There’s some great Premier League football games to look forward to this weekend with both a London and Merseyside derby to look forward to.
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Sat 02/03 at 12.30
To kick things off this weekend, Tottenham host Arsenal in the London derby at Wembley.
This is set to be cracker and one that may rove pivotal in terms of the table come the end of the season. Having won their last three league games, Arsenal go into this one in better form than Tottenham who have struggled since the return of their star Harry Kane.
However, Mauricio Pochettino, recently crowned manager of the year, will be hoping his team get back to winning ways. In his acceptance speech on Thursday night, Pochettino joked at the fact he’d ‘finally won a trophy.’
However, it would take something special from his team to win a trophy at this stage of the season. Surely the aim now is to secure Champions League football for next year. With Arsenal and Man Utd only a few points behind, every game is crucial for Pochettino and his team.
A win for Arsenal could see the Gunners close the gap to third place Tottenham to just 1 point, something Unai Emery would be very pleased about especially after the way his team beat Bournemouth during the week.
In terms of team news, Arsenal are boosted by the return of Laurent Koscielny and Stephan Lichtsteiner who have both taken part in full training and may face Tottenham.
Tottenham have said that Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks will both be assessed before the game after picking up injuries. Other than that, no new injury news for Tottenham.
I’m going for an away win for Arsenal in this one.
Bournemouth vs Man City
Sat 02/03 at 15.00
Man City make the trip to Bournemouth this weekend having been in ominous winning form recently.
After their midweek drubbing by Arsenal, Bournemouth need to avoid slipping further down the table and into the realms of the relegation zone. They’re currently 9 points ahead of the drop zone.
However, Bournemouth are a very different side when playing at home and Pep Guardiola will surely be wary of The Cherries going into this one.
Bournemouth will miss Jefferson Lerma, Steve Cook, Dominic Solanke and Junior Stanislas. However, Callum Wilson may be fit again after being ruled out for 6 weeks.
Man City may welcome back John Stones and Gabriel Jesus after both missed the previous three games through injury. Fernandinho and Laporte may also be in contention after quick recoveries from their respective injuries.
With league leaders Liverpool just one point ahead, Man City could go top with a win, piling the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s men.
I’m going for a Man City win.
Man Utd vs Southampton
Sat 02/03 at 15.00
Man Utd welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Having won 9 out of 11 games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Man Utd are currently a hard team to beat.
However, they’re two draws have both occurred at home in the last few weeks. Something Solskjaer is wary of. He said, “We need to get back to winning ways at home. We’ve been fantastic away, but at home we’ve not scored in the last two.”
Meanwhile, Southampton are just about surviving at the bottom of the table. They’re currently two points ahead of Cardiff city in the relegation zone.
Man Utd’s Marcus Rashford returns after fully recovering from an ankle injury whilst Anthony Martial may also feature.
At the other end, Southampton will be without Danny Ings as he is ruled out with a hamstring issue.
I’m predicting an easy Man Utd win.
Everton vs Liverpool
Sun 03/03 at 16.15
The Merseyside derby takes place on Sunday afternoon with the pressure on Liverpool to keep the points coming in.
Everton at home could be a tricky game for Jurgen Klopp and his men. However, after dispatching a decent Watford side for 5 goals during the week, Liverpool head into this one in good form.
Klopp was especially pleased with how youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold played against Watford.
Everton go into this one after beating Cardiff by three goals during the week and ending their poor run of form.
Andre Gomes is likely to return for Everton after being rested for the Cardiff game. That makes Leighton Baines Everton’s only other absentee.
The visitors are likely to welcome back Roberto Firmino after his ankle injury last weekend against Man Utd.
Liverpool to win this one.
What are your predictions for this weekend’s football? Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.