It’s FA Cup semi-final weekend, folks, so there’s a reduction in the amount of Premier League content we’ll get to consume.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City are all in action at Wembley, meaning there are seven league fixtures scheduled for the weekend.
Gameweek 34 is also a rare instance of Sunday dominating the fixture scheduling as a result of the midweek European action. Aston Villa, West Ham and Liverpool all head into the weekend off the back of their Thursday night travails.
Crunch time has well and truly been reached in the 2023/24 campaign, with every fixture significant at both ends of the table. Here’s how 90min sees Gameweek 34 and those FA Cup semi-finals panning out.
Saturday 20 April – Premier League
There are just a pair of three o’clockers this weekend, with both games having significant implications in the relegation dogfight.
Sheffield United and Burnley are bringing up the rear before they meet at Bramall Lane on Saturday. The Blades are as good as down, but they have certainly been competitive since Chris Wilder returned. Safety also appears unlikely for Burnley after a woeful goalkeeping error saw them drop two points at home to Brighton last weekend.
Brentford eased their relegation fears with a victory over Sheffield United last time out, but they could get dragged back into the fight should they lose at Luton. The Hatters are scrapping and clawing, picking up points where they can. Rob Edwards would’ve pinpointed this fixture as one they could win during the run-in. Luton are just a point adrift of safety.
There’s an FA Cup semi-final to enjoy before Wolves kick-off against title hopefuls Arsenal at Molineux in the late kick-off.
The Gunners endured a wretched eight days ahead of Saturday’s game, exiting Europe in midweek after they were beaten by Villa last Sunday. They can return to the summit with a win this weekend. Only a victory will suffice for Mikel Arteta’s men in the title race.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
15:00 |
Luton Town vs Brentford |
1-1 |
|
15:00 |
Sheffield Utd vs Burnley |
2-2 |
|
19:30 |
Wolves vs Arsenal |
1-1 |
Saturday 20 April – FA Cup
The first of this weekend’s two FA Cup semi-finals pits Manchester City against Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s dreams of leading his side to successive trebles were killed on Wednesday when they were eliminated from the Champions League, and they head to Wembley off the back of a gruelling 120-minute match with Real Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues will be much fresher and they could lean on such a physical advantage, while they have earned credible draws in their two Premier League meetings with City already this season.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
17:15 |
Man City vs Chelsea |
1-2 |
Sunday 21 April – Premier League
The biggest fixture of the weekend arguably arrives at Goodison Park where Everton take on Nottingham Forest in a relegation six-pointer. The docked points derby (patent pending) will decide who ends the weekend in the bottom three should Luton beat Brentford on Saturday.
Everton have played a game fewer than Forest, with their advantage over Nuno Espirito Santo’s side being a mere point. Toffees supporters will be pleading for another ugly win as they secured against Burnley two weeks ago.
West Ham exited the Europa League on Thursday despite a spirited home effort against the imperious Bayer Leverkusen. They travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday with the Eagles in high spirits following their victory at Anfield last weekend.
Emboldened by their win over Arsenal, Conference League semi-finalists Aston Villa host Bournemouth. With Tottenham enjoying a week off, Unai Emery’s side can open up a six-point gap over the Lilywhites in the race for fourth spot.
The Premier League weekend concludes at Craven Cottage where Liverpool are hoping to preserve their title dream. The Reds are struggling physically and Fulham have proven stubborn opposition for the league’s best this season. Their home record is also a cause of concern for Jurgen Klopp, who must oversee a victory on Sunday afternoon.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
13:30 |
Everton vs Nottingham Forest |
0-1 |
|
15:00 |
Crystal Palace vs West Ham |
0-0 |
|
15:00 |
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth |
2-0 |
|
16:30 |
Fulham vs Liverpool |
2-2 |
Sunday 21 April – FA Cup
Manchester United will take on Championship side Coventry City in the weekend’s second FA Cup semi-final.
The Red Devils are favourites to reach the showpiece event for a second year running, but with Erik ten Hag’s side shipping so many shots and goals of late, the Sky Blues will fancy their chances of another cup upset.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
15:30 |
Coventry vs Man Utd |
1-2 |