England Round 30
- Thread starter spkutano
- Start date
Arsenal vs Fulham Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Fulham:
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
The second-placed Arsenal will welcome city rivals Fulham to the Emirates on Tuesday night. The Gunners have 58 points and they will try to win the title, though the leaders Liverpool have 70. But Arteta's men have a scoring issues in the Premier League. Arsenal have scored only two goals in the last four league fixtures. They lost 1:0 to West Ham, then shared the points with Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, only to beat Chelsea 1:0 in the last round before the international break. An early goal of Mikel Merino decided the winners in that match. He was installed as new striker due to injury situation. And he is not bad at all in his new role. Merino scored both goals at Leicester City and the winning goal against Chelsea. Arteta will once again be without some attacking options. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain sidelined, while Bukayo Saka is not likely to start after just returned from a hamstring injury. Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both unavailable.
Fulham are in the middle of the table with 45 points. They are out of the relegation battle and I believe the fans are satisfied. Of course, they always want more and their current ambitions are connect with Europe. Indeed, the Cottagers are just three points away from the fifth-placed Manchester City. Considering England will have five clubs in the Champions League next season, everything is possible, though they will play Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in three of their next four matches. The current form is mixed, one win and one defeat on the last two matches in the Premier League. In the last round Fulham beat Tottenham 2:0. It is important to mention they outplayed the Spurs, having restricted them to just one shot in the first half. Manager Marco Silva will try to continue with another victory, but it won't be easy against title-pretenders Arsenal. Silva has the majority of his players available, but Harry Wilson, Reiss Nelson and Kenny Tete are out injured.
Arsenal vs Fulham Prediction:
Arsenal are clear favorites in this game, even more as they have a strong H2H record. The Gunners have not lost any of the last 29 home clashes with Fulham, winning 22 and drawing 7 in the process. Arteta's men played poor in the last period, dropping seven points in the last four matches in the Premier League. However, the victory against Chelsea improved the atmosphere in the squad, as well as the success in the Champions League where they beat PSV 9:3 on aggregate. Fulham, meanwhile, suffered a painful home defeat from Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. The Cottagers lost 3:0 on Saturday and the players confidence isn't at desired level. Arsenal should win this match. Since the odds for straight victory are low, I will suggest a handicap.
Arsenal vs Fulham Pick: Arsenal -1.5 AH @ 2.31 with Pinnacle
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Nottingham Forest:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, N. Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Jota, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Elanga
Manchester United:
Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee
Nottingham Forest will welcome Manchester United to the City Ground on Tuesday evening. Not many were expecting to see Nuno Espirito Santo's side on the third position in the Premier League table, huge 23 points ahead of the Red Devils. Forest are also successful in the FA Cup where they secured a semifinal after beating Brighton on penalties during the weekend. The current form is good, Forest have registered victories on the last two Premier League fixtures, beating Manchester City at home and Ipswich Town on road, The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players high. The home advantage should also be mentioned because Nottingham are unbeaten in their last eight home Premier League games, recording six wins in the process. The top two, Liverpool and Arsenal, are the only teams that left City Ground unbeaten. Nuno has the majority of his players ready for this clash, but key striker Chris Wood is a major doubt due to the hip issue that he suffered while on international duty with New Zealand. Morgan Gibbs-White will need to be assessed after a heavy collision with the goalpost against Brighton.
