SATURDAY:
TOTTENHAM V BRIGHTON
Spurs have to be the favourites to finish in the top four considering the form they're in and the way they've been playing. Their consistency has improved as a result of their current form and there is also a much better look about the team.
Brighton put an end to their barren run last time out with a victory at Arsenal where they took their chances and put in an all round good performance. They will be feeling confident going into this game as a result of that win but their goal scoring problems are bound to come back like they always do.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Spurs to win this one because of the form they're currently in and the way they're playing. With the form their forward players are in, I can see them win this one comfortably.
MAN UNITED V NORWICH
This is a must win game for United because another slip up here will see them lose further ground in the race for a top four finish. Especially with Spurs and Arsenal both playing on the same day. With Liverpool and Arsenal up next for them, they'll need to win this one so they can have some confidence to take into those games.
Norwich could still pull off a great escape after their win at Burnley last weekend which will give them confidence going into this game. Dean Smith pulled off a great escape when he was at Aston Villa a couple of seasons ago and will believe that he can do the same with Norwich.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I don't think United will play well here but I do think they'll win the game. Norwich will arguably be feeling the more confident but I think United will have enough quality to win the game.
SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL
Southampton are a team low on confidence at the moment as they haven't won any of their last six games in all competitions. They should have enough to hold off any late relegation fears but their current form looks very worrying indeed.
They didn't turn up against Chelsea last weekend and they'll be thankful that it was only six and not nine. They recovered reasonably well after their 9-0 defeats to Man United and Leicester but suffering a similar defeat this late into the season could take some time to get over.
Arsenal have seen their top four hopes take a big blow recently following back to back defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton. They've either gone back to being soft or they can't perform under pressure which has also been the case for them in the past.
They gave themselves too much to do against Brighton last weekend with their late charge not being enough to salvage a point. They didn't start the game well and will need to start this one better if they're to get their top four pursuit back on track.
PREDICTION: 1-3
Arsenal have lost some momentum in recent weeks, but I think they'll bounce back in this one. Southampton are low on confidence and I can see the Gunners take advantage of that.
WATFORD V BRENTFORD
Watford haven't been very good at home this season having just won twice there all season and recorded no wins since Roy Hodgson took over. Teams in a relegation scrap usually use their home form as a catalyst to them staying up and at the moment I can't see that being the case for Watford.
The Hornets look like a team heading towards relegation as they're leaky defensively and not scoring enough goals. Goals haven't really been much of an issue for them this season until now and they need to get Emmanuel Dennis back in the team and scoring goals because of how important he's been for them this season.
Brentford have struggled away from home at times this season but their form on the road has improved recently with two wins from their last three away games. This will give them confidence going into this game alongside the current form they're in at the moment.
The Bees should be good as safe as they're now 13th in the league and 12 points above the relegation zone which should be enough for them. They won't relax as Thomas Frank will want his side to end the season strongly but they'll still feel that they've done enough to stay up.
PREDICTION: 0-2
As Watford have been poor at home this season, I've got to give Brentford the win here. The Bees are in the better form and have a dead ball specialist in Christian Eriksen who will cause Watford's leaky defence so many problems with his deliveries into the box.
FA CUP SEMI FINAL
MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL
These two sides played out an entertaining draw last weekend at the Etihad which kept the title race well and truly alive. This time they meet again with a place in a cup final up for grabs and the need to win arguably greater.
Man City will feel that they should've won last Sunday as they had one or two good chances towards the end of the game. The Riyad Mahrez chances at the end was the one that should've clinched it but he chipped it over the bar and City ended up dropping two crucial points.
City will have Ruben Dias back for this one which will be a big boost but they'll also be without Kevin De Bruyne. City do have players who can step in due to the strong squad they have but without their talisman in a game like this, they might struggle here.
Liverpool might just be favourites for this one as they rested most of their big hitters in midweek unlike City who played pretty much all of them. With the reds not having any serious injury concerns going into this game, they might fancy themselves here.
PREDICTION: 2-3
I fancy Liverpool here because they'll be feeling the fresher of the two teams having rested most of their big hitters in midweek and City having to play abroad. It should be another great game like last Sunday and I think Liverpool will take the win.
SUNDAY:
NEWCASTLE V LEICESTER
Newcastle should be safe now after their win over Wolves last Friday moved them 10 points clear of the drop zone. It was a game they needed to win after losing 3 in a row prior to that game and their 10 points cushion should be enough for them to avoid getting sucked back in.
Leicester are pushing for a strong end to the season with the current form which has come at a very good time. Their return to form has been helped by the returns of Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana as they've looked much better defensively than they have done all season since those two returned from injury.
They are still in the Europa Conference League with a semi final against Roma to look forward but in terms of the league a strong end to the season is all they have left to play for. They do have key players injured but their current form will give them confidence to end the season in the strongest possible way.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I can see this one be a close game as both sides will be looking to play the same way. Newcastle will have the advantage in that they didn't play in midweek but I still think Leicester will get something here as Newcastle do have a few key players out injured.
WEST HAM V BURNLEY
West Ham were never really in the game against Brentford last weekend as they were probably feeling a bit tired from their Europa League game against Lyon during that week. They'll be off the back of another European game in this one so they might feel a bit rusty again.
I was amazed that Burnley sacked Sean Dyche this week as they're still in with a chance of staying up and Dyche himself was probably the best man to keep them up. Without him in charge I really think the Clarets will struggle to stay up this season.
Their defeat to Norwich last weekend was an opportunity missed as it was a game they needed to win with it being against a side in and around them. Maxwel Cornet's miss was very costly as the game might've turned out to be different if he put that chance away.
PREDICTION: 1-0
West Ham might feel a bit tired after playing in Europe but with Burnley not having Sean Dyche in dugout, I think the Hammers will win here. I thought the Clarets might've got something here if Dyche was still in charge but with him no longer their manager I can't see them get anything from this game.
FA CUP SEMI FINAL
CHELSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE
Chelsea were very good against Real Madrid in midweek where they looked in control up until they conceded their first goal. They'll be disappointed to go out of Europe but their performance on the night will give them plenty of confidence going into this game.
The FA Cup is the Blues' last chance of winning a trophy this season as a result of their midweek exit from the Champions League. They've reached the final of this competition for the last two seasons where they lost on both occasions and they'll hopefully use that as motivation to win it this season.
Crystal Palace last reached the semi finals of the FA Cup back in 2016 where they went on to reach the final under Alan Pardew. This year is arguably their chance of going all the way in that their current squad has much more potential than the squad that reached the final back in 2016.
It's been a good all round year for Palace this season with the Eagles in an FA Cup semi final and having a good season in the league. A cup run has had a negative impact on a teams' form in the past but that hasn't happened with Palace by any means. They've dealt with the distraction well and they'll just go out there and enjoy the occasion.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I think Chelsea will win this one because they'll have enough quality to win the game. Palace will give it a good go but the blues should still have enough to reach the final.
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