The games keep coming fast after the restart to the Premier League following the coronavirus stoppage of play. So far, teams are taking a bit to get into their normal form. Offenses are sloppy and lacking chemistry. How will the remaining matches of this weekend fare? Here are the remaining four matches for this weekend’s slate as well as the beginning of the week.
Newcastle United vs Sheffield United | Sunday 9 a.m. ET
Sheffield United should have the upper hand in this match, as they already have 90 minutes under their belts. Sheffield will also be driven by the fact they know they were robbed of two points in midweek after a controversial no-goal was decided against them.
Expect Newcastle to counter that with a heavily-defensive game plan. They’ll defend most of the match as they get used to game action again. Thankfully for them, they have a manager in Steve Bruce that excels in those tactics. When they do attack, it will be up to Joelinton and Miguel Almiron to provide the goals.
Sheffield United 1, Newcastle United 0
Aston Villa vs Chelsea | Sunday 11:30 a.m. ET
Villa too will have a slight edge having played midweek, but unfortunately for them, they are going up against a Champions League spot-chasing team in Chelsea. Villa showed midweek that they continue to lack offensive firepower. If you can stop Jack Grealish, then they just simply don’t have any other options to beat you. At this point, they are just playing out the remaining nine games while likely being dropped to the Championship Level for next season.
For Chelsea, everything is right in front of them. Sitting in the all-important fourth place with nine games to go, they control their own destiny. The Blues will be hoping that so many missed scoring opportunities start falling in the back of the net. Perhaps the addition of Timo Werner and rumors of other summer additions will inspire the squad to play better out of fear of being dropped. For manager Frank Lampard, securing Champions League football next season will be huge for his rebuild and the first step starts now.
Chelsea 3, Aston Villa 1
Everton vs Liverpool | Sunday 2 p.m. ET
This Merseyside Derby certainly appears to be a mismatch. Liverpool has cruised all season en route to a near-certain league title, having only lost once. Asking an inconsistent Everton team to stop this train seems like a tall ask. It feels like the Toffees will need Liverpool to come out sluggish in the return to action to have any chance.
Everton will miss the support of the home crowd as that could have been their only chance. Without their loyal supporters backing them, this could be over in a hurry. Expect a hat trick of goals between Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane.
The only question remaining seems to be if Everton will score.
Liverpool 3, Everton 0
Manchester City vs Burnley | Monday 3 p.m. ET
City was one of the rare clubs we’ve seen come out on fire in any of the top European leagues in returning to action. They absolutely demolished Arsenal midweek. A 3-0 scoreline could have easily been doubled that had not for some unusual missed opportunities. The team’s engine in Kevin De Bruyne looked to be in midseason form from the beginning. Another repeat performance on Monday and the Clarets will be sent home packing early.
Burnley does have a chance to keep the scoreline somewhat respectable though given their toughness and physicality style of play. Unfortunately over the course of 90 minutes that can only take you so far against superior talent. While they will play tough defensively it will be a surprise if they are able to muster a goal themselves.
Don’t worry if you can’t watch the second half as this one will be over by halftime.
Manchester City 4, Burnley 0
