News

Given the brutal nature of their league run-in, this is as ‘must win’ as it gets for Leeds United. Sam Allardyce’s outfit are facing a West Ham United team who are almost certainly safe, and used up ample energy on Thursday night reaching the UEFA Conference League Final. If Allardyce is to get the 3 points his team likely needs to stay up, they will not get a better chance than at the London Stadium.

West Ham United News

The Hammers are only missing one player, with star striker Gianluca Scamacca out for the remainder of the season with injury. Though he has struggled in the Premier League, the Italian has been crucial in their European run. Other than this, West Ham can look forward to the return of Vladimir Coufal as he made the bench again after a period of time out with injury.

Leeds United News

Leeds are in the opposite position, they are missing some key players. Attacking talent Luis Sinisterra is out for the season, while midfielders Tyler Adams and Marc Roca are both out of this game barring a fitness miracle. Also missing will be Junior Firpo, who was suspended, and Liam Cooper, who has struggled all year with injury and form issues.

Verdict

A hard one to call, but with West Ham more or less safe and energy expended in Alkmaar, we could see a surprise Leeds win. They have the need to win, as their remaining fixtures offer little hope of three points. In a way it is now or never for the Whites, and we can see it being now.

Score Prediction: 1-2

Having endured a tough run of games away from home in the tail-end of the season, Arsenal continue that win a game away to Newcastle United. Though the title looks more or less gone by this point, Arsenal need to keep fighting to see what they can pull out of the bag and hope Manchester City slip up somewhere. Is it likely to be at St. James, though, with Newcastle still scrapping for top four?

Newcastle United News

Newcastle do have quite a few injuries, as is common for this time of the year. They are certain to be without Jamaal Lascelles, and there are doubts regarding Allan Saint-Maximin and Sean Longstaff. Outside of that, though, Newcastle have a mostly fit team to pick from – for the first time in a while, they have no real injuries in their striking department.

Arsenal News

Arsenal are short of a few themselves, mainly in defence. Takehiro Tomiyasu is done for the season, while William Saliba is facing a fight to return himself. Gabriel is also likely to miss out, meaning that Arsenal will be missing three of their first-choice back four.

Verdict

This should be a tough one to call, with both teams very much in need of points. Given the freshness of Newcastle’s attack and the injuries Arsenal are dealing with, though, it is hard to see the Gunners keeping Newcastle out. This could create a shoot-out style match, which is something that is more likely to suit Arsenal than Newcastle. Expect a hard-fought match with plenty of quality, but no winners.

Score Prediction: 2-2

Around this time last year, Everton took on Crystal Palace at home and produced a maddening second half to stay up. At that point, then coach Frank Lampard got carried away in the euphoria and you could be forgiven for thinking the Toffees had won the league. Now under the far more methodical Sean Dyche, Everton come to London to play Palace knowing that they need a result even more than they did last year.

Crystal Palace News

Prior to a hat-trick of wins under Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace looked certain for the drop under Patrick Vieira. Three stabilising wins, though, including a 5-1 trouncing of Leeds away from home, has left Palace in pretty good shape. Their last result, a 2-0 win away at Southampton, more or less guaranteed safety.

They come into this one knowing they need to find form at home, though, with home wins few and far between in 2023.

Everton News

This is the closest the Blues have been to a relegation in the best part of thirty years. They come into this game knowing they need some kind of positive result, but playing against a team with three wins on the belt and a positive feelgood factor around the place seems unlikely. Everton also have a fair few injuries building up, with only their decent record against Palace in recent memory something to hold onto.

Verdict

Everton look primed to be relegated after several years of flirting with such a disaster. Expect them to come out flying here, but if they do not score early their season-long issue of conceding on the counter is almost certain to pop back up. Home win.

Score Prediction: 2-1