Huddersfield and Cardiff could both be involved in exciting ends to the season but for very different reasons ahead of Friday night’s Championship clash. The Terriers have been sucked into the relegation battle after a dismal run of results, while Cardiff have surged up the table under Mick McCarthy.
Aston Villa are one of several Premier League teams who have almost looked more comfortable on the road this season and they get the nod to prevail at Sheffield United. The Blades have badly missed having the backing of their supporters at Bramall Lane, suffering 10 home defeats.
Tottenham have enjoyed a couple of welcome Europa League wins of late and can now get their Premier League campaign back on track when hosting Burnley. The Clarets are on a four-match unbeaten run in this competition which has eased them away from the drop zone, but that was during a kind schedule.
Arsenal were the better team in last week’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Benfica in Rome and are taken to come out on top in the second leg in Greece. Coronavirus issues have created the need for neutral venues, but the Gunners have performed well on the road in this competition in recent years.
The first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie was a scrappy 0-0 draw but Leicester are now clear favourites to go through in the second leg. A clean sheet in the Czech capital means the Foxes should progress if they can be more ruthless with their finishing at the King Power Stadium.
Rangers have one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League after a 4-3 win in the first leg but still face a tricky test in the return match at Ibrox. Borna Barisic’s spot-kick double ensured Steven Gerrard’s team claimed a one-goal lead from a roller-coaster clash in Belgium.
There will be important points at stake as well as the Brian Clough Trophy when Nottingham Forest make the short trip to Derby. Unfortunately for neutrals, the bitter rivalry between these teams often means it is a scrappy affair and seven league meetings in the last four seasons have produced just eight goals.
Tottenham may see winning the Europa League as their best chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League following a dip in their domestic form. Spurs already look assured of a place in the last 16 after beating Wolfsberger 4-1 in Budapest in the opening leg of this tie, even with Harry Kane rested.
Liverpool will be looking to give their top-four prospects a much-needed boost when visiting Premier League basement dwellers Sheffield United. However, the Blades have netted in six straight home games in all competitions and should be fired up for facing the Reds’ injury-ravaged defence.
Brighton must still be wondering how they lost to Crystal Palace on Monday night but cannot afford to dwell on that disappointment for too long. The Seagulls dominated against their bitter rivals but lost 2-1 after conceding in injury time, meaning they are only four points clear of the relegation zone.
Fulham’s improved performances have not quite turned into the points they would have liked but they have the chance to put that right against rock-bottom Sheffield United. The Cottagers have only lost one of their last six games but four draws in that time mean they start the weekend still six points from safety.
Burnley have been held to a draw against two of the teams below them in their last two home games and will hope it is third time lucky when West Brom arrive at Turf Moor. This looks a must-win fixture for West Brom, though, given they start the weekend 12 points from safety, so this could be a more open game than might usually be expected.
West Ham are fancied to press their claims for a surprise top-six finish in the Premier League by seeing off basement dwellers Sheffield United. The Blades are doing their best to pull off a great escape but will come up against a team playing with plenty of confidence and self-belief at present.
Manchester United had to work harder than they will have wished for in Tuesday’s FA Cup win over West Ham but should still be able to deal with West Brom. Albion have only picked up one point from their last five Premier League fixtures and that was when drawing with fellow strugglers Fulham.