The English Premier League rallies on with round 28 make-up matches set for the mid- week action. The stage is set this Wednesday (April 26th) as league adversaries Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC face off at the Emirates Stadium.The Gunners are coming into this contest after a 2:1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final over the weekend, while the Foxes have most recently faced the Atletico Madrid in the Champions league (1:1). The first meeting of the two foes this season finished goalless (0:0) back in August of last year. The other game of this two-match preview is the derby of the bottom two teams FC Middlesbrough and the Sunderland AFC, also scheduled to be played on Wednesday. Boro won the first encounter of the season with a 2:1 away win.
Arsenal FC vs. Leicester City FC
3-Way: 1: Arsenal FC -154; X: + +359 Draw; Leicester City +475
Spread -1: Arsenal FC +106 ; Leicester City FC -108
Total +3.5 : Over +127; Under -133
ARSENAL FC
The Arsenal FC enjoyed a promising start to this English Premier League season, but the second biggest knockout loss in the Champions league history at the hands of the German leaders Bayern Munich, derailed a promising season. On the other hand, Arsenal have made it through to the FA Cup Final, after beating Manchester City in a thrilling contest, courtesy of inform striker Alexis Sanchez, who sealed the tie with a dramatic stoppage time winner, in the dying embers of the game.
Arsenal currently sits at the 7th position in the English Premier League, but need to claw back a seven point deficit, if they are to maintain their hopes off clinching a champions league play-off position, and with it their chances of playing amongst Europe’s Elite next season. The gunners now find themselves 18 points adrift of table toppers Chelsea, after plummeting down the rankings. Out of the 31 league matches played, Arsenal has won 17 times, ten of these coming at home, whilst the other seven victories have been on the road.
However, there are promising signs for Wengers underachieving side. The club claimed all three points in their last encounter away to Middlesbrough, and are unbeaten at home in their last three English Premier League fixtures, which involved a comprehensive display against the Hammers (3:0), and a comfortable (2:0) performance to see off Hull City. Arsenal ended their recent miserable away drought, with a win at the Riverside, away to Middlesbrough earlier in the week.
The Hammers have had no problem scoring goals this season, the club is currently ranked 1st in the English Premier League, with a colossal sum of 103 goals, aided by a rejuvenated Alexis Sanchez, who has netted 19 times for the club, scoring over ten times in each of his three previous three seasons for the Gunners. In addition, Arsenal have only conceded 15 goals at the Emirates, which is currently the 6th best ranking in the league.
The German central defender Shkodran Mustafi will miss the clash, after a thigh injury sustained in their dismal, (0:3) defeat to Crystal Palace. This gives another great opportunity for recent debutantes Rob Holding, and Gabriel to fill in for the encumbered defender, which will surely put Lauren Koscielny’s leadership skills to the test.
The player has been pivotal to Arsenals newly adopted three center back back-line. Lucas Perez is also a doubt, as the Spaniard’s debut season has ground to halt, after picking up a thigh injury, that will keep him out for the foreseeable future. Jeff-Reine-Adelaide will definitely not feature, as he remains sidelined due to a recurring back problem. It is touch and go, as to whether Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck will make a return to the squad in time for Wednesdays mid-week tussle. The striker suffered a toe injury against Boro, making it an uncertainty, as to whether Welbeck will recuperate, despite making a return to training.
LEICESTER CITY FC
The Leicester City FC reached the pinnacle of this great sport, after being crowned English Premier League champions, against all the conceivable odds last year. However, it would seem that this unbelievable dream-like achievement, has transformed into an abhorrent nightmare, as the Foxes have capitulated due to the impractical, and unrealistic expectations placed upon their weary shoulders. The club has injured much sorrow this season, after their beloved Ranieri, who helped them lift the prestigious title, was axed as manager due to a poor run of form, that left the champions staring relegation dead in the face.
In addition, the club has had to rebuild, after irreplaceable, midfield anchorman Kante made a big money move at the end of the last season. As a result, gaps in the midfield started to develop early on, and last years talismanic, defensive duo, Morgan and Huth have been unable to handle the added pressure. Teams have successfully exploited these glaring gaps time and time again, and with Vardy unable to fire on all cylinders, Leicester’s future in the Premier league remains uncertain at this late stage in the season.
