Preview: 3 things to look forward to this weekend

Arsenal have been excellent this season. The defeat to Manchester City in mid-week should take nothing away from an otherwise brilliant season up till now. 

However, the pressure, fatigue and weight of expectation have started to get to them a bit. The Gunners have now gone four games without a win in all competitions and have picked up a solitary point from the 9 available in the league over the past three games. 

While Mikel Arteta’s men deserve credit for their first half performance against City on Wednesday night, they capitulated in the second half. 

They need to respond at Villa Park in a tricky fixture that Arteta will know he cannot take for granted. 

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games. In fact, they have only lost one game in the league this season and it was away at Anfield in the first few weeks of the campaign.

 It took a contentious goal from Fabio Carvalho in the 98th minute to settle that tie and the result sparked endless debate. Eddie Howe will no doubt feel aggrieved at the circumstances of that defeat.

Crucially, the Magpies haven’t lost since, certainly not at home. Eddie Howe has turned St James’ park into a fortress but Liverpool are still a formidable opponent regardless of form. 

The Reds haven’t particularly turned the tide but they did earn a deserved 2-0 victory over Everton last time out. Newcastle also have to contend with injuries and suspension. 

Bruno Guimaraes serves the final game of his three match suspension and Joe Willock is sidelined by a hamstring injury. It could be an opportunity for the promising 20-year old midfielder Elliot Anderson to make a strong case.

Leicester City have had a strange season. They flirted with the idea of relegation for the first few weeks of the season before finally picking up some wins and are now mid table. 

Manchester United on the other hand are in excellent form. The defeat to Arsenal not withstanding, they have just about beaten everyone else. 

Marcus Rashford is in the form of his life, adding a goal and assist against Barcelona in the Europa League for good measure.

At Old Trafford, United are even harder to beat and will require something magical from Brendan Rodgers’ side. Enter, Kelechi Iheanacho. 

He has been the star of the month so far for the Foxes and if he continues his recent form, Leicester will feel confident of taking something away from this game.