Manchester City’s pursuit of Arsenal and the ‘Gunners’ defense of their 5-point lead are again in focus on matchday 27, with their trips to Selhurst Park, against Crystal Palace, and Craven Cottage, against Fulham. These are the 5 recommended matches.
1
Leeds-Brighton, Sat. 16:00 (DAZN)
Maximum pressure for Javi Gracia’s ‘whites’ at Elland Road
After Brighton & Hove Albion’s win and good game against West Ham (4-0) at the Amex Stadium, De Zerbi’s Italian team arrived at Elland Road. The level of offensive effectiveness of the ‘seagulls’ is worrying for the Leeds of the Spaniard Javi Gracia, who is in the Japanese Mitoma, with six goals, a benchmark in the attack. Mitoma is now one goal away from the Premier League scoring record in a season by a Japanese player. This is a match where Leeds United need points more than ever in the match to avoid
the relegation places, which affect nine teams. The improvement of the attack is an obligation for the ‘whites’, who will be able to line up, again, Patrick Bamford and the Spaniard Rodrigo, the absence of which Leeds accused. They have scored just one goal in the last five games, despite creating plenty of chances.
2
Crystal Palace-Man City, Sat. (18:30) DAZN
New test for Guardiola’s pursuit of City at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace have three draws and two defeats in their last five games, in which they have scored just three goals. It’s not the best letter of introduction for the ‘eagles’ to face Guardiola’s Manchester City. In addition, Patrick Vieira’s team went nine games without a win in 2023, and will have the important loss of Cheick Doukouré, who was sanctioned. In contrast, City are having a good second round, with 13 goals in the last five games, in which they only conceded a draw at the City Ground in Nottingham. Their defense and their goalkeeper, Brazilian Ederson, who scored another clean sheet against Newcastle, his 100th in 208 games, are also in good form, making him the third goalkeeper to reach the milestone this.
3
Fulham v Arsenal, Sun. 15:00 (DAZN)
The confidence and security of the ‘gunners’, tested at Craven Cottage
A dramatic late-second goal from young Gunner winger Reiss Nelson saw Arsenal cling to the top of the Premier League to maintain a five-point lead over Manchester City in the title race. While waiting to hope for the Brazilian Gabriel Jesús as soon as possible, who this week returned to training in London Colney, Arsenal will be tested again in the London ‘derby’, after Thursday’s European matchday in the Europa League, where Arteta used rotations and could only tie in Lisbon. At a warm Craven Cottage, opposite is a motivated Fulham, who are in seventh position and have options to reach a place to play in Europe.
4
West Ham-Aston Villa, Sun. 15:00 (DAZN)
Important test for Denis Moyes, with the best team on the counterattack
The ‘hammers’, in difficulty and in a situation they did not expect, will face the ever-fighting team led by Basque coach Unai Emery, who has chained two consecutive victories to have peace of mind, and he is the best counter attack team. With Emery and as a guest, the ‘villain’ lost only one game, at Ettihad (3-1) and beat Brighton, Tottenham, Everton and Southampton. Despite its inconsistency, improvement in defense has been key to the recovery of Aston Villa, who will be missing key midfield Frenchman Kamara through injury. They now face Scotsman Denis Moyes’ West Ham, questioned for his defensive tactics, who will need to show strength at the London Stadium to prevent their situation from worsening. It is just one point from the relegation places.
5
Newcastle-Wolves, Sun. 17:30 (DAZN)
The ‘magpies’, to break their scoring drought at Saint James’ Park
Although they have conceded just 17 goals and have the Premier’s best defense and goalkeeper, Newcastle have already been overtaken by Tottenham and Liverpool in the race for fourth place in the Champions League, although they have played two fewer games than ‘Spurs’ . Eddie Howe’s team blames the bad moments of their strikers, despite the fact that they form many scoring options. Wilson and Isak have not found form and Howe must press for attacking options, as Newcastle are winless in their last eight games and have scored just three goals. Julen Lopetegui’s Wolverhampton, who won their last game (1-0) against Tottenham Hotspur, with a good goal from Adama Traoré, to avoid relegation, can take advantage of this situation at the always noisy Saint James’ Park .
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
