Saturday April 4th, 12:45
Arsenal
A run of nine wins in 10 Premier League games has propelled Arsenal into a comfortable top four berth. The Gunners now go into this game knowing that a win would, temporarily at least, put them into second place and just four points behind leaders Chelsea - although they will have played two games more than the Blues.
Olivier Grioud's goals have been the main catalyst for recent success, with the Frenchman scoring nine in his last nine league and cup appearances. But a defence that has only once - in a 2-1 defeat at Spurs - conceded more than a single goal in a Premier League game this year should also take plenty of credit.
In their last five at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger's men have kept four clean sheets and conceded just once.
Team News: Danny Welbeck (knee) will undergo a late fitness test, while Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby are all definitely out.
Liverpool
Liverpool's own top-four ambitions were dealt a severe blow when they lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United a couple of weeks ago. Another loss here could leave the Reds eight points off the pace with just seven games remaining and would surely signal the end of their challenge.
Prior to that recent defeat against the auld enemy, Brendan Rodgers' men were unbeaten in 13 Premier League matches and had won eight of the last nine. With Juan Mata's double being only the second time in 19 league and cup games that they have conceded twice in the same game.
The recent clean sheet at Swansea in a 1-0 win equalled a club record of six consecutive clean sheets away from home in the league and makes it nine hours and 19 minutes of football without conceding a Premier League away goal.
Team News: Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel each miss the game through suspension, but Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Lucas are expected to be available. Adam Lallana (groin) is a doubt.
There are strong arguments to be made for both sides going into this fixture. Arsenal's recent home record is equally as impressive as Liverpool's recent away record. On balance it's adifficult one to call.
However, when we see that Arsenal are priced as heavy 1.88 favourites, the only option can be to oppose the home team. Backing Liverpool at a relatively big 4.60 is worth giving some consideration to, but I'll opt to err on the side of caution and go with a straight-up Lay of the home team.
Similarly to the above, there can be arguments made for both sides of the divide in this market. Neither team have been shy in front of goal lately, while both have exemplary defensive records.
Again though, the value has to be in opposing the odds-against selection; with Over 2.5 Goals available to back at a short 1.80 and Under 2.5 Goals priced at 2.24.
Martin Skrtel's absence is an obvious blow to the visitors, but six consecutive away clean sheets cannot be ignored and with the hosts only conceding once in over 10 hours of domestic football at the Emirates that price on Unders has to represent value.
In fact, I'm going to take it one step further and suggest a play on the 0-0 correct score at a massive 17.00. It's a result that would absolutely suit Arsenal and one that should at least trade at a much shorter price in-play.
Recommended Bets
3 points Lay Arsenal @ 1.88
3 points Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.24
1 point Back 0-0 Correct Score @ 17.00
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Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford aiming to strengthen their place in the top four of the Premier League.
United are five points clear of fifth-place Liverpool with eight games remaining, and face a Villa side with just one win in 38 against the Red Devils.
Tim Sherwood's side are three points clear of the drop zone after claiming two straight wins before they fell to Swansea before the international period.
Christian Benteke and Radamel Falcao scored as the sides shared a 1-1 draw at Villa Park in December.
Team news
Robin van Persie (ankle) has been ruled out of a return in Saturday's clash, while the suspended Jonny Evans remains unavailable for the hosts, while Chris Smalling is a doubt after being forced off during England’s midweek clash with Italy.
Marcos Rojo came on late against Liverpool and could be in contention for a start, but Louis van Gaal could name the same side that won 2-1 at Anfield.
Villa have Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos, Tom Cleverley and Joe Cole all back in training, while Sherwood will also assess the knee injury suffered by defender Jores Okore ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.
There are doubts surrounding Aly Cissokho (groin) and Nathan Baker (knee) and United loanee Tom Cleverley is ineligible.
Opta facts
Manchester United have 31 Premier League wins against Aston Villa, the joint-most of any team against any opponent in the history of the competition (along with Man Utd v Everton).