The Leicester City Foxes are currently ranked 15th in the English Premier, and loom precariously close to the relegation play-offs, just six points ahead of the 18th ranked Swansea City. The club currently holds the third worst away record in the English Premier league, with 11 losses out of 16 matches played as the visiting side. Fortunes differ slightly at home, where the side has managed to win on 9 occasions , out of 16 encounters. Currently, Leicester City is experiencing a decent spell of form at home, having won their previous four matches convincingly (2:0), (2:0), (3:1), (3:1). In contrast, the struggling side hasn’t managed to clinch a win, in their last two away skirmishes. Firstly, sharing the spoils with Crystal Palace (2:2), and secondly, a (2:4) thumping from 6th place Everton, courtesy of a rampant Lukaku, who netted a brace of goals to go level with Harry Kane in the running for the golden boot.
Chief striker Jamie Vardy is Leicester’s top goalscorer, with a tally of fourteen goals, whilst creative midfielder Riyad Mahrez follows closely behind with nine, also claiming five assists for the season.
Wes Morgan is a major doubt ahead of Wednesday’s mid-week showdown. The central defender is carrying a hamstring injury, and is expected to return to the squad around early May. Algerian goal threat Islam Slimani, is also expected to be among the list of casualties, with a recurring groin strain, which has kept the record signing out for several months.
ARSENAL FC vs. LEICESTER CITY PREDICTION
Arsenal has showed an abundance of fighting spirit and resolve in recent months, out-muscling a resilient Middlesbrough and more recently, overcoming the odds from a (0:1) deficit to triumph over Manchester City in that FA cup thriller, last Sunday.
It would take a brave man to bet against Alexis Sanchez getting his name on the score sheet this coming Wednesday night. Despite uncertainty regarding the Chileans future at the club, the forward has been in prolific form of late, finding the net in his last two matches. In fact, this may be crucial, as the Gunners are coming up against a side, who has failed to score in only one of their previous 10 encounters under Shakespeare.
On the other hand, Leicester started this season off in a blistering fashion, winning six times on the bounce under newly appointed manager Craig Shakespeare, until a crushing (2:4) saw the Foxes face four successive losses in all competitions, which included the Champions league exit at the hands of the Spanish giant-killers, Atletico Madrid in the Champions league.
The Foxes are desperate to secure top flight football for next season, and they would love to regain some momentum, and return to winning ways, in Wednesday’s supercharged face-off. However, my safe bet is to go with the Under the total 3.5 goals, taking in count that the two teams have combined under the projected total in 4 of their last 5 meetings. Not to mention the importance of the game for both side, so look for the defensive ends to play a huge role in this outing!!!
MY PICK: Arsenal FC (-154)
TOTAL: Under 3.5 goals (-133)
Middlesbrough FC vs. Sunderland
3-Way: 1: Middlesbrough FC +129; X: +250 Draw; Sunderland AFC +252
Spread -0.5: Middlesbrough FC +129 ; Sunderland AFC -133
Total +2.5 : Over +114; Under -118
FC MIDDLESBROUGH
The Middlesbrough FC enter the Wednesday evening’s encounter with the Black cats, currently in the midst of a relegation scrap, sat perilously in the 19th position of the English Premier League standings, and sandwiched between Swansea city, who are six points ahead, and Wednesdays opposition, Sunderland, who are a diminutive three points behind the hosts, with the luxury of a game in hand. The fact that both teams are fighting for survival, will surely make this tussle a contest not to miss, in what’s sure to be a blood thirsty slobber knocker.
The stats make for some pretty ugly viewing for both competitors, going into this skirmish. Middlesbrough’s latest loss against Arsenal (1:2) just adds insult to injury, in a disaster ridden season for the Boro, which saw inspired performances from Ozil and ace striker Sanchez steal the spoils. Most notably, a wonderfully executed free kick from phenomenal front man Alexis Sanchez.
