The most interesting match-ups this EPL week

This weekend’s Premier League fixtures don’t seem to pose any threat of major shocks or upsets but here are a few interesting match-ups

Consistency is the key to any team’s success and its title challenge in the Premier League, and never is consistency more crucial than in the last third of the season.

Title contenders, European championship contenders and teams struggling to stay out of relegation will all be looking to finish strong in the ten or so remaining games of this season.

West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton (28 Feb, 11pm)

These two teams settled for a point apiece when they met on the second match day of the season but so much has changed since then. Surprise package Southampton will be looking to reclaim its position in the top four after a disappointing defeat to Liverpool and a spell of erratic performances prior to the Anfield visit.

West Brom has shown promising improvement this season, sitting comfortably in 14th place, but that’s not too far away from relegation with only five points separating it from its counterparts at the bottom of the table. West Brom may be aiming for a slightly higher finish than just survival this season, with the gap above them not appearing to be insurmountable.

Prediction: West Brom 1–2 Southampton

Liverpool vs Manchester City (1 Mar, 8pm)

The last time around, Manchester City triumphed 3-1 at home and the match ended as somewhat of a footballing lesson for Liverpool. The Reds are looking for redemption this weekend.

The Reds have been in fine form in recent weeks, boasting four wins and a draw in their last five Premier League games. Manchester City cannot afford any slip-up if it wants to cling on to the title race with current leader Chelsea.

The match-up between the two has often proven to be entertaining and full of goals, including not just earlier in the season but last season as well, when these two teams were neck and neck in the race to the top of the table. This is surely a game not to be missed.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–2 Manchester City

Arsenal vs Everton (1 Mar, 10pm)

In true Arsenal fashion, the Gunners are picking up the pace toward the end of the season. Perhaps it’s too late to challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for the title but Gunners fans will be relieved that maintaining their Champions League position is no longer as close a fight as it was a few weeks ago.

With five wins from the last six games, the Gunners are the favourites in this match against Everton. The Toffees have had an abysmal season so far.

This fixture earlier in the season finished as a 2–2 thriller at Goodison park but will probably result in a more one-sided score this time.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Everton

By Basil Lee