Pundit Godwin Odiko’s EPL Match Day 28 predictions

League toppers, Manchester City, will be taking a short break off Premier League action; as they try to accrue their first trophy of the season – when they take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. But, that same Sunday; José Mourinho and Manchester United will try to get a revenge on Chelsea, having lost the first leg at Stamford Bridge.

So who will come out on top in this games and other league fixtures this weekend?

LEICESTER V STOKE

The reverse fixtures produced four goals; shared evenly. And I think this will produce goals again on Saturday. Leicester look safe at the moment placed 8th, but same can’t be said of Stoke languishing in 19th. It’s expected of Paul Lambert to want this more than his counterpart, but their form needs improving at the moment.

I think this is going to be a very difficult game for Stoke City – given their opponent will be playing at home and are a quality side. Stoke struggle away from home, but I am backing them to give Leicester a good run for their money.

MY PREDICTION: Leicester 2-2 Stoke

ICYMI: How I escaped death after childbirth ―Serena Williams

BOURNEMOUTH V NEWCASTLE

Newcastle defeated Manchester United last time out, and that should raise their confidence level against a Bournemouth side that defeated them in the reverse fixture. But Bournemouth have looked a solid side at home so far, and I think this game will be really interesting to see. I am fancying this game to end in stalemate.

MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle

BRIGHTON V SWANSEA

Swansea have been on a decent run of form, and I think they will push Brighton hard in this one. Carlos Carvalhal of Swansea and Chris Hughton of Brighton have been magnificent with their respective clubs – without any shadow of a doubt. And I think they will keep their respective clubs up. That said, I think this is going to be another draw game, as I find it difficult to separate this two sides.

MY PREDICTION: Brighton 0-0 Swansea

BURNLEY V SOUTHAMPTON

The last time Burnley won a Premier League game at home was in mid-December last year. Although, you would have to cut them some slack; given the quality of the oppositions they played in that period. Spurs, Liverpool, Man Utd and City were the teams they faced at the Turf Moor.

Burnley would fancy their chances in this one against a side they defeated in the reverse fixture. But Southampton are no pushovers these days, and I expect this to be difficult for both sides. I am backing Sean Dyche and his men to come out on top here, though, narrowly.

MY PREDICTION: Burnley 1-0 Southampton

LIVERPOOL V WEST HAM

Though West Ham look a much-improved side from the side that got battered 4-1 in the reverse fixture, I still expect Liverpool to win this. Anfield is a difficult ground for visitors, and I really don’t know how the Hammers can stop Liverpool’s firing front line; especially the in-form Mohamed Salah.

MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

WEST BROM V HUDDERSFIELD

It’s not over yet for West Brom placed 20th at the moment, but they need to start winning games like this if they are to improve their chances of survival. Huddersfield, 17th, are not yet guaranteed of safety themselves – and they will be looking to get something from this clash too. Would be interesting to see how this two slug it out on Saturday at The Hawthorns. Even as I back West Brom to win this one by the skin of their teeth.

MY PREDICTION: West Brom 1-0 Huddersfield

WATFORD V EVERTON

I watched the reverse fixture last year and it was astonishing the way Everton came back from two goals down to win the game 3-2. Watford’s home record this season haven’t been encouraging, and I think Everton will come out of this one with something. But Watford defeated Chelsea 4-1 at the Vicarage Road recently, so Everton must not underestimate them by any stretch.

MY PREDICTION: Watford 1-1 Everton

CRYSTAL PALACE V SPURS

Many were disappointed with Spurs last Sunday for not being able to win at a League One side – having pulled some impressive results on the bounce against the likes of Juventus, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United – before that game against Rochdale. But Mauricio Pochettino made 11 changes in that FA Cup game to the side that drew 2-2 with Juventus in Turin, and I expect him to revert to his regular side for this clash. Palace are not safe yet and should make things difficult for Spurs here. But I expect Spurs to win this one on Sunday.

MY PREDICTION: Palace 1-2 Spurs

MANUTD V CHELSEA

United were disappointing against Sevilla in midweek, and have looked disjointed on the pitch since Alexis Sanchez arrived in January. They have lost twice and won by the same number since the Chilean joined, and even those wins were gotten out of immense struggle.

José Mourinho is finding it hard to assemble a decent side ever since. And Alexis Sanchez would have questioned himself: whether his move to Manchester United was the right move after all.

Chelsea might have lost to Bournemouth and Watford recently, but their last three results; especially the one against Barcelona on Tuesday have shown that they are getting things right again at the club.

Paul Pogba is struggling, Lukaku is still not firing in big games, José Mourinho looks confused…..United are in shambles at the moment. Can’t see how they will win this game on Sunday if they don’t improve on their recent performances.

MY PREDICTION: Manutd 1-1 Chelsea

CARABAO CUP FINAL PREDICTION:

ARSENAL V MAN CITY

Both sides come into this one on the back of defeats to relatively lesser opponents; with City losing at the hands of Wigan, and Arsenal against Ostersunds of Sweden. But this is a Cup final, and I expect it to be treated as such. Pep Guardiola was lambasted after finishing last season trophyless with City and I think he has responded quite well to those criticisms and should clinch his first City trophy on Sunday. I really don’t see this Arsenal side stopping the Citizens.

MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 0-2 Man City