Premier League Preview: Quiet yet pivotal weekend

The upcoming Premier League schedule is quieter than usual. With FA Cup action taking centre stage, there are just four Premier League matches this weekend, but these are pivotal fixtures for the teams involved.

Fulham and Leeds get things up and running on Friday night. Scott Parker’s side can move out of the bottom three with a win. Relegation-threatened duo Brighton and Newcastle matchup on Sunday before West Ham host Arsenal and Tottenham travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fulham vs Leeds: Premier League Preview

A repeat of the 4-3 earlier in the season is unlikely. Leeds have failed to score in their last three. Fulham’s defence has improved markedly. The west London club have picked up 12 points since the start of February, a tally only bettered by six clubs.

Leeds have had a great season regardless of how the campaign ends. Already on 36 points, Marcelo Bielsa’s team are as good as safe, but they will be keen to turn this poor run around. Finishing in the top half will be their priority at this point, and they can take a significant step towards that with a win on Friday night.

These are the matches Fulham need to win if they are to remain in the Premier League.

Brighton vs Newcastle

Newcastle could be in the relegation zone by the time this one kicks off. The Magpies’ demise in the second half of the season has piled the pressure on Steve Bruce, and understandably so.

Premier League statistics have loved this Brighton team. Results have not matched their expected numbers throughout the campaign, but a win last weekend was a real boost for Graham Potter. With Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to come after this clash, this match could be pivotal in Brighton’s battle for survival.

This could be the tensest of the weekend Premier League matches. Defeat would be a massive blow for either side.

West Ham vs Arsenal

Fresh off north London derby success, Arsenal are facing another rival in the capital on Sunday. This time it’s David Moyes’ West Ham, who will go level on points with Chelsea with a victory.

It’s been a lost season for the Gunners. Despite three wins in five matches, Mikel Arteta’s team are five points behind seventh-placed Everton. Building on last weekend’s triumph over Tottenham is the aim, and it will be interesting to see if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to the XI after being dropped last weekend.

West Ham have one win in their last 11 matches against Arsenal. History might not favour the Hammers, but plenty will be picking them to win this weekend.

Aston Villa vs Tottenham: Premier League prediction

Aston Villa have one win in six league matches. Jack Grealish’s injury has hit the Villains hard, and it’s unclear whether he will be available for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham have their own injury concern with Heung-Min Son a considerable doubt after picking up an injury during last weekend’s north London derby.

Son starred when these teams last met. Spurs’ attack is nowhere near as threatening without the South Korean star, but with Gareth Bale finding form of late and Harry Kane playing somewhere near his best, anything is possible.

The availability of Grealish could be the decisive factor for Premier League betting decisions ahead of this match.