Premier League action has been coming at us at an unprecedented rate.
A round of fixtures on the weekend and during the week, it has almost been impossible to keep up with all the goings on in the top tier of English football.
Today, we have a day to breathe before this weekend’s action kicks off.
So, let’s dive in and see what football fans can look forward to in the Premier League over the next few days.
Saturday, 6th of February 2021
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Venue – Villa Park
Kick Off – 12.30 pm
Odds – Home 17/10 Draw 12/5 Away 6/4
Watch On – BT Sport
The two sides propping up the top ten meet in the curtain raiser for this weekend’s games. With both coming off the back of defeats.
Aston Villa come into this one on a poor run of form. They have only recorded two wins in their last eight, but they’ll be glad to know they both came at home.
However, they do hold a 3-0 over Arsenal from earlier in the season. Striker Ollie Watkins scored a brace that day and has scored in his sides past two games, continuing to prove the doubters wrong. He will need to add to this to keep Villa’s slim European hopes alive.
Arsenal are another side that struggle to put a good run of games together.
Before their horrendous performance against Wolves mid-week, they seemed to be gathering serious momentum on a more consistent basis.
However, before this slip up, the Gunners had won three consecutive league games on the road.
For this one, Villa are still without Wesley and Kortney Hause who are struggling with long term injuries. While Arsenal are without the suspended David Luiz and Bernd Leno, second choice keeper Matt Ryan is also out with a hip injury. Defenders Kieran Tierney and Pablo Mari are also expected to miss out.
Verdict – Villa to sneak a win at home.
Newcastle United vs Southampton
Venue – St. James Park
Kick Off – 3.00 pm
Odds – Home 19/10 Draw 11/5 Away 29/20
Watch On – BT Sport
Newcastle come into this match with only a single win from their last 13 games in all competitions, 11 of those games taking place in the league. They also haven’t recorded a home win since the start of December.
During this awful run, they have lost eight games and conceded two or more goals in seven of those defeats.
Southampton also come into this one void of any confidence.
They were humiliated during the week, losing 9-0 to Manchester United. The second time that has happened under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. This puts them on a three-game skid, conceding 13 goals in those games.
The Saints have also failed to win in their last four away games. Plus, haven’t won at St. James Park in their last four visits.
Newcastle will be without Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles.
While Southampton have a lengthy missing list. Theo Walcott, Stuart Armstrong, Michael Obafemi, Nathan Tella, Will Smallbone, Ibrahima Diallo and Alexandre Jankewitz are all missing out.
While Kyle Walker-Peters, Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu are unlikely to play too.
Verdict – Draw.
Burnley vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Venue – Turf Moor
Kick Off – 3.00 pm
Odds – Home 5/2 Draw 21/10 Away 23/20
Watch On – Sky Sports Premier League
Another afternoon game, another clash between two sides in the wrong end of the table fighting for survival.
Burnley come into this one off the back of two defeats against difficult opposition, despite beating champions Liverpool just a few weeks ago.
The goals have quickly dried up and Burnley even failed to register a shot on target in their previous two defeats. On the flip side, Burnley have only lost once in ten league meetings against their upcoming opponents.
Brighton have also upset Liverpool, beating them in Anfield in their last outing.
The visitors are coming in on great form. Unbeaten in their last four league games and keeping a clean sheet in each of those.
Burnley will be without striker Chris Wood. While Robbie Brady, Ashley Barnes, Charlie Taylor, and Josh Brownhill are all carrying knocks and are questionable for this one.
The Seagulls will be without star boy Tariq Lamptey, along with Solly March, Danny Welbeck and Florian Andone. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Joel Veltman, Alexis Mac Allister and Davy Propper are touch and go with their injuries and may not be involved.
Verdict – Tight Brighton win.
Fulham vs West Ham United
Venue – Craven Cottage
Kick Off – 5.30 pm
Odds – Home 5/2 Draw 12/5 Away 21/20
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Fulham are fighting for their Premier League lives; they are currently winless in their last 11 league games and desperately deep in the relegation zone. They come into this one with the worse form in the league, not winning a home game since the 2nd of November.
West Ham on the other hand are in prime position to have a stunning final half of their campaign.
They are one of the most in form teams in the division, losing only once to Liverpool in their last ten games in all competitions. They have also gone unbeaten in their last five games on the road during this run.
A win here would mean the Hammers would win four consecutive league away games for the first time in 35 years. Plus, they will be hoping new boy Jessie Lingard can follow up on his impressive mid-week debut.
Tom Cairney is the only key player missing for Fulham with a knee injury. While West Ham are without defender Arthur Masuaku and more than likely goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Verdict – West Ham win.
Manchester United vs Everton
Venue – Old Trafford
Kick Off – 8.00 pm
Odds – Home 1/2 Draw 16/5 Away 5/1
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Despite some bumps in the road, United remain optimistic of bringing the Premier League trophy back to Old Trafford for the first time in eight years.
While United’s attacking muscles were fully flexed during their mid-week 9-0 domination against Southampton. Their much-criticised defence deserves some credit as they have kept five clean sheets in their last eight league games.
Their home record is improving too, only losing twice at home in their last nine games in all competitions, but they are still prone to a major slip up every now and again.
