5 Premier League Tips for this Weekend’s Action - 26/02/22

Manchester City will be determined to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur when they travel to Goodison Park in Saturday’s evening kick-off.

The hosts are still adjusting to life under new boss Frank Lampard after a topsy-turvy start to the Chelsea legend’s reign. Lampard saw his team get off to a winning start in the FA Cup, before a defeat Newcastle in the league. They managed a win against Leeds after that but slipped again last week with the 2-0 away defeat to Southampton. It leaves Everton struggling at the wrong end of the table, in 16th spot and just two points off the bottom three.

Probably the biggest Premier League result last week saw Spurs stun the champions and snatch the win against City – ending the Citizens’ 13-game unbeaten streak. Pep Guardiola will be expecting his side to return to winning ways with a win that will keep their lead – now just three points above Liverpool at the top of the table.

Raheem Sterling is City’s top scorer this season with ten Premier League goals in 22 games, as well as scoring the last time these two met.

Two sides who are in the midst of a bad run of form meet at Elland Road, as Leeds United host Tottenham.

The hosts have lost four of their last five league games, with a devastating 6-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night. It means Marcelo Bielsa’s side have now conceded a whopping 17 goals in those last five matches, leaving them in 15th position – just three points away from the relegation zone.

Spurs looked as though they turned a corner following their strong performance and huge result at the Etihad last weekend. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte’s side, that hasn’t been the case and they were beaten by Burnley away from home during the week. It’s now four defeats in their last five, mounting pressure on Conte. We can see them getting back to winning ways this weekend, against a struggling Leeds side that are conceding a shedload of goals at the minute.

Brentford and Newcastle meet at the Brentford Community Stadium this weekend, in a game between two teams lingering near the bottom.

The Bees have now gone eight games without a win in all competitions, with the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal last weekend meaning it’s now four defeats in their last five. Despite a great start to the season, Thomas Frank’s men are now precariously close to the relegation zone in 14th place, four points above the bottom three.

Newcastle are also close to the fire and teetering on the edge of the drop zone, sitting in 17th spot and just two points ahead of Burnley. The Magpies have been in good form recently though, unbeaten in their last five league games and winning three. Eddie Howe’s side took a good point away from the London Stadium last weekend and could carry their good run on by taking all three points against a stagnant Brentford this weekend.

The race for the top four is starting to heat up, so Manchester United will be chasing a win this weekend that will see them keep pace with the rest of the teams battling it out for Champions League football.

United will be clear favourites against Watford on Saturday and can make it eight games unbeaten in the league. Last weekend’s 4-2 away win against Leeds was followed up by a draw in midweek against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Ralf Ragnick’s men are sitting in fourth – a point above fifth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand on the Red Devils.

Watford are another one of those sides battling it out at the bottom, four points from safety in 18th place. Roy Hodgson hasn’t made a huge impact on the Hornets’ fortunes, with three defeats in their last five games. We can see them losing again at Old Trafford, despite United’s defensive instabilities that has seen them concede goals against Leeds, Burnley, Southampton and even Middlesbrough in recent weeks.

After some good results to boost their chances of survival, Burnley will want to carry that momentum into this weekend. They face a hard task this Saturday though, with a tricky game away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles are 11th in the table, following the 4-1 win away to Watford on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the visitors can make it three wins in a row after beating Spurs 1-0 in midweek, after cruising to a 3-0 victory away to Brighton last weekend.

Connor Gallagher has been Crystal Palace’s best player this season and is usually involved in anything good that Palace do. The Chelsea loanee has been a fantastic acquisition for Patrick Viera’s side, shown by his eight goals and three assists in the league so far this season. After scoring in the midweek win, Gallagher could carry on his good form by contributing to another goal this weekend.