United States
United Kingdom
This weekend the Premier League returns after a short break to accommodate the FA Cup fifth round. As usual, there are plenty of crucial fixtures to look forward to this weekend. Here is what is happening in gameweek 28 of the Premier League:
Saturday
This game could prove fight in the battle at the bottom of the Premier League, as both teams are just above the dreaded relegation zone
The home side heads into this clash unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. Despite their decent form of late, the Seagulls are still just two points above the drop zone. One major positive heading into this that Seagulls boss Chris Hughton has faced Swansea on seven previous occasions and lost just once. The home side are slight favourites to record a win, but this could be a close encounter of the tight kind.
Portuguese boss Carlos Carvahal has restored the confidence at the Welsh club. In fact, the Swans are now on an unbeaten run of ten games in all competitions, five of which have been in the Premier League. Like Brighton, they are still very much in the fight for survival this season, just one point away from safety. A major negative for the Welsh side is that they have won just one of their last 11 away games in the Premier League.
West Brom v Huddersfield (3 PM)
West Brom are very much drinking in the last chance soon saloon in the Premier League. The Baggies are desperately in need of a victory, as they are now seven points away from 17th place and safety, a position in fact occupied by the visitors.
The home side have won just three of their Premier League games this season while winning just one of their last 25 top-flight games. The Baggies are usually strong at the Hawthorns. However, they have recorded just one win in their last 12 home games in the English top-flight. They simply cannot afford another home defeat in this clash.
Huddersfield ended a nine-game winless run in the Premier League last time out by hammering Bournemouth 4-1 on home soil. The win was much needed, as the Terriers are just a point above the relegation zone. David Wagner’s side have struggled for wins on their travels, as the Yorkshire side have won just one of their last 12 away games in the league. They have also failed to score in ten of their last 12 games on the road in the top-flight.
Sunday
Manchester United v Chelsea (2:15 PM)
One of the biggest games of the Premier League weekend is at Old Trafford, where second-place Manchester United host fourth-place Chelsea. Both teams are looking to consolidate their top-four spots, with fifth-place Tottenham breathing down their necks.
United have suffered two defeats from their last three Premier League outings. However, the Red Devils have a very strong recent home record in the top-flight, losing just one of their last 30 league games at Old Trafford. A key to those victories has been their defensive solidity, as they have kept clean sheets in 11 of their last 14 league games at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are just three points ahead of the Blues in the league table, so cannot afford to slip up in this clash.
Chelsea heads into this game knowing that they could drop out of the Champions League spots if results go against them this weekend. The Blues are unbeaten in three games and last time out drew 1-1 with Catalan giants Barcelona in the Champions League. Antonio Conte’s team have been poor on their travels of late, winning just one of their last six away games in all competitions. They have a good defensive record against the home side though, having kept clean sheets in five of their last seven with United.
This weekend’s other games:
Saturday
Leicester v Stoke (12:30 PM)
Bournemouth v Newcastle (3 PM)
Burnley v Southampton (3 PM)
Liverpool v West Ham (3 PM)
Watford v Everton (5:30 PM)
Sunday
Crystal Palace v Tottenham (12:00 PM)
Thursday
Arsenal v Manchester City (7:45 PM)
Who will be the big winners and losers in the Premier League this weekend?
