Chelsea v Southampton (7:45pm)
Saints are a decent side, with decent form, but to be blunt, this one is all on Chelsea. Southampton's butchering at the hands of Man City shows that a top class side can cause them all manner of problems, and Chelsea are a top class side. Following two defeats in their last four games, the heat is on Chelsea, with the gap at the top down to four points. So will Chelsea falter again? My instincts say no. They're a side with a strong mentality, who should have almost a fully fit squad at their disposal and a tremendous home record. The way they recovered from their defeat at the hands of Man United to sweep aside Spurs is a testament to that. This should be an easy win for Chelsea.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
Arsenal v Leicester City (7:45pm Wednesday)
The dust is starting to settle for Leicester City. Their defeat to Atletico Madrid sees them out of Europe, they're now six points clear of the drop zone with two games in hand, meaning that they're virtually safe, and there's little to play for except for mid-table positioning. Whether this will galvanize them for a tough trip to the Emirates, where Arsenal have been largely excellent despite shambolic away form in 2017, remains to be seen. Despite poor form away from home, Arsenal should have enough to get through this one, especially as Leicester's away form is, bluntly, terrible.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Middlesbrough v Sunderland (7:45pm)
This is a proper dogfight this one. Given Boro's pathetic performance at the weekend away at Bournemouth, they could end up losing this and finishing bottom of the division. Nevertheless, the maximum that both of these sides can pick up is 39, with Hull on target to possibly hit that number. Either way, both teams need to win this game or they're sunk without a trace (assuming they aren't already). Personally, given that these teams have one win between them in their last thirty-two combined games, with Sunderland winning one game and Boro zero in 2017, this one could be the limp, dull, lifeless goalless draw to relegate both clubs that would sum up their respective seasons.
Prediction: 0-0
Crystal Palace v Spurs (8pm)
Palace are all but safe after wins against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. Nevertheless, this remains the kind of fixture that Spurs are prime for a bottle job in, especially as they're bang back in the title race after Chelsea's recent slip-ups. Despite only losing one game in the last two months, I think Palace will be overwhelmed in this one, as all logic dictates that the Spurs juggernaut will keep on rolling. However, they have to slip up at some point, and this one could yet be a banana skin. But still, this is Spurs' game to lose on paper.
Prediction: 2-1 Spurs
Man City v Man United (8pm Thursday)
It feels strange to have a Manchester Derby almost sneak in under the radar on a Thursday night, but make no mistake, this is a colossal game of football. Mourinho vs Guardiola is always a huge game, as is any clash between the two Manchester sides, but once again there is a bite to it. Both teams need to win to put themselves in pole position to finish above the other and grab a top four spot. City have been struggling in recent weeks to finish off big teams despite dominating games, a problem that cost them silverware as Arsenal knocked them out of the FA Cup. Nevertheless, if any team is going to stop Man United's impressive unbeaten run and derail their bid for a top four spot, it's going to be Spurs. But since that game isn't for a few weeks, you'd also back City to win this one, or at least pick up a draw, which have proven costly to United already this season.
Prediction: 2-1 City
The Hard and Fast Section
- Champions Trophy squad announced. No real surprises.
- Saracens vs Clermont. England/France final again. Tasty.
- Nastase is a nasty piece of work. Ugly scenes.
- Newcastle are back. Congrats to Benitez and his team.
No comments:
Post a Comment