There’s another thrilling weekend of action coming up in the Premier League, with fixtures being played across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. As we approach the final stretch of the current campaign, the stakes are getting higher for many teams – whether they’re fighting at the top of the table or the bottom.
There are yet more crucial clashes at both ends of the vision this weekend, with the standout offering being Manchester United vs Arsenal. But there are more games to keep an eye on.
Saturday, March 8
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
The early kick-off this weekend is Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City at the City Ground. The home team continue to overachieve, while the away team are underachieving. Under Nuno, Forest are looking good for Champions League football, and they will be looking to prove their credentials further against the reigning Premier League champions. After dropping points to bottom-half opposition recently, City will be out to show their quality and have a strong end to what has been a disappointing campaign. They know a win here could see them overtake Forest in the league.
Brighton vs Fulham
Brighton vs Fulham is a match between 8th and 9th, which should make it all the more entertaining. After a bit of a dip where they became draw specialists, Brighton are looking more like the team we saw at the start of the season. They retain European ambitions. Fulham have enjoyed an improved campaign and have proven more than a match for some of the top flight’s best outfits. They’ll fancy their chances of success at the Amex. The winner in this one will strengthen their chances of qualifying for Europe, and this will have been the target for both clubs at the start of the season.
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town
Crystal Palace will have seen their game against Ipswich as relatively straightforward due to their form and their visitor’s continued struggles. However, Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town has been affected for the home team after Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a serious facial injury in their FA Cup clash with Millwall. The Eagles are still a strong opponent for any team, even without Mateta, but it could give Kieran McKenna’s relegation-threatened team a bit of confidence as they head to Selhurst Park looking for an important three points. Ipswich are entering must-win territory, with only 11 games of the season to go.
Liverpool vs Southampton
Liverpool are champions in waiting. It’s now a case of when and not if they will claim the second Premier League title in their history. Therefore, Liverpool vs Southampton should be a game they come through unscathed. Liverpool defeated PSG away from home in the Champions League midweek, and Southampton will be hoping that match has taken enough out of Arne Slot’s side to give them a chance to pick up a result. The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the table, and their return to the Championship is on the horizon. It’s hard to see them finding a way to pick up points at Anfield.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
Brentford vs Aston Villa is another close contest in the Premier League, with Brentford in 11th and Villa in 10th. For Brentford, it’s been a great season when you consider everything that has gone against them. Villa will have hoped for much better but continue to adjust to playing midweek in the Champions League and then again in the league at the weekend. With Unai Emery’s side often coming up short immediately after a Champions League game, Brentford will be confident, especially on home soil at the Gtech. Both teams need to improve to qualify for Europe via the league.
Wolves vs Everton
It’s 17th vs 16th this Saturday evening at Molineux, with Wolves vs Everton wrapping up Saturday’s action. While these two teams are close in the league, they aren’t where points are concerned, with Wolves on 22 points and Everton 32. This means Wolves must win if they’re to somehow reel in a rejuvenated Toffees. Fail to do so, and they’ll be in serious trouble if Ipswich or Leciester manage to pick up points. An Everton win will pretty much confirm they’re on the road to safety under David Moyes. Wolves will also be without talisman Matheus Cunha after his recent red car, which will be a huge blow to them.
Sunday, March 9
Chelsea vs Leicester City
Chelsea vs Leicester City sees a badly out-of-form and relegation-threatened Leicester City side travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, who are managed by Enzo Maresca, the man who guided the Foxes back to the top flight. Leicester’s situation continues to become more desperate because of their long losing run, and Chelsea will be looking to capitalise on that as they push for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. Chelsea comfortably defeated Southampton recently and will fancy their chances of doing the same to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team.
Spurs vs Bournemouth
Spurs’ season hasn’t gone to plan, and while they’ve shown signs of recovery, they’re still down in 13th and 10 points adrift of their visitors, Bournemouth, who are 7th in the league. With 11 games remaining of the current campaign, if Spurs are to make a late push for Europe, they have to come out on top of fixtures such as Spurs vs Bournemouth. However, while the Cherries have lost their last two in the league, they’re still a very dangerous outfit, especially in attack, as proven countless times this term. Ange Postecoglu will be hoping his team being on the up isn’t a flash in the pan.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Manchester United vs Arsenal has always been a big fixture in the Premier League because the two teams have been two of the best outfits in the division for a long time. However, this season especially, Manchester Untied have struggled. They’re down in 14th and continue to show no sign they’re able to compete at the right end of the division. Arsenal, in second, have struggled for form of late and lack their first-choice attack. If United are to bounce back before the end of the season, doing so at Old Trafford against Arsenal would be a great fixture to do it in. It would also be a huge boost for manager Ruben Amorim.
Monday, March 10
West Ham United vs Newcastle United
It’s not very often that you will see two English managers in opposing dugouts in the Premier League, but in West Ham vs Newcastle United, that’s what we get. Graham Potter’s Hammers host Eddie Howe’s Magpies in the Monday night action and it could prove to be a tasty affair. It’s taken some time, but West Ham are beginning to look good under Potter and have won their last two games. Newcastle, while in 6th, are out of form, and they’re also without Anthony Gordon. The Magpies will also have one eye on the upcoming Carabao Cup final, so this could be a chance for West Ham to win their third game in a row.
