The Premier League reaches its 20th round of games with a sensational midweek fixture list from England’s top flight with huge ramifications for both ends of the table.
Leicester City’s trip to Everton headlines this Game week with the top four spot on the line, It promises to be an Excellent Contest.
Just three days after ending Arsenal’s FA Cup defence in the fourth round, Southampton welcome the Gunners to the South Coast once again in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.
An own goal from Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was all that separated the two sides at St Mary’s on Saturday, as the Saints claimed a deserved 1-0 win over the FA Cup holders.
A morale-boosting win was just what the doctor ordered for a Southampton side who have started to falter in the league, as they can only boast one victory from their last six in the top flight, although that was their historic triumph over Liverpool earlier this month.
Despite the recent loss of Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton’s resolute defence recorded a fourth consecutive home clean sheet in all competitions with Saturday’s 1-0 win, and only Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham United have collected more points on their own patch this season.
The defeat at Southampton came as a devastating blow to an Arsenal team who have certainly upped their game in recent weeks, but with Arteta set to recall some of his big-hitters to the lineup on Tuesday, Gooners should be able to enjoy a more assured performance from their side in midweek.
Victory for Arsenal here would see them temporarily rise above Southampton, Aston Villa and Chelsea into eighth before the latter two teams play on Wednesday, but having already suffered one defeat on the South Coast this season, a rejigged Gunners side must have their wits about them if they are to get their instant revenge.
Southampton Premier League form: DLDDWL Southampton form (all competitions): DDWLWW
Arsenal Premier League form: LWWWDW Arsenal form (all competitions): WWWDWL
All seven of Southampton’s wins against Arsenal in the Premier League have been at home, with only Fulham vs Everton (9) winning more games against an opponent with all wins coming at home in the Premier League.
Arsenal are looking to record back-to-back away Premier League wins against Southampton for the first time since winning in March and August 1997 under Arsene Wenger.
Southampton have kept six home Premier League clean sheets this season, as many as they did in 2018/19 and 2019/20 combined; the Saints last kept more at St. Mary’s in 2016/17 (8).
Manchester City will be hoping to climb to the top of the Premier League table when they travel to The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
Pep Guardiola’s men recently overcame Cheltenham Town 3-1 in the FA Cup, while the Baggies have had a week to recover from their 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.
Only Sheffield United have lost more games than the Baggies this season, and the Blades are the one team whom West Brom have managed to beat on home turf this season, with the threat of relegation looming unless Allardyce can do what he does best.
Since the start of December, West Brom have been put to the sword at home by Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Arsenal - conceding 17 and scoring just one goal in that dreadful run.
Saturday’s triumph represented City’s 10th win on the bounce in all competitions - during which time they have notched up 25 goals and conceded just three - and a seventh top-flight win on the trot would propel City to the top of the pile before Manchester United face Sheffield United 24 hours later.
While City’s winning run is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, a good chunk of their triumphs have come on home soil, and Guardiola has witnessed his side prevail in just three of their last seven Premier League matches on unfamiliar territory.
West Bromwich Albion Premier League form: LDLLWL West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions): DLLLWL
Manchester City Premier League form: WWWWWW Manchester City form (all competitions): WWWWWW
West Bromwich Albion are winless in their last 18 Premier League matches against Manchester City (D2 L16) since a 2-1 win in December 2008 under Tony Mowbray.
Since losing 2-5 against Leicester in their second game of the season, Manchester City have conceded just seven goals in 16 Premier League games, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process.
In their 18 winless games since last beating Man City in December 2008, West Brom have led for a combined total of just 26 minutes and 3 seconds, taking the lead in October 2012 (ahead 12m 56s) and April 2016 (13m 7s) before going on to lose both games.
Arsenal Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Out of Southampton Game for ‘Personal Reasons’.
The Gunners will face Southampton for the second time without their captain.Gabon star was absent for Arsenal’s disappointing FA Cup defeat on Saturday.
Arsenal could also be without Kieran Tierney because of the left-back’s calf injury.
Armstrong
