SATURDAY:
LIVERPOOL V WATFORD
April looks set to be a big month for Liverpool as they some big games coming up including next weeks' clash with Man City. A win here would definitely be most welcoming as it would give them a lot of confidence which is what they'll need going into the games they have coming up. Especially their clash with City next week.
Watford's last game before the international break was a crucial win at Southampton which will hopefully give them the confidence they need to put a run of result together. Roy Hodgson is definitely capable of getting his side to do this as he's been in this situation before from his time at Fulham in 2007/08.
Getting his side on that kind of run may have to wait with this game being one they're unlikely to get something from. They will have some confidence on board from their previous result but getting something here will still be a tough ask.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm going for a Liverpool win here because I think they'll be too strong for Watford. The Hornets will try and make it difficult for them but the reds' quality should still be enough to see them through to the next round.
BRIGHTON V NORWICH
Brighton are in a rut at the moment after losing their last six league games before the international break. Graham Potter has surely used these last two weeks to watch back his sides' performances to see where they can improve and what they can do better to end their rut.
Scoring goals has been their main problem during this poor run as they've scored just once and have missed a hatful of chances. Their luck might change in this one as Norwich do let a lot of goals in.
Norwich are also on a bad run of form as they've lost their last six and are winless in 7 which is worse than their opponents. Their need to win this game is greater than Brighton's because they're at the foot of the table and are desperate for points in their battle for survival.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Both sides are not in great form going into this game and they don't score many goals either. But I'm going to go for a Brighton win here because the Canaries look vulnerable defensively and I can see the Seagulls take advantage of that.
BURNLEY V MAN CITY
Burnley are arguably the only side in the bottom three who have an advantage in that they have a couple of games in hand which will could prove to be crucial in their season. They also have games against teams in and around them which will also give them a lift.
Man City will see this as a must win game because Liverpool are hot on their tails and could be top of the league by the time this game begins. With Liverpool up next for them in the league, they'll want to get this one out the way so they can go into that big game with some confidence on board.
They do have their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in midweek but winning this game against Burnley will give them the advantage going into next weeks big clash.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing City to win this one because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. With most of their key players available to them, they should have no problems in winning this game.
CHELSEA V BRENTFORD
Things have started to improve for Chelsea off the field in recent weeks with non season ticket holders now allowed to attend games and players now available to sign new contracts. With a new owner also likely to be announced within the next few weeks, the future is beginning to look bright off the field.
The blues dealt with the off field distraction pretty well before the international break by just getting on with their job on the pitch. Thomas Tuchel will want his players to carry on what they're doing so they can have a positive end to the season.
Brentford gave Chelsea a good game in the reverse fixture back in October and if it wasn't for Edouard Mendy, the bees might've possibly won the game. They had a lot of chances to score in that game but they couldn't take any of them because how good the Chelsea stopper was on the day.
The Bees were poor in their last league game against Leicester with their first half performance basically costing them the game. They did improve in the second half but if they play like they did in the first half in this game, they won't get anything here.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Chelsea to win here because I think they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. They're in good form going into this game and I can see them carry it on with another win here.
LEEDS V SOUTHAMPTON
Leeds have made a decent start under Jesse Marsch with two wins from his opening four games in charge which is a pretty solid start. They're hitting form at the right time and they'll be going into this game with confidence as a result of their solid start under their new manager.
The good news for Leeds going into this game is that they'll have Kalvin Phillips back which is a huge boost for them but the bad news is they're again without Patrick Bamford. He left the pitch in tears against Wolves before the international break and it's likely that he won't play again this season.
Southampton lost some momentum before the international break after losing their last three league games before the break. They were on a good run before that run of defeats and they'll need to pick themselves up in this one so they don't slide further down the table.
The Saints are still having a solid season as they're 11th in the table. But they don't want their season to fizzle out like it did last season and I'm certain that it won't because they have a good team spirit and a stronger squad than last season.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Southampton to win this one because they're a solid outfit defensively and have players going forward who can hurt Leeds. With the home side without Bamford, I think the Saints will have enough here.
