Premier League: Match Week 34 Preview

Matheus Nunes

Manchester City moved back into third place in the Premier League table with a statement 2-1 win over surging Aston Villa on Tuesday. The Citizens captured all three points in dramatic fashion as Matheus Nunes struck a stoppage time winner for the difference in a match between two clubs vying for a top five finish and Champions League qualification. Villa had won five consecutive league matches before Nunez captured his first Premier League goal of the season on Tuesday. Manchester City moved to third in the table though having played one additional match than its three nearest pursuers.

Aston Villa now trails fifth place Newcastle by two points with the Magpies likely to extend that advantage with their Saturday match versus Ipswich Town. If the Tractor Boys lose as expected at St. James Park, their relegation will be confirmed and history made by all three relegated sides being mathematically eliminated with four matches still to be played.

Shortly after the Magpies and Tractor Boys play, Aston Villa will return to the pitch versus Crystal Palace in one of the two FA Cup semifinals this weekend. Palace came back twice on Wednesday to draw 2-2 with Arsenal. The dropped points by the Gunners means Liverpool needs only a draw at Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday to clinch the Premier League title.

At the same time on Sunday, Manchester City will play the other FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest, the club it passed in the league standings on Tuesday. Forest’s league game in hand will be played against Brentford at the City Ground on Thursday.

Chelsea could potentially push the Tricky Trees outside of the top five should the Blues defeat Everton on Saturday. Everton will be looking for its first Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge since 1994.

In the race for a possible Europa Conference League berth, eighth place Bournemouth will host a poor Manchester United side. The Cherries are seeking to become the sixth Premier League team this season to win both league matches against the Red Devils, the most “doubles” by Red Devil opponents in  a single campaign since the 1930’s.

Fulham and Brighton, each one point behind the Cherries, will play Southampton and West Ham, respectively. Southampton posted a clean sheet versus Fulham in the reverse fixture, one of only two whitewashings of opponents that the Saints have recorded in the league this season. Brighton will be looking for its first league victory since March 8th when it faces the Hammers on Saturday. West Ham’s drought, however, extends back to February. Having secured their Premier League survival last weekend, Wolverhampton will host one-time relegation flat mate Leicester at Molineux Stadium. The Foxes’ fate was also determined last weekend with their mathematical relegation.