Wayne Rooney has scored 12 goals against Aston Villa, his joint-highest tally against any opponent in Premier League history along with Newcastle United.
Aston Villa are the only side in the Premier League this season yet to see a substitute score or assist a single one of their goals.
Rooney has scored eight goals in his last six Premier League games at Old Trafford against the Villans, netting four braces.
Merson's prediction
I have to give credit where credit is due, Manchester United were absolutely outstanding against Liverpool. They gave Rodgers’ side the run around at Anfield and the home side were never in the match. That was testament to United’s performance and I’m backing them to keep that level up at home to Aston Villa.
Tim Sherwood’s men had a bad result against Swansea when the expectation was on them to win and despite the pressure being off when they make the trip to Old Trafford, I can’t see them getting anything.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Manchester United are odds-on to maintain their top-four push with three points over Aston Villa, who are 10/1 underdogs at Old Trafford. That makes United 30/100favourites, with a draw priced up at 4/1 with Sky Bet. Marouane Fellaini is enjoying a return to form for both club and country, and the Belgian is 7/4 to score at any stage and 15/8 to score in a home win. Incidentally, following their win over Liverpool, United are 2/7 to finish in the top-four. At the other end of the table, Villa’s relegation odds have lengthened to 9/2 following two wins in their last three league games.
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Chelsea welcome their star-studded squad back from international duty as they host Stoke live on Saturday Night Football.
The Blues are the only professional club left in England with an unbeaten home league record this season, and they will go into Saturday's clash knowing Mark Hughes has never won at Stamford Bridge as a coach.
Loic Remy spared Chelsea's blushes before the international break as they let a two-goal lead over Hull slip, before the striker netted the winner to maintain their six-point gap at the top of the table.
The visitors will find it tough going to avoid a third straight defeat after losing to West Brom and Crystal Palace in their last two encounters.
Team news
Diego Costa is a doubt with a hamstring problem and Blues boss Jose Mourinho may choose not to risk the striker from the start.
John Obi Mikel (knee) is pushing for a return, while Petr Cech (muscular injury) is unlikely to make Chelsea's matchday squad.
Jonathan Walters has sustained a calf knock, but Hughes expects the Potters forward will be available for this weekend's Stamford Bridge contest, while Philipp Wollscheid, Erik Pieters and Stephen Ireland are also all fit again.
Defender Marc Muniesa is set to return to the matchday squad after missing five games because of a hamstring problem, and Victor Moses has recovered from injury - but will not be able to feature against his parent club.
Opta facts
Chelsea are the only team in the four divisions of English football who have not lost a home match in the league this season.
The Potters have failed to score in six of the last seven Premier League games against Chelsea.
Chelsea have won 10 and lost just one of the 13 Barclays Premier League meetings with Stoke City.
The Blues have conceded just eight goals in their last 22 Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, keeping 16 clean sheets in that run.
Chelsea have kept five clean sheets in a row against Stoke at Stamford Bridge and overall they have kept nine shut outs in 13 Premier League meetings.
Peter Crouch has scored just seven Premier League goals this season, but they have won Stoke City nine points. Conversely, Diego Costa’s 19 PL goals have only earned Chelsea eight points.
Merson's prediction
Stoke played extremely well against Crystal Palace before the international break but just came out on the wrong side of the result. They face a much sterner challenge against a Chelsea side wanting to put the race for the league title to bed.
They won’t have it all their own way against Mark Hughes’ side but they will be determined to extend the gap before Manchester City play on Sunday. That determination and hunger will be the difference.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Betting
Stoke (11/1) are the biggest price for a win of all the away sides in action this weekend, with Chelsea odds-on shots with Sky Bet to maintain their march towards the title, but the Potters are 4/1 to take a point. The Blues are 5/6 to win to nil on Saturday, a familiar trend when these two meet at Stamford Bridge. Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are 11/4 and 4/1 respectively to net the opener for the Blues, with Peter Crouch 9/2 to score anytime for the visitors.
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