Friday, 5 May 2017

5th May 17

Premier League previews!

West Ham v Spurs (8pm)

Nine wins in a row, surely the Spurs juggernaut has to slow down sooner or later? And where better for them to slip up than away at the London Stadium, against London rivals West Ham? To be blunt, I'm clutching at straws. Spurs surely can't win 13 games in a row, and yet the simple fact remains that on paper they should walk all over a West Ham side that has just one win in their last ten games, and has struggled massively against top sides this season. Kane to do Kane things. He loves a London derby. 

Prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Man City v Crystal Palace (12:30pm Saturday)

City have been really struggling to build momentum in recent weeks, partly because of a tough fixture list, but also because of a combination of poor finishing and shocking defending. This is another game that you would expect them to dominate, but Palace are in good form, particularly against the top teams, as they beat Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in April. Tough one to call, but again, on paper you have to favour City.


Prediction: 3-1 City

Bournemouth v Stoke (3pm) 

I'm a massive fan of Bournemouth under Eddie Howe, and if they can keep their good form going, then a top half finish is very much on the cards. Stoke meanwhile, are in wretched form, particularly away from home where they haven't scored or won since January. As a result, the home team have to be the overwhelming favourites for this one. 

Prediction: 2-0 Bournemouth

Burnley v West Brom (3pm) 

West Brom are on the beach and Burnley just need one more win at most to guarantee survival and launch themselves into the pack. There's just six points between West Brom in 8th and Palace in 16th, as the middle of the table gets more and more congested. I suspect Burnley will make that even more congested by winning this one. 

Prediction: 1-0 Burnley

Hull City v Sunderland (3pm)

Sunderland's relegation has been confirmed, but they have a chance to drag Hull down with them. For Hull, this is a massive chance to pick up three points which could be all they need to secure Premier League football for another year. Given Hull's exceptional home form, and how shambolic Sunderland have been, I think the home side will win. 

Prediction: 3-1 Hull

Leicester City v Watford (3pm)

Watford were disappointing on Monday night against Liverpool, leaving them with one win in four and just three in ten. They've lost their last four away games without scoring, which means that Leicester, whose home form has been excellent, will be massive favourites. And it's hard to argue with that, although there might not be too much between the sides. 

Prediction: 2-0 Leicester


Swansea v Everton (5:30pm)

Whilst every game at this stage of the season is huge, particularly if you're in 18th place as Swansea are, with Hull facing Sunderland, Swansea could be effectively relegated if they don't win this game. The good news for Swansea is that like Hull, they have excellent home form under Paul Clement, and Everton's away form is patchy, having drawn four of their last six away games. That said, they're unbeaten against teams outside the top six since December, and a draw might not be enough to save Swansea...

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Southampton (1:30pm Sunday) 

Liverpool are in pole position for top four once again and a win against the Saints would put them with one foot in the door. On balance, I think that they'll win this one, but it's a tough call at the moment with the Reds not looking overly impressive despite losing just one of their last nine games, and winning six of them. Nevertheless, Saints are another side who looked cemented in mid-table with not much to play for and aren't in the best form.

Prediction: 1-0 LFC


Arsenal v Man United (4pm)

This one could be massive, or it could end up being a dead rubber. Liverpool and Man City both look the most likely to secure top four football but this fixture means that at most one of Man United and Arsenal can join them in the fight. The loser is out of the race realistically, and a draw stitches them both up. United appear to be (rightfully) prioritizing the Europa League, whilst Arsenal are in poor form. It has to be said that Arsenal have been largely very good at the Emirates, and I think they'll come good here, as they simply need it more than United. 

Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal 

Chelsea v Boro (8pm Monday) 

A win over Sunderland and a draw against Man City has given Boro a sniff, but nothing more than that. They now have to go to Stamford Bridge, knowing that Chelsea still need to keep winning if they want to lift the Premier League title. Chelsea need a win, and Boro are no match for them. Simply put, this should be a very, very simple home win, and the only evidence I can offer otherwise is a shrug and a vague mention of the fact that anything can happen. Because football. 

Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea

The Hard and Fast Section

  • Rashid tears Ireland apart. 5-27, Ireland 127.
  • Djokovic "shock therapy". Ditches his entire coaching team. 
  • United 1-0 up on Celta after a poor keeper error. 
  • Moyes to stay at Sunderland. Words fail me. 

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