SATURDAY:
BURNLEY V ARSENAL
Burnley were a bit unlucky in their draw with Leicester on Wednesday as they started the game on the front foot and had enough chances to win the game. They forced Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel into some good saves and they had more attacking intent throughout the game. It was a good response to their 4-0 defeat at Spurs on Sunday and it was the reaction that Sean Dyche wanted after a heavy defeat. Chris Wood made a huge difference for them by holding the ball up and causing the defenders problems with his movement in the box and aerial presence. If the Clarets can keep him fit, they'll score more goals because he makes a big difference to the side whenever he's on the pitch by scoring goals and being a focal point. Burnley have struggled to score goals for most of the season and with Wood back from injury, they're more of a threat in the final third.
Arsenal put in a very good display last time out against Leicester as they came from behind to win 3-1. The defending for Leicester's was poor, but they showed a good reaction by playing with real attacking intent which helped them win the game itself. The only injury concern they have is Emile Smith Rowe who could miss this one after going off before half time against Leicester. The England U20 international has been a key player for the Gunners during their revival by being one of the main creators in the team. This could be a good chance for Martin Odegaard to show everyone what he's made of because we haven't seen his Arsenal career take off yet and with Smith Rowe likely to miss this one, this would be a good chance for the on loan Norwegian to impress the manager. Mikel Arteta could also restore Bukayo Saka and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to the starting line up after both them started the Leicester game on the bench with Aubameyang coming on later in the game.
I'm going for an Arsenal win because they have a good record at Turf Moor and I think they'll have enough to claim the three points. I can see them put in another good performance like they did at Leicester.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SHEFFIELD UNITED V SOUTHAMPTON
Sheffield United picked up a massive result in midweek by beating Aston Villa and with 10 men. They showed some fighting spirit throughout and they were disciplined after they were reduced to 10 men. The fighting spirit is what Chris Wilder is wanting his side to show because they're good as relegated and if they're going down, they're going down fighting which is what their performance against Villa showed. Their win over Villa may have given them some slight hope that they can pull off the great escape, but it looks very unlikely that they will as they're 12 points from safety with 11 games left to play. The only way they can stay up is by going on an unbelievable run which also looks very unlikely as they face Leicester, Leeds and Arsenal in their next three games. If they get something from at least one of those games, I will be amazed.
Southampton should start looking over the shoulders because it looks like they're walking their way into a relegation battle despite being 7 points clear of the drop zone. Their form since new year has been absolutely shocking because they haven't won in 10 games and have lost 8 in 9 since that win over Liverpool at the start of January. They were 6th after that result and level on points with Spurs and City in 4th and 5th. They now find themselves in 14th place with the possibility of being involved in a relegation battle four months after being top of the league. They should have enough to stay up because of the players they have. But at the moment the signs are very worrying. If they can get a win in this one, it will give their confidence a massive boost and confidence is what they're lacking at the moment.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I can't see a winner from either side. Sheffield United don't score many goals and Southampton are lacking confidence so I'm expecting a gritty game.
PREDICTION: 1-1
ASTON VILLA V WOLVES
Aston Villa had some very good chances in their defeat to Sheffield United in midweek with Ollie Watkins' header going over the bar and Bertrand Traore's close range shot just going wide after some good work to get into the shooting position. They definitely missed Jack Grealish because they lacked that creative player who can play a pass to breach a stubborn defence like Sheffield United's was on the day. With their star man still out with a calf injury, Villa could once again struggle in this one because they're up against a Wolves side who are solid defensively and well drilled as a team overall. They beat Leeds without Grealish last weekend because they're a team who are open and expansive unlike Wolves. They also had players who could step up like Anwar El Ghazi did and they didn't have that against Sheffield United in midweek. If Villa can find another player who can step up in the absence of Grealish, they might get something.
Wolves were completely outplayed by Man City in midweek and somehow managed to score an equaliser whilst their opponents were on top. They'll see that as a free hit because it was against a top side in City and no one expected them to get anything from it anyway. They were on a good little run going into that game and Nuno Espirito Santo will want his side to get back on a similar kind of run they were on so they can continue their push into the top half. They'll probably settle for a mid-table finish at the end of the season because that is where they deserve to be based on this season. They've got more than enough to stay out of a relegation battle because of the squad they have but they won't have enough to push for a Europa League spot as they're quite far behind the teams in and around that area of the table.
I'm going for a draw in this one because Villa are without Grealish and Wolves are without Jimenez. They're both not the same without their talisman and because of that I can't see there being a winner from either side.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BRIGHTON V LEICESTER
Brighton were very unlucky in their last game as they missed two penalties and had a goal disallowed twice against West Brom. They'll be hoping that the referee in this one will officiate the game better because Lee Mason did not have the free kick situation under control at all. That incident could cost Brighton their Premier League place because they're three points above the drop zone and they could see that game as the one that sent them down because of the main decision given against them. Other than the free kick incident, the Seagulls' main problem once again came back to bite them as they missed a lot of chances despite having a lot of possession. That has been their problem all season and it looks like they can't fix it because of the amount of chances they don't take. They get into good positions, they just don't have the calmness in front of goal.
