SATURDAY:
MAN UNITED V EVERTON
Man United picked up a much needed win against Brentford in midweek which moved them back into the top four. They went three games without a win and a goal going into that game and thw win will hopefully restore the momentum they had before.
They'll again be without Casemiro and Eriksen for this game who are both suspended and injured respectively. But they'll both be back soon with Casemiro back next week and Eriksen back a week or two later.
Everton have been poor on the road this season but they did get a point in their last away game against Chelsea. They came from behind twice to get a point from that game and they may need to use that fighting spirit again here if they're to stay up.
They picked up another crucial point against Spurs on Monday which extended their current unbeaten run to four games. Another result here to extend that run will be seen as another step in the right direction.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I'm backing Man United to win here because they're strong at home and will have enough quality to win this game. They might still be without Casemiro and Eriksen but with Everton being very poor away from home, United should win here.
ASTON VILLA V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Aston Villa have to be in the race for European football with they're in and especially now they're 7th in the table. They were 16th when Unai Emery took over and he deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done.
Nottingham Forest won't be fancied by anyone here with the form they've been both overall and away from home. It's good that their owners are behind Steve Cooper but their results need to improve if they're to stay up. Especially away from home.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I've got to go with Villa here because of the form they're in compared to Forest. With Forest being so poor away from home, this should be a straight forward win for Unai Emery's side.
BRENTFORD V NEWCASTLE
Brentford didn't offer much against Man United in midweek which was a game I thought they would get something from. They did cause David De Gea in the United goal one or two problems but that was the only time they were near their goal.
The Bees have lost just once at home this season and they'll surely be backing themselves to get something here. They go into every home game believing that they can get something and they'll go into this one with the same mind-set.
Newcastle were outstanding against West Ham in midweek and they surely now have to be the favourites to finish in the top four. They currently sit in 3rd and have found form at a good time.
Seeing Callum Wilson back among the goals in midweek was a huge plus for them and especially after a long spell without scoring. The Magpies now have some strength in depth in their attack both Wilson and Isak in good form.
PREDICTION: 1-3
I fancy Newcastle to win here because of the form they've been in recently. Brentford may be in good form at home but with the momentum Newcastle have I can see them carry it into this game.
FULHAM V WEST HAM
Fulham have had a great first season back in the top flight but their season could end on a sour note with talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic suspended for 8 games. He's been a big loss for Fulham when he's been unavailable and his suspension is a massive blow to their European hopes.
The pressure is back on David Moyes following West Ham's heavy loss to Newcastle in mdiweek. They were completely hopeless defensively as Newcastle cut them open time and time again. They also made a number of errors for which they were punished for.
This game has been labelled as a must not lose for the Hammers and for Moyes. I hope he keeps his job but if they lose here the pressure on him will only increase.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I might've gone for a Fulham win had Mitrovic been available. But as he's not I'm going for a draw. West Ham have struggled on the road this season but with Fulham not having Mitrovic available, I don;t see the Hammers' defence get as exposed as it was against Newcastle.
LEICESTER V BOURNEMOUTH
This is a must win game for Leicester with it being against a relegation rival which also makes it a must not lose. They need points on the board to get themselves out of the trouble and especially against the teams in and around them.
Bournemouth played well against Brighton in midweek but weren't able to take their chances. Goals have been hard to come by for the Cherries this season and it could be what sends them down.
They've got the worst defence in the league this season which is a fact that has gone under the radar. They have had games where they've been tough to beat but they have still struggled in that area. Especially from set pieces.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm backing Leicester to win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. This hasn't always been the case with them this season but with Bournemouth struggling on the road, the Foxes should edge this one.
TOTTENHAM V BRIGHTON
It was same old Spurs against Everton on Monday with it being another unconvincing performance. They weren't able to make the most of having an extra man and their chances on the day weren't convincing enough.
The pressure is now on Spurs to finish in the top four after both Newcastle and Man United both won in midweek. But I don't see them doing that given how inconsistent they've been this season.
Brighton are a better team to watch than Spurs and it's no surprise to see manager Roberto De Zerbi linked the managers job there. They have a clear identity in the way they play and a group of players who pull in the same direction. Something you don't associate with Spurs.
