SATURDAY:
BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL
Brighton are in a rut at the moment after four straight defeats which have seen them drop down to 13th. They should still be ok but their current form is worrying for them. Their losing run could potentially extend to six games as their next two games including this one look very tough. with the other game being against Spurs.
Liverpool missed a lot of good chances against Inter Milan in midweek which eventually came back to bite them. They're not going to worry about that by any means because they managed to see themselves through to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League.
The reds haven't won any of their last three games against Brighton and they threw a two goal lead against them earlier in the season. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his side will be a bit more stubborn this time round as they can't afford to drop points if they're to stay in touch with leaders Man City.
PREDICTION: 0-2
With Brighton on a bad run of form I've got to give Liverpool the win here. The reds themselves are in great form despite their loss in midweek and I can see them pick up another three points so they can stay in touch with City.
BRENTFORD V BURNLEY
Brentford returned to winning ways with their win at Norwich last time out which was a crucial win for them. Ivan Toney may have got his hat trick but Christian Eriksen for me was the difference. He gave them so much creativity on he day and with someone like him in their side, the Bees have a great chance of pulling away from danger.
That result should be enough to see Brentford safe despite the six points gap between themselves and the bottom three because they will have gained a lot of confidence from that result. They have some tough games coming up between now and the end of the season and the confidence gained from that result will help them through those difficult games.
Burnley looked like they were turning corner with the results they picked up last month but defeats from their last two games have put a dent in their chances. I'm starting to think that they might actually go down as I think the teams above them will have enough to survive.
They looked difficult to beat against Chelsea in the first half but were later blown away by them in second. They gave them too much time on the ball and they were punished for it. They can't afford to do that in any of their games between now and the end of the season.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm going for a Brentford win here because of the difference Christian Eriksen will make for them. Burnley will make it difficult for them but with a creative player like Eriksen on the pitch, I can see the Bees nick it here.
MAN UNITED V TOTTENHAM
Man United were absolutely abysmal against City last weekend and will need to show a response in this one if they're to stay in the race for top four. There was no commitment in their performance and they got the result their overall showing deserved.
United lost this fixture 6-1 last season and if they're to avoid another embarrassment this time round, they'll need to show more commitment than they did against City. Spurs may not be a team who will outplay you like City are but United will still need to show more commitment in this one.
Spurs completely blew Everton away on Monday night with the result putting them right back in the race for top four. They're now 3 points outside those spots and they'll have a lot of confidence on board as a result of their win and performance on Monday night.
The only thing stopping them from winning this game will be their inconsistency which has been a problem for them in recent games. They will turn up for this one as its a big game and sides managed by Antonio Conte usually turn up for the big games.
PREDICTION: 1-3
I fancy Spurs to win this one because United are likely to be without a recognised centre forward. Spurs have a solid backbone to their team in Dier and Hojberg and with attacking players like Kane and Son in their side, I can see them turn up for this one.
SUNDAY:
CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE
It's been a difficult week for Chelsea because of what's happening behind the scenes in terms of Roman Abramovich's current situation. They didn't let that distract them against Norwich in midweek as they put in a good enough performance to win the game. But the longer their current situation drags on, the likelihood of it affecting the team could increase.
Newcastle look pretty much safe now with the club now 10 points clear of the relegation zone. They showed some good character against Southampton in midweek by coming from behind to win the game and putting in a resolute defensive performance in the final few minutes of the game.
Eddie Howe's side will still be looking to get more results so they can give themselves more breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. They may look safe as things stand but more good results can make sure it stays that way.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Newcastle may be on a good run of form at the moment, but I think Chelsea will take the points here. They may have their current issues off the pitch but if they can play like they did against Norwich, they'll have enough to win this game.
EVERTON V WOLVES
Everton's defeat to Spurs on Monday night pretty much showed how big a job Frank Lampard has on his hands. He knew that he had a tough job the moment he arrived and Monday's defeat made it even tougher. His side are clearly in a relegation battle and its up to him to get them out of it.
The good thing for the Toffees going into this game is that they're playing at home where they're not as bad as they are away. They may have lost their last game at Goodison against Man City but their performance in that one will be one that they'll be looking to take into this one.
Wolves got their European push back on track in midweek with their thumping win over Watford which was handed to them. They pounced on the mistakes that Watford made and it turned into a rather comfortable game for them.
