The Premier League’s 35th round of fixtures take place this weekend, with intriguing fixtures at both ends of the standings. Once again, the title race will take centre stage, as Liverpool and Manchester City both face huge fixtures on the road. Meanwhile, there will also be huge fixtures at the bottom of the standings, with both Burnley and Everton in action across the weekend.
Pivotal Weekend In Title Race?
This weekend could be one of the most important when it comes to the title race, as both Liverpool and Manchester City face difficult tasks on the road in the Premier League. Liverpool get the weekend underway on Saturday, as they face a tricky fixture at St James’ Park against Newcastle United. The Toon have a poor record in this fixture, as they are winless in their previous ten meetings against the Reds. Their latest victory was a 2-0 success back in December 2015.
Liverpool have also won their last four games on the road against Newcastle. Neutrals could be in for a good game, as there hasn’t been a 0-0 draw between the sides in the previous 53 meetings. However, Newcastle have been in fine form since the end of the January transfer window, and currently sit in the top ten of the standings. They have won their last four, and have kept three clean sheets. With no pressure on them this weekend, we could see Newcastle give a helping hand to Manchester City.
City play in the late game on Saturday, as they travel to Elland Road to take on relegation-threatened Leeds United. The Whites have an excellent home record in this fixture, as they have lost two of the previous nine fixtures between the sides at Elland Road. City will also be looking to achieve a first double over Leeds since the 1981-82 season. However, City look full of ideas in the final third at present, and while a repeat of the 7-0 victory earlier in the season looks unlikely, I do suspect that they will win handsomely again.
Burnley Looking To Move Clear
It’s also a big weekend at the bottom of the standings, as Burnley could move four points clear of the drop zone. They are unbeaten in their previous three, and moved above Everton into 17th place last weekend with victory against Wolves. Watford are winless in their previous three against the Clarets, and have lost twice during that period.
Watford have also struggled for goals in this fixture, as they have failed to score in their last four league fixtures against Burnley. The Hornets have been very disappointing at home this term, and have lost their previous ten. We could see the eleventh straight defeat coming on Saturday.
Everton will have to wait until Sunday to respond to Burnley, as they host Chelsea at Goodison Park. Frank Lampard will be coming up against his former side, and will be desperate for maximum points to improve their chances of staying in the division. The Toffees have a good home record in this fixture, as they have won their last three. However, Chelsea have kept clean sheets in seven of the previous eleven. Chelsea are the pick here, as the days continue to get darker for the Goodison faithful.
Premier League Matchday 35 Picks
- Newcastle @ +750
- Manchester City @ -350
- Burnley @ +175
- Chelsea @ -134
