The top 3 sides in the Premier League currently (Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City) brace themselves for another chapter of this season’s epic title race story.
They head into the weekend after facing extremely tough fixtures in the Champions League and the Europa League. Arsenal drew 2-2 at home against Bayern, City drew 3-3 away against Real Madrid, and Liverpool suffered an astonishing 3-0 loss to Italian outfit Atalanta at Anfield.
Manchester City vs Luton Town | 13 April | 16:00
Manchester City will be the first of the 3 to play this weekend when they welcome Luton Town to the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens will be looking to strike first and climb to the top of the table, for the night at least, as they host relegation-threatened Luton Town.
Despite Erling Haaland’s recent struggles for consistency, City have shown that goals can come from other sources, with Phil Foden putting on some stunning displays in front of goal and securing crucial results in the process. Newly promoted Luton Town will simply be hoping for a miracle. Though they have proven capable of scoring against bigger sides in the league, this hasn’t been enough to lift them out of the relegation zone due to their inferior goal difference with six matches to go.
My prediction for this match is that there will be over 2.5 goals scored. With Champions League fixtures against Real on either side of this tie, Pep might tweak the side a little too much, as he often does, in an effort to rest players for their second leg against Real. This might leave his side with 1 or 2 weaknesses which a desperate Luton side might exploit, as we know they are capable of getting a goal or 2 against any side in the league.
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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | 14 April | 15:00
Liverpool will kick off the Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when they take on Crystal Palace at Anfield at 3 pm. Klopp’s side will be looking to respond immediately after an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home to Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Though they did rest a few regular starters in favor of Tsimikas, Jones, and Gakpo, their joint biggest loss in European competitions came as a huge surprise. Klopp will be hoping the return of Salah, Robertson, Szoboszlai, and Jota will give his side the boost they need to come back with a win against Crystal Palace and not slip further down the Premier League table. A loss for Palace, on the other hand, might see them slip uncomfortably close to the relegation zone as they are only 5 points ahead of Luton Town in 18th place.
My prediction for this match is a straight win for Liverpool. Their players will be motivated to respond strongly and gather momentum for the challenge they have in their second leg against Atalanta a few days after.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa | 14 April | 17:30
Arsenal will round up the action on Sunday afternoon as they host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners will be looking to build on the momentum with which they ended their 2-2 draw with Bayern on Wednesday night, where they equalized late on and almost won the match with the last play as Saka was through on goal and 1-on-1 with the keeper when he went down in the box and appealed for a penalty, which he never received. They will be looking for the same kind of mentality against a resilient Villa side that can be difficult to break down.
My prediction for this match is that there will be under 2.5 goals @ 2.60. It will be very easy for these sides to adopt a cautious approach with one eye on their European second leg ties in midweek, limiting goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.
