Round 29 EPL Preview – March 2020

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1. Liverpool – Bournemouth

Liverpool will be looking to return to winning ways after a poor spell of form when they welcome relegation-threatened Bournemouth to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime. Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost three of their last four games across all competitions but are firm favorites to get their campaign back on track against a Bournemouth side who sit inside the bottom three with 10 games of the season remaining. The Reds were disappointing against Chelsea in the FA Cup and Watford in the League, but will have to be wary of the threat Bournemouth are possessing and have one eye for the upcoming UEFA Champions League return leg against Atletico Madrid. The Cherries make the trip to Anfield having lost each of their last five away outings and eight of their last nine in the top flight, while no team have lost more games on their travels this season.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • Bournemouth 0 : 3 Liverpool
  • Liverpool 3 : 0 Bournemouth
  • Bournemouth 0 : 4 Liverpool
  • Liverpool 3 : 0 Bournemouth
  • Bournemouth 0 : 4 Liverpool
  • Liverpool 2 : 2 Bournemouth

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
1 Liverpool 28 26 1 1 64 20 +44 79 W
W
W
W
W
L
18 Bournemouth 28 7 6 15 28 45 -17 27 L
W
W
L
L
D
Prediction: Liverpool to win

2. Arsenal – West Ham

In a London derby where the 3 points matter for different reasons for both clubs, Arsenal and West Ham will be hoping to a crucial win. Arsenal are only five points behind 5th placed Manchester United and the Gunners are well and truly into the contention for European places. The North London club are unbeaten in 2020 and could turn out to have a good season after progressing the FA Cup and all to play for in the league. West Ham are just above the relegation zone with better goal difference so every point will matter for the away side knowing they need to face tough oppositions in their remaining 10 games. The much needed win last week was surrounded by fans protests and this will not help the on field matters for sure.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • West Ham 1 : 3 Arsenal
  • West Ham 1 : 0 Arsenal
  • Arsenal 3 : 1 West Ham
  • Arsenal 4 : 1 West Ham
  • Arsenal 1 : 0 West Ham
  • West Ham 0 : 0 Arsenal

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
10 Arsenal 27 8 13 6 39 36 +3 37 D
D
D
D
W
W
16 West Ham 28 7 6 15 35 49 -14 27 L
L
D
L
L
W
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals

3. Southampton – Newcastle

Southampton and Newcastle United meet in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with just two points separating the clubs in the standings. While the Saints have lost three out of their last four outings, the Magpies are without a top-flight victory in five attempts and while the two clubs are relatively far from the relegation zone, they need to pick up points. Newcastle forgot about their disappointment in the league by beating WBA in the FA Cup and will be looking for their next round tie against Man City. Saints were criticized by their manager and now need to turn their sights behind their back looking at other teams. Given the nervy affair and the pressure to both teams, we expect a draw.

a. Previous 6 games

  • Newcastle United 2 : 1 Southampton
  • Newcastle United 3 : 1 Southampton
  • Southampton 0 : 0 Newcastle United
  • Newcastle United 3 : 0 Southampton
  • Southampton 2 : 2 Newcastle United
  • Southampton 3 : 1 Newcastle United

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
13 Southampton 28 10 4 14 35 51 -16 34 L
W
L
L
W
L
14 Newcastle United 28 8 8 12 24 41 -17 32 W
D
D
L
L
D
Prediction: Draw

4. Wolves – Brighton

Wolverhampton Wanderers play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten domestic streak to five matches. As for Brighton, they make the trip to Molineux sitting just one point above the relegation zone after a disappointing period in the top flight. Wolves are going to play in Europe next week and must be focused in the last part of a entertaining and fruitful season. With Arsenal and Manchester United to follow the meeting with Wolves, the schedule is unrelenting for the South-coast outfit, who at one point were a fixture in the top half of the table. Despite failing to find the back of the net against Crystal Palace last weekend, Brighton’s biggest problem is recording a clean sheet, something which has only occurred once since November 10.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • Brighton 2 : 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 : 0 Brighton
  • Brighton 1 : 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 : 2 Brighton
  • Brighton 1 : 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • Brighton 0 : 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
6 Wolverhampton Wanderers 28 10 12 6 41 34 +7 42 W
L
D
D
W
W
15 Brighton 28 6 10 12 32 40 -8 28 D
L
D
D
D
L
Prediction: Newcastle to win

5. Crystal Palace – Watford

Watford will be looking to build on last weekend’s shock victory over Liverpool when they travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets became the first Premier League team to beat Liverpool this season when they triumphed last time out, but Nigel Pearson’s side are still 17th in the table, five positions behind Palace. It is difficult to say that the Eagles are completely out of the relegation mix, but they are nine points clear of 18th-placed Bournemouth and therefore it is difficult to imagine them being dragged into trouble. Looking up the division, Palace are only four points off seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur and would fancy their chances of rising up the table should they triumph this weekend. These two teams played out a goalless draw when they locked horns at Vicarage Road in December, but Watford have won three of their last four meetings in all competitions, so our team expects a goal fiesta this time round.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Watford 0 : 0 Crystal Palace
  • Watford 2 : 1 Crystal Palace
  • Crystal Palace 1 : 2 Watford
  • Watford 2 : 1 Crystal Palace
  • Watford 0 : 0 Crystal Palace
  • Crystal Palace 2 : 1 Watford

