Premier League Fixtures: Week 36 Schedule, Score Predictions for EPL Matchday
The battle at the bottom of the table takes centre stage in the Premier League this weekend, as teams in trouble make a last-ditch effort to stay afloat in the top flight.
Southampton and Stoke City both need wins to put pressure on the sides above them; the former are at home to Bournemouth, whereas the latter go to Liverpool.
Swansea City aren't out of trouble yet either and will host a Chelsea side on Saturday that will still have some slender hopes of finishing in the top four of the Premier League table. There's also an eye-catching tussle between Manchester United and Arsenal to enjoy.
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Here are the fixtures in full for Week 36 in English football's top flight and a closer look at a couple of key games from the schedule.
Saturday, April 28 (times all BST)
12:30 p.m.—Liverpool vs. Stoke City (3-0)
3 p.m.—Burnley vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (2-1)
3 p.m.—Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City (2-1)
3 p.m.—Huddersfield Town vs. Everton (1-0)
3 p.m.—Newcastle United vs. West Bromwich Albion (1-1)
3 p.m.—Southampton vs. Bournemouth (2-1)
5:30 p.m.—Swansea City vs. Chelsea (1-1)
Sunday, April 29
2:15 p.m.—West Ham United vs. Manchester City (0-2)
4:30 p.m.—Manchester United vs. Arsenal (2-1)
Monday, April 30
8 p.m.—Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford (3-0)
Swansea vs. Chelsea
While it would take a significant upturn in form from Stoke and Southampton, at this point in the campaign it's Swansea who are the most vulnerable side in terms of being dragged into a relegation scrap.
The Swans were pulled apart on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, losing 5-0 and barely laid a glove on Manchester City. It means they're four points clear of Stoke and Southampton, having played a game less than the former.
Despite the defeat, Guto Llewelyn of ITV Wales wasn't getting too downbeat and noted how strong the side's home record is:
Chelsea will head to Swansea in an interesting spell of form, having won their last three matches and improved in each one.
The Blues' fightback from two goals down to win 3-2 at Southampton appears to have injected some intent into the team, having struggled previously for long spells in 2018. Antonio Conte's side now only trail Tottenham, who are in fourth, by five points with four games still to play.
One of the key factors in Chelsea's upturn in form has been the influence of Olivier Giroud, who has netted three times in the last two games against Saints. As noted by Gary Lineker, one was a wonderful slaloming run:
Swansea have been hard to beat at home, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal slipping to losses at the Liberty Stadium this season. Chelsea will be in for a tough 90 minutes and will have to settle for a point in a high-intensity contest.
Prediction: Swansea 1-1 Chelsea
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
Arsene Wenger will take on Manchester United for the last time as Arsenal manager on Sunday, and you sense the Frenchman will face an interesting reception at Old Trafford.
For so long, Wenger's side went toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson's United outfits, with matches between the two sides some of the best in Premier League history. As things stand, neither side are anywhere near those levels.
Arsenal head to United on the back of a UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid and with a rotten away record as of late. Matt Furniss of OptaJoe put their awful form into context:
United appear to be finding a groove late in the campaign, though, and they were excellent on Saturday in beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.
It was a fixture that saw Alexis Sanchez star for the Red Devils after a tough beginning to his life at the club, as his brilliant header saw United recover from a goal down to secure victory. Coming up against his former club for the first time, the Chilean will be desperate to show the visiting supporters what they've been missing.
United are set to be too strong here. Arsenal may be inspired to improve given Wenger doesn't have many games left in charge, but the team has issues on the road that won't be solved by an extra dash of determination.
Prediction: United 2-1 Arsenal
