Chelsea v Arsenal (12:30pm Saturday)
Arsenal travelling to the Bridge? No way that this can possibly end badly for them. Arsenal are in serious trouble having come unstuck against Watford in midweek, and go into this game knowing only a win can keep the title alive. Realistically, you wouldn't bet on them. Whilst I think these two teams are evenly matched, Chelsea have the edge. Chelsea have the advantage in central midfield, where Arsenal are lacking. Koscielny and Mustafi will have their hands full with Costa and Hazard, and realistically, unless Sanchez does something special, Arsenal will struggle to break down Chelsea. Nevertheless, Chelsea are nothing special, so much as a relentless bulldozer of very good. On their day, Arsenal could easily topple them. But this is at the Bridge, where Chelsea have only dropped points once, their defeat to Liverpool.
Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea
Crystal Palace v Sunderland (3pm)
This is a great time for Palace to be playing Sunderland. Sunderland really don't look like picking up any points away from home, and Palace are fresh off the back of their first win under Sam Allardyce. Nevertheless, we're going to the point in the season where this is well and truly a six-pointer and if you're writing off Sunderland in these games, then you might as well write them off as survival candidates.
Prediction: 2-0 Palace
Everton v Bournemouth (3pm)
Bournemouth have had another good season, but the truth is that they're not quite in Everton's league, and the Toffees have only lost one game at home all season, that to their Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Whilst I think it's possible that the Cherries could nick a point, the odds are against them. Everton have won four of their last six since their defeat to the Reds, whilst Bournemouth have just one win in their last seven games. That said, these two have thrown up some surprises before. It could be a cracker.
Prediction: 3-2 Everton
Hull v Liverpool (3pm)
Hull picked up a valuable point at Old Trafford in midweek after giving the Manchester boys a good run in the EFL cup. Nevertheless, they only have one Premier League win in their last twelve games, picking up just seven points in those twelve games. Liverpool meanwhile, well their problems have been publicly analysed to death. But with Sadio Mane back and their first team completely free of injuries, the Reds have a real opportunity to lay down a marker for the rest of the top four contenders with a win against a team that on paper they really should be beating.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
Southampton v West Ham (3pm)
Two teams in bad form, with Saints losing five of their last six games, including defeat to Swansea, and West Ham losing three of their last five, including a hammering at home to Pep's Man City. Nevertheless, this is another game where you'd say that home advantage could be important. With Jose Fonte looking to get back at his former club, and just one point separating the sides, Saints I feel just have the edge. Still, I don't think either of these clubs are good enough to win this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Watford v Burnley (3pm)
Watford secured their first win in eight games with a heroic win at the Emirates, whilst Burnley saw off Leicester to move 10th in the Premier League. I'm going to follow my usual formula though, of if Burnley are playing at home, backing them, and if they're playing away, backing their opposition, as their point at Old Trafford is still the only result they've secured away from home this season in the Premier League.
Prediction: 1-0 Watford
West Brom v Stoke (3pm)
The Saido Berahino derby. Also known as the Tony Pulis derby. 8th vs 9th in the Premier League. Stoke are okay away from home, West Brom are solid at home, and frankly I think that these two teams are fairly evenly match, similar to my prediction for Saints v West Ham, I think that fence-sitting is the wisest move in this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Spurs v Boro (3pm)
I predicted Spurs to beat Sunderland 4-0 in midweek and they inexplicably completely failed miserably to score, securing their second straight Premier League draw, but I'd back them to get back on track in this game, as Boro are not the most formidable of opponents. Nevertheless, they have six draws away from home this season and are a tough defence to breach, so don't be surprised if Spurs struggle to break them down.
Prediction: 2-1 Spurs
Man City v Swansea (1:30pm Sunday)
City hit top gear as they swept aside West Ham on Wednesday night, to halt what was a worrying slide of form. But nevertheless, they've been patchy for weeks, able to turn on their form, only to slip up again the following week. Swansea meanwhile, have somehow secured back to back Premier League wins, including that famous win at Anfield, to lift them out of the drop zone as Paul Clement revitalized his squad. Nevertheless, you have to back the home team in this one, as City haven't lost at home this season to anyone that isn't Chelsea.
Prediction: 3-1 City
Leicester City v Man United (4pm)
Man United have hit a sticky patch in form, drawing three league games in a row. So it stands to reason that they would play Leicester City at the King Power, since Leicester have been nothing short of fodder in recent weeks, losing three games in a row and just one of their last eight. I'm struggling to think of an argument in favour of United not winning this match, but then they failed miserably to score against Hull and have had huge slices of luck with the officials in recent weeks. But their away form is good so count this one as a win for the visitors.
Prediction: 3-0 United
The Hard and Fast Section
- Rose out for a month. Blow.
- Berahino missed eight weeks with drug ban. Yikes.
- Boothroyd under-21s boss. Good choice.
- Benitez under pressure at Newcastle...because...reasons?
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