Arsenal v Hull (12:30pm Saturday)
This predicting the Premier League lark should be easy. Arsenal turn up play well, win by three or four goals, everyone shrugs and goes home. But Arsenal have lost two games on the trot, including their last home game against Watford. Meanwhile, Hull have picked up four points from two games against Liverpool and Man United. Even so, what else am I supposed to say other than if Arsenal turn up then they win?
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Man United v Watford (3pm)
Man United have hit a sticky patch of form, drawing three games in a row before taking apart Leicester. Meanwhile, back to back wins have taken Watford up to 10th, and they're unbeaten in four games. Whilst on paper this should be another comfortable win for United, I have a sneaking suspicion that Watford could well make something happen.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Middlesbrough v Everton (3pm)
Everton are in red hot form, unbeaten in seven games with 17 points collected since they lost the Merseyside Derby. Boro on the other hand, are seven games without a win and are sliding closer to the drop zone every week. Whilst I think it's unlikely that either of those records go anywhere this weekend, Boro remain a tough nut to crack at the Riverside, and I can see them nicking a point.
Prediction: 1-1
Stoke v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Stoke's loss to West Brom is their first handed to them by anyone outside the top six since they lost at home to Bournemouth, and only their second since Palace bludgeoned them in September. But a lot has changed since then, with Stoke safely in mid-table and Palace languishing in the bottom three, and fresh off the back of an absolute hammering at home to Sunderland. Palace are marginally better away from home, but nevertheless this game should have home win written all over it.
Prediction: 2-0 Stoke
Sunderland v Southampton (3pm)
Southampton's league form has gone well and truly off the rails since Christmas, with just one win in seven games, including home defeats to West Ham and West Brom, as well as defeats away at Burnley and Swansea. Sunderland will be licking their lips at this one after their much needed win against Palace brought them within two points of safety. Nevertheless, although form favours the home side, Saints are still a much better team on paper and this won't be an easy one.
Prediction: 0-0
West Ham v West Brom (3pm)
After a disastrous start, three wins in four have hauled West Ham as high as 9th, only one place below their opposition for this fixture. The Baggies are making beating teams below them a habit, having only dropped four points against teams below them in the table in the last four months. Nevertheless, West Brom have secured four 1-1 draws away from home in the league against opposition below them in the table this season, and this one looks too close to call.
Prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Spurs (5:30pm)
This is a tasty one. Liverpool have been in bad form, but are very good at getting themselves up for fixtures against the big teams, whilst Spurs are up to second with 23 points from their last nine games. Most predictions for this game will be 1-1, for a variety of reasons. That was the score the last two times these teams met, Liverpool have drawn three games 1-1 against the top six this season. Nevertheless, although I think it probably will be 1-1 at some point, I think that this is such a pivotal game for both teams that someone will score a winner, and I think Liverpool have the superior firepower. So...
Prediction: 2-1 LFC
Burnley v Chelsea (1:30pm Sunday)
Okay this is an interesting one. Burnley's home form is the 4th best in the division, whilst Chelsea have dropped eight of their eleven dropped points away from home. Burnley don't lose heavily at home, losing by only one goal on the three occasions they've been breached at Turf Moor. Having beaten Arsenal and drawn with Liverpool, a point wouldn't be a bad result for Chelsea in this game, especially as Spurs are unlikely to close the gap if Chelsea do draw. Nevertheless, you'd back Chelsea to nick it.
Prediction: 1-0 Chelsea
Swansea v Leicester (4pm)
This is a real relegation six-pointer, a game that Leicester cannot afford to lose. And yet, I'm reasonably sure that they will lose it. Swansea have been excellent in recent weeks, under new manager Paul Clement, who claimed January's manager of the month award, and have decent home form, whilst Leicester have been absolute fodder and away from home, they've been nothing short of garbage. I'd expect the home side to win this one.
Prediction: 2-0 Swansea
Bournemouth v Man City (8pm Monday)
Bournemouth have slid to 14th in the table after a poor run of form. Man City meanwhile are up to third as new signing Gabriel Jesus propelled them to two straight wins following their draw with Spurs. Overall, this is a game that you would expect City to win comfortably, as they look to keep some resemblance of pressure on Chelsea.
Prediction: 3-1 City
The Hard and Fast Section
- Root, Broad and Stokes in England captaincy talks.
- Savinova stripped of 2012 gold. Guilty.
- India pile on the runs against Bangladesh.
- Wales v England. Tomorrow. It's on.
- And speaking of on, I'm back on RaW tomorrow.
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