Man United are the least scoring club in the top 6, Mo Salah to carry Reds to finish line, Carlos Alcaraz tipped to be a PL star. Desh looks at this and more in this week’s Friday 5iver.
The penultimate round of Premier League action is here and there is much to play for. Southampton’s 11 year stay in the English topflight came to an end last time out, following their 2-0 home defeat to Fulham.
Similarly, Leicester and Leeds find themselves in the drop zone and have away appointments with Newcastle and West Ham respectively. Everton and Nottingham Forest are not out of the woods just and currently hover just above the drop.
At the opposite end of the table, Manchester City will be crowned champions with a victory over Chelsea, on home soil. The defending champions were trailing for large parts of the season, but are four points clear with a game in hand over second placed Arsenal.
Top four hopefuls Liverpool will play their final home league fixture this weekend against Aston Villa. They are currently just one point behind fourth placed Manchester United who do have a game in hand over Klopp’s side.
Egyptian King to assume Reds’ playmaker-in-chief Role
Mohamed Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League qualification chase. The talisman had experienced a slow start to the season, as seen by just 3 goals across his initial 11 topflight appearances. Ahead of this round of fixtures, Salah has 19 league goals to his name – only 3 players have netted more this season. Across his previous 4 league appearances, the dangerman has delivered 3 goals and 3 assists, so keep an eye out for him.
📊 If Mo Salah scores against Aston Villa tomorrow afternoon, the Egyptian would have netted 20 league goals for the third consecutive season, a feat only previously achieved by Roger Hunt. #lfc [lfc]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) May 19, 2023
This man has the chance to break records every game he plays 😳👏 pic.twitter.com/oxkqNMnd0m
Sterling tops Blues’ goal-scoring / assist charts
Raheem Sterling could delay the title celebrations for Manchester City. The former City wideman has swapped his allegiance for the London club but could be back to haunt his previous employers. Across his previous 3 league appearances, the forward has returned 2 goals and an assist. During recent encounters, Chelsea have not enjoyed much success over the Citizens. Indeed, since their Champions League victory over Manchester City, the Londoners have gone on to lose their ensuing 5 fixtures against Guardiola’s men, across all competitions, blanking on each occasion.
Raheem Sterling hadn't scored in the PL since January 1st.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 13, 2023
He just scored a brace in seven minutes 😲 pic.twitter.com/Txxp41JtQV
Remorseful Mitrovic back and scoring again
Aleksandar Mitrovic has picked up right where he left off. Fulham’s leading marksman extended his tally on his return to action, following his eight-match ban, with 12 strikes to his name. Mitrovic and Co are involved in a London derby this weekend against a Crystal Palace outfit who have kept just a single clean sheet across their previous 10 away league appearances.
FULL-TIME Southampton 0-2 Fulham
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 13, 2023
Goals from Carlos Vinicius and the returning Aleksandar Mitrovic confirm a comfortable win for Fulham that sees Southampton relegated from the #PL
#SOUFUL pic.twitter.com/ntYVgDmj6b
Alcaraz ‘will not’ follow Saints to relegation
Carlos Alcaraz could throw a spanner in the works against Brighton this weekend. The attacker is in a rich vein of form, as seen by his 2 goals and an assist across his previous 5 league appearances. With the Saints confirmed to compete in the Championship next season, their forward line could play a bit more freely and give their travelling supporters something to remember.
Southampton’s Premier League status comes to an end after defeat this afternoon.
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) May 13, 2023
It’s been a difficult introduction to English football for Carlos Alcaraz but the former Racing midfielder has impressed and will be a transfer target in the window pic.twitter.com/N6qLVveoNw
Spotlight shines on Misfiring United
Manchester United have been unflattering in front of goal this season. Despite occupying a place in the top 4, a total of eight Premier League clubs have scored more goals than United’s 51. Across their previous 5 league appearances, the Red Devils have netted just 5 goals. During that spell, Bruno Fernandes has been pivotal with his 3 goal involvements. The midfielder assisted 2 goals (from his 21 chances created) and scored 1 (from his 18 shots).
Anthony Martial: “It’s in our own hands and we will do everything we can to try and achieve top four.” [@footballdaily]
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) May 18, 2023
pic.twitter.com/IUpc3vBvcR