PREDICTION: 1-2
I'm backing Brighton to win here because they're a more convincing side to watch. They look dangerous whenever they go forward and with Spurs likely to put in another flat performance, I can see the Seagulls make the most of it.
WOLVES V CHELSEA
These two sides have one thing in common. They both struggle to score goals.
Wolves are the joint lowest goal scorers in the league this season with 23 but their problems in front of goal haven't been talked about as much as they were before the World Cup. They are still lacking an out an out goal scorer but they have been more clinical since Lopetegui took over.
Goals have been Chelsea's Achilles heal all season. They create a lot of chances but can't seem to put them away as their midweek draw with Liverpool showed. They don't have a clinical enough centre forward and haven't done for a number of years.
The blues will have Frank Lampard back in charge for this game and his appointment could turn out to be a good one. He knows the club and he also knows most of the players there from his first spell. But the massive squad he is taking over could make his job very challenging.
He did ok in his first spell considering the circumstances he faced and he'll return with some unfinished business. If he can get some good results between now and the end of the season, he could potentially put himself in the frame for the job in the summer.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I don't see there being many goals here as both sides don't score many of them. Chelsea will definitely respond with Frank Lampard back in charge but I don't see them putting in a cohesive performance. Wolves will give it a go but I think their usual shortcomings will come back to bite them.
SOUTHAMPTON V MAN CITY
Out of all the teams down there fighting it out to stay in the league Southampton are the most likely to go down. Not because they're bottom of the league but because they don't score enough goals. They got into a number of good positions against West Ham last weekend but didn't always have someone to put the ball in the net.
They have made slight improvements under Ruben Selles but their problems in front of goal are still there. That is what could send them down.
Man City might make some changes for this game with their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in mind in midweek. I don't see them makes too many though and however many changes Pep makes, his team will still look very strong.
They could have Erling Haaland back for this one which would be a massive boost. But with Bayern Munich in mind in midweek, Pep may want to save him for that game because of how important the Champions League is.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I've got to back City here because they're far superior in quality and Southampton have a terrible record at home. They might makes changes with Bayern Munich in mind but they should still win this one reasonably comfortably because of the quality of squad they have.
SUNDAY:
LEEDS V CRYSTAL PALACE
Leeds have won both of their home games under Javi Gracia including their midweek win over Nottingham Forest. Their home form will be crucial if they're to stay up and another win here will be crucial. Especially with it being against another fellow relegation rival.
Crystal Palace really went for it against Leicester in Roy Hodgson's first game back by starting the game on the front foot and creating lots of chances. It looked like it was going to be deja vu when they missed a host of opportunities but they got there in the end and their performance will hopefully give them a lot of confidence.
But they did lose Wilfried Zaha to injury which is always a massive blow for them. Especially at this stage of the season where you need all your best players fit in order to win games.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm going for a Leeds win here because they're in decent form at home and Palace are obviously without Zaha. The Eagles struggle whenever Zaha is out of the side and although Leeds do miss a lot of chances, I think they'll be the more clinical side in this one.
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
Liverpool made some big changes in their draw with Chelsea in midweek and I can think of two reasons why. 1. Klopp wanted to take some players out of the firing line. 2. He wanted to save his rested players for this game. It could either of those reasons why he made those big calls in midweek.
Some people thought they had turned a corner after beating Man United 7-0 but that clearly hasn't been the case. I didn't think they had because they haven't built on any big results this season. It's been an inconsistent season and a big summer lies ahead for them.
Arsenal's record at Anfield in recent seasons is dreadful and they have a great opportunity to end that drought in this one. They're facing an out of sorts Liverpool side who have struggled for consistency all season and are an ageing team. The Gunners have a much younger and fresher team who are far more energetic.
Mikel Arteta's side are like the Liverpool of old in that they find ways to win when they're not at their best and they've certainly done that on more than one occasion this season. They have a much stronger mentality and the entire club is more together than it has been for many years.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I've got to back Arsenal here because they have much more energy and are a side with more confidence. They have struggled at Anfield in recent years but because of the state Liverpool are in, the Gunners should win this one as they're in better form.
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