NJIRU: United, Liverpool to reverse scores as time ticks for Arteta

A lot has changed since then. Both Spurs and Liverpool have gone to the top of the table and slumped down while Man United has climbed to the helm before dropping to second where they look certain to finish.

Spurs vs Man United is the key game of the weekend with United key favourite going to the game on Sunday. The North Londonders conceded late against Newcastle on Sunday meaning they have just one win in their last four matches although they can be encouraged by the fact that they have won the laast three games.

United are still unbeaten on the road –the only side so far- and go to the game in high spirit after winning against Brighton last week and a 2-0 win over Granada in the Europa League. I’ll give United to win 1-2.

Mikel Arteta is living on the edge after dropping points in back to back matches. The Gunners were disappointing in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates. Thursday was worse as they failed to defend a 1-0 lead to concede a late goal against Sparta Praha in the Europa League.

They visit a wounded Sheffield United who look certain to go down. Surely Arsenal have to win this. Defensive duo Kieran Tierney and David Luiz are ruled out with injuries while Jayden Bogle and George Baldock will have to sit out Sunday's welcome of Arsenal after being ruled off with concussion.

It's a matter of when, not if, for the Blades to be relegated. Calling for an Arsenal win.

Chelsea were well beaten by West Brom last weekend and now face another uphill at Selhurst Park as Palace have lost just one in the last six matches and have held Man United and Everton to draws in that time. After bouncing back from the 5-2 defeat to 0-2 win over Porto, Thomas Tuchel will have to choose between putting a strong side for the PL clash visit to Selhurst Park or remain concentrated on the Champions League.

This is a crucial game for Chelsea as it could go wrong in both ends; exiting UCL in the semis and missing out on top four. Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in five of their last 7 home matches 

I’ll go for a draw.

Liverpool goes into the weekend trailing Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League and sitting outside the top four. Although they may feel it’s still possible to overturn the result, concentrating on the top four race should be Klopp’s main focus as it stands.

Aston Villa have impressed this season but a lot has changed since that famous 7-2. Jack Grealish is out of the clash with Liverpool returning to Anfield after back to back wins in the Premier League. As it stands Liverpool cannot afford to slip. It’s a 2-0 win for me.

Leeds United led by Marcelo Bielsa will be another victim of the Pep Guardiola masterclass in the early kick-off as the champions march on to the coronation. With focus still in the Champions League where they lead BvB 2-1, I don’t expect this to be a high scoring game.

Across the grounds I think things will go like this:

Fulham 0 Wolves 1

Man City 2 Leeds 1

Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 0

Crystal Palace 1 Chelsea 1

Burnley 2 Newcastle 1

West Ham 2 Leicester 2

Spurs 1 Man United 2

Sheffield 1 Arsenal 3