The Premier League’s first- and second-placed teams will be in action this weekend but in separate competitions. Firstly, on Friday, leaders Arsenal will host basement side Southampton, then one day later, red-hot Manchester City will play Championship side Sheffield United in the first leg of their FA Cup semi-final at the Etihad.

Event # 1 – EPL – Arsenal vs Southampton– 2:00 am

Another week, another collapse. It was a case of the Gunners (Arsenal) leading by two goals only to let slip, hanging on for a draw at the end, their latest slip coming against West Ham at the weekend. Indeed, Arsenal’s faltering title challenge is in big need of a boost and there’s no better opponent to face than bottom club Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, April 21.

There are plenty of naysayers sitting outside the Emirate Stadium who will say back-to-back failures to hold unto 2-0 leads in their last two matches will ultimately cost Arsenal their first title since 2004. However, Arsenal will be fully aware that they can extend their lead over Man City to seven points ahead of their clash in midweek, and a positive result at the Etihad would have Arsenal in control of their own destiny, despite their recent setbacks.

The Saints are on the slide. Indeed, Southampton are bottom of the table, but it might not yet be quite time to hit the panic button, as they sit just four points behind 17th-placed Everton with the same number of games played.

Southampton may feel they can secure at least a point against Arsenal as they are unbeaten against them in their last two meetings, picking up a win and a draw in the process. But they were handed a 3-0 thrashing when they last travelled to the Emirates in December 2021.

Arsenal will be desperate to return to winning ways and should prove too much for the Saints and secure three vital points.

KEY STATS

• Arsenal – have never lost in 23 Premier League home games against Southampton (W16 D7), the most one side has hosted another without ever losing in the competition.

• Southampton – are one of three sides Arsenal have failed to beat in the Premier League this season (also Newcastle and Man City) following their 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s in October. The last time the Saints avoided defeat in both Premier League meetings with the Gunners was in 2015-16.

• Both sides – Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 27 home league games against Southampton (W19 D8) – in their league history, only against Fulham (current run of 30) have they had a longer unbeaten home run.

The betting tip: Arsenal win.

Event # 2 FA Cup – Man City vs Sheffield United – 10:45 am

It’s semi-finals weekend in the FA Cup, and Saturday (april 22) will see Manchester City’s quest for the treble continue at Wembley. Man City face Championship high-flyers Sheffield United, who have enjoyed a memorable run to get to this stage of the competition.

All the pressure will be on the Premier League team, Manchester City, as they aim to book their place through to the final of the FA Cup. City have come up against high-quality opponents during their run in this competition, including their opening two rounds where they needed to get past big-hitters Chelsea and Arsenal, and they booked their spot in the semi-finals by brushing aside championship leaders Burnley. City are chasing a seventh FA Cup title but will be wary that they have exited this competition at this stage in each of the last three previous seasons.

Sheffield United’s main aim this season will be to gain promotion back to the Premier League, and, that feat has almost been achieved, as they sit five points clear of third-placed Luton Town with five league matches remaining in the season. A memorable run in the FA Cup semi-final wouldn’t have seemed possible at the start of the season, but they have fought well to be at this stage including an excellent win over Tottenham Hotspurs.

KEY STATS

• Man City – since losing 1-0 against Wigan in the FA Cup in February 2018, Manchester City have won their last 21 domestic cup ties against sides from a lower division. They’ve scored 78 goals in this run, conceding just 11 in return.

• Sheffield United – are looking to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1936. The Blades have lost five semi-finals in that time, most recently a 5-3 loss to Hull City in 2013-14.

• Both sides –Sheffield United have won all four of their FA Cup ties against Manchester City, most recently a 2-1 fourth round victory in the 2007-08 campaign.

The betting tip: Man City win.