5 Premier League Tips for this Weekend’s Action - 5/3/22

It’s the start of the American revolution at Leeds United on Saturday, as Jesse Marsch takes charge of his first game for Leeds United as they head to the King Power Stadium.

Marsch has a lot to change quickly for the Whites, with Leeds losing four games in a row and conceding 20 goals in their last five. This was a Premier League record for most goals conceded in a calendar month and forced their owner, Andrea Radrizzani, to call an end to Marcelo Bielsa’s magical three and a half years in charge at Elland Road.

With Patrick Bamford expected to be back in the squad, Leeds could be getting a huge boost in their fight for survival, being just two points above the relegation zone.

Brendan Rogers, like his counterparts this weekend, has had to deal with plenty of injuries as the Foxes have failed to replicate the form of the last two seasons which almost qualified Leicester for the Champions League.

Jamie Vardy’s return in midweek was massive as he got on the scoresheet to secure Leicester a 2-0 victory away to Burnley, most likely quashing any fears of being dragged into an unexpected relegation battle.

The game earlier on in the season finished 1-1, thanks to a brilliant freekick by Raphina followed by an instantaneous reply by Harvey Barnes. Chances will be created here, so Raphina and Jamie Vardy to have a shot on target is very likely.

Burnley continue in their battle of pulling off the great escape, as they welcome the Champions of Europe to Turf Moor.

After one win in their first 21 games, Sean Dyche managed to turn his Clarets into a winning team, securing two impressive victories away to Brighton and at home to Tottenham (3-0 and 1-0 respectively). A 2-0 defeat at home to Leicester did slow down the Lancashire side’s momentum, but Burnley will look at being 11th in the form table as hope that they can get themselves out of the bottom three and secure a 7th successive season in the top-flight.

A lot has happened at Chelsea in the past month. From being on top of the world in being world champions to now being up for sale. Thomas Tuchel has managed to negotiate his side through the various competitions, just don’t mention that Kepa penalty miss to him anytime soon.

All of Chelsea’s endeavours means they’ve only played one Premier League game in the past 40 days, which was a solid 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea haven’t lost away to Burnley in 39 years, so an away victory should follow, but it will be tight.

The Carabao Cup winners put their focus back in the title fight on Saturday evening when Champions League-chasing West Ham visit Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have started to hit imperious form in the Premier League, winning six on the bounce. This has included scoring 18 and only conceding 2, with a 6-0 thrashing of Leeds United the most impressive in this run. Their frontline now has an impressive new star, with Luis Diaz showing his quality by contributing a goal in a 3-1 home win against Norwich City as well as tearing Chelsea apart in the Carabao Cup final.

Many have assumed that West Ham would have fallen off the pace by now in the Champions League race, but a vital 1-0 home win against fellow contenders Wolves kept the Hammers firmly in the running. Their away form will have to improve if we are to hear blowing bubbles in Europe’s most decorated competition, however, with the Irons winning just two of their last eight away Premier League games they are significant underdogs here.

Liverpool have only lost once at home to West Ham in the last 58 years, and despite a 3-2 defeat at the London Stadium earlier in the season, Diaz and his Liverpool teammates will likely come out on top in this one.

Two teams at the opposite end of the table meet at Vicarage Road on Sunday, as 19th in the table Watford hosts 6th placed Arsenal.

Roy Hodgson has been able to make a difference at Watford, making his side harder to score against with the Hornets conceding just seven in his six games in charge so far.

This was most evident in his last game, gaining a vital point in a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. A home victory has eluded the former England manager so far, however, with 2-0 and 4-1 defeats at the hands of Brighton and Crystal Palace, his side is marooned in the relegation zone.

Mikel Arteta has got his Arsenal side ticking as the Gooners are now favourites to get that fourth and final Champions League spot.

After only picking up one point in January, despite an excellent performance at home to Manchester City, the Spaniard has now recorded three wins on the bounce, including two vital wins against Champions League rivals Wolves, 1-0 and then 2-1. The latter produced a stoppage-time winner from Alexandre Lacazette, leaving Arsenal fans dreaming of a return to the Champions League for the first time in five years.

Lacazette has been the focal point at the Emirates since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Barcelona, so a second goal in two matches could be likely in Hertfordshire.

The biggest game of the weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon, as the Manchester derby is hosted at the Etihad stadium.

Manchester City don’t let defeats knock them back. After their shock 3-2 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur, Pep Guardiola’s side recovered with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Everton, thanks to a brilliant finish by Phil Foden. This was despite a clear penalty being denied for the Toffees.

10 points from their last 15 however, has allowed Liverpool back into the title race, so another slip up can’t be contemplated if City want their fourth Premier League title in five years.

Manchester United’s inconsistencies continue to be their downfall in the hunt for Champions League football. Four wins in their last nine have left Ralf Rangnick’s side looking over their shoulder, with a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to second from bottom Watford an unacceptable setback for the Old Trafford faithful.

United can prove a threat though for this City side, with Paul Pogba back in form and Bruno Fernandes scoring two in his last three, the Sky Blues will have to keep their foot on the throttle.

City’s home record against Manchester United has been dreadful, winning just once against their main rivals at home since 2014. The Champions could be left frustrated again on Sunday.