Gameweek 28’s second segment of midweek action delivers a cavalcade of high-profile encounters. Considering that the last two league meetings between these clubs produced a combined tally of nine goals, West Ham United’s home tie against Tottenham Hotspur promises to be an explosive affair.
The Hammers have avoided defeat at the Boelyn Ground since Bournemouth’s visit in Gameweek 3, underlining their resilience on home turf. That being said, only five teams have conceded more big chances (22) than the Irons in home matches, which suggests that the visitors will be afforded their fair share of scoring opportunities. On that note, Spurs ranked joint-top for goals (eight), top for attempts (82), second for shots inside the box (52), joint-top for big chances (12) and top for shots on target (31) over the last four Gameweeks.
In the wake of their galling loss to an embattled Manchester United outfit, Arsenal require a spirited response when Swansea roll up at the Emirates. Although the Gunners placed top for shots inside the box (59) and joint-top for shots on target (26) across the previous four Gameweeks, they suffered slightly from a lacklustre shot-conversion rate (8.7%). Nonetheless, the Swans will do well to stifle Arsene Wenger’s troops, having conceded the joint-second-most shots inside the box (46) and big chances (11) since Gameweek 24.
Just three days after their League Cup disappointment, Liverpool renew hostilities with Manchester City at Anfield. The Reds are winless in a trio home match-ups but rattled six past Villa last time out, so it’s difficult to predict the outcome of this contest. As for the Sky Blues, they’ll endeavour to avoid a third straight loss and get their title bid back on track. Liverpool will be heartened in the knowledge that Manuel Pellegrini’s men place in the bottom seven for goals scored on the road (13).
Stoke City play host to Newcastle United as they go in search of their third successive win. The Magpies certainly need to tighten up at the back, having conceded 10 goals across their last four matches. Meanwhile, Manchester United locks horns with Watford at Old Trafford. The Red Devils will fancy their chances of recording a shut-out, given that the Hornets drew blanks in five of their previous seven outings.
