SATURDAY:
LEEDS V NEWCASTLE
I thought Leeds would get smashed by Man City last weekend but to be fair to them they did well to keep the score down. Sam Allardyce made a big call in dropping keeper Ilan Meslier and it turned out to be the right one with Joel Robles keeping them in the game on more than a few occasions.
The pressure is on them now they're back in the bottom three which makes every game a must win for them. They like the others fighting to avoid relegation have tough fixtures to end the season with and I don't see them getting many points from them.
Newcastle did everything but score against Arsenal last weekend as they just weren't clinical enough in the final third. That defeat shouldn't knock them back though as they're still in a very strong position and have bounced back well from set backs. They also have games coming up that they should win. Including this one.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Newcastle to bounce back here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. Leeds will try and keep the score down but I don't see them threatening Newcastle's goal as the Magpies have such a solid defence. Because of this and the threat the Magpies pose in attack, they should win this one.
ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM
Aston Villa's European hopes have taken a blow recently following back to back defeats to Man United and Wolves where they failed to score in both games. They scored in every game under Unai Emery up until this point and they'll need to get that sharpness in front of goal back if they're to end the season strongly.
Their next three games including this one are against sides who are also pushing for Europe with their next two being against Liverpool and Brighton. We might be at the end of the season but those games will test them and their European credentials.
Spurs are on a dreadful run away from home at the moment with their last win on the road coming at the end of January. It wouldn't at all surprise me if anyone wasn't backing them to get something here because of how poor they've been on the road. Their last two away games saw them lose 6-1 at Newcastle and 4-3 at Liverpool.
Performances have improved slightly since Ryan Mason has taken charge but they still have the same problems they've had all season. They start games slowly and show no urgency until the second half. They did keep a clean sheet against Crystal Palace last weekend that was just one game.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm going for a Villa win here because of Spurs' poor form away from home. Villa will make the stronger start as they're a side who play on the front foot unlike Spurs. I can see them punish Spurs for starting the game slowly here and hold on for the win.
CHELSEA V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Frank Lampard finally got his first win back at Chelsea last weekend against Bournemouth which was no doubt massive for him. The win will give them confidence but I don't see it being a turning point in their season as it's a bit late for that.
After this game they have three very difficult ones. Man City, Man United and Newcastle. I can't see them get many points from those games even if they win this one.
Nottingham Forest got a massive win on Monday night against Southampton which took them out of the bottom three. That result could be the one that keeps them up as both Leeds and Leicester both have tough fixtures to end the season with. Forest also have tough fixtures but that result could be enough for them.
Away from home they've been terrible all season. Just one win, three draws and eight goals scored on their travels all season. I don't fancy them here based on this evidence.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Chelsea to win here because of how poor Forest have been away from home all season. The blues will gained some confidence from their win over the Bournemouth the previous weekend and I can see them carry it into this game.
CRYSTAL PALACE V BOURNEMOUTH
Crystal Palace offered more of a threat in the second half against Spurs last weekend but weren't clinical enough. Their performance during that period of the game was encouraging but they'll still be disappointed for not taking their chances.
The Eagles haven't lost at home since Roy Hodgson returned and it's at home where they've looked reasonably solid this season. Their last home game delivered a classic against West Ham a couple of weeks ago. But I don't see this one being anything like that one.
Bournemouth are pretty much safe and they only need a point to mathematically secure their safety. They could still lose and be safe but they'll need both Leeds and Leicester to not win for that to happen.
The Cherries have won their last three on the road which will give them a lot of confidence heading into this one. Many people thought they would rely on their home form to keep them up and instead it's their form on the road that has been crucial to them pushing up the league.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Palace to win here because they're at home and they have a good record at home. Bournemouth have been good away from home recently but I think Palace's home form and their quality will be enough for them to take the points here.
MAN UNITED V WOLVES
Man United will be glad to be back at home for this game as they've had more joy at home than they have on the road. They haven't lost at home since the opening day of the season and their form at home since has been crucial. Three of their next four games are at home which should give them the confidence to end the season strongly.
Back to back defeats have left their top four challenge in doubt and especially with Liverpool back in hunt. They'll still be in pole position to finish in that all important 4th spot as all but one of their remaining fixtures are at home and they also have a game in hand.
The spotlight will be on David De Gea for this game following his costly error against West Ham last weekend which lead to many people suggesting that United need a new keeper this summer. He's been a good servant for United over the years but with his contract up in the summer and the costly errors he's been making, it might well be time for him to move on.
Wolves are safe and will now be looking to end the season strongly so they can carry some momentum into next season. Julen Lopetegui deserves a huge amount of credit for the job he's done and after taking over a side that were bottom when he came in, he's a possible contender for manager of the season.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing United to win here because they're at home and have been in decent form at home. The spotlight will be on them defensively and especially on De Gea but going forward they'll have enough quality to win the game.
