Premier League Game Week 25 – Copybet
It has the makings of a crucial weekend of action in the Premier League, with key games at both ends of the table.
With Arsenal opening up a six-point lead in the battle for the title, the pressure is building on Manchester City ahead of a crunch away trip on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s men head to Merseyside to face defending champions Liverpool, with City winning on just one of their last 24 visits to Anfield.
At the other end, two of the bottom three do battle at Turf Moor when Burnley face West Ham on Saturday afternoon.
Burnley vs West Ham
Three points from their last six matches looks to have ended Burnley’s hopes of top-flight survival, unless they can pull off a record-breaking run.
That would need to start with a win over an improving West Ham team, who now seem to be heading in the right direction under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Six points from their last three matches has given the Hammers renewed hope of staying up and it could have been even better for Nuno’s men.
A two-goal lead was let slip at Chelsea last week, but that performance was another sign that they have still got plenty of fight in them.
Burnley have scored five goals in their last three home games so will pose an attacking threat, but the visitors - who could hand a debut to loan signing Alex Disasi - should have enough quality to take the points.
Newcastle vs Brentford
A few questions are being asked of Eddie Howe after two heavy setbacks in a week for his men, with a 4-1 loss at Liverpool followed by an EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
The Magpies will be happy to be back on home soil and even happier with the news that their captain could be ready to return.
Newcastle have not won in 10 matches when Bruno Guimaraes has been missing, but the Brazilian is expected to play a part on Saturday.
They face a Brentford team who have lost eight of their 12 away games to date and with a victory, Howe’s men can draw level on points with the Bees.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Just two places and two points separate these two rivals going into Sunday’s clash at Amex Stadium, but most of the pressure is on Crystal Palace.
It’s no win in 12 games in all competitions for Oliver Glasner’s men, with injuries and departures taking a huge toll on a team that lifted the FA Cup back in May.
The Eagles now face a Brighton team that has drawn more games than any other Premier League team this season, finishing all square in 10 of their 24 fixtures.
It’s also worth noting that six of the last 11 meetings between the two teams have finished in draws, including the reverse fixture this season.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
After a shaky start to his time at Anfield, it’s fair to say Florian Wirtz is currently one of the form players in the Premier League.
It may have taken the German time to get used to a new club and a new league, but Wirtz is now making an impact.
The former Bayer Leverkusen man has now scored six goals and claimed four assists in all competitions, with a strong partnership growing between himself and Hugo Ekitike.
A home clash with City is amongst the toughest of tests so far for Wirtz, but Liverpool will want him to pull the strings in the attacking third.