Premier League Preview – Gameweek 34
Both of the most attractive fixtures in the Premier League are being played on Sunday this week, though their actual significance in practical terms is limited in comparison to their billing. Firstly, Tottenham play Manchester City at White Hart Lane, with the home side admittedly still in the running for the Champions League places, but City realise that the title ambitions that they had at the start of the season, while mathematically alive, have been extinguished in the eyes of all but the most misty eyed optimist. Spurs do need a win, though, if they are to keep up the pressure on Arsenal, who may have already played and won against Fulham by the time Tottenham kick-off.
Later, Liverpool play Chelsea. Back in the day when Rafa Benitez stewarded the Reds and Jose Mourinho the Blues, the two teams engaged in a series of stormy clashes that still define their, rather childish and gratuitous, rivalry to this day. Now, of course, Rafa is the reviled ‘interim’ manager of Chelsea, and Liverpool have slid in status since he left the club, with no chance of playing Chelsea in the Champions League in the immediate future. Chelsea now look in a strong position to reclaim a top four slot this season, but they will wish to avoid terms here, not merely because of the animosity between the two clubs.
Meanwhile, on Monday night Manchester United will hope to continue to inch towards the Premier League title, having drawn at West Ham in mid-week. The champions elect face Aston Villa at Old Trafford with Manchester City possibly having closed the gap at the top to eight points before the match commences. However, with United only needing two wins to make the title mathematically certain, one wouldn’t expect them to slip up. Villa are still very much relegation threatened, and would certainly settle for a point from this fixture.
Two of the biggest games in the relegation struggle this weekend feature teams that are sinking like stones against two others that appear already condemned. Both Norwich and Stoke looked safe earlier in the season, but a string of disappointing results mean that they are now on the verge of the relegation zone. I have tipped Norwich for relegation all season, but should they beat Reading at home on Saturday, they may just squeak clear of the drop zone.
Stoke City, meanwhile, have looked bereft of confidence and form lately, and are in dire straits. A point would by no means be a disaster for the Potters against a QPR team that is surely certain to be relegated. On the other hand, Stoke will have few more winnable games in their remaining trance of fixtures than facing the team that are level on points with the bottom of the table, so perhaps nothing short of three points will be acceptable for under pressure manager Tony Pulis.
Having seen Chelsea win at Craven Cottage in mid-week after their goalless draw at Fulham, Arsenal will attempt to repeat the result on Saturday. The Gunners place in the top four is far from guaranteed, and dropping points here could prove crucial come the end of the season, particularly as Arsenal face Manchester United next weekend. Fulham would have to suffer a dismal run to finish anywhere other than safe mid-table.
Sunderland play their first home game under Paolo di Canio still needing to pick up some wins in order to secure safety. Their opponents Everton still retain an outside chance of finishing in the top four, after drawing at Arsenal in mid-week, but it must be said that they surely need to win every remaining fixture in order to have any realistic hope. Sunderland have looked a stronger and more confident side under their new Italian manager, and their 3-0 win at Newcastle was an incredible, and unexpected, filip for the club.
Wigan face their second away game in a week at West Ham, with the Latics still in the bottom three. Although the Hammers have very little to play for, this will be a far from easy fixture for Wigan, particularly after they were unfortunate not to beat Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle will look to pick up the few points required for safety at West Brom having been painfully turned over by Sunderland in their previous fixture. West Brom have had an excellent campaign in Steve Clarke’s first season in charge, and look set for a top eight finish.
And, finally, Swansea play Southampton in a pretty much completely meaningless mid-table encounter, but neither club will object to that scenario at all.
Saturday 20th April 2025
Fulham v Arsenal 15:00
Norwich v Reading 15:00
QPR v Stoke 15:00
Sunderland v Everton 15:00
Swansea v Southampton 15:00
West Brom v Newcastle 15:00
West Ham v Wigan 15:00
Sunday 21st April 2025
Tottenham v Man City 13:30
Liverpool v Chelsea 16:00
Monday 22nd April 2025
Man Utd v Aston Villa 20:00
Premier League Table
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