Pearson Previews the Premier League Weekend as Liverpool travel to Stoke

Pearson Previews Liverpool

Liverpool travel to Stoke this weekend on the back of a five-game unbeaten run. Their point in mid-week kept them two ahead of Man City but considering they have played one game more, it might not be enough. Stoke are without a win in four games, scoring just once in that time. Following the mid-week defeat, they dropped out of the top half of the league

Chelsea travel to Bournemouth this weekend in search of a win which will take them a step closer to the title. With a seven point gap already they need to win six of their last eight to be crowned as champions. After looking like they could be in trouble of relegation, Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five league games. That run sees them in 13th place in the league, and the seven-point gap over Swansea should be enough.

Second place Tottenham host Watford this week and will be aiming to keep up the pressure on Chelsea. After their win in midweek they stay seven points behind the league leaders and following wins in each of the last 10 home games, they will be favourites in this one. Watford moved into the top half of the league courtesy of two straight wins but have lost their last two on the road.

Hull travel to Manchester City this weekend looking to record their third win in a row for the first time this season. They have struggled on the road this season and have not won away since August, picking up two points since then. After recently climbing out of the relegation places they will want to avoid dropping straight back in. Man City have struggles of their own at the minute and have not won in their last four games. That run has seen them drop to 4th place in the league and they are in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season.

Manchester United face an away trip to bottom side Sunderland in a game which will likely decide their priorities this season. Following two home draws in a row they will look to return to winning ways at the Stadium of Light. They moved back down to 6th place following the midweek results but remain six points behind the top four. Sunderland are 10 points from safety following six straight defeats. They have failed to score a goal over that time and you have to feel they are now beyond the point where they can survive.

Monday night sees Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace having returned to winning ways in midweek. Their win against West Ham was the first in four games and moved them into 5th. They now need to keep winning if they are to return to the top four by the end of the season. Palace lost in mid-week for the first time in five games and despite their excellent run of form they still are only three points clear of the final relegation place.

Everton face Leicester on Sunday afternoon looking to end the Foxes excellent run of league form. Everton were on a good run of form themselves, but three difficult games in their last five has seen them drop points. If they can win this game then they have a chance to move to 6th place but that is unlikely. Even if it is not enough to move up the league, three points will see them keep the pressure on the sides above. Leicester have moved to within a point of the top half after five straight league wins. They have now put and concerns of relegation behind them and can look forward to Champions League football.

West Brom could cement their 8th place in the league table if they can beat Southampton at the Hawthorns. They currently sit seven points ahead of the south coast side, but having played two games extra. Three wins in their last five has seen Southampton move to 9th in the league and look to have a good chance of securing a top-half finish to the season.

Burnley are still without an away win this season and they are quickly running out of time to do so. They travel to Middlesbrough this weekend in what is their best remaining chance to get a win away from Turf Moor. Their midweek win over Stoke has looked to secure their Premier League status for another year as they sit seven points clear of relegation. Middlesbrough, however, are quickly running out of games in which to save themselves. They are seven points from safety and without a win in 13 attempts. Boasting one of the league’s best defences, Boro are finding a lack of goals may condemn them to a quick return to the Championship, scoring just six in that 13 game run.

West Ham are at home to Swansea this weekend in a game which is a must not lose for both sides. A victory for West Ham will all most certainly see them clear of any relegation trouble this season as they would be eight points ahead of Swansea. Defeat for the Hammers, however, would leave them two or three points ahead of the final relegation place and continue their poor run of form. They have gone seven games without a win, a run which stretches back to early February. Swansea are also in a slump and have gone four games without picking up a victory.

Liverpool need to put their struggles against sides lower in the league behind them, starting with a win at the weekend. With a favourable run of fixtures ahead they need to keep momentum and increase their point gap over those behind.

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