Watford v Everton (12:30pm Saturday)
This one should be quite a tight game. Watford have been blowing hot and cold all season, as evidenced by their last handful of games, a win at home to Leicester followed by defeats to Stoke and West Brom. But when they play well they're capable of matching anyone outside the top four right now. As for Everton, they're in poor form, but aside from their demolition at Chelsea, they've not been conceding too many goals. Only two points separate these teams and you'd think only a goal will separate them tomorrow. I just about fancy Watford at home, but it could well end 1-1.
Prediction: 1-0 Watford
Arsenal v Stoke (3pm)
Stoke have been resurgent in the last two months, losing just one game in their last nine. But nevertheless, other than a draw at Old Trafford, there's scant evidence that their good form will set them up well to beat an Arsenal side that are anywhere near their best. Arsenal have started to find some form of their own, putting eight goals past Bournemouth and West Ham in their last two league games, and with Chelsea clear at the top, the pressure is off the Gunners for now. Moreover, Arsenal will make a lot of changes from midweek so fatigue shouldn't be a factor.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Burnley v Bournemouth (3pm)
These are the games that Burnley simply have to be winning. With their away form as bad as it is, they need to beating most of the teams outside the top four to keep their points tally ticking over. In the past couple of months only Arsenal and Man City have beaten Burnley at Turf Moor, so they will fancy themselves to see off a Bournemouth fresh off the back of a stunning win over Liverpool. But Bournemouth's form has been mixed recently and I think Burnley at home should get the result that they need.
Prediction: 2-0 Burnley
Hull City v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Palace broke their run of six straight defeats with an excellent win over Southampton last weekend, whilst Hull turned in a truly pitiful performance on Monday night against Middlesbrough. Honestly, I don't fancy Hull at all in this game, but since neither of these teams can defend it would be foolish to suggest they won't get any joy. Nevertheless, you have to favour Palace with an attack as strong as theirs against this Hull defence.
Prediction: 3-1 Palace
Swansea v Sunderland (3pm)
Swansea have to win. There's no two ways about it, no sugar coating it, no getting around it. Sunderland may have won three of their last four games but if you're not beating Sunderland at home when you're bottom of the table then you're in serious, serious trouble. And, unfortunately for the Swans, I think Sunderland will win this match, given that they're in very good form and the Swans, well aren't.
Prediction: 2-1 Sunderland
Leicester v Man City (5:30pm)
With Leicester in the form that they're in, and sliding towards the relegation zone, this is the worst possible time for them to be playing one of the title favourites. Given that Sunderland and Hull have winnable games, Leicester could well be seeing the warning signs, as I've seen absolutely nothing from this Leicester side to suggest that they can compete with Man City. That said, the Foxes have good home form so I don't think this will be a rollover for City, who made a lot of changes in midweek to ensure that they had fresh legs for this one.
Prediction: 2-1 Man City
Chelsea v West Brom (12pm Sunday)
The league leaders will feel that this is an excellent opportunity for them to stay at least three points clear this weekend. West Brom have ten points from their last four games, and are in hot form, but the last time they played sides of Chelsea's caliber, they lost comfortably back to back against Liverpool and Man City. The way that Chelsea have been playing recently, there's no reason to suggest that they won't win their ninth straight game.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
Man United v Spurs (2:15pm)
Given United's recent form at Old Trafford, and Spurs' proclivity to draw games (these two teams have the joint most draws in the league), it would be a fairly reasonable call to suggest that this one will probably end in a draw. However, I feel as though Spurs should be kicking themselves if they don't win this game. They've been playing much better in the last few weeks, although admittedly kicking the stuffing out of Swansea doesn't say as much about them as it does their opponents. Nevertheless, Spurs have the perfect tactical set up to expose the weaknesses in this United team and their combination of pressing and being hard to press make them a nightmare for teams like United, who have low energy, to play against. That said, the key is the midfield battle. Can Wanyama and Dembele dominate Pogba and Carrick? My gut says yes, but United may have something to say about that. Nevertheless, I can't see United scoring if Alderweireld starts, as he is critical to Spurs' defence and United are struggling for goals at the moment.
Prediction: 3-0 Spurs
Southampton v Middlesbrough (2:15pm)
Both of these teams have scored thirteen goals this season and conceded fifteen. Only two teams have scored less than them (Burnley and Hull) and only three teams have conceded less (Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs). Neither team is particularly good coming forward, but neither is porous at the back either. As such, you can already guess what I'm going to predict for this one. If either of them are going to nick it, it'll be Saints, who have the home advantage, and have only lost at home to Chelsea in 2016. But for me it's still a 0-0, maybe 1-0 Saints.
Prediction: 0-0
Liverpool v West Ham (4:30pm)
Liverpool are looking to bounce back from their first defeat in fifteen games. West Ham are looking to bounce back from the absolute pastings that they received at the hands of Arsenal and United. It's hard as a Liverpool fan not to be too optimistic for this one. West Ham are one of a slew of teams in this division who cannot defend and Liverpool's front three, even short Phil Coutinho, should cause them a lot of problems, especially with Adam Lallana back in midfield. And with Joel Matip returning at central defence, Liverpool should have no repeat of the 4 goals shipped last weekend either. Only one player off their best eleven (even if it is their best player), Liverpool should win, and win comfortably, especially at Anfield where their home form has been superb. Nevertheless, Andy Carroll will score. Because he's Andy Carroll and our defence won't handle him.
Prediction: 4-1 LFC
The Hard and Fast Section
- England made 400 with Jet Jennings making a debut century.
- Aussies turn on the style against New Zealand.
- Arsenal top their group. PSG completely bottling it.
- United make qualification from their Europa League group.
- But Southampton choked at home to Hapoel.
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