Title-chasing Arsenal are backed to return to winning ways in Sunday’s London derby at West Ham. The Gunners have a fine head-to-head record against the Hammers, winning six of their last seven Premier League encounters and drawing the other.
Manchester United have had Nottingham Forest’s measure three times already this season in the Premier League and the EFL Cup semi-finals. The Red Devils are 8-0 up on aggregate over those meetings and are tipped to confirm their superiority once again at the City Ground.
Manchester City will continue their relentless pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal when entertaining Leicester at Etihad Stadium. The relegation-threatened Foxes may get a lift from new boss Dean Smith but this still represents a daunting task on all known evidence.
Aston Villa look a value bet to blow the race for a Premier League top-four finish wide open by getting the better of Newcastle on Saturday. The hosts have come out on top in their last three head-to-head meetings at Villa Park and go into this encounter in fantastic form.
It is only early April and there have already been a record number of Premier League manager departures this season, with the recent sackings of Antonio Conte, Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter meaning there have been 13 casualties during a turbulent campaign. We have looked back at every in-season departure since 2003-04 to understand how top-flight management has changed.
It is 34 years since Arsenal clinched the league at Liverpool and while they cannot lift the trophy if they win at Anfield this weekend, they can tighten their grip on it. The table-topping Gunners head for Merseyside on the back of a seven-game winning run in the league, while the hosts have stumbled since hammering Manchester United 7-0 – losing to Bournemouth and Manchester City and drawing at Chelsea.
Leeds and Crystal Palace head into Sunday’s first live television game on a high after winning last time out. Victory over Nottingham Forest propelled Leeds out of the bottom three and as far up as 13th, just one place behind Palace who beat Leicester on Roy Hodgson’s return to Premier League management.
Manchester United continue their Premier League top-four quest against Everton on Saturday. The Red Devils moved into a strong position with the midweek victory over Brentford, extending their unbeaten home record to 24 matches in all competitions, and take on an Everton side who have not won on their travels in 12 attempts.
Southampton’s task of staying in the Premier League will not get any easier when they host Manchester City on Saturday. Saints are rooted to the bottom of the table after a four-match winless run, while City are hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal following four consecutive wins.
West Ham and Newcastle have both shown form again as they bid to reach their goals this season. The Hammers are unbeaten in five home games as they look to fight off relegation, while the Magpies’ three wins in a row has helped their quest for a Champions League spot.
Glasgow is geared up for a lively lunchtime on Saturday when Celtic and Rangers meet in the first of three Old Firm clashes in the space of a few weeks. This will be the third of four league encounters of the campaign – there is a Scottish Cup semi-final to come later this month – and with the Hoops nine points clear of their fierce rivals in the title race it will be celebration time in the east end if they win.
Cristian Stellini faces a tricky first test as Tottenham interim manager when taking on a rejuvenated Everton team fighting for survival. The last three renewals of this Premier League fixture played at Goodison Park have ended in stalemate and this could be another close encounter.
Newcastle can blow the battle for top-four places in the Premier League wide open with a home win over Manchester United. The Red Devils are currently in pole position to finish best of the rest behind Arsenal and neighbours City but their away record is worrying.
West Ham and Southampton are both in the bottom three but the Hammers look a percentage pick in this Premier League relegation battle. The Hammers have been rock-solid at home since the turn of the year and will be determined to prevail here prior to a tough run of fixtures.