SOUTHAMPTON V FULHAM
Southampton will be relegated if they fail to win this game and I'm not at all surprised that they're in this position. They were one of my relegation favourites at the start of the season mainly because they didn't have a regular goal scorer and this season has certainly shown that. They've had problems in defence as well but their main problem has been scoring goals.
Very few people will back them to win this one mainly because of how poor they've been at home. They've got the worst home record in the Premier League this season and are already looking like a side who are resigned to relegation.
Fulham will have Aleksandar Mitrovic back for this game after completing his eight match suspension and his return is a massive boost for them. Their season has faded away a bit over the past month but with their talisman back they have a good chance of ending the season strongly.
They were brilliant against Leicester on Monday even though they were helped massively by some poor Leicester defending. Their performance that day will give them a lot of confidence to end the season strongly.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I've got to back Fulham here because they've got Mitrovic back and I can see them being too strong for Southampton. With the Saints' poor home record being thrown into the mix along with their current form, I can't see anything other than a Fulham win to relegate Southampton.
SUNDAY:
BRENTFORD V WEST HAM
Brentford have won every game against West Ham in the Premier League and they'll no doubt want to keep up this 100% record. They were beaten by the Hammers in the FA cup 3rd Round back in January but they'll still feel confident about beating the Hammers again. Especially as they're at home.
West Ham look good as safe and a draw here could be enough for them if other results go in their favour. The club deserve credit for sticking with David Moyes who has repaid the faith the owners have in him. The majority of teams in and around them pressed the panic button when results were going against them. West Ham didn't.
They put in an all round good display against Man United last weekend with Declan Rice very much being at the heart of it. He showed why some of the big boys are after him and the Hammers will no doubt face a challenge to keep hold of him this summer.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm going for a Brentford win here because they've got a good record against West Ham and are at home where they have a very strong record. With West Ham likely to make some changes with the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi final with AZ Alkmaar in mind, I can see the Bees take advantage of that.
EVERTON V MAN CITY
I like a lot of people didn't see Everton's win over Brighton on Monday coming and especially in the way they did it. They tore Brighton to shreds for the entire first half and were clinical in front of goal which is something the Toffees haven't been all season. That win will give them a lot of confidence and could be the result that keeps them up.
They do have a tough run in to the end of the season but their win over Brighton could be enough to keep them up. Leeds and Leicester who are now in the bottom three have a tougher run of games and that could give the Toffees more belief that they can stay up.
Man City will probably make a number of changes for this game with the second leg against Real Madrid in mind on Wednesday for which they'll need all their best players available. They should still field a strong enough team because of how strong their squad is but I still think they'll rest a few of their big hitters.
Erling Haaland was kept quiet by Antonio Rudiger at the Bernabeu in midweek and I think Pep may want to rest him for this one so he is fresh and fired up for the return leg on Wednesday. They had a number of chances but not many of them came to Haaland.
PREDICTION: 0-2
They might make a number of changes for this game but I still think City will have enough to win this game. Everton do come into this game with a lot of confidence following their win over Brighton but with City having such a strong squad, I think the players coming in will step up and win the game for them.
ARSENAL V BRIGHTON
The pressure will be on Arsenal here with City playing first and especially if City win. They've bounced back from their recent slump with back to back wins over Chelsea and Newcastle which have kept their title hopes alive. They're showing no signs of giving up on the title.
Brighton won this fixture last season at around this stage of the season and their win played a part in Arsenal missing out on the top four. With the season they've had and the football they've played they'll be feeling confident of doing the same but this time to put a dent in Arsenal's title hopes.
Roberto De Zerbi's side will be fuelled by anger heading into this one after their embarrassing performance against Everton on Monday where they simply did not turn up. They'll hopefully use that anger to put in an improved performance here and put the Everton defeat well and truly behind them.
PREDICTION: 2-2
As Brighton have been tricky opponents for Arsenal at this stage of the season before, I think they'll make it difficult for them again here. Arsenal have bounced back from their recent slump but I think Brighton could cause them a number of problems here like they have done to most of the teams they've faced this season.
MONDAY:
LEICESTER V LIVERPOOL
I really fear for Leicester with the games they have coming up and especially now they're back in the bottom three. They face Newcastle and West Ham after this tough one against Liverpool and I don't see them getting many points from them.
They looked all over the place defensively against Fulham on Monday like they have done for most of the season. Their performance that day was a worrying sign whilst the results of the teams in and around them put them right back in trouble.
Liverpool have lost this fixture for the last two seasons and will be looking to avoid another loss in this one. With the form they're in they should win here and especially with the state Leicester are in heading into this game.
The reds' recent form has got them right back in the mix for a top four finish and players returning from injury has been key to that. The players who have returned have made a big difference for the reds since they came back and they've returned at a good time. Especially Jota and Diaz who have both been massively missed.
PREDICTION: 1-3
I've got to back Liverpool here because of the form they're in. They struggled on the road at times this season but with Leicester being an absolute mess at the back and the reds having some quality attacking players, I can see them win this one rather comfortably.
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