Middlesbrough’s recent run of form in the English Premier League has been dismal. The side has now gone five matches on the bounce without a win, which included three losses to Bournemouth (0:4), Arsenal (1:2), and Hull City (2:4), whilst sharing the points in the other two encounters at home to Burnley, and away to fellow bottom dwellers Swansea City
As a consequence, Middlesbrough is without a victory in their last 16 matches, without a home win in their last seven, and to make matters worse, the struggling side is without a win in their last 16 away games in the English Premier League. Things couldn’t look more bleak for the dwindling side, who are desperate to turn the tables with a win, now more than ever.
Middlesbrough’s greatest outlet in the attacking third, is the Spanish international Alvaro Negredo, who has netted on nine occasions this season, with a tally of five assists. Boro’s second highest scorer is Christian Stuani, who has accumulated five goals this season.
Gaston Ramirez is ruled out of Wednesday’s match, after seeing red in Middlesbrough’s atrocious loss to Bournemouth earlier this month. Victor Valdes is a major doubt, out with a rib injury, the esteemed Spanish keeper is expected to be missing from the squad for 3-4 weeks, whilst Marteen De Roon and midfield general Grant Leadbetter, are both sidelined with ankle, and hamstring injuries respectively.
SUNDERLAND AFC
The Sunderland AFC will arrive at the Riverside, without a win in their last five English Premier League matches , a record identical to Tuesday’s fellow low-lying opponents. The Black cats find themselves 12 points adrift of the English Premier League safety, a position presently occupied by Hull city. The misery continues for David Moyes suffering Sunderland. A match that was considered a relegation crunch-battle to the death, has turned into a mere formality, with pride offering the victors a minute slice of solace, in what has been an abominable season, for both teams.
Sunderland’s shocking form has continued to haunt the visiting side, who up until today, had only managed one win, in their last 10 competitive matches, that came in the form of a (4:0) victory away to Crystal Palace. That sweet taste of success seems like a lifetime away now, as the troubled side prepare to meet their maker, and face up to the inevitable prospect of Division 1 football next season.
Sunderland AFC have only managed to achieve five wins, out of the 32 matches played this season in the English Premier League. Out of the five, three of the victories have materialized at home, whilst the remaining two were gained on the road. In addition, the club has only managed one clean sheet all season away from home, which could be a telling stat in the outcome of Wednesday’s fierce duel. Recently, Sunderland shared the points in a thrilling tussle with league opponents West Ham, (2:2). However, prior to this result they had dropped all points in their last three matches away from home, to Leicester City (0:2), Watford (0:1), and Everton (0:2). The signs are ominous for maestro Moyes and his doomed Black cats.
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is having another excellent season, proving that age is no limit. The England international forward has hammered home 14 goals this season, firing 25 shots out of 46 on target, a success rate of 54%.
Sunderland will arrive at the Riverside, without Ex- Man Utd defender Paddy Mcnair, who is absent through injury. Duncan Watmore is still undergoing rehabilitation for a persistent knee injury, and will miss Wednesday’s tie. Jan Kirchhoff is a major doubt, following a Cartilage knee injury, whilst Barry Jones may return to the starting eleven, after suffering from concussion.
MIDDLESBROUGH vs. SUNDERLAND AFC PREDICTION
Middlesbrough go into the mid-week showdown, having not won in their previous three attempts against the Black cats, drawing two, and losing one. Furthermore, Sunderland got the better of their fierce rivals in an FA Cup fourth round encounter back in 2012, courtesy of a dramatic, extra time winner from talisman Stephane Sessegnon. The home side have only bagged a win once, in their last ten tries against North Eastern Derby opposition, which came against Wednesday’s challengers in their most recent exchange.
This one is a tough one to predict, both teams are wounded animals, lacking confidence, and momentum, without any recent match wins to galvanize dejected heads. Jermain Defoe is always a dangerous threat around the box, and could pose problems for a penetrable back four, if given half a chance. One thing is for sure, there will be no love lost between the sides when they clash head to head on Wednesday. The Middlesbrough could have a slight advantage, playing in front of the home crowd, but overall I would expect both teams to go all or nothing, considering that they have nothing to lose, only to gain!!!
MY PICK: Middlesbrough FC (+129)
TOTAL: Over 2.5 goals (+114)