This game could be similar to the one they had in midweek as they're up against an Everton side who look all over the place defensively. It will be a tough game for Wolves as Everton are pretty solid at home but given how poor defensively the Toffees are, Bruno Lage's men will be ready to pounce on any mistakes.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I fancy Everton to get something here as they've been pretty strong at home in recent games. As Wolves do miss a lot of chances in front of goal, I reckon the Toffees will nick it here.
LEEDS V NORWICH
This relegation six pointer is a must win for both teams and also a must not lose game. A defeat for Leeds could put them in even more trouble whereas as defeat for Norwich would send them closer to the Championship.
Leeds could have Patrick Bamford back in their starting line up for this one which would be massive for them because of how much they've missed him. He won't play the whole game as he's just come back from a long layoff but having him will still be a massive boost for them.
Norwich have lost every game since their mini revival between mid-January to early February and I really can't see them staying up. There have at times been signs of improvement under Dean Smith but with not enough goals scored over the course of the season, I can only see them go one way.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Both sides are not in good form going into this game and will be feeling low on confidence as a result of that. But I do think there will be a winner and I think Leeds will get it as they have Bamford back which will no doubt give them a boost.
SOUTHAMPTON V WATFORD
Southampton have lost a bit of momentum recently following back to back defeats in their last two games against Aston Villa and Newcastle. They were on a great run of form this time last week and will be looking to bounce back in this one because of the high standards they've set themselves.
Watford shot themselves in foot with the mistakes they made against Wolves in midweek and they were punished for them. Ben Foster had an uncomfortable night as he misplaced two passes with one of them leading to a goal whilst the defending for the first goal was just poor.
I'm starting to worry about the Hornets as I can't see them win many games between now and the end of the season. They are still in with a chance of staying up but I'm not seeing many signs of improvement from them. Defensively they're still vulnerable and going forward they're not looking at all threatening.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Southampton to bounce back in this one because they're strong at home will have enough in them to win this game. I can see this one being a convincing win for them because of their high intensity style of play and Watford's woeful defending.
WEST HAM V ASTON VILLA
West Ham will be kicking themselves for the chances they missed against Liverpool last weekend as they had a lot of good ones during the game. They also lost Jarrod Bowen to injury in that one which will be a big blow for them because of how influential he's been for them this season.
The amount of games has caught up with the Hammers in the second half of the season as they've lost key players to injury and haven't had the squad to compete on all fronts. They've done well to stay in the race for the top four for as long as they have done but their current squad is not strong enough to compete on all fronts.
Aston Villa are looking a very good side going forward at the moment which was evident in their recent wins over Southampton and Leeds. Philippe Coutinho has obviously made a difference with the impact he's made since he's been there plus they've also found a way to fit Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins in the same team which is working.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Both sides played on a Thursday with West Ham playing Sevilla in the Europa League and Villa obviously playing Leeds in the league. They both might feel a bit fatigued in this one as a result of that so I'm going for a draw here.
ARSENAL V LEICESTER
Arsenal at the the moment appear to be the favourites to finish in the top four as they currently occupy that position with some games in hand. They're also on the best run of form out of all the teams fighting for that specific spot which will give them a lot of confidence.
There is more positivity around this Arsenal team than there has been in years as they have a stronger backbone to their team, a good team spirit and some good youngsters in their side. Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit for this and if he can get them into that top four it would mark a very good season for the Gunners.
Leicester have picked themselves recently following back to back wins over Burnley and Leeds which were both big results for them. They'll now be looking to end the season strongly as there is not much for them to play for plus it can help them rescue their stop-start season.
Just when they started picking up results, the Foxes then lost Jamie Vardy to another injury. This will be a massive blow for them because they missed him when he was out the first time and their season could falter further with him out for another few weeks.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Arsenal to win this one because they're in great form and Leicester are without Jamie Vardy. With a strong record at home as well, this should be a straight forward win for them.
MONDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V MAN CITY
Crystal Palace beat City in the reverse fixture at the Etihad back in October which will give them some confidence going into this game. They've been a good side to watch under Patrick Vieira and I'm sure that they'll be looking to give City another game like last time.
Man City missed some good opportunities against Sporting in midweek but it didn't matter at all as they already had enough to see themselves through to the next round of the Champions League. They'll now see themselves as the favourites to win that competition with PSG out of it completely.
The pressure could be on them in this one if Liverpool beat Brighton on Saturday which would in turn reduce the deficit at the top to three points. City usually respond when the pressure is on them and if that's the case in this one, they should have no problems in winning this game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I've got to go with a City win here because I think they'll have more than enough to win the game. Palace will try and cause them problems but with the quality that City have, they should definitely win this one.
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