Gameweek 29 of the Premier League takes place this weekend with a number of local derbies dominating the fixture list. Here are the top-flight games taking place this weekend:
Saturday
Tottenham v Arsenal (Kick-off 12:30 PM)
Tottenham are now all but out the race for the Premier League title after successive away league defeats at Burnley and last time out Chelsea. The losses leave Mauricio Pochettino’s side eight points behind second-place Manchester City and nine behind league leaders Liverpool.
The home side may now be looking over their shoulders slightly nervously, as fourth place rivals Arsenal are now just four points behind them. An away win could put Spurs chances of securing a top-four spot in doubt.
However, Tottenham have a very good recent home record in the top-flight, winning in seven of their last nine league matches at Wembley. Their recent home games in the Premier league have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in seven of their nine matches.
Despite the visitors being the form side, Tottenham are the favourites to record a victory in the latest instalment of the north London derby.
Arsenal have boosted their chances of making the top four this season by winning five of their last six top-flight games. However, the Gunners place in the top-four is by no means secure, as Manchester United trail them by just a point, while Chelsea are just three points behind.
A big factor in the visitor’s recent good form in the English top-flight has been their attacking prowess, as Unai Emery’s side have scored at least two goals in five of their last six league outings.
Despite their recent good of form in the top-flight, the visitor’s recent away record in the top-flight is still a poor one, with just one league victory on their travels in seven matches. The fact that the one win came at bottom club Huddersfield illustrates the Gunners away struggles.
Sunday
Everton v Liverpool (Kick-off 4:15 PM)
On Sunday afternoon, league leaders Liverpool face arguably their biggest remaining challenge of the season, as Jurgen Klopp’s team visit neighbours Everton for the Merseyside derby.
Everton have been in poor form of late. In fact, since an unlucky 1-0 defeat at Liverpool in the reverse fixture, the Toffees have only claimed four wins from 14 league outings. The defeat seemed to impact the confidence of the players and in boss Marco Silva.
The Toffees head into this clash on the back of a 3-0 win at Cardiff, which ended a losing run of three straight defeats in the top-flight. Silva’s team have a poor recent home record in the top-flight, suffering four defeats in five home outings.
Liverpool are ahead of reigning champions Manchester City just a point. However, the Citizens can leapfrog the Merseysiders by avoiding defeat on Saturday when they travel to Bournemouth.
A 5-0 win against Watford last time out means that the Reds are unbeaten in the Premier League in seven games. However, they have also drawn three of their last five games in the league.
The visitors have not been in great form on their travels of late, as Klopp’s team have won just once in their last four away matches. Their recent away games in the Premier League have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals in four of their last five games.
Gameweek 29’s other Premier League fixtures (Kick-off 3 PM unless stated)
Saturday
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Brighton v Huddersfield
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Manchester United v Southampton
Wolves v Cardiff
West Ham v Newcastle
Sunday
Watford v Leicester (Kick-off 12 PM)
Fulham v Chelsea (Kick-off 2:05 PM)
Who will pull off the big wins of gameweek in the Premier League?
