Shock victories have been the story of the Premier League so far. Matchday 23 was no different with Liverpool losing at Anfield for the second time in a row, truly leaving behind their 68 game undefeated streak. Strangely that probably was not the most shocking result of the bunch, that distinction would go to Manchester United who managed to ship nine passed nine-man Southampton. Matchday 24 will no doubt bring a couple of more surprises our way, so lets look at whats on offer.
Saturday 6th February
12:30 Aston Villa v Arsenal on BT Sport 1
Arsenal’s scintillating form in the league came crashing down with the midweek defeat at the hands of Wolves. A run of seven games undefeated ended abruptly with just nine men on the pitch. They will be hoping they can go on another run of good form with a win against Aston Villa this weekend, a run they hope will wildly differ from the one that began the last time the Villain’s played Mikel Arteta’s side. The reverse fixture resulted in a 3-0 defeat for the Gunnars, who then proceed to go six games in the league without a win. Judging by Dean Smiths side recent games they are due a win, their last five games have gone in a particular fashion, lose, win, lose, win and lose.
15:00 Burnley v Brighton and Hove Albion On Sky
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Brighton’s unexpected victory over Liverpool have seen them leap ten points clear of the drop zone. Funnily enough the win allowed the Seagulls to leap frog another bottom half team who have toppled the Premier League holders recently in Burnley. Both sides have gone up against big opposition in their last two league fixtures with Burnley shipping two goals in each game against Chelsea and Man City, while Brighton bested Spurs and Liverpool by a single goal. Sean Dyche will be keen to avoid three consecutive defeats while Graham Potter has a great opportunity to extend his winning streak to three games. Their previous encounter ended in a goalless draw with Brighton being the more dominant side registering 19 shots throughout the game.
15:00 Newcastle United v Southampton on BT Sport 1
A return to form for Steve Bruce with his loss to Crystal Palace at the weekend, showing that the Everton victory may be an anomaly. Speaking of abnormal, Southampton will be sure to be seeking revenge for their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford midweek, their second 9-0 spanking since Hassenhuthel took over. Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong scored the two goals at the St. Mary’s stadium in November to secure the three points for The Saints over Newcastle. St. James Park has not been kind to a travelling Southampton team, with The Magpies winning 11 of the last 15 home encounters between the sides.
17:30 Fulham v West Ham United On Sky
Despite their blip against Liverpool, The Hammers are been in fine fettle, fine fettle indeed. David Moyes has them just two points off top four after a tremendous victory against Aston Villa, where new loan signing Jesse Lingard got himself on the scoresheet…..twice. Fulham have only won one Premier League game since they last met their London rivals way back at the start of November. A late Tomas Soucek goal secured the three points for West Ham back then in what was a very close game remembered mostly for Ademola Lookman taking one of the worst penalties to ever grace the Premier League.
20:00 Manchester United v Everton On Sky
Manchester United bounced back from their most recent slump with a ferocious display against Southampton. The Red Devils bested The Saints 9-0 to keep close to Man City in both points and goal difference. The next test on the horizon is Everton, a side who have only managed to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford once in their last 27 league attempts. The Toffees have been in mixed form all season, going thru slight bursts only to falter against unexpected teams, such as Newcastle. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has managed his side to two victories over Everton all ready this season but both of those victories have came at Goodison Park and Old Trafford is where United seem to be having the most problems.
Sunday 7th February
12:00 Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion on BT Sport 1
Jose is going to get the sack soon is’nt he? The Special one has his Spurs side in a terrible slump as of late. Picking up no points in their last three games, with the lack of Kane being a bane in a team bereft of creative attacking ideas. Facing Jose is Big Sam Allardyce, who will be seething after only picking up one point in their last two games against fellow relegation candidates, Fulham and Sheffield United. Tottenham are desperately in need of an emphatic victory to silence the naysayers and a late win like when they last faced West Brom won’t do.
14:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City On Sky
Wolves recorded their first win in their last nine Premier League attempts with their 2-1 victory over Arsenal midweek. It should be noted that Arsenal were reduced to nine men, and arguably the low scoring side should of won by a larger deficit. One man that knows how to score is Jamie Vardy and Brendan Rodgers will be buoyed by the return of his top goalscorer. The third place side defeated Fulham in their last encounter coming off a draw with Everton and loss to Leeds. A penalty saved and a penalty scored where the stories of the last game between the two with talisman Vardy finding the net once from the spot out of two attempts to snatch the three points for the Foxes against Wolves.
16:30 Liverpool v Manchester City On Sky
Ohhhh Portuguese Friend!
The biggest fixture of the week falls to Merseyside with many touting this game as paramount to Liverpool’s title aspirations. Win and they may have a shot, lose and their chances are shot. Two recent loses at the once impenetrable fortress at Anfield have now seen the possibility of the first time since 1963 the Kop has witnessed three consecutive home loses. Man City will of course be more then obliging in trying to Klopp achieve that feat while also winning their 14th match in a row. The Citizens have a bit of pep in their step recently as they try and guard their position at the top. A 1-1 draw at the Etihad seemed like a good result at the time, but both sides cannot afford to drop any points this time around.
19:15 Sheffield United v Chelsea On Sky
Thomas Tuchel brings his undefeated Chelsea to Sheffield to battle it out with Chris Wilder’s United team. After a victory over Spurs, Chelsea fan’s will be hoping that it is not a case of “New Manager” bounce and that the side can maintain their form . Sheffield United will continue to execute their escape plan and will no doubt make life very difficult for The Blues. The Blades come into this tie having won five of their last seven games so confidence is high and it must be if they plan to make up those 11 points they are currently away from safety. Chelsea did hammer four goals passed Arron Ramsdale at Stamford Bridge in early November but a Lampard-less Chelsea should be expecting a more dangerous Sheffield side now.
Monday 8th February
20:00 Leeds United v Crystal Palace On Sky
Leed’s Roller-coaster of a season took a nice turn when they snatched maximum points from Leicester, then another a sharp jolt occured with the loss to Everton. One thing that you can count on with this side is that you will be entertained. Only drawing twice all season The Whites can trounce a team or be trounced. Last time they face Palace they were most certainly trounced as Roy Hodgson’s men came away 4-1 winners that day. The Eagles are flying high as they have claimed six points from their last two games seeing off Newcastle and Wolves.
FA Cup action is next for some clubs but check back here for The Who, What, When and Where of Matchday 24
