BURNLEY V FULHAM
Burnley moved one step towards safety with their win over Crystal Palace at the weekend where they were excellent throughout. They started the game well and ended up with three goals to their name which you could say was a surprise because the Clarets have struggled for goals for most of the season. They played some really good football on the day and right back Matt Lowton scored a brilliant goal by volleying Jay Rodriguez's pass first time past Vicente Guaita following a solo run from his own half. The only bad news that came out of that game was an injury to captain Ben Mee who came off following a collision with Andre Ayew. Mee's absence is a big blow for Burnley because they struggled without him earlier in the season and he makes Burnley a better team defensively. He's been a key player for the Clarets since he returned from his early season injury and without him they're not the same team defensively.
Fulham ended their long wait for a win at the weekend as they beat Everton 2-0 with Josh Maja scoring twice on his debut. Fulham have lacked a clinical centre forward all season and Scott Parker will be hoping that Maja will score more goals between now and the end of the season in order for the Cottagers to stay up. The Cottagers have struggled to turn draws into wins this season and that is one of the reasons why they're in the bottom three due to their lack of goals. They've been difficult to beat since the opening weeks of the season but haven't had the killer instinct in front of goal which you need in order to win matches at this level. But in Josh Maja, they might have found the answer to their problems in terms of a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net like he did against Everton. This is a game that Fulham have to win because this is their game in hand and if they win they go within four points of Newcastle which would give them a chance of staying up.
I'm for a draw in this one because both sides have struggled for goals but are solid defensively. Burnley may be without Ben Mee, but Fulham have been known for not killing teams off and I can see that being the case in this one.
PREDICTION: 1-1
EVERTON V MAN CITY
Everton were surprisingly poor against Fulham on Sunday because they were probably tired from their game with Spurs in the FA Cup last week. They were on the back foot for most of the game and looked lethargic throughout as they didn't have many clear cut chances. They did have 7 of the players who played the full 120 minutes against Spurs on the pitch and they were without top scorer Dominic Calvert Lewin, but they still could've put in a better performance as they were against a side who they were expected to beat. Their home form of late has been poor because they haven't won at Goodison Park since the middle of December and have won four times at home all season with their other seven victories coming on their travels. They're having a pretty good season as they're currently 7th in the table and in the FA Cup Quarter finals, but their home form needs to improve if they're to end the season strongly and achieve their objectives.
I can't see anyone stropping City at the moment because they can't stop winning games and a win in this one will put them 10 points clear. They were dominant in their 3-0 win over Spurs at the weekend with Ilkay Gundogan scoring twice to continue the good form he's been in. City will be without him for this one having gone off with a groin injury in the win over Spurs and he'll be a big loss because of the form he's been in. He's become an important player for City since new year by scoring goals and driving forward with the ball which is what we see Kevin De Bruyne do week in week out. City may be without Gundogan and De Bruyne, but they do have Sergio Aguero back which is a massive boost. The Argentine has had an injury disrupted season this year and will want to build up his fitness in order for him to play a key role for the club before the season ends. They've done okay without him but having him back in the side will be a big boost.
I'm going for a City win in this one because they can't stop winning and I can see no one stop them at the moment. With Everton recent struggles at home and the form City have been in, they should have enough to claim the three points.
PREDICTION: 0-2
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