WOLVES V ASTON VILLA
Wolves will be without two of their most important players for this one in striker Raul Jimenez through suspension and midfielder Ruben Neves through injury. They'll both be a big loss for Wolves in this one because they'll miss Neves' energy in midfield which the other players don't have and they won't have a focal point up top which is what Jimenez provides when he's on the pitch.
Aston Villa capitulated right at the end in the reverse fixture back in October by conceding three times in the final 10 minutes and blowing a two goal lead. They'll want to show that they've toughened up since that defeat and to some extent they have as they've looked reasonably solid since Gerrard came in.
PREDICTION: 0-0
Wolves are missing arguably their best midfielder and striker, but I do think they'll have enough defensively to get a result here. They have once of the best defences in the league and because of that I can see them keep Villa at bay.
MAN UNITED V LEICESTER
Finishing in the top four is all Man United have left to play for this season as they're out of all the cup competitions. They arguably have the toughest run in out of all the teams fighting it out to finish in those spots as they have to face Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea before the end of the season.
They haven't looked at all convincing under Ralf Rangnick and this one could well be another below par performance. They might still get something but its not going to be pretty.
Leicester appeared to be turning a corner before the international break with 3 wins from their last 4 games which have given them some much needed confidence. Their performances have been much better and they're finally getting the result they deserves.
Repeating their excellent win from earlier in the season will be tough in this one as they'll be without two of their best players in Jamie Vardy and Wilfried N'Didi. Vardy was a huge loss for them when he was out a couple of months ago whilst without N'Didi the Foxes' defence isn't as well protected.
PREDICTION: 2-1
With Leicester without Vardy and N'Didi, I've got to give United the win here. It may not be a convincing performance but with Leicester's troubles from set pieces and United having arguably the best header of a ball in Cristiano Ronaldo, I can see United punish them here.
SUNDAY:
WEST HAM V EVERTON
West Ham's defeat to Spurs last time out got me asking if their place in Europe is under threat and it could well be if they don't get something from this game. They're just two points ahead of Wolves in 8th and Wolves could well overtake them if they win their game against Aston Villa.
David Moyes will definitely see this as a must win game for his side because of Wolves not being very far behind them plus they need some confidence to help through their packed schedule. They've got both Europa League and Premier League games over the next couple of weeks and win here would definitely help them get through that.
Everton picked up a much needed win last time out in the league against Newcastle but were later brought back down to earth with a crushing defeat by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. They looked disorganised and all over the place in that game and it showed how tough a job Frank Lampard has on his hands.
Lampard has surely used the international break to watch back his sides' performances so he can see what his side need to work on so he can get a tune out of his underperforming players. I imagine that he's been working them hard in training and this game could tell us what kind of reaction they'll show.
PREDICTION: 3-1
With Everton being so poor away from home I've got to hand West Ham the win here. The Hammers are a team with players who know their roles and have an identity which is the complete opposite of Everton.
TOTTENHAM V NEWCASTLE
Spurs have put themselves right back in the race for the top four in recent weeks as they're now just two points behind 4th placed Arsenal. They arguably have the most favourable run in out of all the teams fighting that spot with the majority of their remaining games being winnable.
But whether they can win those games will be a completely different question as they do have a bad performance in them. They have ended their win-lose run recently but there is a chance that it could return.
Newcastle lost some momentum before the international break following back to back defeats to Chelsea and Everton. They should still have enough to survive but another defeat here could potentially drag them back into it. Especially if the teams below them pick up points.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Spurs to win this one because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. With the form their forward players are in, they'll definitely win this one.
MONDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V ARSENAL
Crystal Palace played well in the reverse fixture back in October and were unlucky not to come away with all three points. Patrick Vieira will want more of the same in this one but this time he'll want his side to see the game out better as they conceded very late on in the reverse fixture.
Arsenal have been much improved away from home recently having won all their games on their travels since the turn of the game. They were struggling a bit on the the road in the first half of the season but since the turn of the year they've been much improved.
The Gunners are currently in the driving seat in the top four race as they currently occupy the all important spot and have games in hand. This gives them an edge over the other teams fighting for 4th place and it will also give them confidence as it will give them something to hold onto.
PREDICTION: 1-1
These two sides drew the last time they met and I can see the same happening again in this one. Both sides will go for it as they're both good to watch but I think both defences will be on top here.
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