Everton v Watford (7:45pm)
As has been mentioned previously, Everton's home form in the league is excellent, as they've only lost to Liverpool and now to champions elect Chelsea. Watford meanwhile have won just one of their last five games, and have won just three games away from home all season. In terms of motivation, neither team has a whole lot to play for, as pretty much everyone from 7th down to 15th, the two spots these sides occupy, is playing for at most mid-table position and Everton aren't even playing for that, given that they're mathematically guaranteed to finish 7th. Either way, I'd say this one is a home win based on form, but also simply based on the fact that Everton are a better side.
Prediction: 1-0 Everton
West Brom v Chelsea (8pm)
Chelsea have the chance to wrap up the title against a West Brom side that had looked comfortable in 8th, but have won just one of their last nine games, and have picked up just two points from their last six. And realistically, there's very little reason to believe that they won't do just that. Chelsea have dropped points just twice away from home against sides outside the top six, not losing either of those. Simply put, there's very little evidence to suggest that Chelsea won't turn up and do the job, as most of their poor results have been against top sides, and West Brom not only aren't that, but are barely playing like a good mid-table side at the moment, and have nothing to play for.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
Man City v Leicester (12:30pm Saturday)
For Man City, the task is simple, win three straightforward games and finish third. Last weekend they were explosive as they tore apart Palace to stretch their unbeaten run to five games, and although they've dropped some sloppy points recently, Leicester's away form remains woeful and they are one of the teams scrambling for nothing except position. That said, City have dropped too many points to draws at home this season and draws against Boro and Stoke have reinforced the notion that they can't kill off teams. All of that, plus the fact that Leicester are a bogey team of City's, could mean that there's a surprise on the cards. But nevertheless, you have to back City.
Prediction: 3-1 City
Bournemouth v Burnley (3pm)
Bournemouth are in decent form overall in recent weeks, and have only lost to teams inside the top six in their last ten games. Moreover, only Chelsea and City have beaten them at home since January, with ten points from their last five home games. On the other hand Burnley's travels are notoriously bad, although their win at Selhurst Park two weeks ago has lifted their away form ahead of Hull's. Nevertheless, I could see this one being a score draw, but equally you'd have to say that Bournemouth are favourites.
Prediction: 2-0 Bournemouth
Boro v Saints (3pm)
My initial response to this one was a groan of boredom and I scribbled down 0-0 into my notepad. Both of these teams love a 0-0, with Saints having picked up six all season with two in their last three games, and Boro notching up seven this season, with five of those since Christmas. Boro are relegated, Saints are languishing in mid-table, so there's not much in terms of motivation, and I'm not convinced that Southampton, who will surely dominate the game are good enough in attack to break down a relatively meager Boro defence.
Prediction: 0-0
Sunderland v Swansea (3pm)
Swansea's 1-0 win over Everton, coupled with the huge favour that this weekend's opposition Sunderland did them by beating Hull, leaves the Swans in pole position to stay up, with one point over their rivals, and two easier fixtures. Sunderland have lost ten games at home this season, with only Palace worse than that. The Swans' away form has been pretty dire but the knowledge that a win would all but guarantee their survival should spur on the superior side.
Prediction: 2-1 Swansea
Stoke City v Arsenal (5:30pm)
Back to back wins has Arsene Wenger's side sniffing for a top four place, but nothing short of perfection is going to get them over the line. Despite bucking the trend at Southampton, their away form remains an alarming issue, with just ten points from their last eleven away games. Nevertheless, there is plenty of reason to be positive, as Stoke's home form against the top six is awful, with one point from five games this season. It's getting to that time of the season when Arsenal's form becomes unassailable as they gun for Champions League football, and I think that they'll just about the one more away win that they need.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Crystal Palace v Hull (12pm Sunday)
This is a must-win for Hull. With Spurs on the final day and the possibility that failure to win could all but mathematically relegate them (or indeed mathematically relegate them), there simply isn't a margin for error. Unfortunately, they've won just one game away from home all season and have the worst record in the league as a result. Fortunately, Palace's home record is also dreadful, with 11 defeats in 18 games. However, from Palace's perspective, they aren't mathematically safe either, and go to Old Trafford on the final day, so Hull won't be the only side with something to play for. I reckon a score draw, which will be enough for Palace, but could be curtains for Hull.
Prediction: 2-2
West Ham v Liverpool (2:15pm)
Win, finish inside the top four. For Liverpool this is a simple equation, but one that will have been rattling around their heads all week. West Ham have four clean sheets in five games, three straight clean sheets at home and are five games unbeaten. In ordinary circumstances a draw wouldn't be a bad result for LFC. If Arsenal slip up a draw might remain a good result. But they have to win as it stands, so I think they'll be able to pull it out the bag, as they have managed to in their last 3 away games.
Prediction: 2-1 LFC
Spurs v Man United (4:30pm)
On paper, this is the biggest game of the weekend, but in practice both teams could be playing for nothing. If Chelsea win, Spurs only need one point from three games to guarantee finishing second and United's Europa League win means that they're unlikely to prioritise a top four finish that would require two teams ahead of them slipping up at this stage. Nevertheless, it's the last ever game at White Hart Lane, which gives the team with the best home record in the division the motivation. I honestly think this will be extremely easy for Spurs. Oh and United are the only team in the league who haven't scored against the top six away this season, so there's that.
Prediction: 2-0 Spurs
The Hard and Fast Section
- Juve v Real Madrid final. Should be excellent.
- Spanish GP this weekend. Hamilton has work to do.
- One Day Cup hots up. Yorkshire in hot form.
- Gloucester v Stade Francais tonight. Sarries v Clermont tomorrow.
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