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
12 Crystal Palace 28 9 9 10 25 32 -7 36 D
L
L
L
W
W
17 Watford 28 6 9 13 27 43 -16 27 D
L
L
D
L
W
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals

6. Sheffield United – Norwich

A revitalised Norwich City will be looking to make it three victories in succession when they travel to Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The Canaries beat Leicester City in the league last time out before progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup courtesy of a penalty-shootout win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening. Sheffield United also progressed in the cup so also will be in good spirits. Both newcomers settled differently in the league as Sheffield are on a course of European qualification and the Canaries are finding it hard. As it stands, they are six points from the safety of 17th position, meaning that another win this weekend would truly ignite their battle for survival. The Canaries have a huge game at home to Southampton next weekend, before the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at home to Manchester United.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Norwich 1 : 2 Sheffield United
  • Norwich 2 : 2 Sheffield United
  • Sheffield United 2 : 1 Norwich
  • Norwich 1 : 2 Sheffield United
  • Sheffield United 0 : 1 Norwich
  • Sheffield United 1 : 2 Norwich

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
8 Sheffield United 27 10 10 7 29 25 +4 40 W
D
L
W
W
D
20 Norwich 28 5 6 17 25 51 -26 21 W
L
D
L
L
W
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals

7. Burnley – Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get their season back on track when they face Burnley at Turf Moor in Saturday’s late Premier League kickoff. Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup by Norwich City in midweek and have lost four games in a row, leaving their campaign on the brink of tatters. Jose Mourinho could be in trouble after failing to deliver results. Injuries may played a part and the Portuguese must address the 2 consecutive losses in the league leaving them 7th in the table. Burnley’s strong recent run has been built on a solid defense, with Nick Pope strengthening claims that he should be England’s number one at this summer’s European Championship finals by keeping three clean sheets in four matches. Burnley could overcome Tottenham in the table if they win and our team predicts more woes for Spurs.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Tottenham 5 : 0 Burnley
  • Burnley 2 : 1 Tottenham
  • Tottenham 1 : 0 Burnley
  • Burnley 0 : 3 Tottenham
  • Tottenham 1 : 1 Burnley
  • Burnley 0 : 2 Tottenham

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
7 Tottenham 28 11 7 10 46 39 +7 40 D
W
W
W
L
L
9 Burnley 28 11 5 12 33 39 -6 38 D
W
L
D
D
W
Prediction: Burnley to win

8. Chelsea – Everton

Chelsea found new reason to belief in their season after winning impressively against Liverpool. Now they face their city neighbours Everton in a bid to improve their league form and to firm their place in the Top 4. Lampard’s side lack consistency and the usual change in formation and starting line-up might cost the Blues the chance to fight for greater things. Everton are a looking like a new club with Ancellotti in charge and almost every player perform much better than before. The Toffees were denied a good win against Man United last weekend and the offside decision left bitter taste. Now the Toffees will play away from home and on counter, so they might be dangerous to a shaky Blues defence.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Everton 3 : 1 Chelsea
  • Everton 2 : 0 Chelsea
  • Chelsea 0 : 0 Everton
  • Everton 0 : 0 Chelsea
  • Chelsea 2 : 1 Everton
  • Chelsea 2 : 0 Everton

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
4 Chelsea 28 13 6 9 47 39 +8 4 L
D
D
L
W
D
11 Everton 28 10 7 11 37 42 -5 37 D
D
W
W
L
D
Prediction: Draw

9. Manchester United – Manchester City

In the Manchester derby in which both teams will want to get bragging rights against their closest rivals. United are getting closer and closer to the Top 4 and with the arrival of Bruno Fernandes the team have more flexibility in midfield. City on other hand are playing without any pressure and this brings out a very dangerous team to play against. Both clubs progressed in the FA Cup and City also have UEFA Champions League commitment after a solid display in Madrid. We expect the match to mean more to both teams even that City are well and truly behind Liverpool and United have all to play for. Given the pressure in the match, we expect many yellow cards.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Manchester City 0 : 1 Manchester United
  • Manchester United 0 : 0 Manchester City
  • Manchester City 1 : 2 Manchester United
  • Manchester United 0 : 2 Manchester City
  • Manchester City 3 : 1 Manchester United
  • Manchester City 2 : 3 Manchester United

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
2 Manchester City 27 18 3 6 68 29 +39 57 L
D
D
L
W
D
5 Manchester United 28 11 9 8 42 30 +12 42 L
L
D
W
W
D
Prediction: Over 4.5 Cards

10. Leicester – Aston Villa

Leicester are facing Aston Villa in the last match of the round on Monday night. The Foxes are in the Top 4 and few wins till the end of the season will guarantee their UEFA Champions League place for next year. Aston Villa on other hand are in 3 defeats in a row and the Villans must improve if they want to survive. Their fixture list offers very busy and difficult teams to face, so the performance in the heart-breaking defeat in the Carabao Cup final must be used as a foundation.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Aston Villa 2 : 1 Leicester
  • Leicester 0 : 0 Aston Villa
  • Aston Villa 1 : 4 Leicester
  • Aston Villa 1 : 1 Leicester
  • Leicester 3 : 2 Aston Villa
  • Aston Villa 2 : 1 Leicester

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
3 Leicester 28 15 5 8 54 28 +26 50 L
W
D
D
L
L
19 Aston Villa 27 7 4 16 34 52 -18 25 L
D
W
L
L
L
Prediction: Over 4.5 Cards