Everton visit in good form themselves, only losing once in their last five league games. They beat Leeds during the week and that gave them their fourth league away game win for the first time since 1985.
The Toffees will be hoping this great run on the road can bring them their third win in Old Trafford during the Premier League era.
There are some doubts around the availability of Edison Cavani, but besides that Manchester United are full strength. While Everton are without Allan and likely goalkeeper Jordan Pickford too.
Verdict – Tight Manchester United win.
Sunday, 7th of February 2021
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Brom Albion
Venue – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Kick Off – 12.00 pm
Odds – Home 2/5 Draw 10/3 Away 13/2
Watch On – BT Sport
Fresh off their uninspired performance against Chelsea last night, Spurs are on a poor run, losing three games on the bounce. Failing to score in consecutive games for the first time under manager Jose Mourinho. The North London side also haven’t won at home in their last three league games.
However, Tottenham rarely lose against newly promoted sides, so we could see them bounce back this weekend.
Survival specialist Sam Allardyce looks like he has bitten off more than he can chew with this West Brom side.
He has only managed to guide his team to a single victory under his stewardship. You can’t fault their commitment in terms of scoring goals, but they are a side well rooted into the bottom three and looking destined for the drop.
Spurs are without some key players like Harry Kane, Sergio Reguilon, Lo Celso and Dele Alli. West Brom are seemingly full strength for this one.
Verdict – Spurs surely this weekend’s banker.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leicester City
Venue – Molineux
Kick Off – 2.00 pm
Odds – Home 12/5 Draw 23/10 Away 11/10
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Wolves got back on track with an impressive win over Arsenal during the week. Before this they were somewhat struggling at home. They were on a two-game losing streak and still haven’t kept a clean sheet at Molineux since October in league action.
Furthermore, they have only won two home league games since October.
Leicester is another side sniffing around another league title. Their away form has a lot to do with that. Leicester has the second-best record away from home this season. This is along with having one of the best attacking records in the league too.
The Foxes also hold a tight victory over their host from earlier in the season.
Both are missing key players for this one. The home team are without Jonny, Raul Jimenez, Romain Saiss, Rayan Ait Nouri, and Fernando Marcal.
Leicester will travel without Wes Morgan, Timothy Castagne, Wesley Fofana, Dennis Praet. While Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi are also unlikely to play.
Verdict – Tough one, just think Leicester are too good at the minute.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Venue – Anfield
Kick Off – 4.30 pm
Odds – Home 9/4 Draw 13/5 Away 11/10
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
The heavyweight clash of the weekend.
Liverpool once again messed up during the week, giving away some precious ground in their Premier League title defence.
Anfield was a fortress for almost four years, now they haven’t won in their last four home games, losing two on the trot for the first time since 2012.
This is their biggest game of their season to date. However, Liverpool shouldn’t come into this one completely doom and gloom as City haven’t won at Anfield in the league since 2003.
Speaking of City, they are looking unstoppable and are now favourites to become league champions this season. They finally have some consistency in their back four for the first time in a while. This has aloud them to register six league clean sheets in a row.
City also find themselves in the midst of a ten-game unbeaten run away from home in all competitions.
The champions are without Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez and Naby Keita. Key players like Alisson and Sadio Mane also have question marks around their fitness ahead of this huge game.
The challengers will be missing big names in Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Nathan Ake.
Verdict – Another tough call, but again Man City are looking too good.
Sheffield United vs Chelsea
Venue – Bramall Lane
Kick Off – 7.15 pm
Odds – Home 6/1 Draw 7/2 Away 4/9
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Sheffield United come into this one sitting rock bottom of the league. However, they have thrown themselves a lifeline winning three games from their last five, but they still have a mammoth task ahead of them.
They are coming off a massive home win over fellow strugglers West Brom during the week, coming back from a one goal deficit.
Chelsea on the other hand have come on leaps and bounds under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Going unbeaten during his first three games and without conceding a single goal. While a title challenge seems unrealistic, a good push for European football is very achievable for this side.
The Blues also haven’t lost an away game against eventual relegated sides in the past seven seasons. They also hold a comprehensive 4-1 win over their opponents earlier in the season.
The Blades are without Sander Berge, Jack O’Connell, and Jack Robinson. While George Baldock, Enda Stevens and Ben Osborn are doubtful.
Chelsea are likely to be without Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva, and Kai Havertz.
Verdict – Chelsea to continue their great form under Tuchel.
Monday, 8th of February 2021
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
Venue – Elland Road
Kick Off – 8.00 pm
Odds – Home 17/20 Draw 13/5 Away 3/1
Watch On – Sky Sports Main Event
Leeds are emerging as the most entertaining team to watch this season. While it’s fun for neutrals, this doesn’t do much to help them in the league standings long term. While they won’t be near relegation, Leeds have won six and lost six of their previous 12 games.
This game could be classed as must see, as 12 of Crystal Palace games have seen an opening goal come in the first 15 minutes.
Both teams trade wins and losses, without going on long stretches of not conceding goals. This could be a cracking game to round out this weekends Premier League action.
Leeds are missing Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Adam Foreshaw. Ian Carlo Poveda-Ocampo will be subject to a late fitness test.
Palace are without Jeffery Schlupp, James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho, Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson, and Conor Wickham. While Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur are questionable.
Verdict – A fun scored draw.