Another exciting week of the Premier League unfolded as a 3-0 win for Sheffield United over Chelsea at home gave Manchester United a perfect opportunity to get into the top three, should they beat a free-flowing Southampton on Monday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are just two points away from Chelsea and a point adrift of fourth-placed Leicester City, who suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Bournemouth on Sunday. Meanwhile, Wolves bounced back to winning ways on the weekend, with a 3-0 drubbing of Everton still keeping them in the contention.
So as the 36th gameweek approaches, here are two games that need your special attention.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Since being crowned the new champions of England, Liverpool have somehow lost their touch, to say the least. In their last five outings, they have not only lost once but have also seen their perfect home run getting a hit by Burnley.
14 – Arsenal have now drawn 14 Premier League games this season, the most of any side, whilst the Gunners have only shared the spoils more often in a single campaign in the PL in 1993-94 (17). Dutch. #ARSLEI pic.twitter.com/KSTbnVGUbe
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2020
Regardless of that though, their form against Arsenal, whom they face at the Emirates on Wednesday (Thursday, 00:45 IST) is expected to bring them all three points. The Reds, in their last five appearances against Gunners, have scored three or more on four occasions. Klopp’s men have, in fact, have scored 16 goals in their last five outings against Arsenal.
The champions are duly tipped to score the opener as they have done it in four of the last five games against their Wednesday opponents.
Watch out for:
Mohamed Salah: Liverpool’s Egyptian king Mohamed Salah has scored three and provided as many assists in his last five Premier League games. It was, in fact, Salah who scored a brace when Liverpool played Arsenal earlier in the season, recording a 3-1 win.
The Gunners, as it stands, remain his favourite prey, having scored five in five against Arsenal in the league. With Roberto Firmino, who carries a similar record as Salah against Mikel Arteta’s side, struggling to find the net of late, the Egyptian remains a perfect and the safest bet.
Leicester City vs Sheffield United
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City have been utterly inconsistent since the Premier League resumed. The Foxes have registered a solitary victory in their last five outings, and thus, a visit of Sheffield United at King Power Stadium on July 16 remains a definite worry.
Rodgers’ men have struggled to keep a clean sheet since the restart and have conceded first in three of their last six appearances (against Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal). Sheffield, on the other hand, also lost their touch in June, but victories over Tottenham, Wolves and Chelsea are expected to give them an upper hand. They have, in fact, scored eight goals in their last four league outings, averaging two per game.
2 - McGoldrick and McBurnie are only the second duo with the surname prefix 'Mc' score in the same Premier League game for the same side, the others being McArthur and McManaman for Wigan in May 2013. Hammer. pic.twitter.com/tSvZwR2Fp2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 11, 2020
Watch out for:
Oliver McBurnie: Sheffield striker Oliver McBurnie is in devastating form of late. He may have scored just two goals since the restart, but his involvement, especially against Chelsea and Tottenham, where his side scored three apiece, is worth keeping an eye on. An absolute poacher, the 24-year-old is tipped to wreak havoc when he squares off against the likes of Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. Not to forget the fact that he was on the scoresheet when these sides crossed swords earlier in the season.
Wondering what to do next? Head to Sportsbet.io to select your picks.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis
