The Premier League shares centre stage with the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, but there are some crucial games to look forward to – especially at the bottom end of the table.
Four of the bottom six face each other on Saturday, including a massive match at Kenilworth Road where Luton take on Brentford in a clash which could easily turn into a goalfest with both sides desperate for points.
The bottom two will also face off, with Sheffield United hosting Burnley, while further up the table Arsenal will get the opportunity to get their title challenge back on track at Wolves.
The Gunners were bounced out of the Champions League in midweek and will be keen to make amends at Molineux, although that trip to the Black Country may prove to be a tricky one.
- Luton v Brentford – Over 3.5 Goals
- Sheffield United v Burnley - Draw
- Wolves v Arsenal – Wolves Double Chance
City Can Edge Thriller
Luton Town vs Brentford
Seven points separate these two teams going into this clash, with Luton inside the bottom three but still having hope of pulling off a great escape.
Rob Edwards’ men suffered a heavy defeat at Manchester City last time out, but they return to their home ground this week, where they have collected four points from their last two matches.
If Luton are to survive this season, then this looks like a game they have to target three points from and as a win would not only help their cause but drag Brentford further into the tussle too.
The visitors collected a much-needed win over Sheffield United last weekend, to give them a seven-point cushion from the bottom three.
That was Brentford’s only win in their last 10 matches, though, and their away form has been generally poor, with the Bees picking up just one point from their last five games on the road.
With both teams desperate for the points, this looks set to be an end-to-end encounter and there should be plenty of goals.
There has been an average of 4.2 goals in Luton’s last five home matches, while there’s been a 3.8 goal average in Brentford’s last five away games.
It’s also worth noting that four goals were scored in the reverse fixture, when Brentford ran out 3-1 victors back in December.
Sheffield United vs Burnley
The bottom two meet at Bramall Lane on Saturday, with both clubs staring down the barrel of an instant return to the Championship.
The hosts are 10 points from safety with six games remaining, while Burnley have five matches left and are six points away from 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Although results have improved for both in recent weeks, the performances have still not been at the level to suggest they will stay up.
Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last two home games but both matches – against Fulham and Chelsea – ended in draws. In fact, three of the Blades’ last five matches have finished level.
It’s a similar story for Burnley, who have lost just one of their last six Premier League games. Four of those six matches, though, have finished in draws, including their home clash with Brighton last weekend.
The Clarets’ away form has been one of the key factors as to why they are facing relegation, with just two wins on the road this season – the last coming at Fulham in December.
Vincent Kompany’s men have won the last two meetings between the sides – including a 5-0 success at Turf Moor in December. But it’s Sheffield United who have had the better of this fixture, with three wins and a draw in the last four meetings at Bramall Lane.
There is little to split the pair and the points may be shared on Saturday.
SHEFFIELD UNITED AND BURNLEY TO DRAW
Wolves vs Arsenal
It’s been a torrid week for Arsenal and they now face another tough test in order to keep themselves firmly in the Premier League title race.
A surprise home defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday was followed by a Champions League loss in Munich on Wednesday.
Those two results will have hit the confidence and mood in the Gunners camp and now they have to respond quickly, but a tricky trip to Molineux will not guarantee a return to winning ways.
Having scored seven goals in their previous three matches, Mikel Arteta has now seen his team fail to find the net in their last two matches.
Although Wolves’ recent form line doesn’t make good reading, performances have been better than the results suggest.
A controversial disallowed goal in the 2-1 home defeat to West Ham cost them a point, while they could have snatched all three points at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Prior to the Hammers loss, Gary O’Neil’s men had won back-to-back league games at Molineux and they will feel they can take advantage of Arsenal’s wobble.
One player who could have a big impact is Matheus Cunha, who is playing in a more attacking role due to recent injury issues for Wanderers.
The Brazilian scored a brace in last Saturday’s draw at the City Ground and was also on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture with Arsenal at the Emirates early December.
