The standings remained unchanged after the last round, at least as far as the higher-ups are concerned. That is, the fight for the title, which is likely to be a matter between Liverpool and Arsenal. A week ago they both won, respecting the predictions of the eve: the Reds had no problem getting rid of the newly promoted Ipswich Town, overwhelmed 4-1; the Gunners, on the other hand, won by a narrow margin on such a hostile field as Wolverhampton.
There are therefore always 6 points separating Arne Slot’s men and Mikel Arteta’s, even if Salah and his teammates have to recover the extracittadina with Everton (they would potentially be at +9). After the Champions League engagement – the league phase is gone – Liverpool will hunt for their third league win in a row against one of the two big surprises of this Premier League along with Nottingham Forest: Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.
The Cherries are on a roll and on the last day they were unleashed precisely against Forest, annihilated 5-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Second show of strength just days after the away success against Newcastle (1-4). Now the challenge with the leader, which Bournemouth will face with the tranquility of those who have nothing to lose: the Rossoneri, in fact, are seventh, with only one point less than fourth-placed Manchester City. Liverpool is a steamroller and is unlikely to leave points on the road, but the one with Iraola’s men, even considering the Reds’ European exertions, may not be a walkover: at least one goal on each side.
The predictions on the other matches
Another interesting challenge scheduled for Saturday afternoon is the direct clash between Everton and Leicester, both fighting not to be relegated. The Moyes cure is having its first effects in the Toffees’ house: the Liverpool club has won two in a row against Tottenham and Brighton, bringing itself to +7 over the red zone (with one match to recover).
Now it will have to watch out for a revitalized Leicester, revitalized by its fine win at home to Tottenham (1-2): three crucial points for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes, momentarily fourth-last. There is no clear favorite, but the home factor could make the difference, and as in the first leg (in September it ended 1-1) both are likely to find the way to goal. Ipswich Town, fresh from three defeats in a row, can exacerbate the crisis of Ivan Juric’s Southampton, which won its last point last Dec. 22 (since then there have been six knockouts in a row): for the Tractor Boys a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity against a team already almost doomed. In front of their own public, Newcastle should not make a mistake either. The Magpies have an opportunity to consolidate fifth place against a Fulham team that, while stationed in mid-table, cannot find continuity.
Premier League: possible winners.
Everton (in Everton-Leicester).
Ipswich Town or draw (in Ipswich Town-Southampton)
Newcastle (in Newcastle-Fulham)
Matches with at least three goals overall
Newcastle-Fulham
Bournemouth-Liverpool
Premier League: matches by at least one goal per team
Everton-Leicester
Bournemouth-Liverpool
