FRIDAY:
SOUTHAMPTON V LEICESTER
Southampton were beaten in this fixture 9-0 last season which turned out to be a turning point in their season and Ralph Hasenhuttl's time at the club. The Saints were facing the prospect of being involved in another relegation battle following that result after a slow start to the season and the manager was under a lot of pressure because of the nature of the result. The club stuck by Hasenhuttl and it turned out to be the right decision as they finished 11th which turned out to be a good season for them.
The Saints were never really in the game when they met Leicester in the FA Cup a couple of weeks ago as they lacked intensity and energy in their game which is what Southampton show when they're at their best. Ralph Hasenhuttl will want a better showing from his side in this one because of how flat they were a couple of weeks ago in the FA Cup. An improved performance in this one could help the Saints end the season on a strong note which is what they want to do as they have nothing to play for.
Leicester will remember this fixture very well from last season as they ran out 9-0 winners. But they probably won't be expecting the same kind of result because Southampton have hopefully learnt their lesson from that heavy defeat. The Foxes will be expecting a closer game in this one unlike last season but they'll still be the favourites because of where they are in the league compared to their opponents.
The Foxes will be without winger Harvey Barnes for the rest of the season which is a big blow because of the season he has had. But it isn't terrible news because Kelechi Iheanacho has been able to step up and deliver during Barnes' absence with 9 goals in his last 12 games in all competitions including the FA Cup semi final win over the Saints a couple of weeks ago. He's been a mainstay in the team since Barnes got injured and the Nigerian looks set to remain in the team until the end of the season.
I'm going for a Leicester win because they've been brilliant away from home all season and are in decent form themselves. The game won't be as one sided as it was last season, but the Foxes should still have enough to win the game.
PREDICTION: 1-3
SATURDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V MAN CITY
Crystal Palace have a tough end to the season with three of their final five games against the so called big six in Arsenal and Liverpool as well as this one against league leaders City. They have a couple of winnable ones against Sheffield United and Aston Villa but overall Palace still have a tough fixture schedule to end the season with.
Palace are having their ideal season as they're sat comfortably in mid-table and well clear of danger. But they won't want their season to fizzle out like it did last year where they lost 7 of their final 9 games. With this season potentially being the final one for Roy Hodgson and many of the Palace players who are out of contract in the summer, the Eagles will be hoping to end the season on a high which won't be easy due to the tough games they have coming up.
Man City are just a matter of wins away from securing the title and another win in this one could move them even closer. They could even have it wrapped up this weekend if Man United lose their game with Liverpool because a win for City in this one will extend their lead at the top to 13 points with four games still to play. It's getting closer and closer for Pep's boys.
City put one foot in the Champions League final in midweek by coming from behind to beat PSG 2-1 in the first leg of their semi final tie. It was a good solid performance from them overall as they caused their opponents problems going forward with the chances they created and defensively they kept Neymar and Mbappe quiet. They were the better side the second half and they made their dominance count by scoring two perfect goals through Kevin De Bruyne's lob and Riyad Mahrez's low free kick which won them the game.
I'm going for a City win because I think they'll have more than enough quality to win this game. They may rest a few players with the second leg against PSG in mind, but they'll still have enough to win this game because of how strong their squad is.
PREDICTION: 0-2
BRIGHTON V LEEDS
It was deja vu for Brighton against Sheffield United at the weekend as they had a lot of chances but didn't them. That has been the case for them in a lot of games this season and it's something they'll need to sort out next season if they're to stay out of another relegation battle. They should have enough to survive this season as they're seven points clear of the drop which should be enough to keep themselves out of trouble.
Despite the gap they have between themselves and the bottom three, the Seagulls could still get sucked back into the relegation battle as they have to face West Ham, Arsenal and Man City in three of their final final games. They'll be targeting wins in this one and their next one against Wolves to ensure survival because they're more winnable than their final three games. If they don't win their next two including this one, they could be battling it out on the final day of the season unless Fulham don't win any more games.
