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Weekend in Numbers: Crystal Palace unlikely to derail Ranieri and it's crunch time for Arsenal

We're in the final stretch, folks. No more European ties or domestic cups to distract t...



Weekend in Numbers: Crystal Pa...
Soccer

Weekend in Numbers: Crystal Palace unlikely to derail Ranieri and it's crunch time for Arsenal

We're in the final stretch, folks. No more European ties or domestic cups to distract the title challengers. It's full steam ahead in the race for the Premier League.

So while Arsenal and Tottenham bow out of Europe with a whimper, Leicester look to continue their good Premier League form against strugglers Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace unlikely to derail Leicester's title push

Claudio Ranieri pushed his side along on Monday night as Leicester squeezed by Newcastle at the King Power Stadium and his team really dug-in to secure the win.

They face Crystal Palace this weekend and the Foxes have failed to beat the Eagles in four of their last five meetings.

This, of course, doesn't hold a true reflection on the season at hand and Claudio Ranieri's side are unbeaten in their last four games.

Alan Pardew's men may have been buoyed by FA Cup success away to Reading but things are far from rosy in the league; they haven't won a match in their last 12 outings

Leicester can extend their lead over Tottenham to eight points with a win and will look to complete a league double over Palace for the first time since 2010.

Shinji Okazaki scored the only goal of the game during Monday's win over Newcastle. Image: Joe Giddens / EMPICS Sport

 

Arsenal need victory to avoid battle for fourth

It's unfortunate to say but this has become familiar territory for Arsenal. They sit one point clear of Manchester City in third position just a month after a late Danny Welbeck goal had supposedly breathed new life into their title challenge.

Since then they've only managed to win one match in eight games in all competitions and this came against Hull in the FA Cup.

Take out the fact that two of these defeats came against parguably the best side in world football at the moment (Barcelona), defeat to Swansea and Manchester United as well as a draw with Tottenham have all but eliminated them from the race. They sit 11 points the the leaders with a game in hand.

Defeat at Goodison Park this Saturday lunchtime would leave them vying for a third place finish but the omens are good for Arsene Wenger's side.

Everton have only managed one victory over Arsenal in their last 18 attempts in all competitions, coming in the 2013/14 season where Roberto Martinez's side were 3-0 winners at Goodison Park.

The Toffee's have endured pretty inconsistent form as of late, their last league outing saw them concede a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to West Ham.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring against Arsenal in April 2014. Image: Peter Byrne / PA Archive/Press Association Images

 

West Brom well able to continue purple patch

Tony Pulis' side have experienced somewhat of a revival over the last month.

Wins against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Everton, as well as a draw with Leicester have eased a lot of the pressure on the Baggies.

They face Norwich City who haven't won in the league in their last ten games. Alex Neil's side have only managed one goal in their last four Premier League games.

A win for West Brom could lift them into the top half of the table, should Chelsea falter against West Ham.

Salomon Rondon scores the winner against Manchester United at the Hawthorns. Image: Rui Vieira / AP/Press Association Images

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