Midweek Premier League preview: Liverpool head to Old Trafford in must-win game

As the Premier League season draws to a close, the gaps are beginning to widen in the race for the top four but the race for Europa League football is still very much in the balance. We take a look at the standout games from this week.

Chelsea to strengthen their top four grip?

Wednesday evening sees a classic London derby take place at Stamford Bridge as an in-form Chelsea side get ready to host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.

Chelsea’s impressive win against Manchester City on Saturday moved Thomas Tuchel’s side into third place in the Premier League and a win against Arsenal would almost guarantee Champions League football for next season. Chelsea have not lost to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge since 2011 and to go alongside this, the Blues have won more points (22) in Premier League London derby games this season than any other side. They are priced as 7/10 favourites to win again this time round. Would you like to work out your potential winnings? Try our online betting calculator.

The last time these two sides met, Arsenal came out 3-1 winners on Boxing Day, but the Gunners will be looking to complete a league double over Chelsea for the first time since the 2003-04 season. If you believe Mikel Arteta’s side will complete the double, you can get them at 4/1. Alexandre Lacazette could become the first Arsenal player to score home and away against the Blues since Edu in 2003/04. The Frenchman is priced at 2/1 to find the back of the net anytime.

European football to return to Goodison Park?

Everton will be hoping to get used to playing on Thursday evenings with Carlo Ancelotti’s side only two points off the Europa League places but they will have to beat Aston Villa first on Thursday.

After defeating the Toffees at the beginning of this month, Villa are looking to do the league double over Everton for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign. The Villains are priced at 13/8 to do so with William Hill. Since the beginning of the Premier League, Aston Villa have won more league games and scored more league goals against the Toffees than they have against any other team in the competition.

Everton head into this fixture having won three of their last five away league games against Aston Villa. This is as many as they had in their previous 29 visits to Villa Park. Like Villa, Everton head into this fixture at a price of 13/8, while a draw is priced at 5/2. The Toffees have also won their last five midweek fixtures with their last loss coming against Manchester City on New Year’s Day in 2020.

Man United to inflict more damage on Liverpool?

All eyes will be on Old Trafford on Thursday as Manchester United and Liverpool battle out a long-held rivalry, with the Premier League season drawing to a feisty finale for European places.

Man United have lost just one of their last 15 home games against Liverpool in all competitions and are currently unbeaten in eight consecutive fixtures at Old Trafford. The last time United lost to Liverpool was back in 2014 where the Red Devils suffered a 3-0 defeat. Man United are the underdogs heading into this fixture at a price of 9/4, though. Marcus Rashford has scored four and assisted one in his last four games against Liverpool and the Englishman is priced at 9/4 to score anytime on Thursday.

Liverpool have won just two of their six midweek games in the Premier League this season with both wins coming against Tottenham, but Jurgen Klopp’s side still head into this one as the 23/20 favourites. If Mohamed Salah finds the back of the net on Thursday, he will become the first Liverpool player in 100 years to score away at Old Trafford in two different games in a season. The Egyptian King is priced at 21/20 to re-write the history books.

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