Leeds have adapted their game in recent weeks by being more solid and organised at the back which is something we haven't said about them for the majority of the season. They've been exactly that in their last three games against Man United, Liverpool and Man City where they picked up five points overall with their defensive organisation being key to them getting points from those games.
Marcelo Bielsa's team should finish roughly where they now which would be a very good season for them considering that they're a newly promoted team. Bielsa surely has to be a nominee for manager of the season because of the job he's done in Leeds' first season back in the Premier League by leading them to a top half finish. They would've been happy with survival at the start of the season and Bielsa is on his way to leading them to a top ten finish which is always a good season for a newly promoted team.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I think both sides will go for it but not take their chances. With both sides being reasonably solid over the last few games, I think they'll both keep the score down as well.
PREDICTION: 1-1
CHELSEA V FULHAM
Chelsea may make some changes in this one with the second leg of their Champions League semi final with Real Madrid coming up later in the week. They won't want to make too many changes because they still have a top four place to earn plus too many changes could disrupt the team. They should still have enough to win this one if they do make changes because the blues have a pretty strong strength in depth.
The blues picked up a crucial away goal in their Champions League tie with Real Madrid in midweek which will be important to their chances of making the final at the end of May. They made a promising start in the first leg with Christian Pulisic scoring the crucial first goal and they should've scored more because of the amount of chances they had on the night including Timo Werner's poor shot which went straight at Thibaut Courtois. It was a good performance from them overall and one which they'll be hoping to take into this game as well as the second leg on Wednesday.
Fulham are currently without in a win in six games which is not the kind of form you want to be in going into your final five games of a season. The Cottagers have some tricky games coming up between now and the end of the season including that potentially crucial last game against Newcastle. They need to start winning games now if they're to stay up because at the moment it looks unlikely as they're seven points from safety.
The Cottagers need to pick themselves up in this one because of the way they've dropped points in their last three games. They conceded a late equaliser against Arsenal last time out which cost them three crucial points having taken the lead via a Josh Maja penalty. They also conceded a late goal the week before against Wolves with Adam Traore's goal winning them the game a week after giving up against Aston Villa where their heads dropped after Villa scored the equaliser before going on to win the game 3-1. Having not played for two weeks, Scott Parker has hopefully used that time to find ways of helping his side to see games out better.
I'm going for a Chelsea win because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. They might make some changes with the second leg against Real Madrid in mind, but they should still have enough to win this game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
EVERTON V ASTON VILLA
Everton's hopes of European football next season were given a boost last weekend with their win over Arsenal which moved them to within a point of 7th placed Spurs. They were without a win in six games going into the Arsenal game with their chances of securing a place in Europe looking unlikely. But that win last Friday along with Spurs' drop off in form has seen them back in contention and they'll now want to keep up the pressure so they have a fighting chances of finishing in those spots at the end of the season.
The Toffees have been poor at home this season and especially in recent games with their last win at Goodison coming at the beginning of March which has been their only win in eight games on home soil. With the majority of their key players available for this game, they'll give themselves a chance of winning this game as they look to start improving their home form.
Aston Villa must be wondering if they will see Jack Grealish play again this season with the club captain still out with the calf injury that has side-lined him for at least a month. Villa have only won twice in his absence and their recent poor form has mainly been down to him not being there. Dean Smith will want him back soon so his team don't let their good season fizzle out.
Villa were destined for a swift return to the Championship following their 1-1 draw in this fixture last season as they conceded a late equaliser which would've hurt the players mentally. Their Premier League status was hanging by a thread with just two games left to play and they luckily got results in both of them which helped them stay up. This fixture last season turned out to be a turning point in Villa's season despite it being so late on into the season.
I'm going for an Everton win because they will have all their key players available unlike Villa who are still without Jack Grealish. Their home form may not be great, but the Toffees should still have enough quality to win the game.
