England Round 31

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Everton vs Arsenal Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Everton:
Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Doucoure, Alcaraz; Beto

Arsenal:
Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli

Everton will welcome the second-placed Arsenal to Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime. The Toffees went down in the derby against Liverpool three days ago. Everton were solid and missed some good opportunities through Beto, but at the end a moment of inspiration of Diogo Jota decided the match. It was their first top-flight loss since January 15. Nevertheless, the result was irrelevant for David Moyes and his men as they are safe with 34 points, 14 more than 18th-placed Ipswich Town. Moyes should be happy that captain Tarkowski wasn't sent off early in the Merseyside derby, but he is not definitely safe. Tarkowski could be suspended for this encounter after the PGMOL admitted that his tackle on Mac Allister amounted to a red-card offence. Three players remain sidelined due to injuries - Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil. On the positive note, key attacker Iliman Ndiaye is fit and should start from the first minute.

The second-placed Arsenal have 61 points and they will in the not give up easily. However, the leaders Liverpool have 73, big 12 more. But Arteta's men have a scoring issues in the Premier League. Arsenal have scored only four goals in the last five 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 and Fulham 2:1 in the last two rounds. Mikel Merino scored again and he is fantastic in the new role. Merino was installed as new striker due to injury situation. And he is fantastic, scoring five goals since. And considering the fact Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain sidelined, Merino could continue in attack. But Arteta has a new problem ahead of the most important period of the season. Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham and he is ruled out for the rest of the season. His absence is a huge handicap. Jurrien Timber is also out with a knee injury. Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both unavailable.

Everton vs Arsenal Prediction:

Arsenal are favorites in this match, though it won't be easy. Everton already upset the Gunners when played a goalless draw at the Emirates in December. The Toffees will try to keep clean sheets in both league meetings with Arsenal in a single season for the first time in 112 years. However, I expect Arsenal to win at Goodison Park. Everton play much better under David Moyes, but there is a class difference between these two sides. Finally, the home fans will love Arsenal to win the title and Liverpool to ended the season empty-handed. Arsenal should win in their last visit to Goodison.

Everton vs Arsenal Pick: Arsenal to win @ 1.98 with Pinnacle

 

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Fulham vs Liverpool Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Fulham:
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Liverpool:
Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota

High-flying Fulham will welcome the leaders Liverpool to Craven Cottage on Sunday. Marco Silva's men are in the middle of the table with 45 points. The club officials are satisfied they are out of the relegation battle, as well as the fans. However, there is a positive atmosphere in the club and many believe European spots are not out of reach. But Fulham have strong opponents in this crucial period of the season. The Cottagers will play Liverpool and Chelsea in two of their next three matches. The current form is not at desired level. They lost 3:0 to Crystal Palace in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and then lost 2:1 to Arsenal on Tuesday. Previously they beat Tottenham 2:0, but this win should not be overrated, as the Spurs play a poor season. Silva will try to return to the winning way, but it won't be easy against leaders Liverpool. He has the majority of his players available, but Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson remain out injured. There is a positive news too, as Kenny Tete has recovered from a knee injury and could start from the bench.

Arsenal played "only" a 1:1 draw with Everton on Saturday lunchtime, so Liverpool have an ideal opportunity to extend the lead to 14 points. Of course, they need to win here. But I think Liverpool could be satisfied even with a draw. What I want to say, Arne Slot and his players are not feeling a big pressure. On Wednesday they won the Merseyside derby and it was a very important victory, particularly because the Reds lost two important fixtures previously - from PSG in the Champions League and from Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. However, the bad period is behind. The atmosphere in the squad is again positive, though Slot has some injury issues. Liverpool will again be without right back. Trent Alexander-Arnold remain sidelined with a foot injury. His replacement Conor Bradley may return from his thigh injury in time for the match, but Arne Slot said on Thursday he is continuing to monitor the young full-back’s fitness and will make a late decision. Joe Gomez, who also play on that position, is out with a knee injury. Finally, goalkeeper Alisson Becker could be available after concussion sustained while on international duty.

Fulham vs Liverpool Prediction:

I expect both teams to score. Liverpool are leaders in the Premier League and they have scored on all but one match. The Reds could play bad, but they will somehow find a way to score. Slot has very good strikers, including the best, Mohamed Salah. So, the question is about Fulham, are they able to score. I think so, especially knowing the last mutual results. The reverse fixture played at Anfield in December ended with a 2:2 draw. Last season these two teams played four games, two in the Premier League, two in Carabao Cup. And all of them produced goals on both sides. Liverpool won 4:3 and 3:1 in the league, while a 2:1 home win and an 1:1 draw in London were enough to secure the final of Carabao Cup. I expect the series to continue.

Fulham vs Liverpool Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.75 with Pinnacle