Premier League Matchday 25: Struggling Blues visit London rivals Spurs

A London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea and two relegation scraps headline Matchday 25 of the Premier League.

Leaders Arsenal travel to face Leicester, while Manchester City are also on the road at Bournemouth.

Read on as we preview all eight top-flight games, with Manchester United taking on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

Fulham vs Wolves (Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Fulham will go within one point of the top four if they are victorious at home to Wolves on Friday night.

Marco Silva’s Cottagers have been the division’s surprise package this term, with only Manchester United (seven) winning more league games than the sixth-placed side (six) since the World Cup.

A 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last time out dragged Wolves back into relegation trouble as they sit just three points above the bottom three ahead of this clash.

Bernd Leno has kept seven clean sheets in his 22 league games for the hosts this season, only earning more shut-outs in one of his previous four campaigns for Arsenal in the top flight (11 in 2020-21).

Everton vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm)

Everton will look to make it three straight home victories under Sean Dyche this weekend as Aston Villa visit for the latest instalment of English football’s most-played fixture.

It will be the 210th time the pair have met in the league, with Villa edging out the Toffees 78 wins to 76 overall (55 draws). 

Since their promotion back to the top flight in 2019, Villa are unbeaten in seven games against the Merseysiders (five wins, two draws) and won on both of their last two trips to Goodison Park.

But stopping a slump of three successive defeats will be the aim for Unai Emery, having shipped 11 goals across losses to Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Leeds vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds against Southampton sees 19th face off with 20th in what looks like a must-win clash for both sides.

The Whites have new manager Javi Gracia in the dugout at Elland Road as the former Watford boss aims to improve a concerning return of just four points from nine games since the World Cup.

Gracia's Spanish compatriot Ruben Selles meanwhile has been handed the Saints job until the end of the season after masterminding a 1-0 win at Chelsea last time out, meaning four of their five victories during a troubled campaign so far have come on the road.

If he plays, James Ward-Prowse will draw level with Jason Dodd as Southampton’s all-time top Premier League appearance maker with 329 outings. 

The skipper is also one free-kick goal off David Beckham’s top-flight record of 18 after his latest dead-ball special at Stamford Bridge.

Leicester vs Arsenal (Saturday, 3pm)

Arsenal got their title charge back on track with a thrilling 4-2 win at Aston Villa last weekend and head into their clash with Leicester two points clear at the top with a game in hand.

The Gunners have won their last four meetings with the Foxes, while they are looking to record three straight away wins against the East Midlanders for the first time since 1925.

To add insult to injury, Leicester are winless in 18 Premier League games against teams starting the day on top of the table (two draws, 16 defeats), since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in 1998.

Foxes striker Jamie Vardy has scored only one league goal this season but has found the net more times against Arsenal than he has against any other side (11).

West Ham vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 3pm)

West Ham dropping into the bottom three has piled the pressure on manager David Moyes as they host a Nottingham Forest side who have distanced themselves from danger.

Forest’s first victory since their return to the top flight came against the Hammers back in August and they have since gone on to win five more this term — though only one of those has been away from home.

The Irons have picked up just a single victory in their last 11 Premier League games but have tasted success in seven of their most recent eight home clashes with promoted teams.

Reds talisman Morgan Gibbs-White has five Premier League assists this season, as many as every other team-mate combined.

Bournemouth vs Manchester City (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

Since what looked like a pivotal win over title rivals Arsenal, Manchester City have drawn both games in all competitions as they look to get back on track at Bournemouth.

City have never lost against the Cherries in 17 league meetings, while they have won all 11 of the Premier League games between the pair.

Gary O’Neil’s men won their first game since the World Cup against Wolves last time out but only remain a point clear of the bottom three.

Jack Grealish will hope to continue his fine form for the Citizens, with his seven goal involvements (three goals, four assists) in 18 league games already more than he managed in 26 appearances last term.

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (Saturday, 7.45pm, Sky Sports)

Liverpool will want to make their 5-2 humbling by Real Madrid in midweek a distant memory as they head to Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

The Reds had picked up back-to-back 2-0 victories in the Premier League prior to that defeat at Anfield and now head to a ground they have won at in each of their last eight visits.

January signing Cody Gakpo netted in each of the those successes over Everton and Newcastle and will look to become the first Reds player to score in three consecutive top-flight games this season.

Palace were pegged back by Brentford late on last weekend, extending their winless run to eight games (four draws, four defeats).

Tottenham vs Chelsea (Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports)

Graham Potter looks to be running out of time to turn his Chelsea stint around as he faces a crucial clash with London rivals Tottenham.

The Blues have emerged winners in just two of their last 14 games in all competitions but takes his side to a ground they have won all three of their previous games at by an aggregate score of 6-0.

A lack of potency has been a particular concern for the West Londoners having scored only six times in their last 11 league outings — no team has netted fewer since November.

After losing four out of five at home in the Premier League previously, Spurs have beaten Manchester City and West Ham in their last two and will end the day in fourth regardless of the result.

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