EPL fixtures: Arsenal seek swift return to top as Man United face Leicester

Arsenal, after losing top spot in the Premier League to Manchester City, will aim to snap a four-game winless streak at Aston Villa on Saturday, while Manchester United will face Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

City must end Nottingham Forest’s five-month unbeaten run at the City Ground in the league if they are to maintain their momentum towards a fifth title in six seasons.

Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle could have big implications on who finishes in the top four come the end of the season, while there is a huge relegation six-pointer at the bottom as Leeds visit Everton.

Arsenal’s unbeaten home record came to end on Wednesday as City stormed the Emirates 3-1 and went top for the first time since November in the process.

After dropping just seven points in their opening 19 league games, Arsenal have let eight slip away in the last three following defeat at Everton and a controversial 1-1 draw with Brentford.

“I have more belief than I had before the game.

“With the performance and the level the team put in, we had the feeling we could beat them. Until the second goal, we had them.

“But we gave them three goals and the game at the end. Certain errors at this level, you can’t make. At the same time, the team put the level very high,” Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, said after losing to City.

City lead only on goal difference and Arsenal still have a game in hand on their title rivals.

Victory at Villa Park would right the ship for the Gunners but there are fears fatigue and injuries are beginning to hamper a young squad.

READ ALSO: Man City thrash Arsenal 3-1, top Premier League table

Influential midfielder, Thomas Partey, is expected to miss Saturday’s clash due to a muscle injury, while Gabriel Jesus remains out injured.

However, Liverpool’s first league victory of 2023 against Everton on Monday night brought the Reds back into contention for a top-four finish.

According to AFP, Jurgen Klopp’s men still have a lot of ground to make up if they are to qualify for the Champions League for a seventh consecutive season.

Liverpool are nine points behind fourth-placed Newcastle but have a game in hand on the Magpies and the chance to cut that gap at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Newcastle’s only league defeat of the season so far came at Anfield in August.

But five draws in their last six games have slowed their charge toward a place in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

An upturn in form for West Ham, Wolves, and Leicester means it is increasingly likely that one if not both Leeds and Everton face the drop.

The Toffees were brought back to reality in the Merseyside derby on Monday after shocking Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.

Everton’s struggle for goals will not be helped by the continued absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to a hamstring injury.

“The Arsenal game’s a reminder of the quality that is here.

“Of course, the striking department has got less options that you would like in the Premier League, and especially for a club of this size and the expectation of its fans,” Dyche said.

Leeds remain in the caretaker charge of Michael Skubala after failing to land a series of targets to replace Jesse Marsch as manager.

Skubala oversaw two positive performances against Manchester United last week, but they only reaped one point as Leeds remain without a league win since November.

Below are the Premier League fixtures scheduled for the weekend:

Saturday

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Brighton v Fulham

Chelsea v Southampton

Everton v Leeds

Nottingham Forest v Man City

Wolves v Bournemouth

Newcastle v Liverpool

Sunday

Man Utd v Leicester

Tottenham v West Ham

The Star