Manchester United are far from the European spots, they sit on the 13th place with 37 points. The fans are disappointed as coaching change didn't bring any good. As You probably know, the club officials sacked Erik Ten Hag and brought Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon. However, Manchester continued to play inconsistently. The Portuguese manager will start to feel the pressure soon or later. The current results are not bad, - two wins and one draw on the last three Premier League matches. United beat Ipswich Town and Leicester City, while shared the points with Arsenal, which is not a bad result. They were also successful in the Europe League where eliminated La Liga side Real Sociedad. I am sure Amorim is no longer under pressure, but he must continue the unbeaten run. Amorim has five injury worries. Lisandro Martinez will miss the remain part of the season due to knee surgery. His absence is a huge handicap for the Red Devils. That's not all as Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans are also out injured. But there are some good news too. Five players has returned to training following injuries at the end of last week, with Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton all available for selection. Patrick Dorgu has served a domestic suspension and will also be in the squad.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Prediction:
Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United 3:2 in the reverse fixture played at Old Trafford in December. They are looking to complete a first league double over the Red Devils since the 1991-92 campaign, when a certain Brian Clough was in charge. However, I think Man United are able to stay unbeaten here. They are slowly improving under Amorim and their results against top-teams are solid. United played 1:1 at Anfield, won 2:1 at Etihad and played 1:1 with Arsenal at home. Wood is injured and that's another reason for my pick. He is rated as doubtful, but it is clear he need time to overcome the latest injury.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Pick: Manchester United +0.5 AH @ 1.66 with Pinnacle
Liverpool vs Everton Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Liverpool:
Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Everton:
Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Alcaraz, Gueye, Garner, Doucoure, Harrison; Beto
As usual, I will start my preview with some interesting historical information about the Merseyside derby, called by the name of the river that divide the city. The match had been referred to as the "Merseyside derby" in at least one national newspaper in 1955. Traditionally, the Merseyside derby was referred to as the "Friendly Derby" because of the large number of families who have both Reds (Liverpool) and Blues (Everton) supporters in them. Nevertheless, the so called "Friendly Derby" has seen more Red cards (25) than any other in the Premier League history. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and former Everton captain Phil Neville both saw red twice in derby games.
The reverse fixture was played in February when Liverpool conceded a stoppage-time equalizer. The best England referee Michael Oliver lost the control during the match and some of his decisions was questionable. His attempt to show authority after the match came too late. Oliver showed four red cards - Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones were both sent off after the game had ended, as well as Reds manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff.
Liverpool sit on the first place with 70 points. At the time of writing, the Reds have 12 points more than Arsenal. This season was very successful for the Reds, but everything went wrong way in the last three weeks. Liverpool suffered a painful elimination from PSG in the Champions League and lost the League Cup final from Newcastle at Wembley. These two defeats spoiled the atmosphere in the squad and heavily impacted the players confidence. To be worse, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold are set to miss out the derby. Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson both pulled out of international duty last week, but they should start here.
Everton are 15th with 34 points and it seems they have nothing to play for, but pride. However, the first part of the season wasn't too successful and the club officials decided to replace Sean Dyche with David Moyes. The current results are solid and Everton drew the last four matches. The Toffees shared the points with Manchester United, Brentford, Wolverhampton and West Ham. What is important for my pick, the last three matches ended with Under 2.5 goals. Moyes has two injury worries ahead of the derby. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains sidelined up front, while Vitalii Mykolenko is doubtful with a thigh injury picked up on international duty with Ukraine.
Liverpool vs Everton Prediction:
Everton will try to upset the Reds and I think it is possible. The Toffees are unbeaten on the last four league matches and the players confidence is high. On contrary, the atmosphere in Liverpool's squad is poor. Everything went wrong way after the painful elimination from PSG in the Champions League. The League Cup final with Newcastle at Wembley proved they are in big crisis. The transfer news are not too optimistic, Trent will sign for Real Madrid, while Salah and Van Dijk are yet to sign new deal. By the way, Salah was very bad against PSG, both home and away. And he was worse at Wembley. I expect a tight and low scoring derby at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Everton Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.06 with Pinnacle
Brighton vs Aston Villa Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Brighton:
Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Gomez; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Aston Villa:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins
Brighton will welcome Aston Villa to Amex Stadium in a very important match. Both teams are fighting for a Champions League spot and three points from this clash are priceless. Brighton are currently sharing the sixth place with Newcastle United. Both teams have 47 points, one less than fifth-placed Manchester City. Considering England will have five clubs in the Champions League next season, it is not impossible for Brighton to make a miracle. But their manager Fabian Hurzeler has two problems in front of this match. First, the atmosphere in the squad is not at desired level after the eliminations from the FA Cup. As You probably know, Brighton lost from Nottingham Forest on penalties during the weekend. Second, Hurzeler has lot of injury issues. As many as 10 first-team players are expected to miss the game - Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, James Milner, Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Matt O'Riley, Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, Mats Wieffer and Adam Webster. That's not all as Georginio Rutter is rated as doubtful. It is clear the hosts are very handicapped.
