News
? What you should be watching this week
The Premier League is our major focus this week, but there are also plenty of other loose ends to be tied up around the world of football.
Here’s what you should be bookmarking.
Monday
? Fiorentina vs Roma
Although Roma’s focus will be gradually shifting to the Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord on May 25th, they still have plenty to play for in terms of pride and their Serie A finishing place. They trail city rivals Lazio by three points and a handsome win here would lift them above the I Biancocelesti with two games of the season to run. Plenty still to play for, and it’s not as though Mr Jose Mourinho ever needs any extra incentive to win football matches.
Tuesday
? Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Steven Gerrard will put sentimentality to one side as he faces a club for which he is a bona fide legend. Matters are further complicated by the fact that if his Villa team takes points off Liverpool, they will likely inflict a fatal blow on Jurgen Klopp’s title charge. The Reds’ 1-1 draw with Spurs, coupled with Man City’s 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle, has taken Liverpool’s title chances out of their own hands. They can’t afford a slip-up at Villa Park against one of the most iconic figures in their fabled history.
Villa has nothing to play for aside from pride, but that’s a quality that Steven Gerrard has in abundance. It’s also worth remembering that this corresponding fixture in October 2020 finished Villa 7-2 Liverpool. A repeat of that scoreline would have Pep Guardiola sending Mr Gerrard a very early Christmas present.
Wednesday
? Watford vs Everton
Frank Lampard’s Toffees team has Jordan Pickford to thank for a crucial win at Leicester last time out. Pickford also produced heroics in goal against Chelsea two match weeks ago, and Everton has now picked up three wins in their last five outings at the most crucial stage of the season.Â
They now face already-relegated Watford, a team with the worst record at home in the entire division. If Everton can hand the Hornets a 15th defeat in 18 at Vicarage Road, they may just start to see the light at the end of the relegation tunnel.Â
? Leeds vs Chelsea
Leeds’ 2-1 defeat at Arsenal was a curious game, one in which they were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes and then reduced to 10 men when skipper Luke Ayling was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Gabriel Martinelli.Â
The Peacocks grabbed a goal completely against the run of play from a corner though to set up a nervy last half an hour. Chelsea threw away a two-goal lead deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Wolves and it’s almost impossible to know what to expect from them, and now they have Arsenal breathing down their necks for third place. Leeds’ need for points here is probably greater but they’re ravaged by injuries and suspensions. We have no clue which way this one is going to go. Â
? Wolves vs Man City
Pep Guardiola’s men now have the initiative in the title race but they’ll be wary of their strangely poor record at Molineux in recent years. They won on their last excursion there but picked up just a solitary point in the two visits prior. Another three points here would take them a step closer to defending their crown.Â
? Juventus vs Inter
The Coppa Italia final sees Italian powerhouses Juventus and Inter lock horns. The contest assumes extra significance with defending Serie A champions Inter looking increasingly unlikely to defend their crown. One of these giants is going to finish the season empty-handed and both will be desperate to ensure that it’s not them.Â
Thursday
? Tottenham vs Arsenal
There’s no love lost between fierce rivals Spurs and Arsenal, especially now as though they’re both scrapping for fourth place at the expense of the other. The Gunners can seal Champions League football for next season with a win against a team their fans truly love to hate, but a win for the hosts would mean that there’s just a point separating the sides with two games to play.Â
North London is the place to have your attention on Thursday night.Â
Friday
? Luton vs Huddersfield
It’s the business end of the Championship season now, with a pair of two-legged playoffs to determine which sides will slug it out for a place in the promised land of the Premier League. You’re unlikely to witness beautiful, free-flowing football when the stakes are so high, but the playoffs are always a nail-biting affair. Saturday will see Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest contest the other semifinal 1st leg.Â
? Follow Luton vs Huddersfield
A pivotal week in store.
