The last of Matchday 24 comes with all at stake for every team playing this evening in the English Premier League. Nothing can be easy to predict but one thing’s for sure… Last night we witnessed the biggest upset of Matchday 24, midweek action.
Four fixtures left, eight teams to play, and only three points for each team to play for. The final three of the top three plays tonight, while two teams of the 2018/2019 relegation story contest against each other to avoid being in the company of the bottom three dwellers.
Before December came, this would have been easy fixtures to predict, and surely money in the bag if you were to bet your odds in the Premier League. However, since a change in managers here and there, and a few new recruits added to teams’ rosters, things just got hotter in the prestigious English Premier League.
Wednesday Matchday 24 fixtures
Liverpool vs. Leicester City
Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
Southampton vs. Crystal Palace
Tottenham vs. Watford
"We must keep going back to the well – we must keep finding a way." 👊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 30, 2019
Jürgen Klopp believes the mindset of finding a way will need to be drawn upon on plenty more occasions this season. 👇
The Rundown…
Liverpool stands a chance to win a prize worth one hand on the Premier League crown after their ex-manager Rafa lent a helping hand in the title race, giving them a chance to go seven points clear if they manage to keep it 33 games unbeaten at Anfield this evening. Leicester City has struggled for results but comes to Merseyside with their Jamie Vardy nettle.
He has scored seven times against the Reds! The highest against any of the big six in England for Vardy. Safe to say… He loves capturing these big events when the Reds are involved. Klopp struggles with late fitness problems and could have problems at the back. But his side has done the job with midfielders at the back before so he will be hoping for similar displays.
Chelsea plays this evening in a must-win encounter, as they take up one section in the conflict for Champions League football. Three teams a point from each other plays for the final UCL spot. The chances for any of these teams creeping into third place are high. But the focus is fourth. An exciting fact, we might see the newcomer, Gonzalo Higuain in action.
Tottenham is that team that sits third and in a position where they own their own fate. A win gets them within touching distance of failures, Man City. A lose gets them in jeopardy of losing the third spot in weeks to come. Bournemouth welcomes Spurs to a happier Vitality Stadium after manufacturing their first win in five.
Watford sits three above the Cherries and will be hoping they take the L, as well as the Foxes, who sit two points below them. Each team playing a top-six side is in search of that 8th place, harboured by Everton. A win for any of them and they’ll be invading their space.
Wednesday Matchday 24 predictions
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City
Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea
Southampton 3-3 Crystal Palace
Tottenham 2-2 Watford
🗣️ "For sure he's going to be ready."
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 29, 2019
Mauricio discusses Sonny's availability for tomorrow's game.#COYS pic.twitter.com/WuugUXyZzL
The direct duel…
The last two teams square off in a match where they play to stay above the last three places of the Premier League standings. They settle things in a direct duel with each other. Roy’s Crystal Palace will want to return the shame handed to them at Selhurst Park in the first half of the season by Southampton.
Both clubs sit three points above the first drop spot. Crystal Palace in 16th place and Southampton in 17th place. If any of the two takes all the points, they will slingshot themselves ahead of 14th place, Newcastle.
Roy knows his side suffered last time out and gave Mark Hughes a small stint of happiness. Now he will need to apply himself to take on a new adversary in Ralph Hasenhuttl.