The five Premier League games you can’t miss

A London derby between Spurs and Chelsea, Javi Gracia’s debut at Leeds and the visit of the Arsenal boss to Leicester focused attention on matchday 25 of the Premier. Here are five standout matchups.

Fulham-Wolves Friday, 24 21.00 DAZN

Lopetegui’s emergencies at Craven Cottage against an opponent full of confidence

Fulham are the second team to win the most games since December, with six victories, after Manchester United (7). With three veterans in a state of grace and performing well (German goalkeeper Leno, American centre-back Tim Ream and Brazilian attacker Willian), Portuguese ‘cottager’ Marco Silva is still -six, three points behind Newcastle and with European ambitions. Even without relying on their starting center forward due to injury, the Serbian Mitrovic, who is once again in doubt. Tough start for Wolverhampton from Lopetegui to Craven Cottage. Defeat against Bournemouth ended his good run of results and signs of recovery.

2

Leeds-Southampton, Sat, 25 16:00 DAZN

Javi Gracia’s debut at Elland Road with the challenge of avoiding relegation

Maximum rivalry for leaving the relegation places, between two of the last classified of the Premier, with two Spaniards on the benches. Javi Gracia will make his debut at Elland Road in Leeds, while the Valencian Rubén Sellés, who started on a temporary basis at Southampton, but won at Stamford Bridge (0-1), has been ratified in the position. Gracia, who arrived for free after a last experience in Qatar, was supported by his knowledge of the Premier, in the 18 months he was at Watford, to try to save the ‘whites’. Leeds are 10 games without a win. Southampton, below, have a lethal weapon of effectiveness with Englishman Ward-Prowse’s direct fouls.

3

Leicester v Arsenal, Sat, 4pm DAZN

The irregularity of the ‘Foxes’, points to the explosion of the leader in Leicester

Visit of the Arsenal boss at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, one of the teams who score the most goals and waste the most chances when they are in the lead. The team of Brendan Rogers of Northern Ireland did not find the balance between defense and attack. His forwards are very effective and intimidating, but he is weak at the back. Arteta’s Arsenal could take advantage of this, boosted after their victory at Villa Park (2-4) with a display of self-confidence. Arsenal, with 51 goals, is the second highest scoring team, after City (60), and the second lowest scored (23) after Newcastle (15).

4

Bournemouth-ManCity, Sat, 18.30 DAZN

Test Guardiola’s ‘citizens’ against the most thrashed team in the Premier

The second win of the season, at Wolverhampton (0-1), allowed Bournemouth to leave the relegation places. Gary O’Neil’s English team are the most thrashed in the Premier, but they got a timely confidence boost ahead of the tough games they have to face, first against City, and then against leaders Arsenal. One positive aspect for the ‘cherries’ was the impact of the recent signing in January of 21-year-old striker Dango Ouattara, who arrived from French Ligue 1 side Lorient. Guardiola’s City need Haaland’s goals to boost their pursuit of Arsenal. Even in the second lap is when he pays the most.

5

Tottenham-Chelsea, Sunday, 2:30 pm DAZN

London ‘Derby’ with the ‘blues’ Graham Potter needs

Strong ups and downs have marked the season for Tottenham, fourth, and Chelsea, tenth, who meet in north London. The ‘derby’ was more transcendental for Graham Potter and the ‘blues’, who were confused and found no return on their great financial investment. The ‘Spurs’, fighting the goals of Harry Kane (17), blame the loss of coach Antonio Conte, who was replaced by his assistant Christian Stellini. For Chelsea the game was transcendental. This was his last chance to re-engage in the fight for European positions. He has only two wins in his last 15 games. Maximum pressure for Potter