Manchester United’s comeback win at Manchester City last weekend delayed the Citizens’ Premier League title celebrations. So, will Spurs borrow a leaf out of the Red Devil’s heroics to cause their opponent further anguish on Saturday? Read on to find out my predictions on the Premier League MD 34 fixtures..
SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA
While I was impressed with the way Southampton almost got a point off Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates, I was totally disappointed with Chelsea for throwing away their lead to draw at home against David Moyes’ West Ham.
Ideally, Chelsea should be winning those sort of games by clear margins. I think the team is in a bigger mess than we all thought, and Southampton who were unfortunate not to get a point (at least) at Arsenal, will fancy their chances against Chelsea on Saturday.
You’d expect the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian to step up and try to earn Chelsea a win last week, but they didn’t.
Southampton are still fighting the relegation battle, and there is still hope for them. So, I think they will get something out of this clash if Chelsea carry on with this miserable form on Saturday.
MY PREDICTION: Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
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BURNLEY V LEICESTER
Burnley are on a magnificent run of form in the league right now. They have won every league match they have played from the start of March until now. That’s why they’re the best team right now outside the top six clubs; as it also indicates on the log. Though Leicester won the reverse fixture 1-0, I think Burnley will win this on Saturday by the same margin.
MY PREDICTION: Burnley 1-0 Leicester
CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON
Brighton are safer on the log; placed 13th with 35 points, as against their opponent, Crystal Palace on 17th with only three points separating them from the drop zone. Brighton will find the likes of Wilfred Zaha and Andros Townsend too difficult to curtail on Saturday, as they try to earn their team all three points to further boost their chances of survival.
Roy Hodgson told his players ahead of this clash to ‘display mental strength’, and only three points from the players on Saturday will prove they understood the message their manager was trying to pass across.
MY PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton
HUDDERSFIELD V WATFORD
I wasn’t expecting Huddersfield to get anything last weekend at Brighton, but they proved me wrong and fought Brighton hard to a point. Shows they understand the fact they aren’t really safe at the moment, even if they are placed 16th on the log. Only four points separate them from 18th-placed Southampton. That said, I think Watford will prove difficult for the Terriers on Saturday. I am going for a draw here, with Huddersfield the likelier side to win.
MY PREDICTION: Huddersfield 0-0 Watford
SWANSEA V EVERTON
I watched Everton the other day against a second-string Liverpool side, and I wasn’t impressed with what they displayed. Though they upped their game in the dying embers of that game, a ruthless Liverpool side on the day would have defeated them.
Swansea still need to fight hard to ensure they don’t slip back to the drop zone. That’s why I think they will prove too difficult for Everton on Saturday. Also, Swansea have shown this season against sides in the top seven that they can be dangerous at home.
Everton will be lucky to leave Wales with a point in this clash.
MY PREDICTION: Swansea 1-0 Everton
LIVERPOOL V BOURNEMOUTH
I don’t know how Bournemouth will be able to curtail this Liverpool side at Anfield on Saturday, if Jurgen Klopp decides to go with his killer eleven.
Since that defeat against Manchester United early March, Liverpool have blown away all the teams they have faced (save for last weekend). They have even improved on their defending if you look at the way they knocked City out of the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah has scored in every game he has played for Liverpool since that defeat against Manchester United, and I fancy him to score here if he plays. That’s not underrating Bournemouth, they are a very decent side, and that’s why they are 11th on the log at the moment. But they struggle away from home. Liverpool will have too much for them on Saturday.
MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
SPURS V MAN CITY
Unarguably, the biggest game of the weekend, and it’s the sort of game you wouldn’t want to miss, given the attacking pedigree of both sides. It going to be highly entertaining.
It has been a miserable one week for City who have lost three times in a row against Liverpool (UCL) and Manchester United (PL) respectively. I mentioned last week that teams rarely force City to defend (except Liverpool), because other teams pay too much respect to City. Manchester United were paying lots of respect to City last weekend until the second-half when they dared to attack City, and they came out of the clash from two goals down with a win.
Spurs will be looking to do same on Saturday. They have got the attacking weaponry to do so. City are vulnerable at the back, and I see Spurs getting something from this clash if they dare to have a go at City.
MY PREDICTION: Spurs 2-2 Man City
NEWCASTLE V ARSENAL
Both sides have won their last three league matches and will be looking to continue in that form ahead of this clash. Arsenal, were lucky to come out of last weekend’s tie against Southampton with a win, and almost lost at CSKA Moscow in their Europa League clash on Thursday. The Gunners will have to be on top of their game if they want to leave St James’ Park with a win on Sunday. And I think Arsené Wenger will prioritize the Europa League over the Premier League right now. So, you won’t see him risking much in the league. That said, I think Newcastle will try very hard not to lose this clash against Arsenal.
MY PREDICTION: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
MANUTD V WEST BROM
It’s going to be a very long evening for bottom-placed West Brom on Sunday at Old Trafford. No one can stop City from winning the league as things stand, but Manchester United would still keep fighting and hoping.
Though I think it will take until next season for Alexis Sanchez to start playing at the utmost level for Manchester United, he still showed a glimpse of what to expect in the future in United’s last two matches. The problem will be keeping Anthony Martial at the club, as the Frenchman is not happy to sit on the bench – with the World Cup fast approaching.
Manchester United would win this, it’s only a matter of how many goals will be scored on the day.
MY PREDICTION: Manutd 3-0 West Brom
WEST HAM V STOKE
West Ham will be looking to build on that draw at Chelsea when they face struggling Stoke City on Monday.
Stoke City look a club in shambles at the moment, even though they’re four points adrift of safety. There is still hope for them. I expect them to fight hard against West Ham, and try get something from the clash. Stoke City have lost their last four league matches, but, they were games mainly against sides in the top six. Paul Lambert will be encouraging his wards to keep fighting, and keep hoping….you never can tell.
MY PREDICTION: West Ham 1-1 Stoke City