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Sitting in 14^th spot, you would assume that West Ham United are feeling comfortable with life. Following a 5-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United and then a surprising win at Fulham, things are pretty up and down for the Hammers. A Thursday night draw with Gent in the UEFA Europa Conference League keeps the dream of another European last four appearance alive, but points are needed in the league. Are they going to find those points at home to the potential champions?

West Ham United News

West Ham have, for once, a relatively clean bill of health. The only player who is going to be missing is Gianluca Scamacca. The Italian is suffering from a knee knock and will miss this game. It does mean, though, that West Ham are picking from more or less a full squad aside from their Italian No. 9.

That bodes well for David Moyes, who has grown used to mixing and matching squads this year.

Arsenal News

Arsenal are missing a few players, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny both missing for this game – and likely the season. Eddie Nketiah is almost certain to miss out, while William Saliba is unlikely to recover from an injury in time. Both players are close to a recovery, but it is more likely they will be back in the team next weekend as opposed to this.

Verdict

A tough game awaits for the home side, who are going to need to start picking up some points at home in the near future. With Arsenal dropping points last weekend at Liverpool, a return to winning ways this weekend is imperative. Luckily, they are playing a Hammers team who have been pretty average at home and have used up valuable energy in their European exploits midweek. Expect the Gunners to win comfortably.

Score Prediction: 1-3

Like last year, most fans would have expected this to be a dream title match-up like we enjoyed last year at the Etihad. Instead, Liverpool are floundering outside of the top four and Manchester City are struggling to stay level with Arsenal. This game could provide a major challenge for both sides, and dropping points could be terminal for their respect seasons. So, what happens?

Manchester City News

Manchester City are going to be without two of their most potent threats in Phil Foden and potentially Erling Haaland. The Norwegian missed international duty with his country, which seen them struggle in their first European Championships qualifiers. Foden is out with post-appendix surgery recovery, but other than this City should not be missing any players.

Liverpool News

Liverpool are facing an injury crisis of sorts, with Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, and Joe Gomez all ruled out for the medium-to-long-term. Darwin Nunez and Kostas Tsimikas are struggling to get fit enough for the game, too, which only further weakens the hand of Jurgen Klopp. While Luis Diaz might be back in the squad, it is unlikely he will be risked due to the likely intensity of the fixture.

Verdict

Liverpool have been horrendous away from home, and it is likely that they will get run over here. The Reds have rarely turned on the biggest occasions away from home this season, and this is not likely to change – even with City missing so many key attacking players, a comfortable home win feels likely.

Score Prediction: 3-1

Signed as another one of the raft of young Portuguese talent at Molineux, Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto is a real livewire. Coming through the vaunted Braga youth system, he spent time in Italy at Lazio before arriving in England. After a slow start to his time in the country, though, Neto has become one of the foremost exciting attacking players in the Premier League.

Zippy and decisive on the ball, the 21-year-old shows vision, decision making, and matchday understanding far beyond what most would have expected.

What makes Pedro Neto worth watching?

For one, he has successfully played out wide, up front, and in central midfield whilst continually delivering great performances. In fact, some of his best games in the team have actually arrived from a central role. His off the ball movement, dribbling with pace, and ability to pass and finish under contest is one of the most exciting things about Neto.

His pace is one thing, but Neto makes a difference with his ability to drive on and off the ball, his ability to cut in behind defenders, and his interesting array of finishes from slotted finishes to blasted curlers.

Things to improve for Pedro Neto

Really, the only thing Neto needs to add to his game is even more goals and assists. He works hard enough going back the way for a ‘luxury’ player, arguably more than many would have expected. He gets his team involved in the game, he gets the team up the pitch, and he can take a set-piece. If Neto could double his already impressive goals and assists tally, he would be well on his way to being the best player at Wolves.

Given his age and his massive improvement under Nuno Espirito Santo, more development is an absolute certainty.

At the start of the season, few would have expected either West Ham United or Aston Villa to be in a relegation scrap. Both teams have endured as opposed to enjoyed their seasons so far, and this game could be crucial for setting the standard for the remaining matches. The Hammers need a win to ease pressure on David Moyes; Villa need some positive momentum are slowing down from a fast start to life under Unai Emery.

West Ham United News

West Ham will come into this missing three of their most important players. Lukasz Fabianski sits out with a fractured cheekbone, and is unlikely to play anytime soon. Despite his advancing years, he has been an excellent signing for the Irons and they will miss his leadership on the pitch.

Vladimir Coufal also misses out, with the Czech full-back failing to live up to his excellent form last year. Still, he is an important player in the Moyes way of playing and it has hurt West Ham not having him in the first-team. Another big miss will be Michail Antonio, who looks set to miss out.

Despite having arguably his worst season for the Hammers, Antonio still provides something that cannot be easily replaced.

Aston Villa News

Villa are also short of a few of their most important players, with the likes of Diego Carlos out long-term. More medium-term absences include Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara, both of whom are unlikely to be back in first-team contention for a number of weeks. This could mean a spot opens up in the squad again for Leander Dendoncker.

Verdict

Both teams have not exactly set the world on fire with their recent performances, and this could be a game between two sides low in confidence. West Ham, though, have enjoyed a long unbeaten run against Villa – nine games – and will be confident of at least avoiding a defeat at home.

SCORE: 2-2

A few months ago, this might have felt like a potential title decider. Before the World Cup break, Newcastle United were a dark horse for the title, while Manchester City looked out of sorts. Now, the Citizens have the chance to keep pace with Arsenal at the top, knowing they have already gone to London and won.

If they see off a stuttering Newcastle team, the pressure is on at The Emirates.

Manchester City News

The home team will not be missing too many players, with only Aymeric Laporte and John Stones set to miss out. Laporte has missed much of the season, while Stones is also out after another injury-hit campaign. Outside of that, though, Pep Guardiola’s only concern will be picking the right team for the second leg against RB Leipzig.

Leipzig play on Friday, so expect Pep to ring the changes here ahead of a crucial week.

Newcastle United News

The Toon might not have many injuries, but they are likely to be missing a key player in Bruno Guimares. Having watched their team get beaten handily by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final, Newcastle need to find form again and fast.

They have been poor since the turn of the year, and have lost some pretty big matches. They arrive here with a fully fit team, but not much in the way of hope that they can pull off a meaningful upset against what looks to be the champions-elect.

Verdict

This should not be a tough game for City. Newcastle have seen the wheels fall off and, like many Eddie Howe sides in the past, appear to have run out of energy ahead of the second half of the season. It might be a tight game in terms of score, but City will have too much for a Newcastle team who look out of ideas.

SCORE: 3-1