Leicester put in a decent display in mid-week against Burnley despite only managing a draw. They were without James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, but they did find one source of creativity in Wilfried N'Didi who played an excellent pass to Kelechi Iheanacho who volleyed it first time into the back of the net. They had Kasper Schmeichel to thank for in that one because of the amount of saves he had to make to keep Burnley at bay. If it wasn't for him, I'm very sure that the Foxes would've lost because of the amount times he had bail his side out of trouble. The Foxes will have Wesley Fofana back for this one after missing the last few games through injury which will be a massive boost because of the season he has had. They still have many players out injured, but having Fofana back is a much needed boost.
I'm going for a Leicester win because Brighton miss a lot of chances despite playing good football. With a striker like Jamie Vardy at the top end of the pitch, you have every chance of winning a game and I think that will be the difference in this one.
PREDICTION: 0-1
SUNDAY:
WEST BROM V NEWCASTLE
West Brom have shown some encouraging signs in recent games and were a bit unlucky not to get something against Everton last night. They had a goal controversially disallowed by VAR and they had some decent chances in the first half with Mbaye Diange's early header brilliantly kept out by Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal. They're looking more difficult to beat than they were a month ago and the performances in particular have improved drastically. It may be a little too late for them but their recent performances will hopefully be an encouraging sign for Sam Allardyce and his team as they look to pull off the great escape like they did the in 2004-05 season. If they're to pull off a great escape, they must win this game because you need to beat the teams in around you if you're to stay up. This is a must win game for the Baggies.
Newcastle have been dealt yet another blow as they're now without Allan Saint Maximin due to a groin injury he picked up in their 1-1 draw with Wolves last weekend. With Callum Wilson out as well, the Magpies are without their two main goal threats. Wilson is the one who scores the goals and Saint Maximin is the one who does all the fancy tricks and creates the chances for the strikers to put away. This game is a must win for Newcastle because they're facing a side who are fighting for the same thing in survival and a loss for them could put them in the relegation zone as they're just three points above the drop. It will be a tough task for them as they're without their two best players, but they still need to win it if they're to avoid relegation at the end of the season. Steve Bruce will surely be aware that because of the position they're in.
I'm going for a West Brom win because they've put in some promising performances recently and Newcastle are without their two best players in Wilson and Saint Maximin. Because of that I think the Baggies will also keep a clean sheet as well claim the three points.
PREDICTION: 1-0
LIVERPOOL V FULHAM
This has to be a must not lose game for Liverpool because they've lost their last 5 home games which has never happened in their history. They do have their problems at the back but they also have problems going forward which is a strange thing to say about them. Their attack looked blunt against Chelsea last night and it has looked that way for a couple of months whether that is down to fatigue or a lack of confidence which is the most likely excuse. Salah was taken off early in the second half which was a surprise as he is usually the one who provides a moment of brilliance when his team need him to. With Diogo Jota now back from injury, Liverpool's attack could at last have some much needed freshness because the front three haven't looked themselves for a while and Jota's return could give one of them a much needed rest in this one.
Fulham were unfortunate in their defeat to Spurs on Thursday night as they had a goal disallowed for a handball in the lead to the goal. The goal should've stood because Lemina's arm was in an unnatural position and there was nothing he could do about it. In terms of the game itself, Fulham were arguably the better side in the second half because of the chances they had to draw the game level. They had several good opportunities to score but they didn't take any of them which has more or less been the story of their season. They may be in a good position to stay up, but their next few league games could determine their season as they face, City, Leeds, Aston Villa, Wolves, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next six which is a tough run in going into the final month of the season. They'll want at least one win from those games if they're to stay within touching distance of safety.
I'm going for a draw in this one because both sides are struggling for goals and Liverpool are struggling to win games at home. The Cottagers will be tight at the back, but I don't think they'll have enough to run away with the win.
PREDICTION: 0-0
MAN CITY V MAN UNITED
A win for City in this one will put them 17 clear at the top which would pretty much guarantee them the title as United are behind them in 2nd place. They produced a dominant display in their win over Wolves in midweek to record their 21st consecutive win in all competitions which is absolutely incredible. I can't see anyone stopping them the way they're going because of the run they're on and the quality they have in their squad in all areas. They arguably have the strongest squad in Europe because of the quality they have on the pitch and the bench which is down to the manager and the players that he has brought in and developed. They have like for like replacements in all positions which is important in a season like this one where the games are coming in thick and fast. Almost the entire squad has had a huge part to play for them this season.
