In this week’s edition of the 5iver, Desh looks at Wilfried Gnonto’s recent form, a rejuvenated Ollie Watkins under Unai Emery and more from the Premier League!
The midweek football treat sure did help me get through this week! Arsenal seem to have picked themselves up and dusted themselves off.
They have snapped their four game winless run with three straight league victories and will be eyeing a fourth when they welcome relegation threatened Bournemouth to the Emirates this weekend.
Despite being the league’s 2nd most prolific club in front of goal, the Gunners have netted one or fewer on four of their previous six league outings. Their North London rivals are also on the up, with 2IC Christian Stellini, winning four of a possible four.
Incredibly, Spurs have registered four shutouts across their previous five league outings and take aim at a low scoring Wolves outfit this weekend. The weekend’s penultimate fixture see’s Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield.
The Merseyside club have had their opposition’s number in recent years and will look to defend their longest ever unbeaten home run against United in the league (three wins and three draws).
‘Happy feet’ Saint Maximin has more to offer
Despite having nothing to show for his 10 appearances this year, Allan Saint Maximin is poised to strike. The winger has attempted 6 shots across his previous 3 appearances, (across all competitions) hitting the woodwork once. Furthermore, the maestro attempted 23 dribbles during that period and is proving too hot to handle for defenders! Newcastle are up against a City outfit who have failed to keep a clean sheet across their previous 5 league outings.
Teenage sensation Gnonto will only improve
Wilfried Gnonto may just inflict further damage to Potter’s project. Across his previous 3 away league appearances, the Leeds speedster has attempted 19 dribbles, registered 10 crosses and created 6 chances. He did bag a goal in that period and comes up against a Chelsea side who have recorded just a single shut out across the previous 5 appearances (across all competitions).
Clinical Watkins slides into Villa’s record books
Ollie Watkins has taken his game to the next level under Unai Emery. The English marksman has netted on each of his previous 5 league appearances for Villa and takes aim at a Palace outfit that have registered just 6 shutouts in the English topflight this season. Across his previous 3 league outings, Watkins has attempted 6 shots (all 6 being on target), hitting the woodwork once and missing 2 big chances during that period. Furthermore, he dispatched a penalty in that run so keep an eye out for him in this one.
Manor Solomon – the Humble Hero
Manor Solomon has netted on each of his previous 3 league outings. The Fulham dangerman has been an instrumental for Marco Silva’s side during recent weeks, with his pivotal strikes. Against Brighton, he found the back of the net in the 88th minute to hand The Cottagers all 3 points. He followed that up with a 64th minute leveller against Wolves last time out to maintain Fulham’s impressive league form since the turn of the year – just two league defeats across their previous 10 appearances.
Can Salah get Mo against the Red Devils?
Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s all time leading goal scorer versus Manchester United, with 10 goals (across all competitions). Last season, the Merseyside talisman was involved in 7 of Liverpool’s 9 goals scored against the Red Devils, as they recorded a league double over their counterparts. Salah comes into this one on the back of 3 goals and 2 assists across his previous 5 appearances (across all competitions).
