England Round 32

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Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz

Aston Villa:
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans, Iroegbunam; Bailey, Rogers, Watkins

Title-pretenders Arsenal will welcome Champions League-chasing Aston Villa to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. The points from this clash are extremely important for both teams. Arsenal are first with 71 points from 31 matches, but thanks to the superior goal-difference. Liverpool also have 71 points, but 9 goals is the current decider. The Gunners are in good form, they have 10 victories and one draw on the last eleven Premier League matches. The only draw came against Manchester City at the Etihad. An away draw with Manchester City is not a bad result. The Citizens have dominated the match through the possession, created lot of opportunities, but Arsenal became the first visitor to secured a clean sheet since October 2021, after 47 games. Arteta is doing an excellent job and the fans are pleased. The Spaniard has the majority of his players ready, only Jurrien Timber is sidelined through injury. But Arteta has a different issues - to rotate the players or not. As You probably know, the match with Aston Villa is sandwiched between two Champions League games with Bayern Minich. The first match ended with a 2:2 draw and the Gunners must avoid the defeat in Germany to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Aston Villa were also involved in European duties during the midweek. The Villans are main favorites to win the Conference League, but they are also fighting to secure the fourth place in the Premier League, a place that guarantees the Champions League football for the next season. Aston Villa managed to beat the French outfit Lille 2:1 at home in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Thursday, but the reverse fixture is next Thursday, only four days after Arsenal. Just as his counterpart, Unai Emery has big dilemma - to rotate the players or to go with the best eleven in London. One that is usually able to make difference in the game is Ollie Watkins. The 28-year-old have scored 25 goals in all competitions this season and his presence is crucial. He also scored the first goal against the French side, while the captain McGinn netted the second. However, most of the players are tired, including the mentioned duo. To be worse, important midfielder Douglas Luiz is serving a two-match suspension, while Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey are sidelined due to knee and foot injury respectively.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Prediction:

This is the derby match in the Premier League this weekend. The points are very important for both sides, however their managers must think about Europe too. Arsenal travel to Germany to face Bayern, while Villa go to France to face Lille. So, who will win here? I think Arsenal, they have bigger roster and more quality players, particularly in the attack. Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Saka are all top players and whoever start is able to score. On contrary, Villa depends on Watkins too much. I expect Arsenal to win with more than one.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Pick: Arsenal -1.5 AH @ 1.86 with Pinnacle

 

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Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Crystal Palace:
Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Lerma; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Olise, Mateta, Eze

Liverpool will try to end their winnless mini-series when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on Sunday. Nevertheless, the players confidence isn't high at the moment. The reason is simple, the Reds have lost the first place in the Premier League, ended their FA Cup campaign and suffered a high 3:0 defeat to Italian side Atalanta in the first-leg quarterfinal of UEFA Europe League. The atmosphere in the team is poor in the worst-possible period. Manchester United are the side deserved for Liverpool's misery. First they beat the Reds 4:3 in the FA Cup, while last weekend played a 2:2 draw in the Premier League. Klopp's players have dominated in the first half, but scored just once through Luis Diaz. United turned-out the result with two goals in the second half, while Salah converted a penalty for a final 2:2. Klopp has some injury worries, although the situation looks much better now. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is nearing a return, but it seems this match comes too soon for him. Thiago Alcantara remain sidelined, as well as Joel Matip.

Crystal Palace are in the middle of the table with 30 points. They have five more than 18th-placed Luton Town, and that means they have no space for relaxation. Every point is very important in the finish of the season. The actual form is poor, two defeats on the last two matches in the Premier League. First they suffered a narrow 1:0 defeat to Bournemouth, while last weekend conceded four goals in a 4:2 loss from Manchester City. The Eagles scored first through Mateta and pulled one back late on through Odsonne Edouard, after Kevin De Bruyne's brace and goals from Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland had already put the game out of sight. Manager Oliver Glasner is feeling big pressure, but I don't expect to make lot of changes in the starting eleven. His options are heavily limited as goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, defenders Marc Guehi, Chris Richards and Rob Holding and midfielders Matheus Franca and Cheick Doucoure are all sidelined. Glasner has some "sweet issues" in attack and he has to decide who will start at Anfield, Jean-Philippe Mateta or Odsonne Edouard.

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Prediction:

Liverpool didn't score against Atalanta at Anfield on Thursday. That happened only for the second time this season, after the goalless draw with Manchester United in December. The Reds are attacking minded side, with Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez up front. The trio has produced a combined tally of 54 goals across all competitions so far this season and I expect some of them to find the back of the net. Considering the defensive issues of Liverpool, I expect to concede too. Kelleher has received goals on each of the last eight matches, five on the last two. Palace scored two against Man City last weekend, so I think they are able to continue that way.

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.91 with Pinnacle