FRIDAY:
NEWCASTLE V WOLVES
I'm starting to get the feeling that Newcastle think they're already safe following three straight defeats. Yes they're nine points clear which should be enough for them but if they lose again in this one, they may find themselves back in it again.
Wolves are still very much in the race for Champions League football next season as they're only five points off the top four. They probably won't finish there with the final spot more likely to be contested between Arsenal and Spurs but I wouldn't rule them out just yet.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I don't see a lot of goals from both teams at the moment and I can see that being evident in this game. They're both ok defensively but going forward I don't see enough goals from them.
SATURDAY:
EVERTON V MAN UNITED
It's really not looking good for Everton when you look at the league table and its not going to get any easier for them because of the games they have coming up. Their recent performances haven't been too bad but they still need to get results to pull themselves away fro trouble.
The Toffees haven't been as bad at home as they have been away which will give them some confidence going into this game. If they can play like they have done in recent games and cut out the mistakes, they might get something here.
I can't see Man United finish in the top four given how inconsistent they are. They do have a game in hand but that game in hand is against Liverpool plus they also have tough games against Arsenal and Chelsea coming up.
Ralf Rangnick will be hoping to have a recognised striker available for this game following his failed experiment against Leicester in playing Bruno Fernandes as a false no.9. If Cristiano Ronaldo is available, he has to play because of what he offers up top.
PREDICTION: 1-2
I don't think this game will be enjoyable to watch because both sides are not in the best of form. But I do think United will here as they have the players to cause Everton's leaky defence problems. If Ronaldo plays, they'll definitely win here.
ARSENAL V BRIGHTON
Arsenal's defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night showed that they might still have a soft side to them because of the kind of performance they put in. We've seen that kind of performance from them so many times over the years and it could be a sign that they still have a soft side to them.
That result dealt a huge blow to their top four hopes along with injuries to Kieron Tierney and Thomas Partey. Tierney was a big miss for the Gunners on Monday night as Nuno Tavares really struggled whilst without Partey they're not as strong in midfield.
Brighton are on one of those runs they tend to go on at the moment with their excuse being the same one. Good to watch but no cutting edge in front of goal. If that run continues for the next few games, Graham Potter has to consider buying a striker in the summer because his side really need one.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Arsenal may be without one or two key players through injury, but I do think they'll bounce back in this one. Brighton are struggling to score goals at the moment whilst Arsenal themselves have players who can find the back of the net.
SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA
Southampton are have had a steady season this year and it could still end with a top 10 finish. They're only one point behind 10th placed Leicester and if they were to finish there it would represent a very good season for them.
Chelsea have not been defensively convincing in recent games after poor performances there against Brentford and Real Madrid. The final goal they conceded against Real was the worse of three as Mendy was caught in possession outside his own box and gifted Karim Benzema his hat trick.
They'll need to defend better in this one as Southampton are a high pressing team who will pounce on any defensive mistake. The Saints may not be in the best of form but they can still pose a threat from open play of which Chelsea should be aware of.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I think Southampton will make it difficult game for Chelsea here as they can be reasonably organised defensively and nick the odd goal going forward. Chelsea will be looking to show a reaction, but I think Southampton will get something here.
WATFORD V LEEDS
The last time these two sides met was Xisco Munoz's last game in charge of Watford and the Hornets' decision to sack him may end up being the turning point in their season. They were a few places above the bottom three when they made that decision and things have arguably got worse ever since.
The Hornets' didn't play too badly against Liverpool last weekend but they will be kicking themselves for the chances they didn't take. Their performance will give them confidence but they need to do better in front of goal if they're to stay up.
Leeds should have enough to stay up but they're not safe yet as they're only six points above the drop zone. This has given them some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone but they still need to carry on picking up results so they can pull clear of danger.
They've made a steady start under Jesse Marsch which has given them a platform to build on results wise. He may have lost his first two games but two wins and a draw from his last three has steadied the ship for Leeds.
PREDICTION: 0-1
Watford are yet to win at home under Roy Hodgson and they generally have a poor record their this season. Because of that I think Leeds will edge this one.
ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM
Aston Villa are on a three game losing streak going into this game and it could extend to four give the recent form Spurs have been in. They do have some winnable games after this one but they'll want to avoid a fourth straight loss for the first time since the end of October.
Spurs are arguably in pole position to finish in the top given the recent form they've been in along with the favourable fixtures they have coming up. They have more winnable games than their top fours rivals and that should give them the confidence they need to finish in those spots come the end of the season.
It looks like they're finally coming together as a team with the form they're currently in but I do see another bad performance in them. They are in good form and putting in good performances. But I can still see a bad performance in them.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I think this one will be a close game because I can see Villa put in a response after some recent poor results. Spurs will be going into this game as the in form team, but I can see this one being a game where they don't perform.
SUNDAY:
BRENTFORD V WEST HAM
Brentford will be full of confidence going into this game following their impressive win at Chelsea last weekend. They were on top right throughout that game and I can see them put in a similar performance in this one. They're looking more like the team we saw at the start of the season.
West Ham's win over Everton last weekend got their top four push back on track and they were helped massively by both Arsenal and Man United dropping points. For them to still be in the top four hunt at this stage of the season whilst still in the Europa League deserves a lot of credit.
The Hammers have a tough end to the season ahead of them as they have the second leg of their Europa League tie against Lyon to look forward along with some tough games in the league. If they do get past Lyon next week, their squad could be looking very thin come the final few games as it is not the biggest.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I fancy Brentford to win this one because they'll be full of confidence as a result of their win at Chelsea plus I think West Ham will feel a bit tired after playing in Europe during the week. With this being a potential scenario, I can see the Bees take advantage of the Hammers not quite being at the races.
LEICESTER V CRYSTAL PALACE
Leicester were unlucky not to come away with a win against Man United last time out as they were arguably the better side on the day. They had the better chances and their overall performance was much better than their opponents.
The Foxes will again be without Jamie Vardy for this one and it looks like he could be out for the rest of the season. The striker suffered another set back this week and the Foxes really could do with him for this game.
Crystal Palace were outstanding against Arsenal on Monday night and their performance from that game will give them a lot of confidence going into this game. They outmuscled them from start to finish and never let them into the game.
Palace's current squad is probably the best they've ever had as they have players who can come in and do a job like Jean Philippe Mateta did against Arsenal. They have strength in depth and a very good manager who deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done.
PREDICTION: 0-2
With Leicester missing two key players in Vardy and N'Didi, I've got to back Palace in this one. They'll be full of confidence after their impressive win over Arsenal plus they have the players to cause Leicester all kinds of problems.
NORWICH V BURNLEY
Norwich ended their six game losing run against Brighton last weekend where they kept a clean sheet which will hopefully give them a platform to build on in terms of results. Staying up is still a big ask for them but their draw with Brighton could still give them the confidence they need to stay up.
Burnley picked up a much needed win against Everton in midweek which could turn out to be the turning point in their season. Wins have been hard to come by for the Clarets this season but that win over Everton could give them the confidence to get more.
PREDICTION: 0-0
Goals have been a problem for both sides this season and I can see this game showing why. Norwich kept a clean sheet against a Brighton side who are also struggling in front of goal and I can see them do the same here.
MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL
The one we've all been waiting for. These two sides are up there with the best teams in Europe and whoever wins this one will probably go on to win the league.
Man City had to work for their win over Atletico Madrid in midweek and that hard work paid off as they got the goal and the win to give them the upper hand in the tie. Phil Foden made a big impact the moment he came on during that game and I expect him to do the same here if he plays.
City will probably be favourites in this game as they're the team at the top of the table and the home team for this game. Having home advantage is always a bonus in a game like this and City will definitely be looking to use it.
Liverpool on the other hand will be going into this game as the in form team as they've won their last 9 league games which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game. This run has put them right back in the title race and they have an opportunity here to gain the upper hand.
The reds haven't won at the Etihad since 2015 which was Jurgen Klopp's first game against City as Liverpool boss. They've drawn 2 and lost 3 since their last success there and they'll be eager to put an end to that run with a victory in this one.
PREDICTION: 3-2
This one should be a great game because of the quality that both teams possess. I'm going for City to take points here because they have a good record against Liverpool at home plus they also have a little bit more in quality.
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