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Football News: Premier League Match Preview Sunday 22nd April 2018

Premier League Match Preview Sunday 22nd April 2018
Image from: treehugger.com

Sunday 22nd April 2018

 


Arsenal v West Ham United 1:30pm kick off

 

Ramsey (shin injury) slight doubt
Wilshere (ankle injury) late fitness test
Mkhitaryan (MCL injury expected return 26th April) major doubt
Cazorla (plantaris injury) out

This game has, all of a sudden, lost any significance as a football match and instead become a chance for Gooners to show their appreciation of the job Arsene Wenger has done for them in the twenty years plus he has been in charge. Whatever happens on the pitch, this is all about one man and his incredible reign coming to an end. Though it would be nice if the players respond and put on a show for the boss, it is no longer the most important thing this season.
Most important player: Arsene Wenger. He may not actually be a player, but this will be his day.

 

Ogbonna (knee injury) late fitness test
Antonio (hamstring injury) out
Collins (hamstring injury expected return 29th April) major doubt
Reid (MCL injury) out
Byram (ankle injury) out
Obiang (MCL injury expected return 13th May) out

This game may not have all that much significance for Arsenal, but West Ham still have very slight relegation worries to consider. David Moyes will be looking to take advantage of any distraction amongst the Gunners squad and get the result he needs to ensure another season in the Premier League.
Most important player: Manuel Lanzini. His return to fitness has come at just the right time for the Hammers.

 

Defining Battle: the big battle here will be between the Arsenal players and themselves to focus on the match and not get distracted by the Wenger issue. If they use it right, it could help them produce their best.

 

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 4-1
Ed003 - 3-0
Ed004 - 2-1
Ed007 - 3-0
Ed018 - 2-1
Ed025 -
Ed033 - 1-0

 


Stoke City v Burnley 1:30pm kick off

 

Johnson (groin injury) late fitness test
Stafylidis (fractured rib expected return 28th April) out
Choupo-Moting (groin strain expected return 28th April) out

I keep hearing journalists and pundits saying how much better Stoke are playing recently, but I fail to see any genuine improvement in the quality of their play. They are playing a bit deeper and blocking up the space better, but that has left them unable to attack with any degree of authority. That is why they have gone on a run of ten games without a win and have not looked a team with any belief in their ability to win. They are five points adrift of Swansea, who have a game in hand, and have just four games left. Their hopes are pinned on getting within 3 points of them on the final day, when they face each other. It is not going to be an easy task.
Most important player: Peter Crouch. He may be getting on, has no pace and has all the grace of a newly born zebra trying to stand on its feet, but the guy scores goals.

 

Tarkowski (knock) late fitness test
N'Koudou (tight hamstring) late fitness test
Mee (shin injury) late fitness test
Walters (fitness) late fitness test
Arfield (calf strain expected return 28th April) out
Defour (knee injury) out
Brady (knee injury) out

Their hopes of pipping Arsenal to 6th took a blow when they were beaten by Chelsea, but they are still within reach of the Gunners, with a game against them to come. To give that game any relevance, they need to get back to winning ways and keep the gap tight between the two teams.
Most important player: Aaron Lennon. He needs to make up for his awful performance against Chelsea.

 

Defining Battle: how well will the leaky Stoke defence cope with Wood? Burnley without Chris Wood struggle to score, with him they become a much more dangerous opponent, even when it is not him that is scoring. Stoke's defence has to step up and not allow the Clarets pair to push them deep.

 

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 1-1
Ed003 - 1-0
Ed004 - 1-1
Ed007 - 1-1
Ed018 - 1-1
Ed025 -
Ed033 - 1-2

 

Manchester City v Swansea City 4:30pm kick off

 

Mendy (fitness) major doubt
Aguero (knee injury expected return 19th May) out
Stones (adductor strain) late fitness test
Fernandinho (suspended) out

The season is now just one big party and attempt to set some records from here on in. There is nothing for City to really aim at, but Pep Guardiola will not want to see performance levels tail off the way he saw his Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams do once the league title was won. Not that it really matters, but it is a matter of pride to him to keep going.
Most important player: Gabriel Jesus. With Aguero out this is a chance for him to really set down a marker for next season.

 

Narsingh (ankle injury) slight doubt
Clucas (knee injury) slight doubt
Fer (Achilles injury) out
Bony (ACL injury) out
Rangel (groin strain) slight doubt
Sanches (hamstring injury expected return 13th May) out

After initially coming to life under Carlos Carvalhal, the Swans have allowed themselves to be dragged back into trouble over the last few weeks with no wins in four now. They do have the advantage of a game in hand over the bottom three to keep themselves out of the drop zone, but they need to get something from that game for it to be of any use. They will be hoping that Man City have taken their eye off the ball now they have sewn up the title. If they are up for it, as you would expect, and the Cityzens are not quite at full stretch, they might just manage to spring a surprise here.
Most important player: Jordan Ayew. He has been the Swans best player under Carvalhal.

 

Defining Battle: difficult one to call, Man City will play their usual style but it is unlikely to be with their usual intensity, which just leaves Swansea. Will Carvalhal send them out to go out at Man City, as they have nothing to lose or will he just do the usual and sit back and look to keep the score down? If Swansea go at them, they have a chance of 3 points, if they sit back they will get cut to pieces.

 

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 5-0
Ed003 - 6-0
Ed004 - 4-0
Ed007 - 4-0
Ed018 - 3-1
Ed025 -
Ed033 - 2-0

 



Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed002 - 225 points
2. Ed018 - 220 points
3. Ed033 - 217 points
4. Ed007 - 214 points
5. Ed025 - 213 points
6. Ed004 - 210 points
7. Ed003 - 198 points

 

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 20th April 2018 (not including results for that day)

Written by Tris Burke April 22 2018 06:41:47