Match Week 30 Preview

London Derby As Spurs And Hammers Try To Remain In Top Four Chase 

An abbreviated league schedule this weekend features a London derby as West Ham tries to keep its top four hopes alive when the Hammers visit Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, 2-0 winners over Brighton Wednesday, have their own top four aims which would be all but dashed should they fall to the Hammers on Sunday. Currently fourth place Arsenal tries to rebound from a 2-0 mid-week loss to Liverpool when the Gunners visit Villa Park for a visit with Manager Steven Gerrard’s mid-table Villans. Aston Villa had a three-match winning run ended at West Ham last weekend. Leeds Manager Jesse Marsch seeks his second Premier League win when Leeds visits Molineux Stadium for a match with Wolverhampton. A fit and impactful Patrick Bamford will likely be necessary for any Leeds result against the formidable defending of Wolves. Leicester are home to a Brentford side which has won back-to-back matches to distance themselves from any imminent relegation concerns. The Foxes could be vulnerable after placing their focus on their midweek clash with Rennes. 

FA Cup  

The FA Cup quarterfinals take center stage in England this weekend. Chelsea travels to Middlesbrough to face a club and supporters angry at a Chelsea request to have the match played behind closed doors. Chelsea wanted the exclusion of supporters on the pretext of “sporting integrity” as Chelsea is unable to sell any additional tickets to its fans because of government sanctions. Middlesbrough ownership deemed Chelsea’s request, which the London club retracted just hours after making it due to severe backlash, as “bizarre and without any merit.” Chelsea will have motivated Middlesbrough players and supporters who have already seen their club knock out Premier League teams Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur the last two rounds. Crystal Palace hosts Everton with the Eagles still soaring after their gutty draw with league leading Manchester City on Monday. Everton will hope to build on a mid-week 1-0 victory over Newcastle in league play which temporarily halted a frightening slide down the Premier Table for the Toffees. Manchester City heads to the south coast to take on Southampton. The Citizens will be smarting from their draw at Crystal Palace and anxious to continue the chase for another trophy. The Saints could need a miracle to advance. Nottingham Forest eliminated Arsenal and Leicester in earlier rounds of the tournament and are home to Liverpool on Sunday. With Liverpool now locked in a tight title race, Nottingham Forest is hoping Jurgen Klopp may elect to rotate players additional players for the FA Cup matchup.  Nottingham Forest is playing in its first FA Cup quarterfinal in more than a quarter century.