The time has arrived to stand up and be counted

It might be April Fools’ Day but there will be no larking around on Premier League pitches this weekend. The “business end” of the season is officially upon us. TODAY’s EPL analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) talks us through four things to look out for in this weekend’s matches …

HIGH TIME EVERTON ENDED ANFIELD HOODOO

Topping the form table, it is easy to fancy Everton’s prospects of snatching the bragging rights in this evening’s Merseyside derby.

Keeper Joel Robles, promoted from No 2 at Christmas, is statistically the best shot-stopper in the division.

Their new-look midfield of Morgan Schneiderlin, Idrissa Gueye and Tom Davies has the ability to keep pace with any other engine room.

And the impact of a resurgent Ross Barkley and Europe’s hottest young striker, Romelu Lukaku, have been sights to behold in recent weeks.

Man for man, in 2017 they have markedly outshone their more illustrious neighbours.

Yet here comes the “but” ...

Liverpool at Anfield is a fixture the Toffees continually flounder in.

Everton are clearly faster, fitter, fresher and better organised under Ronald Koeman, but do they really believe they are good enough to go to places like Liverpool, and play them off the park? It is a mental issue that needs to be overcome.

It has been 18 years since Everton won at Anfield. Tonight, they have an opportunity to prove they no longer go into their shells when the going gets tough.

KOSCIELNY MUST STEP UP

Arsenal’s most important player between now and the end of the season is not Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil. It is Laurent Koscielny.

Out of sorts and low on confidence, the Gunners need strong characters to show the way out of a malaise that has seen them lose four of their past five league games.

As skipper, the French defender has a responsibility to set the right tone with a series of determined and nerveless displays between now and May 21.

And it has to start with a courageous shackling of Sergio Aguero and Manchester City’s lively all-star attack, in what has become a must-win match at Emirates Stadium.

The significance of Koscielny’s presence was laid bare when Bayern Munich scored NINE goals without reply during the combined 78 minutes he missed of that chastening two-legged Champions League 10-2 defeat.

He is the glue that holds Arsene Wenger’s back four together.

But ever since bullying Diego Costa back in September, Koscielny has been way off his best. The same high standards of aggression and decision-making have not been replicated.

It is the same with most of his teammates.

Arsenal will always score goals. They have notched 37 in their past 18 Premier League matches.

To climb back into the top four, they need shutouts.

For that to happen, Koscielny must inspire those around him during the final 10 matches. Watch his battle with Aguero closely — it will tell us plenty about Arsenal’s prospects.

INVINCIBLE UNITED'S EPIC MONTH BEGINS WITH A SLOG

Five months unbeaten, favourites to win the Europa League, and with star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the verge of committing his future, life is rosy at Manchester United.

Yet all we are hearing are Jose Mourinho’s moans about having to cope with nine arduous fixtures this month.

An energy-sapping programme awaits and it kicks off with a contest that is not as straightforward as it looks on paper.

West Bromwich Albion, fresh from a deserved 3-1 win over Arsenal, have won twice at Old Trafford in the past three seasons.

Their prowess from set-pieces will worry a United team that have looked brittle defending corners this term.

And the hosts can forget about coasting to three points in third gear too. Tony Pulis’ Albion have outrun their opposite numbers in 93 per cent of their Premier League games this term, including the past 19 in a row.

To keep this impressive unbeaten stretch going, United must put a shift in.

CROSSROADS DAY FOR BILIC

Jaap Stam, Roberto Mancini and Rafa Benitez have all been linked with the not-yet-vacant West Ham manager’s job, as the pressure intensifies on Slaven Bilic to ensure the post does not become available this summer.

He is a cult hero in East London, but word on the street suggests only a late-season upturn can persuade the owners not to ditch him. A year ago, that was unthinkable. The Croatian was a Manager of the Year candidate, but the sparkle has disappeared from his eyes. His signings, team selections, tactics and motivational skills have gone from fabulous to flat.

On the back of three straight losses, a win at Hull City tonight will be the ideal tonic, but I am not so sure he’ll get it. The Tigers have fight.

For Bilic, it feels like the end is near.

Big Match Predictions

Liverpool v Everton (Tonight, Singtel Ch102 and StarHub Ch228; 7.25pm)

Jurgen Klopp’s men love a big occasion. Undefeated against teams in the top half of the table, they won’t be fazed that Everton have won eight and drawn three of the 12 matches they’ve played since the last Merseyside derby. If the Toffees perform with no fear, they have a shot at their first Anfield win this century, but victory will still be hard to claim.

Score call: 2-2

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur (Tonight, Ch104 and Ch229; 9.50pm)

This is the kind of clash ‘soft old Spurs’ would have hated, but the team that Mauricio Pochettino has built is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and scrap. It never is pretty at Turf Moor, but with powerful midfielders such as Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama on board, Spurs can grind out three points.

Score call: 0-1

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion (Tonight, Ch103 and Ch228; 955pm)

The Baggies have a fine record against Manchester United in the post-Alex Ferguson era, but they face a side that’s forgotten how to lose. Unbeaten in 18 league games, Jose Mourinho’s men are yet to concede from open play in 2017 at Old Trafford, in any competition. It won’t be a classic, but the hosts should have enough to pinch the win.

Score call: 1-0

Arsenal v Manchester City (Sunday, Ch102 and Ch227; 11pm)

Arsenal’s season is on the line, and that intense pressure is likely to affect them in one of two contrasting ways. They could easily lose their heads, and crumble against City’s five-star forward line. Or with their backs to the wall, play with renewed passion and a steely focus. Both sides have their flaws, but it is near certain to be exciting.

Score call: 2-1