Well, the big game in midweek between the top two in the Premier League saw the visitors Manchester City extend their incredible run of wins against Arsenal to 14 in 15 games thanks to a 3-1 victory at the Emirates on Wednesday.
A stunning lobbed finish from Kevin De Bruyne gave City the lead before Arsenal were handed a penalty courtesy of a clumsy Ederson challenge, which Bukayo Saka converted confidently to level the game.
However, two late second half strikes from Jack Grealish and a typical clinical Erling Haaland finish saw City not just claim the win, but also leapfrog Arsenal to go back top of the table, a place that they had not occupied since earlier in the season.
In truth, it was clumsy defending by Arsenal that contributed to two of City’s goals, but despite having the majority of the possession, Arsenal struggled to trouble the City goal, with just one shot on target all night.
With City now top on goal difference, although Arsenal still have a game in hand, this brings this weekend’s Premier League games into a very sharp focus.
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So before we review this weekend’s action, let’s take a quick look at how things stand in the Premier League at the present after last week’s Matchday 23 action and the midweek game.
| P | Team | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Man City | 23 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 59 | 23 | 36 | 51 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 47 | 21 | 26 | 51 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 28 | 10 | 46 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 35 | 13 | 22 | 41 |
| 5 | Spurs | 23 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 42 | 35 | 7 | 39 |
| 6 | Brighton | 21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 39 | 28 | 11 | 35 |
| 7 | Fulham | 23 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 35 |
| 8 | Brentford | 22 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 36 | 29 | 7 | 34 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 21 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 36 | 28 | 8 | 32 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 31 |
| 11 | Aston Villa | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 26 | 34 | -8 | 28 |
| 12 | C Palace | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 25 |
| 13 | Leicester | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 24 |
| 14 | Nottm Forest | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 37 | -20 | 24 |
| 15 | Wolves | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 23 |
| 16 | West Ham | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 27 | -8 | 20 |
| 17 | Leeds | 22 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 19 |
| 18 | Everton | 22 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 30 | -14 | 18 |
| 19 | AFC Bournemouth | 22 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 44 | -24 | 18 |
| 20 | Southampton | 22 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 40 | -22 | 15 |
Kick-off is 3pm unless otherwise stated.
Can Arsenal get back to winning ways after their form has started to stutter in the Premier League of late? A trip to Aston Villa offers them that opportunity as the Villains have lost their last two games in the league but it is fair to say that they have made good progress under Unai Emery. However, I am backing the Gunners to get back to winning ways here so take Arsenal to win at 4/5.
Brentford have enjoyed a superb season and lie 8th in the table and on the fringes of the European spots alongside Brighton and Fulham (see below). The Bees face a London derby here against Crystal Palace with Patrick Vieira’s team in the middle of a five game run without a win. Brentford are unbeaten in their last five and I think the home side will take the spoils here. Back Brentford to win at 10/11.
This game could well be a playoff for a Europa League spot as the Tweet above suggests, although there is still plenty of the season still to go. That said, both these teams find themselves in loftier than expected positions, but both are fully deserving of that. I see this as being another very close game between the two and while the draw has plenty of appeal, I think Brighton will do just enough to win so back the Seagulls here to land the 3 points at 13/20.
After losing to Dortmund in the Champions League in midweek, Chelsea need to bounce back here at home to the bottom club Southampton. The Saints failed to appoint Jesse Marsch as their new manager in the week and things remain unresolved in terms of a new manager, so with that in mind, I would expect Chelsea to take full advantage here and claim a much needed win. Take Chelsea to win at 2/5.
This is an absolutely massive tie for both these teams in the battle against relegation. Everton beat Arsenal at home last time out in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge and he’ll want the same pace and organisation for this game. Leeds are still without a manager and in truth, it is hard to see them getting too much from this game. I am going for a narrow win for Everton here at 7/5.
Nottingham Forest’s recent form has been much improved after their slow start in the Premier League, but they face a huge task here against a Manchester City side who will be brimming with confidence having beaten Arsenal on the road to go back top of the table in midweek. Forest were well beaten at home by Man Utd in the Carabao Cup semi final 1st leg and I can see a similar kind of result here in favour of City. Take City to win at 3/10.
Three wins in their last four Premier League games under Julen Lopetegui has transformed Wolves from the bottom side to sitting in 15th place and a win here could move them well out the reach of the teams in the drop zone. Bournemouth are one of those teams and with only two points from their last 15 available, it is hard to see them improving that here. Take Wolves at 4/6 to win the game.
Newcastle have drawn four of their last five Premier League games, while Liverpool have won just one of their last five, losing three games on the road in that time. The Reds though are the only team to beat Newcastle this season in the league, a 2-1 win at Anfield. However, despite that win against Everton on Monday and a much better performance, I think away from home Liverpool look too shaky and I am backing Newcastle for the win here at 6/4.
The change in fortunes for Leicester City since James Maddison has made his return can be seen in their last two results, a 4-2 win away at Aston Villa and an impressive 4-1 win at home to Tottenham. Now the Foxes face a daunting trip to Old Trafford to take on a United side that have lost one of their last four Premier League games. United also played Barcelona on Thursday making this tougher for the home side, which is why I have gone for a draw here at 10/3,
A big London derby rounds off the weekend with Spurs taking on West Ham in a game that is a must win for both teams. Spurs form of late has not been great and with Antonio Conte taking time out to recover from his recent operation, Spurs will have a caretaker man in charge. The Hammers still need points to keep moving away from the drop zone here so they will make things tough. The teams drew 1-1 back in August at the London Stadium, but here I am backing Tottenham to win at 8/5 with bet365.
*All odds shown in this article were taken from bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing, but may have changed since the article was published.
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