Aston Villa have 45 points and they are sharing the 8th place with Fulham. It is clear they will try to finish as fifth and to secure a Champions League football for the next season. The current form could be evaluated as solid, particularly because they are competing on three fronts. Three days ago they beat 3:0 Preston North End in the FA Cup and booked a ticket for the semifinals. Marcus Rashford scored a brace, while Jacob Ramsey netted the third goal. The Villans also have a Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to. Manager Unai Emery is doing a great job and I believe the fans are satisfied. But PSG and FA Cup must wait, the match against Brighton is a priority now. Three points from this match could lift Aston Villa to sixth in the table, potentially joint on 48 points with fifth-placed Manchester City. Aston Villa have lost only one of their past eight meetings with Brighton - recording five victories in the process. Emery has almost all players available, only Ross Barkley remains sidelined due to a calf issue.
Brighton vs Aston Villa Prediction:
Aston Villa should remain unbeaten at Amex. The key reason for my pick is the injury situation in Brighton squad. As many as 10 regulars are expected to miss the game - Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, James Milner, Jason Steele, Joel Veltman, Matt O'Riley, Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, Mats Wieffer and Adam Webster. The hosts are very handicapped and I think they wouldn't win. Furthermore, the Villans are in better form. They beat Preston on Sunday, while Brighton lost to Nottingham one day earlier. The players confidence is high at Aston Villa and they are favorites in this match.
Brighton vs Aston Villa Pick: Aston Villa +0.5 AH @ 1.80 with Pinnacle
Chelsea vs Tottenham Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Chelsea:
Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Tottenham:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Chelsea will welcome the city rivals Tottenham Hottspur to Stamford Bridge on Thursday. The points from this match are very important for the Blues, while Tottenham play only for pride. At the time of writing, Chelsea are fourth with 49 points, but no less than five teams are waiting the Blues mistake. Nevertheless, Maresca'a men are excellent hosts, they won the last four Premier League fixtures at Stamford Bridge. Best of all, Chelsea kept a clean sheet in their last two against Southampton (4:0) and Leicester City (1:0) - only once in the last five years have Chelsea won three home games in a row without conceding, doing so from April to May 2024 in a run that included a 2:0 win over Spurs. Maresca will ask the maximum from his players, but some of them are unavailable. Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving a suspension due to a doping, while Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman are sidelined through injury. Three players are rated as doubtful - Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke. The last news from the medical department are optimistic as they have all taken part in training.
Tottenham are 14th on the table, having collect 34 points. They are huge 15 points away from the Champions League spots and the fans are disappointed. The manager Ange Postecoglou was under constant pressure during the whole season, particularly because he promised a silverware in the second year. Of course, there are still a possibility the Spurs to lift a trophy. Tottenham have qualified in the quarterfinal of the Europe League after eliminating the Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar. The Spurs lost 1:0 in Netherlands, but won 3:1 in London. The injury situation in Tottenham is much better now, Postecoglou could be boosted by the return of Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kulusevski, Kevin Danso and Richarlison. They will all be assessed on Thursday. However, defender Radu Dragusin remains out with a season-ending knee injury. Captain Son Heung-min has started as a substitute in each of last three Premier League games, but the South Korean could start on the left flank.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Prediction:
I think Chelsea will win here. The home advantage is the first reason for my pick, but there are two more. The motivation factor is completely on Chelsea side. While the Blues are fighting for a Champions League spot, Tottenham have nothing to play for. Of course, Postecoglou will not like to become the first-ever Spurs manager to lose his first four league meetings against the Blues. But his players look awful at the moment and I don't see how they could escape the defeat. Their focus is completely on the upcoming match against Eintracht Frankfurt as winning Europe League is their only chance to save the season.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Pick: Chelsea to win @ 1.66 with Pinnacle