Man United may still be unbeaten away from home, but their record against the big teams this season has not been great. They've not scored against any of the big six since the 6-1 defeat to Spurs earlier in the season with most of those games being 0-0 draws. One reason for those 0-0 draws could be their lack of a world class centre forward because that kind of player can make a difference in games against the big six. People have been saying that United need a world class centre forward for a number of weeks now and they really do. Edinson Cavani is approaching the end of his career, Anthony Martial is not a striker and Mason Greenwood is not ready to lead the line as he is still 19 years old. If they can get their hands on a top quality centre forward like Erling Haaland, they could mount a serious title challenge next season.
I'm going for a City win because they just can't stop winning and United are struggling to score at the moment. With the form City are in and the machine they are, I can see them ending United's unbeaten run away from home.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TOTTENHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE
Spurs have put themselves back in the race for the top four with wins in their last two games against Burnley and Fulham. They may be five points behind 4th placed Chelsea, but their last two results have put them back in the mix despite being 8th in the table. It was good to see both Gareth Bale and Dele Alli back in the starting line up against Fulham with Alli making his first start since the opening day of the season. Alli almost got on the score sheet only for his goal to be ruled as an own goal by Tosin Adarabioyo. He put in a good performance by getting into the box linking up with his teammates which is what he does when he's at his best. With both him and Bale beginning to hit form alongside the magnificent Kane and Son, Spurs look dangerous in attack. I can see them cause many teams problems if they all stay fit and in form.
Crystal Palace will be absolutely delighted that they'll have talisman Wilfried Zaha back for this one after a month out with a thigh injury. Palace only won once and scored twice without their Ivorian superstar which shows how important he is to the team. The Eagles look a better side going when he's in the team because of his pace and ability to beat players which always puts defenders on the back foot. He's got 9 goals for Palace in the Premier League this season and is on course for his best campaign yet with his highest being 10 goals from the 2018-19 season. With him back in the side, Palace will hopefully score more goals and win more games because of how important he is to them. They've always been a solid outfit in defence but going forward, they're not the same when Zaha isn't there because they have no one else like him in their team.
I'm going for a Spurs win because of the form of their attacking players. With Alli and Bale beginning to hit form alongside Son and Kane, I can see them cause Palace many problems and win this game comfortably.
PREDICTION: 3-0
MONDAY:
CHELSEA V EVERTON
Chelsea moved into the top four with their win over Liverpool in midweek to continue their good start under Thomas Tuchel. I think they're in pole position to claim that 4th place because of the form they're in and the quality they have in all areas of the pitch. They're solid defensively and in midfield plus they're decent going forward as well. They're in a system where they feel comfortable in a 3-4-3 formation and its clearly getting the best out of them as they're winning games and keeping clean sheets. If Tuchel can bring in the right players over the summer, I can see Chelsea pushing for a title challenge next season because they're playing in a formation that suits the players and they have a strong squad on paper. If they can bring in a top class centre forward and maybe another centre back, I can definitely see them pushing for a challenge.
Everton have a good record away from home this season with no defeat on the road since the beginning of November. But their record at Stamford Bridge is terrible having not won there since 1994. That is their only win at Chelsea in Premier League history and manager Carlo Ancelotti will want his side to break that hoodoo just two weeks after ending their Anfield hoodoo against Liverpool. The Italian will be returning to Stamford Bridge for the second time since leaving Chelsea back in 2011 and he would definitely love a win on his return to one of his old clubs. The Toffees lost his fixture 4-0 around this time last season and they'll be eager to show how much they've improved since that result by putting an end to their Stamford Bridge hoodoo. A win for them would move them above their opponents and into the Champions League.
I'm going for a Chelsea win because they're unbeaten under Tuchel and have a good record against Everton at home. Because of that I can see blues win again to continue their unbeaten start under Tuchel.
PREDICTION: 2-1
WEST HAM V LEEDS
West Ham gave Man City a good game last weekend and were unfortunate to lose the game. They put in a good performance to make it a close game and they should be proud of their efforts as they were up against the champions elect. They may have dropped outside the top four following Everton and Chelsea's wins in midweek, but still remain in the hunt as they're just two points outside with a game in hand. They were one or two points off the relegation zone this time last season and if you compare that to where they are this season, it shows how good a job David Moyes has done in charge of the Hammers. He's brought the right players into the club and has built a good team along with it which is why they're in 6th place. He surely has to be a contender for manager of the season because of the job he's done and how much his side have improved.
Leeds were not themselves in their defeat to Aston Villa last weekend as they struggled to get the ball in behind the Villa defence. They didn't create many clear cut opportunities and as Leeds have been the most entertaining team to watch this season, it was strange to see them not getting in behind defences like they do almost every week. Kalvin Phillips was definitely a miss because he is someone who can play a pass in behind a stubborn defence like Villa's was on that day. The Whites have won just twice when Phillips has been out of the team this season which shows how important he is to them because of the way he controls the game in midfield. The Yorkshire Pirlo could be back for them in this one which will be a massive boost because they're a better team when he's in it. He's arguably their most important player.
I'm going for a West Ham win because they're having a great season and I think they'll have enough to win this game. They beat Leeds in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and I can see them win again in this one.
PREDICTION: 3-1
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