PREDICTION: 2-0
SUNDAY:
NEWCASTLE V ARSENAL
Newcastle should be fine for the rest of the season as they're nine points clear of the drop which is more than enough to keep them in the Premier League for another season. They still have some tough games including this one between now and the end of the season but they still should have enough in them to stay away from the relegation zone.
The Magpies' only blow ahead of this one is that Joe Willock will be unable to play as he is on loan from Arsenal till the end of the season. Willock has netted some important goals for the Magpies in three of their last four games coming on as a substitute including late equalisers against Spurs and Liverpool. Without that impact player to come off the bench and change the game, Newcastle may have to find another one if they're to get another good result in this one.
Arsenal will have captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang back for this one with the striker fully recovered from malaria which he suffered whilst on international duty with Gabon at the end of March. He'll be looking to end his below par season strongly because he'll want to show people that he's still one of the best finishers in Europe. If he can do that, he could force his way back into his managers' good books having been dropped for the Spurs game a month ago due to disciplinary reasons.
The Gunners are set to have their worse season in a number of years as they're currently 10th in the Premier League and facing an exit from the Europa League with Mikel Arteta's side currently 2-1 down on aggregate against Villarreal. With European football unlikely to happen through the league and their Europa League hopes hanging in the balance, they'll want to end their season strongly so they have some kind of positivity to carry into next season which is what Arteta will want from his team.
I'm going for an Arsenal win because Newcastle won't have Joe Willock to rely upon when it comes to scoring an important winner or equaliser. With Aubameyang back for Arsenal along side their talented young players, the Gunners should win this one.
PREDICTION: 1-2
MAN UNITED V LIVERPOOL
Man United put one foot in the Europa League in midweek by coming from behind to thrash Roma 6-2 with both Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes scoring twice. That result should give them plenty of breathing space in the second leg because they don't need to do much work as they're ahead by some distance and all they need is a draw to go through. Could their semi final curse come to an end this week. It looks like it will when you look at the scoreline.
United could have a top four place wrapped up if they win this one and West Ham don't get anything against Burnley on Monday night. They're 12 points clear of West Ham in 5th and a defeat for them in their game will leave them 15 points behind United if the Red Devils win this one against Liverpool. Even if they don't win this one United should still have a top four place wrapped up within the next few weeks.
Liverpool have struggled to kill teams off recently which is something that you never say about them because of how ruthless they can be on their day. They had a load of chances against Newcastle last weekend and they only took one of them which was the early goal that Salah scored to put them ahead. They were probably kicking themselves after that game because of the chance they missed and they will need to make sure that they take them in this one.
The Reds' don't have a great record at Old Trafford as they've won just five times there in the Premier League era. Their last win there came in 2014 and their last six games there have ended with three draws and three defeats. They'll want to end that winless in this one because this game is a game that they always want to win and also a game they need to win if they're to finish in the tip four at the end of the season.
I'm going for a United win because they're looking more clinical in front of goal than Liverpool at the moment. Liverpool have a lot of chances in their last two games and if that continues in this one I think United will punish them which I can see happening.
PREDICTION: 2-1
TOTTENHAM V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Spurs will be hurting after losing the Carabao Cup final to Man City last weekend and Ryan Mason will need to pick the players up ahead of this one so they can end the season in the strongest possible way. With the top four looking well beyond their reach their best chance of playing in Europe next season is by qualifying for the Europa League which is where they currently find themselves.
Their cup final defeat could well see some key players leave the club at the end of the season because that game was arguably their last chance of winning some silverware which they were unable to do. Harry Kane is likely to be one of those players who will leave in the summer because he's turning 28 later this year and he may not get another opportunity to win some silverware at Spurs. He said this week that he wants to win trophies and his best chance of him doing that is by leaving Spurs because I can't see them winning anything anytime soon.
