MADRID, March 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Arsenal has an opportunity this Sunday against the ‘affordable’ Crystal Palace to extend their five-point ‘cushion’ for the Premier League over Manchester City, since Guardiola’s men will not play their day this weekend when they have a FA match Cup, while Tottenham wants to access the ‘Top 3’ and Chelsea seeks to get hooked on Europe, in matches corresponding to matchday 28 of the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s men easily beat Fulham (0-3) last Sunday to restore their five-point lead in the Premier League over City. The victory allowed them to prolong their positive streak, which is already five consecutive victories in the League to add 66 points, after their last defeat (1-3) a month ago against the ‘citizen’ team, their closest rival.
However, the ‘Gunners’ face this extraordinary opportunity to take a bite out of the title before the international ‘break’ after saying goodbye to the Europa League on penalties against Sporting de Portugal. The English were one of the top favorites to lift the continental trophy, although their elimination means that the Premier, a competition they have not won since the 2003-2004 season, is their only obsession and objective.
This weekend they will not have the pressure of Guardiola’s men, who will not play their match against West Ham, since this Saturday they will face Burnley in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Like City, Manchester United will not play either neither his match against Brighton nor Liverpool will be able to continue climbing the table at the expense of Fulham, both games also due to the cup tournament.
Without these three heavyweights this weekend, Chelsea-Everton this Saturday becomes one of the highlights of this matchday 28. Graham Potter’s men have improved in the most recent balance, with three consecutive victories and 5 goals in the last two games, the same as in the previous 12.
It seems that they have recovered their most voracious version, after qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Champions League and with a dangerous squad that makes them one of the candidates to stir up the end of the season. Now they are in tenth place with 37 points, but a win would bring them closer to some European places set by Brigthon with 44 points.
This Saturday they receive an Everton against whom they have chained 27 Premier League games at home without losing, since 1994, the longest unbeaten streak against any rival of the ‘blues’. However, Everton, struggling to get away from a relegation that sees only one point after beating Brentford (1-0), have beaten Chelsea – always at home – in the last four seasons.
Also this Saturday, Tottenham, out of the Champions League but fourth with 48 points, two behind United, will try to storm the ‘Top 3’ of the Premier League in their duel against bottom club Southampton and who only have three wins in their last ten league matches. However, for this they will have to work and improve their performance away from home, since in their last two outings they have lost to Wolves (1-0) and Leicester City (4-1).
On matchday 28, Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves, with relegation tightening, host Leeds United, while Aston Villa will face Bournemouth and Leicester will visit Brentford. The day will open this Friday a Nottingham Forest-Newcastle.
–SCHEDULE DAY 28 OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
-Friday March 17.
Nottingham Forest – Newcastle 21.00.
-Saturday 18.
Aston Villa – Bournemouth16.00.
Brentford-Leicester 4:00 p.m.
Liverpool – Fulham Postponed.
Southampton-Tottenham 4:00 p.m.
Wolves – Leeds United 16.00.
Chelsea – Everton 18.30.
-Sunday 19.
Arsenal – Crystal Palace 15.00.
Brighton – Manchester United Postponed.
Manchester City – West Ham Postponed.