Big midweek games could see LFC rivals drop points again – Premier League Preview

April 4, 2017
Henry Jackson

In what is a rare treat, there is a full set of midweek Premier League fixtures this week, with huge amounts to play for at both ends of the table.

Liverpool once again got the better of Everton at the weekend, with the Reds’ 3-1 win another big result in their Champions League quest.

It was almost a perfect few days for Jurgen Klopp and his side, with Arsenal and Man City drawing and Man United dropping points at home to West Brom.

Tottenham picked up a solid 2-0 win at Burnley to strengthen their top-four hopes and close the gap on leaders Chelsea, who lost 2-1 against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

At the bottom, Sunderland and Middlesbrough remain on the brink of relegation, having drawn against Watford and Swansea City, respectively, but Hull City enjoyed a huge 2-1 victory over West Ham.

There are 10 top-flight games to look forward to on Tuesday and Wednesday – here’s a look at the best of the upcoming action.

Can Man City trigger a Chelsea collapse?

Chelsea have effectively had the Premier League title wrapped up for months now, but last weekend was their first significant slip-up in what feels like forever.

The 2-1 loss to Palace came from absolutely nowhere, and Spurs’ win does mean their lead has now been cut to seven points.

The Blues are still enormous favourites to lift the trophy, but Man City will feel they can go to Stamford Bridge and win on Wednesday.

The attacking quality they possess is frightening, and on paper, there’s not a huge amount between the two sides.

From a Liverpool perspective, a win for Chelsea is actually better – in order to enhance our top-four hopes. But for the title race, defeat for the leaders may suddenly make things a bit more interesting.

Given their ruthlessness this season, they may well prevail, but don’t rule out a City victory.

Spurs look to keep faint title challenge alive

Spurs just keep proving people wrong, with the north Londoners striding on without Harry Kane and continuing to win matches.

They look arguably the most complete team in the league on current form, and it would now be a huge shock if they failed to finish third, at worst.

Admittedly, their chances of catching Chelsea are very slim, but they should believe the gap could be cut to four or five points come Thursday morning, should City do them a favour.

The trip to Swansea is not easy, with Paul Clement’s side enjoying an excellent 2017, but Spurs should have enough quality to win.

Again, we will be hoping for dropped points for the visitors, but their new-found mental fortitude suggests that is wishful thinking.

The ‘Please Both Lose’ derby at Old Trafford

Tuesday sees Liverpool’s two biggest rivals do battle, as Man United and Everton look to bounce back from disappointing weekends.

A draw is almost always the perfect result in this fixture, but if push came to shove, an away win would certainly benefit the Reds.

United look increasingly unconvincing as the season progresses, and a failure to beat Everton would be another almighty blow to their top-four chances.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from suspension for Jose Mourinho’s side, which could spell trouble for the visitors’ defence, with the Swede’s influence missed greatly on Saturday.

Given how pathetic Everton are away to the top sides, it seems very hard to see them winning, but a point for them would do very nicely indeed.

Definition of a must-win game for Arsenal

Arsenal‘s 2-2 draw with City on Sunday had a strange feel to it, and while the performance was improved, it was more dropped points in front of a divided crowd.

The Gunners are now at a stage where they desperately need to go on a winning run, and Wednesday is the perfect place to start.

West Ham are the visitors to the Emirates, and while some may argue that Slaven Bilic’s side could get dragged into the relegation dogfight, they should have enough to avoid the drop.

They have no form whatsoever, though, with four defeats in a row and no win in six attempts, and a home win looks nailed on.

Should Arsenal fail to win this one, the scenes at the Emirates could make for ugly viewing. The players will make sure that doesn’t happen, however.

Another nail in Middlesbrough’s coffin?

Has there been a more dull team to play in the Premier League than this Middlesbrough outfit?

Goals are scored and conceded at a premium, and if they happen to be on television, you may as well switch over to anything else instead.

Boro are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, and having earned a solid point at Swansea on Sunday – you guessed it, it was 0-0 – they face an even bigger game this week.

Steve Agnew’s team face Hull at the KCOM Stadium, with both sides in the bottom three and Boro four points adrift, having played a game less.

Hull know that a win on Wednesday could leave their opponents doomed, as well as aiding their own survival chances, and they will fancy their chances. It is hard to see an away win.