Sheffield United's win over Brighton last Saturday could give them the confidence to end the season well and some momentum to carry into the Championship next season. This is because they'll want to bounce back at the first attempt like most clubs do whenever they get relegated and their chance of doing that is by ending this season strongly so they can start next season in the same way.
The Blades are only three defeats away from equalling the record for most defeats in a season which is a record they will not want to have by the end of the season. They have at least three winnable games till the end of the season in Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Burnley which are all games that they'll be hoping to get results from so they can end their dismal season on a good note and avoid equalling that unwanted record set by Derby from the 2007-08 season.
I'm going for a Spurs win because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. They may be hurting from the cup final defeat against City last Sunday, but I think they'll put that defeat behind them in this one as it is a game that they can definitely win.
PREDICTION: 3-0
MONDAY:
WEST BROM V WOLVES
West Brom's hopes of pulling off a great escape are now pretty much over with the Baggies nine points from safety with five games left to play. Their remaining five games look tough as they face Arsenal and Liverpool in their next two after this one before ending the season against West Ham and Leeds. Sam Allardyce said that his side need four wins from their remaining games to stay up after their draw with Aston Villa last weekend and I can't see them win one when you look at the teams they still need to play.
Sam Allardyce got his first win as Baggies boss in the reverse fixture back in January was should've given them the confidence and momentum to get more results. But it hasn't turned out that way as the Baggies have struggled to both score goals and keep goals out despite their recent improvements in those areas over the last few games. This game could be their last chance to get a result because of the fixtures they have left between now and the end of the season.
Wolves were a shadow of themselves against Burnley last time out as they found themselves 3-0 down at half time. The defending for the goals was poor and going forward they never looked like scoring. Conor Coady and Willy Boly at the back looked shaky and unsteady which you never say about either of them because of how solid they usually are and have been since Wolves have been in the Premier League. Nuno will want his defenders to defend better than they did last weekend in this one or they'll suffer a similar result.
The main area where Wolves have suffered this season without a doubt been in attack because they haven't scored as many goals as they have been over the last two seasons. Raul Jimenez has definitely been a miss as he is their main goal threat and talisman. But I also think they're missing Pedro Neto who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Neto has been Wolves' best attacker this season whilst Jimenez has been out and without those two in the side Wolves are not as dangerous going forward.
I'm going for a draw in this one because both sides have struggled for goals this season. West Brom have improved in that department recently but as I think Wolves will be much better defensively than they were against Burnley, I can't see either side winning it because of how strong defensively they can be.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BURNLEY V WEST HAM
I did not see Burnley's win over Wolves coming and especially by the margin they won by. They started the game on the front foot which lead them to being 3-0 up at half time thanks to Chris Wood's first half hat trick. The New Zealand striker caused Wolves all kinds of problems throughout the game with his movement and aerial presence in the box which put Wolves on the back foot in the first half. After scoring 10+ goals for the fourth straight season in the Premier League, Wood deserves more credit than he is actually given because of how important he has been for Burnley during his time at the club.
The Clarets are pretty much good as safe as they're nine points clear of relegation and 14th in the table. Sean Dyche has once again done a magnificent job with the group of players he has and if it wasn't for him BUrnley would not be where they are now.
West Ham have lost a bit of ground in the race for the top four recently after back to back defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea. They'll want to get back to winning ways soon so their promising season doesn't fizzle out and so they don't fall out of the European places. They should remain roughly where they are now at the end of the season as they have some winnable games left and because of that they should qualify for at least the Europa League.
The Hammers will definitely have Fabian Balbuena available for this one after his red card against Chelsea was rescinded. It was the right decision to overturn the decision because it was never a red card in the first place and the Hammers will be happy to have him available for this one alongside Michael Dawson who is back from suspension following his red card against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I think it will be a close game and both sides will be well matched. West Ham may be without Antonio and Rice, but I think they'll still have enough to get a point.
PREDICTION: 1-1
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