Premier League Match Week 17 Preview

Arsenal can be forgiven for a sense of déjà vu as its lead in the Premier League is down to two points. Arsenal has been at the top of the table for Christmas in two of the last three years before faltering in its chase for a title. The Gunners may not even make it to this Christmas as Premier League leaders pending this weekend’s results. The lead over Manchester City is down to two points as Haaland and Company bear down on injury plagued Arsenal. The Gunners struggled past cellar dwelling Wolverhampton at the Emirates last weekend.

Everton may provide an even greater challenge at its glistening new Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees had won three of four matches in the league before stumbling at Chelsea last week. David Moyes’s side will face an injury ravaged Arsenal back line which is missing Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White. Whether the Toffee attack can capitalize is a question, however, as Everton has scored only 18 times this season in 16 league matches. Look for Arsenal to be at the top of the table at Christmas for a third time in four years.

Manchester City though will be poised to take advantage of an Arsenal stumble and will be facing a poor opponent at the Etihad this weekend. West Ham is in the relegation zone without a victory in its last five matches as Nuno Espirito Santo continues to try to figure things out at his latest managerial stop. Manchester City has pounded the Hammers in their last five meetings, not only winning but scoring at least three goals in each contest.

Aston Villa is currently threatening both Arsenal and Manchester City with only three points separating the three clubs at the top of the table. Manager Unai Emery’s side are home at Villa Park this weekend to face Manchester United. The Red Devils have shown some life during a three-match unbeaten run in the league, but Emery’s side has steamrolled to eight consecutive victories across all competitions. Morgan Rogers, Donyell Mallen, Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins have all taken star turns in the Villa attack. Manchester United, meanwhile, has surprised with four goals in each of its last two league matches.

Chelsea is back in the top four after its victory over Everton last weekend. The Blues go to Newcastle on Saturday to face a Magpie side smarting from a loss to hated rival Sunderland last week.

Sunderland are just two points behind Chelsea and a top four spot as the Cats travel to Brighton this weekend. The Seagulls have been lilting of late with two losses sandwiching a draw in their last three matches. Sunderland and Brighton are unfamiliar foes as this is their first Premier League meeting, and they have not met in any competition since 2011.

A win over Thomas Frank’s former club Brentford two weeks ago was hoped to be a turning point for a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side. Such was not the case as the Spurs followed up with a desultory 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool now comes to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with its own fervent hope that their season is about to turn. Hugo Ekitike was marvelous for the Reds last week as they now embark upon a future that will be without Mohamed Salah in the short term and possibly even the long term. Along with Ekitike, the clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Brighton was particularly encouraging for a defense which has been largely unreliable during Liverpool’s troubles this season.

Crystal Palace was scoreless last week in a loss to Manchester City. The Eagles’ chances of finding the net should be much improved this week versus a Leeds team which has conceded 30 goals, more than any club not in the relegation zone.

Wolverhampton, the undisputed rulers of the relegation zone will host Brentford hoping to limit additional damage after already allowing a breathtaking 35 goals in their 16 matches so far.

Burnley still has a sliver of survival hope with the Clarets currently six points from safety. A trip to Bournemouth, however, is unlikely to improve their prospects. While the Cherries are in the midst of a rough patch that has dropped them to 13th in the table, Manager Andoni Iraola and his charges are capable of more and a home match versus Burnley could be just the pivot point to reverse their fortunes.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, has found its footing under Manager Sean Dyche. The Tricky Trees have prospered under new management, emerging from the relegation zone with four wins, three losses and a draw with Dyche in charge. The Trees are at Craven Cottage this weekend with a chance to move past 14th place Fulham  with a victory.