Premier League Preview – Gameweek 32
Usually a Manchester derby match would prompt frenzied anticipation, but given that this season’s title race has developed into the phoniest of wars, there seems to be very little meaning to Monday evening’s League meeting between United and City beyond regional pride. While United will be determined to right the wrongs of last season’s 6-1 embarrassment that they suffered at the hands of their neighbours and rivals, even a repeat of that particularly unlikely scoreline will have no bearing on where the Premier League title ends up. It is simply a matter of when, not if, United are confirmed to have won their twentieth top flight crown.
In truth, the biggest games of the weekend involves the foot of the Premier League. Firstly, Reading host Southampton on Saturday lunchtime, as Nigel Adkins faces his former club in his first home match as Reading manager. Recent form would point to a Saints victory, but Reading will know that anything less than a victory will leave them in a highly vulnerable position with regard to their Premier League status.
Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, QPR host to Wigan, with the Latics having just climbed out of the relegation zone as a result of a victory in their previous fixture. QPR remain level on points with Reading at the bottom of the table, and despite some improved results and performances since Harry Redknapp took over the reins at Loftus Road, the odds currently look to be against the big spending London club from retaining their Premier League status.
A key game in the race for the top four also takes place, when Tottenham host Everton. Spurs retain the mathematical advantage in their quest to claim a Champions League spot for next season, but now face an key period in their season, with Manchester City coming up next week, and then a week off as their Premier League clash with Chelsea has been cancelled due to the FA Cup. By the time they face Wigan on 27th April, unless they produce some good results against two strong sides in Everton and City then Arsenal could be over the hill and far away. Everton, meanwhile, need to win to keep up their outside chance of overtaking the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Arsenal will have the opportunity to put pressure on Spurs, as they face West Brom at The Hawthorns 24 hours before Spurs play. West Brom have been a formidable opponent on their home turf all season, but the feeling persists that their motivation may be slipping now, with their chances of European football slim, and the Peter Odemwingie crisis casting something of a shadow over the club.
The fourth team chasing Champions League football for next season, Chelsea, will be Paolo di Canio’s first opponent in his position as Sunderland manager. Di Canio had been tacitly linked with the managerial position at Stamford Bridge, but will have his work cut out to inspire a Sunderland side that looked pretty demoralised during their defeat to Manchester United in Martin O’ Neill’s last game as Sunderland manager. Chelsea will be expected to win, but will also be under pressure, knowing that failure to do so could see them drop out of the top four.
Aston Villa have once again slid into the bottom three, and will hope that Stoke prove less durable opponents than usual when they travel to the Britannia Stadium. While the Midlands club have looked the more accomplished side in their last few fixtures, Stoke rarely lose on the home patch. Should Villa come away with a win, though, Stoke’s Premier League status will be far from secure.
Norwich are another team sliding alarmingly down the league, and will be desperate to beat a Swansea team that have consolidated their excellent league position since winning the League Cup. While the odds are still against the Canaries dropping out of the Premier League, there is no doubt that their form in the second half of the season has been relegation worthy.
Newcastle too cannot lightly dismiss the spectre of relegation, currently being just one win above the drop zone. They host Fulham on Sunday, with the Cottagers having already secure mid-table respectability. Anything less than a win, and the Toon Army will be looking over their shoulders with increasing trepidation.
Finally, Liverpool host West Ham in a game that means little to either side in truth. Nonetheless, the Reds still have top four ambitions, and will certainly expect to win, especially given that West Ham won’t have the right to field on loan forward Andy Carroll.
Saturday 6th April, 2025
Reading v Southampton 12:45
Norwich v Swansea 15:00
Stoke v Aston Villa 15:00
West Brom v Arsenal 15:00
Sunday 7th April, 2025
Liverpool v West Ham 13:30
Tottenham v Everton 14:05
Chelsea v Sunderland 15:00
Newcastle v Fulham 15:00
QPR v Wigan 16:10
Monday 8th April, 2025
Man Utd v Man City 20:00
Premier League Table
