One of the games of the weekend in the Premier League takes place on Sunday as Everton welcome Arsenal in a fixture which will go some way to determining who finishes fourth and qualifies for next season’s Champions League. Everton are currently fifth, four points behind the Gunners but they do have a game in hand. That, allied with the game this weekend, means it is in Everton’s hands – if they could manage to win out then fourth place is theirs. Roberto Martinez will not be thinking that far down the line, though, and will be imploring his players to take one game at a time and give themselves the best possible start by striking a blow to their main rival for the elusive fourth spot.
Having been in contention for the title not so long ago, it’s probably a bit underwhelming for Arsenal fans to be in a battle for fourth. Some of the more optimistic supporters may think they remain in touch with the title race but with only half a dozen games left, three teams above them and a deficit of seven points to make up, they’re realistically out of it. Despite some disappointments in recent weeks, Arsenal can take some solace from their second half performance against Manchester City last weekend. Although they were second best in the first 45 minutes, Arsene Wenger’s men displayed courage which had been previously missing and secured a deserved draw – they could even have won it in the end up.
The Toffees are coming into form at just the right time having won their last five games in the league. Their only blip recently was actually against their weekend opponents as the lost 4-1 at the Emirates in the FA Cup. The score line flattered the victors as Everton had to chase the game when going 2-1 down but they were the better team for long periods. They will also take confidence from their league meeting with Arsenal where they dominated the game and could have taken all three points as opposed to the one they did earn.
Although Arsenal have won nine games away from home this season, their recent form on their travels has not been too encouraging as they prepare for another tough test on Sunday. They have only managed one win from their last five games on the road, losing three of those. In that time they have conceded 14 goals, five of those coming the last time they travelled to Merseyside against Liverpool. The players must know that they have to win this game to ensure they remain in control of the final Champions League place – whether they can achieve that is another matter.
It should be a terrific game of football and you can expect the home side to come out with all guns blazing in the opening spells. Arsenal have looked vulnerable away from home recently and I fear this could be another blue away day for them – home win.
Everton 6/4 @ Skybet
