TUESDAY:
ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL
Aston Villa were excellent in their win over Burnley on Saturday and it was probably their best performance in a long time. Steven Gerrard said after that game that his side need to play like that more at home where they've been a bit inconsistent. They have an opportunity to do that in this game but I'm not sure they will because of the quality of team they're facing.
Villa won this fixture 7-2 last season and they'll know that they won't be expecting the same kind of game here. They'll be up against a stronger Liverpool side compared to the one they faced that day and a Liverpool side who are in great form.
Liverpool's draw with Spurs will feel like a missed opportunity and especially as City went on and thrashed Newcastle the following day. The title race is still very much alive but with City now having a higher goal difference than Liverpool, their draw with Spurs will feel more like two points dropped rather than a point gained.
The Reds' might make some changes for this one with their FA Cup final clash with Chelsea coming up this weekend. But I can't see them make too many as they're still very much in this title race and will keep fighting for it until the season is done. They'll field a strong team as expected.
PREDICTION: 0-1
Villa will make it difficult for Liverpool, but I think the reds will have the quality to win the game. The might make some changes with the FA Cup final in mind but I still think they'll field a strong enough team to win them the game.
WEDNESDAY:
LEEDS V CHELSEA
Leeds thought they were safe not that long ago but now they're in real trouble. I think they could be the team that heads down because I'm not sure that they'll win any of their remaining fixtures. Their next two after this one are winnable but I can still see them drop points in both of them.
Chelsea have looked very unlike their usual selves in recent weeks in that they haven't been as defensively solid as they usually are. We're definitely seeing some vulnerabilities in their backline and Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that his side can stamp them out. Especially with their FA Cup final clash with Liverpool coming up.
The only good news coming out of Chelsea over the last few days has been the agreement of new owners coming into the football club. The situation surrounding it appeared to be affecting players over the last few weeks but with the deal almost agreed, the club can now look ahead to next season and the summer.
PREDICTION: 0-2
Chelsea might make some changes with the FA Cup final in mind but I still think they'll have enough to win this game. Leeds are missing a few key players and are not clinical enough in the final third and because of that I think the blues will win here.
LEICESTER V NORWICH
Leicester can now focus on a strong end to the season as its the only thing they have left to play for. They're not in great form going into this game because their focus was more on the Europa Conference League. As they're now out of that competition, they can put their full focus on the league and a good end to the season.
Their set piece problems continued in their defeat against Everton on Sunday and it's clear to see that their defenders are not trusted in those scenarios. Their defence will be their main area to address over the summer without a shadow of a doubt.
Norwich looked like a side very low on confidence against West Ham on Sunday because of the lack of effort they put in. Defensively they were awful like they have been all season and they didn't offer any serious in the final third. They looked like a side that had basically given up on their season.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Leicester to win this one because I think they'll be too strong for Norwich. The Foxes aren't in the best of form but with Jamie Vardy back in their attack, they should win this one comfortably.
WATFORD V EVERTON
Watford look set to end the season with a whimper with the current for they're in and the games they have coming up. They'll look to play those games with some pride as they're officially relegated but given the recent performances they've put in I can't see them show it.
Relegation was what the Hornets deserved because they haven't been good enough all season. Defensively they've been woeful as they've let in a lot of goals and they haven't fared much better going forward. The managerial changes have played a part but mainly its been down to their performances on the pitch.
Everton finally picked up a win away from home against Leicester on Sunday where they again looked resolute and showed some fight. They've been that kind of team for the last month or so and it has benefitted them. They've got results by playing like that which has given them some much needed confidence.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Everton to record another away win here because Watford are awful at home. The Hornets will show some fight after their relegation but I think the Toffees will take the points here.
WOLVES V MAN CITY
Wolves showed character to come from 2-0 down to grab a draw at Chelsea at the weekend which was massive for them as it looked like their season was beginning to fade away. I know they didn't win the game but the character they showed will give them some confidence going into this game.
Man City responded well to their Champions League exit with a convincing win over Newcastle on Sunday which is what Pep would've wanted. They banished those demons and put in a good performance to give themselves the advantage in the title race.
They did however suffer a major blow with Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and John Stones all set to be out for the rest of the season. But I don't see that having a major effect on them as they have players capable of stepping in their places and some quality players in their attack capable of winning them a game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
This won't be an easy game for City but I still think they'll win it without too many problems. Wolves will try and make it difficult for them but with the quality that City possess, they should have more than enough to win this game.
THURSDAY:
TOTTENHAM V ARSENAL
This game was seen as the game the to decide the top four a few weeks ago but now I don't see it as that kind of game. It's still a big game with it being a North London Derby between two sides fighting for the same spot. But it's not as big a game as it might've been a few weeks ago.
Spurs were resolute and well drilled against Liverpool on Saturday by making countless blocks and being very well organised. They had a game plan to frustrate Liverpool and they carried it out well by putting in the performance they did. Antonio Conte got his tactics spot on.
Conte himself doesn't have a good record when it comes to facing Arsenal as he won just once in his eight meetings against them when he was at Chelsea. He has a chance to put that right in this one which is a must win game for his side.
Arsenal will go into this game as slight favourites as they're in a higher league position and in better form having won their last four league games. They might be missing one or two key players through injury but they'll still go into this game as slight favourites.
They'll guarantee both a top four finish and a finish above Spurs if they win this game which will of course be massive for them. This season has been their best opportunity to achieve both things and they'll be desperate to take this opportunity.
PREDICTION: 1-1
It will definitely be a close game as they're both fighting for the same goal. But I can't see winner from either side because I think this game is too close to call. With Conte's poor record against Arsenal and Arsenal's poor record at Spurs thrown into the mix, I can definitely see it turning out that way.
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