By Robert Wheeler
- League leaders Arsenal play Southampton
- Newcastle United faces Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool is up against Nottingham Forest
UK – With Manchester City not in action due to their FA Cup commitments, Arsenal has a chance to extend their league at the top of the Premier League table.
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Arsenal vs Southampton, Friday April 21, kick-off 20:00
A win this weekend for Arsenal would put them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League this weekend. This is due to Manchester City not being in league action due to them facing Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Mikel Arteta‘s side has recently suffered two successive draws against Liverpool and West Ham. These results have come despite the Gunners being two goals up in both games. It has become an all too familiar story for Arsenal recently but they will be confident of getting back to winning ways against the team at the foot of the division this weekend.
It will be interesting to see how Bukayo Saka performs in this game after his missed penalty against the Hammers. Saka whose decisive spot kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma in the final of Euro 2020 has come back from that superbly but can the young Englishman pick himself up again from another penalty disappointment?
Southampton has not won in their last six games and is in serious danger of being relegated soon if they do not start picking up points. West Ham showed last weekend that a team who are in the lower third of the table can get a result against the league leaders. However, the Gunners will be desperate to make sure they avoid any more slip-ups.
Score prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Newcastle vs Tottenham, Sunday April 23, kick-off 14:00
Newcastle suffered a blow to their Champions League hopes when they were defeated 3-0 by Aston Villa last weekend. Eddie Howe‘s side is still 4th but Tottenham winning would see the Magpies only ahead on goal difference.
A trophy would have been what Newcastle fans desired most this season but Champions League football for next season would be a great substitute for that. Losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester United was devastating for the club and if they were to miss out on playing in European football’s premier competition too then it would end up being quite a disappointing season.
Against Aston Villa, Anthony Gordon started just his third league game since his big-money move from Everton in January. He is yet to score or assist for his new club and needs to start proving his worth at St James’ Park.
Tottenham’s season has been difficult but they are only just three points off a Champions League place. Last weekend saw Spurs lose 3-2 to Bournemouth with Dango Ouattara scoring in the 95th minute. Since Antonio Conte‘s departure, his assistant Cristian Stellini who has taken over the reins has been playing exactly the same style of football as his predecessor which has not impressed the Spurs fans.
It will be interesting to see if Davinson Sanchez features in this game. Sanchez was a substitute that was subbed off during Spurs’ defeat to Bournemouth and he was jeered by his own supporters. The Columbian will be looking forward to having an away game where there will not be so many Spurs fans that boo him present.
Score prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest, Saturday April 22, kick-off 15:00
Liverpool destroyed Leeds United 6-1 on Monday night with Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both scoring a brace. Fans of the Reds may have been disappointed that the club ruled themselves out of signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer. However, this performance will go a long way in showing that they do not need to spend over £100 million on just one player.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side will unlikely qualify for the Champions League next season but must ensure they at least get into the Europa League / Conference. They are just two points off Brighton who occupy the last European qualifying spot.
They face a Nottingham Forest side that has not won in their last ten games. They are only in the bottom three on goal difference and are level on points with Liverpool’s neighbours Everton. The club have done well to stick with Steve Cooper throughout this season but if the results do not improve then they may be forced into making a rash decision on their manager’s future.
The match sees former Liverpool man Neco Williams go up against his ex-teammates. The right-sided player left the club as he was not going to start ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has gained first-team football at Forest but now must ensure his club can stay in the top flight. However, against Klopp’s side with renewed confidence, this will be a very tough fixture.
Score prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Nottingham Forest
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