Premier League

Sam Allardyce’s patience with his players appears to be wearing thin. The Toffees suffered a real blow with a 2-1 loss at Burnley which now has Everton supporters up and down the land looking over their shoulders. Just when it seemed a couple of wins had all but eased the the club’s relegation fears, suddenly Everton find themselves just seven points clear of the drop zone and right in the thick of trouble. This weekend’s opponents Brighton are level on points following their victory over Arsenal – their first victory over the Gunners since 1982. The Seagulls are enjoying a bit of a purple patch having taken 11 points from their last five Premier League outings. Victory at Goodison Park on Saturday would surely cement their position in the top flight for at least another year. What a job Chris Hughton is overseeing.

Just how long Arsene Wenger has left at Arsenal is anyone’s guess, but the clock is ticking for the beleaguered boss after defeat at Brighton last weekend – their fourth straight loss – left the Gunners 13 points behind fourth place Tottenham.
With Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League in tatters, Wenger is receiving criticism from all angles, with even club legends Thierry Henry and Martin Keown chucking in their tuppence worth. 
Wenger certainly can’t afford another defeat when his side host Watford on Sunday.
One man the Gunners need to be wary of is Watford’s back-to-form striker Troy Deeney, who has relished playing Arsenal in the past and has found the net in two of his last three clashes against them.

West Ham are leaking goals for fun at the moment – eight in their last two games has reinforced where their main weakness lies. The goals have also dried up at the other end and this will be of great concern to manager David Moyes. There’s little doubt that among the teams scrapping for Premier League survival this season, on paper, the Hammers arguably have the strongest side. Opponents Burnley have no fears over relegation this year where they are now just five points adrift of sixth-placed Arsenal. Who’s to say they cannot overtake the Gunners between now and May? It’s certainly a realistic target for Sean Dyche’s men. Expect a nervousness to creep in around the London Stadium should things not be going favourably for the hosts.

Despite Chelsea’s slender defeat to Manchester City last weekend, the gulf in quality was apparent between the two sides. The Blues just couldn’t get to grip with City’s fluidity while they were hugely uncomfortable when Pep Guardiola’s men pressed them when they were in possession. Chelsea must get back to winning ways this weekend if they are to keep their top-four hopes alive. Palace threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Manchester United on Monday and will be out to right a few wrongs that’s for sure.

Having suffered Champions League heartbreak in midweek, Spurs’ bouncebackability will be tested when they travel to face a Bournemouth side who, having been in the relegation zone before the festive 
period, put together a fantastic run that hauled them into mid-table safety.
That means is Eddie Howe’s men can relax a little, while Spurs cannot afford slip-ups in their bid to secure a top-four finish.
At Wembley in October, Bournemouth’s back five stifled Spurs for long periods before Christian Eriksen’s winner.
It was far from a comfortable afternoon for Spurs – and they can expect more of the same on Sunday.

Stoke boss Paul Lambert is in bullish mood ahead of the visit of champions-elect Manchester City, insisting his side will be no pushovers for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side.
“We have to take them out of their comfort zone, and maybe we can,” said the Potters boss. “You know you are going to have to play like hell, but what a game. The support will be vibrant, raising through the roof, so you’ll run that extra yard. What a game it’s going to be.”
Given that Guardiola could afford to rest his star players in the Champions League clash between City and Basel in midweek, Lambert could be made to eat his words.
City thumped Stoke 7-2 at the Etihad in October, and they look on-odds to win at the Bet365 Stadium on Monday.

Newcastle put up a gritty display at Liverpool before succumbing to the imperious Mohamed Salah. With back-to-back home games against Southampton and Huddersfield next up, Rafa Benitez’s side have an opportunity to move away from the relegation zone. That said, with just two victories in the league at St James’ Park since September, Saints will no doubt fancy their chances of prolonging the agony for a bit longer. Southampton’s relegation fears are equally as bad – the club positioned just one point above 18th-placed Crystal Palace. This one has a real six-pointer edge to it and one that neither side can really afford to lose. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men will be determined to put things right following last weekend’s goalless stalemate at home to Stoke.

The outlook is becoming increasingly bleak for West Brom and manager Alan Pardew. How long will the former Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss be given to turn things around? The facts are staring Pardew in the face – he has failed miserably in his quest to revive the club’s fortunes since being appointed manager in November. Eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, it’s difficult to see how the Baggies can recover from this with just nine games left to play. If they are to give themselves any sort of fighting chance then victory over Leicester this weekend is imperative. Another defeat would surely signal the end of Pardew’s tenure in the Midlands. Visitors Leicester will be confident of inflicting more misery on the hosts who are facing a seventh straight defeat in all competitions.

Manchester United versus Liverpool is easily one of – if not the – biggest fixtures in English football and, as if any extra incentive were needed, these two giants of the game are currently battling it out for second place in the Premier League.
For sure, Saturday’s clash between the sides at Old Trafford is a mouthwatering prospect – not to mention one of those fixtures where it’s almost impossible to pick a winner.
With Mohamed Salah in such imperious form, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool can beat anyone on their day and they take on Jose Mourinho’s men on a high after booking their place in the last eight of the Champions League following a 5-0 aggregate win against Porto. 
Klopp’s side have lost just one Premier League game in 2018 and they are the division’s in-form side – so it’s hardly surprising they are heading into this one full of confidence.
“It will not be easy but I’ve always said we can beat any team in the world,’ said Reds striker Sadio Mane. “Honestly they [United] are one of the best teams in England, of course in the world also, but we are as well. 
“It’s the dream for every single player to play this kind of game, so everyone is looking forward to it.”
United are in decent form themselves and moved above Liverpool in the table after Nemanja Matic’s stunning stoppage-time winner gave them a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Monday. 
“I always believe we can win,” said United boss Mourinho after the match. “I will be like that until my last day.”
Mourinho has a fantastic record against Liverpool, but while he also has the weapons to trouble Klopp’s men at Old Trafford, he is unlikely to be too gung-ho in his tactics, knowing that a draw would keep them above their rivals.
Expect this one to be a tight, but entertaining, encounter.