Chelsea v Manchester United takes centre stage in the Premier League this weekend. Here are Things to look out for in Premier League Matchweek 26. Bet on the Premier League here.
Battle for top four: Chelsea v Man United
Chelsea can solidify their position inside the top four if they beat Manchester United in Monday’s Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge. United beat the Blues 4-0 at home in the league earlier this season before knocking them out of the EFL Cup earlier this term. The Red Devils can also secure their first ever double over Frank Lampard’s side in the Premier League era, but have won just one of their last 17 trips to Stamford Bridge in the competition, back in 2012. Chelsea are six points clear of United in the race for a top-four finish and can further extend that advantage. The Red Devils have a solid record against the top six this season and will be optimistic that they can win in London.
Burnley to make history against Southampton?
Four straight defeats in the festive period were threatening to drag Burnley into the relegation mire. However, impressive wins over top-four contenders Leicester City and Man United and a draw with Arsenal have seen them distance themselves from the danger zone. They are 11th in the table with 31 points, seven clear of the danger zone. They travel to Southampton in Saturday’s early kick-off looking to move further away from the danger zone. The Clarets can complete the league double over Southampton for the first time since 1946/47 in the second tier, having won 3-0 at Turf Moor on the opening weekend.
Misery for relegation-threatened teams
Norwich City host runaway league leaders Liverpool in Saturday’s late kick-off looking to cause an upset and revive their dire form. The Canaries are rock bottom with 18 points from 25 games and are running out of time to prevent relegation back to the Championship. They’ll need something special to beat Liverpool, a side that have won 24 of their 25 league matches.
Aston Villa are hovering above the relegation zone. They are 17th, just a point above the danger zone, and they host top four contenders Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Sunday which kicks off their dreadful run of fixtures. Their next five games include matches against Southampton, Leicester and Chelsea. They have already lost to Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester at Villa Park. Can they stop Spurs?
West Ham travel to Man City in 18th place in the table with 24 points. They have lost three of their last five and play Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea in the next few weeks. Can they start that run with a bang against City?
Arsenal to get back to winning ways
The Gunners have won just two league games since October. They’ve garnered 31 points and sit tenth in the table. Mikel Arteta’s team have won just six of their 25 Premier League games this season, their lowest tally after 25 league games in a season since 1912/13, where they won once. However, Arsenal are unbeaten in their 25 February home league matches at the Emirates, winning 20 of those, while they have won their last seven league home fixtures against their opponents on Sunday, Newcastle.
Tough trip for Leicester at Molineux
Leicester and Wolves are back in action after their two-week winter break. These two sides met on the opening weekend with the match ending in a goalless stalemate. Wolves have continued with their reputation from last season of challenging the top six. This season, they are fighting for the top four. They have beaten reigning champions Man City twice this season and drawn with Man United twice. They’ve lost just three times at home this term and will definitely give the Foxes a run for their money on Friday.