistry that saw them blow away opposition teams at the beginning of the season where they won their first six games on the trot prompting talk of early title favourites. They have lost Kevin De Bruyne for weeks but have Captain, Vincent Kompany back in the team and would hope he brings some solidity to the floundering backline of Otamendi, Mangala and De Michelis which has cost them this season.
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