Premier League weekend preview: Arsenal look to bounce back against Villa

This week we have seen some huge fixtures already, which had Premier League title changing repercussions. This weekend will be just as exciting, with several key match ups to keep an eye on.

Follow along below as we preview three tantalising Premier League fixtures.

Aston Villa v Arsenal – Saturday 12:30

This weekend Aston Villa will welcome Arsenal to Villa Park, where both teams will hope to improve upon their recent form. Arsenal are the current favourites at 4/5, but come into this off the back of a 3-1 loss to Manchester City midweek, which cost them the top spot in the league.

Arsenal’s keeper, Aaron Ramsdale, had a decent game regardless of the goals he conceded, and will look to keep a clean sheet against Aston Villa this weekend. Mikel Arteta will hope this game can provide some much-needed relief for his men and will be full of confidence in his side given they have won all of the last three meetings between the pair.

Aston Villa have failed to take points away from either of their last two games, although this does include their 3-1 loss to Manchester City last weekend, which you can hardly blame them for given Arsenal’s identical midweek scoreline.

Villa’s backline will need to put in a shift if they are to impress the home crowds, as the side have conceded seven goals in their last two defeats. Regardless of the problems plaguing their defence, the 10/3 underdogs have actually managed to prevent successive defeats at home since April last year, so will be hopeful that they can take away at least a point from this fixture.

In terms of potential goal scorers, Bukayo Saka will certainly be hunting for the back of the net again after his equalising penalty against City, and the England star is 27/10 to do so this weekend. Overall, a relatively high scoring game is anticipated with over 2.5 goals in the match priced at 10/11.

Newcastle v Liverpool – Saturday 17:30

Newcastle have been in remarkable form this season, most notably their solid defence has kept them at fourth in the table with just one loss so far from 22 matches played. Nick Pope has been an irreplaceable asset in goal, with the only area slightly lacking being their attack.

As a result of this, they head into this home game as the narrow 6/4 favourites, despite only having one win in their last five fixtures, with the other four being draws. If anyone is to find the back of the net this weekend though, it will be Alexander Isak (6/4 anytime), who has finished for Newcastle when they have needed it most.

Liverpool may question their underdog status at 7/4 given they are unbeaten in their last five away games at Newcastle, as well as winning the reverse of this fixture earlier this season where the Reds claimed a 2-1 victory – Newcastle’s only loss.

That being said, Liverpool’s recent form has been shocking, with Jurgen Klopp’s side ranking ninth in the table currently, following three losses from their last five games. Their recent 2-0 victory over Everton may give them hope however, and they will be incredibly aware how vital it is for them to take at least a point away from this one. A draw certainly can’t be ruled out at 12/5.

On balance, Newcastle’s form this season can’t be ignored, and it seems unlikely that their second loss this season will come against this lagging Liverpool side. It’s uncertain how many goals will be produced given Newcastle’s rock solid defence, but the odds on under 2.5 goals in the match are priced at EVS.

Manchester Utd v Leicester – Sunday 14:00

Manchester United have had a better season than most anticipated, climbing to third place in the league and marking 14 wins and just three losses in their last 21 league games. Last weekend saw the side beat Leeds United 2-0 and they will kick off as the 4/7 favourites against Leicester on Sunday.

In the last five Premier League clashes between the sides, surprisingly Manchester United have won just one, with Leicester proving troublesome for The Red Devils. Marcus Rashford managed to notch a goal against Leeds on the weekend, and it would be unsurprising if he can replicate that this weekend at 10/11 to score anytime or 3/1 to score first.

Leicester however won’t take this game lying down, and given their exceptional 4-1 victory over Tottenham last weekend, prepare to expect the unexpected. Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently ranked twelfth in the table but have won both of their last two games, racking up eight goals in the process.

The Foxes are 9/2 to head home from Old Trafford victorious, while they are a 16/1 shot to replicate their past two games and score over 3.5 goals. James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho managed to find the back of the net on both occasions, and are 14/5 and 10/3 respectively to pull off the same feat here.

This fixture is bound to electrify Old Trafford, with over 2.5 goals almost an expectation at 8/13, meanwhile Manchester United’s Fred is just 7/4 to be booked anytime, so expect an fiery clash this Sunday.

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