Gameweek 21 gets underway this evening with a trio of fixtures to whet our appetites. All three matches kick off at 7.45pm, with basement-dwellers Villa looking for a first win since Gameweek 1 as Palace make their way to the midlands. The Eagles have drawn blanks in each of their last three matches and also sit bottom for efforts on target (six) over that period, perhaps strengthening the hosts’ chances of earning their third clean sheet of the campaign.
Like Palace, Newcastle will also strive to avoid their fourth blank on the bounce when Manchester United visit. Although they have conceded just four times in as many matches, the Magpies have allowed their opponents more shots inside the box (45) than any other team from Gameweek 17 onwards. United, meanwhile, led the way for attempts inside the area (16) in the previous Gameweek, suggesting they may be set to breach the Tynesiders’ backline.
Bournemouth play host to a West Ham United unit that’s not tasted defeat since Gameweek 13. The Cherries have struggled to exert their influence in the final third of late, ranking joint-second-bottom for both goals (two) and shots inside the box (21) over the previous four Gameweeks. On a more positive note, the south-coast club allowed just three goals at the other end. Only two sides have carded more shots on target than the Hammers (20) since Gameweek 17, illustrating their renewed attacking threat. Slaven Bilic might be concerned, however, that his charges have mustered just two goals in their last five road encounters.
