22. pL round: Arsenal await unpopular Dyche, Citizens again against Spurs

The 22nd round of the Premier League opens on Friday with Chelsea’s London derby against Fulham. After a break of almost two weeks, fans are looking forward to Tottenham’s game with Manchester City, but Everton’s match with Arsenal also deserves attention.

Tottenham vs. Manchester City

Two weeks ago, their confrontation was thrilling, the Citizens eventually turned from 0: 2 to 4: 2. Now, Pep Guardiola’s charges are more at ease, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup and winning four of the last five rounds. In addition, the Citizens got rid of Joao Cancelo, who was spoiling the atmosphere in the booth.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are an unpopular opponent for Manchester City and the light blue not-so-well-performing defensive unit will have a lot to do with Harry Kane this time as well. In the last five games, the Citizens have scored six times.

Everton vs. Arsenal

The penultimate side welcomes the first, yet has high expectations for the opening game of Saturday’s programme. The first reason is the change in the home team’s coaching staff. Frank Lampard has been replaced by Burnley icon Sean Dyche.

Dyche is good at Arsenal, he has troubled them several times in the past, losing only once out of the last five confrontations with them. But he has never faced the current Gunners with maximum commitment and a giant healthy confidence.

At Arsenal, a question mark hangs over the start of Thomas Partey, or Jorginho may make his debut in the starting line-up. Mikel Arteta’s men have a lot to give back to their opponents, as they fell 1:2 to the Toffees last time out.

Newcastle vs. West Ham

While the home side are dragging their feet, the visitors have found a new fresh wind. In both cases, a bit of an exaggeration, especially the first one, as Newcastle may have the Carabao Cup semi-final with Southampton on Tuesday (2: 1) in their legs, but on the other hand, progressing to the final has taken all the pain away.

West Ham have had an extra day’s rest since progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals, having previously beaten Everton in the league. Performance-wise, it’s still no glory, but when under David Moyes was it?

Neither team can lose, the home side probably won’t even be happy with a draw, especially if they are targeting the Champions League. The Hammers are a point above relegation but also a score away from 14th place. It will be a battle and probably not very watchable football.

Source: Premier League