The Daily Resporter: 1st March

Leicester have the chance to go five points clear again. Let's dig in.

Big Games At The Bottom

This is one of those sets of fixtures where the Premier League just shudders in anticipation. There are some huge clashes at both ends of the table, and let's start with tonight's fixtures at the bottom. All five of tonight's games are 7:45 kick offs.

Villa v Everton

Villa go into this game off the back of two defeats that have really killed any sort of momentum that they were building. They were absolutely blown away by us a few weeks ago and that really will have contributed to a renewed sense that Villa really are one of the worst teams that the Premier League has ever seen. Rooted to the foot of the table, eight points from safety, I cannot see things getting any easier for them tonight. Everton have been blowing hot and cold all season, but regardless of their form, and their form is decidedly patchy, they really should be crushing Villa tonight. That said, I could see Villa making a game of this for a while and there's no guarantee that Everton will be able to muster the firepower that has been at their disposal so often this season, but has frequently let them down at others.

Prediction: 3-1 Everton

Bournemouth v Southampton

Southampton were unbeaten in six, having picked up 16 points and not conceded in those games before they lost to Chelsea at the weekend. Meanwhile, Bournemouth stopped a run of two straight defeats by picking up a useful point against Watford, as they inch closer and closer to the elusive 40 point mark. That said, you would expect Southampton, who have been very much a team who rely on confidence to build up a head of steam, to have enough to see off this Bournemouth side who are doing a laudable job, but simply aren't of the same caliber as their opposition.

Prediction: 2-1 Southampton

Leicester v West Brom

It's a Tony Pulis side. And they're always notoriously tough nuts to crack. Leicester appeared to struggle at breaking down Norwich at the weekend. A pragmatist would look at this game and say that a draw is probably the most likely result, especially as Leicester are missing Kante, who is a key player in their midfield. But I have faith in the Foxes, and I'm backing them to do the job tonight. Big pressure on Mahrez and Vardy to perform, but I think someone like Albrighton might step up and grab the winner.

Prediction: Leicester 1-0

Norwich v Chelsea

This is the sort of game that is fueling Chelsea's climb up the table. A distinctly mediocre side, if even that, in a horrendous run of form (no win in seven league games), with a shocking defence and not a lot to offer coming forwards. Exactly the kind of team that Chelsea can put four or five past on their day, and I would be surprised if they didn't tonight.

Prediction: 4-1 Chelsea

Sunderland v Palace

If ever a game screamed lack of quality. Sunderland have been scrapping to say in the league, and scrapping is definitely the best word to describe their efforts. Heroic one week, distinctly terrible the next, this is a Sunderland side that have the potential to get out of trouble on their best days and the ability to look like a lower end Championship side on their worst. And Palace still haven't won a league game this side of Christmas, looking at three points from their last ten games. since they beat Stoke on December 19th. If Sunderland's defence wasn't the worst in the league, I'd have said 0-0, so let's say 1-1.

Prediction: 1-1

Top Of The Pops

And tomorrow night, most of the top tier teams are in action, except Leicester of course, who are still top of the lot and will hopefully stay there. Still 7:45 unless stated.

Arsenal v Swansea

Arsenal bottled it at the weekend, so whether or not they bottle it again here really depends on how Leicester and Spurs do around them. If Leicester win on Tuesday night, then Arsenal should sweep aside Swansea comfortably, as Swansea look like half the team that they used to be, although in their defence they've done much better under their new manager and their last two defeats have been to top sides. But if Leicester drop points and Spurs fall behind, expect Arsenal to follow suit, and monumentally mess it up.

Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal

Stoke v Newcastle

The Premier League's most unpredictable, wacky side, take on perennial strugglers and just all round terrible club Newcastle. There's no way in hell that Newcastle should be winning this game, as Stoke are just an all-round better team, but because Stoke have a tendancy to mess up and Newcastle have a tendancy to occasionally look like a team that's spent nearly £100m this season (what an absolute joke this club are), there's every chance that they can get something from the game. That said...

Prediction: 2-1 Stoke

West Ham v Spurs

This is arguably the most interesting game of the week. West Ham are the side hammering on the door of the top six clubs, looking to make their presence felt, but they're struggling to build a sustained challenge, as too many draws keep costing them big time. Another draw today against a Spurs side who on paper are stronger, but have been dealing with European football without a massive squad and some key inquiries, and who you'd expect to get hit badly by fatigue at some point, would be a safe bet. But forget that, this is the season of dreams, so I'm lumping on the Spuds to keep dreaming.

Prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Liverpool v City (8pm)

There's only one game I want to talk about less than this one, and it's United v Watford. But since I probably have to talk about United v Watford, let's also talk about this one. It's hard to be a Liverpool fan right now, especially after City handed our arses to us on pens a few days ago. All signs point to this being a City win: they outplayed us on Sunday, they have a stronger squad to rotate, they are a better team overall, they have some real momentum and they look very very strong. We have a tendancy to blow it in big games. All of these things mean City should win.

But they won't. Because Jurgen Klopp's Barmy Army know how to beat this City team in the league, when absolutely nothing is riding on it.

Prediction: 4-1 Liverpool because it's my blog and I can say what I like.

United v Watford (8pm)

I don't even know where to begin with United. I don't even want to begin with United. They win, they lose, they draw, they underperform against teams that they should beat and they up their game against the Gunners. This United side are very much a form team, they can keep a hot streak going if they can in fact get one going and Rashford looks a talent. And the longer this season goes on, the more Watford look like a side that are more than happy with their place in the table but know that they're not going to get any higher. That said, they have a solid defence and a good team, and United are massively injury hit. Plus I'd rather punch myself than predict a United win, so let's say a draw.