The games are coming around quick and fast now. And so are these lads. Andrew Corns was smashed last week by Dan Suchanek - with the former eager to get his revenge!
Tottenham v. Arsenal
Andrew
The implications of this London derby are huge with Arsenal in position to still reach 3rd place at the end of the season and Tottenham suddenly at risk of missing next season’s Champions League entirely.
Arsenal are the in-form side between the two with Spurs dropping back to back games against Burnley and Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino needs to use this game as an opportunity to prove that he’s among the elite managers in the world as he attempts to steer his side back on course.
This fixture has a history of exciting football and I don’t expect anything less this weekend.
Goals will fly in at both ends and Harry Kane scores the game winner to see Spurs return to their winning ways and securely hold onto third place.
Prediction: 3-2 Spurs
Dan
After only two articles down with my predictions, I have found it hard to keep track of all the teams and to write something intelligent.
Which just proves that Andrew, Bobby, Jake and Stephan are the real talent here, so if you are looking for informative insight, please read their articles.
I will just be going with my gut. Spurs do NOT look good right now. Home field advantage would be nice, but it’s not their home field. And on the flip side, Arsenal has put together some good games.
Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal
Burnley v. Crystal Palace
Andrew
Both clubs have done admirably this year given the circumstances each faced as the season began.
Both looked weak during the midweek and will feel this game gives them the platform to wrestle away three points and build a push for the top half of the table.
The managers pride themselves on their defensive tactics which means the game will be tight and space will be hard to find for attacking players.
Turf Moor regularly plays a role in Burnley’s ability to get over the line and it comes in handy again in this one.
Prediction: 1-0 Burnley
Dan
Even in the standings, and even on the pitch. Burnley gets the edge at home as they have proven advantage there.
Prediction: Burnley 2-1
Brighton v. Huddersfield Town
Andrew
In the most shocking result during the week, Huddersfield pulled off a stunning late victory over in-form Wolverhampton.
Whether those three points amount to anything at this point given the hole they’ve dug themselves remains to be seen.
They travel to Brighton who fell at Leicester on Tuesday and are drifting dangerously close to 18th in the table.
Full points will be crucial to both sides and their chances of survival, so I expect the intensity to be high and the action to be contentious.
A week ago, I’d written off Huddersfield completely however a win over Wolves is impressive and just enough to get me to believe there’s fight left in them.
With so much on the line, both teams earn a tough point as they look to mount a comeback in the weeks to come.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Dan
Can Huddersfield put two wins together? Brighton is a good team, but I’d love to see it happen so I will take the chance.
Prediction: Huddersfield 1-0
Bournemouth v. Manchester City
Andrew
City had their fair share of difficulty getting past a resolute West Ham on Wednesday and had stretches of the game where they looked like the team more likely to lose.
A Sergio Aguero penalty was enough to get them the win and maintain pressure on Liverpool at the top.
They will relish the opportunity to travel to Bournemouth who were ripped apart by Arsenal to the tune of a 5-1 defeat.
I’ve said all season that Bournemouth play attractive football which helps them secure loads of points against inferior clubs but leaves them open and exposed against the Premier League giants.
City couldn’t ask for an opponent better than Bournemouth to allow them to play their style, get several players on the score sheet and bring their confidence back to maximum levels as we enter the final stretch of games in what’s turning into a title race for the ages.
Prediction: 4-0 City
Dan
Manchester City is just too much to handle for the Cherries. Bournemouth will stick around for about 30, then it’ll be all downhill from there.
Prediction: Man City 4-0
Manchester United v. Southampton
Andrew
Southampton enter the weekend outside the bottom three for the first time in several weeks after a nice win over struggling Fulham.
They visit Old Trafford and a Manchester United side that even dealing with the adversity of their injury crisis, still seem intent to pick up points and put real pressure on Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs in the battle for fourth.
Even a weakened United lineup will have enough solidarity at the back and forwards capable of putting the Saints under constant pressure.
United comfortably cruise to another win and turn their attention to the uphill climb they face against PSG in the Champions League.
Prediction: 2-0 United
Dan
With all the injuries to Manchester United, I think Southampton can give them a good game.
Again, advantage is being at home for United.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Wolverhampton v. Cardiff City
Andrew
Did Wolverhampton simply not take Huddersfield seriously in their midweek loss or is there suddenly cause for alarm?
I’m of the belief that they fell prey to the proverbial “banana peel” game and will look to emphatically rebound against another side at the bottom end of the table.
Cardiff have run hot and cold in recent weeks and lacked interest as they were played of the pitch at home against Everton.
Traveling to Wolverhampton hasn’t been easy for most sides during the season and Cardiff won’t be equipped to handle the pressure they’ll face all over the pitch.
Wolves get up to a two goal lead inside the first half and control the game from there, even if Cardiff pull one back and make things interesting at the end.
Prediction: 2-1 Wolves
Dan
Wolves are coming off a tough loss to Huddersfield and Cardiff have given up 8 goals in their last 2 games.
Again, home field takes the advantage.
Prediction: Wolves 2-1
West Ham United v. Newcastle United
Andrew
West Ham will be disappointed that they left the Etihad on Wednesday empty handed.
They outplayed Man City for stretches of the game and it took a controversial penalty decision to leave them without anything to show for it.
They return home and host Newcastle who are winners of their last two and look like they’re more likely to end up top half of the table than in any sort of fight for relegation.
I think this game has the potential for goals and given the form Newcastle is in, I have trouble seeing them lose against anyone other than an elite team. Each team grabs a well earned and deserved point.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Dan
Another coin toss for me. The Hammers would be my go-to as they play better at home. Although Rafa seems to have Newcastle playing tough right now. A late goal wins this.
Prediction: 2-1 West Ham
Watford v. Leicester City
Andrew
The appointment of Brendan Rogers as new Leicester City manager brings with it excitement from a fanbase who grew frustrated by the style of play their team had under Claude Puel.
Victories over Chelsea and Manchester City were undone by poor results when up against teams that Leicester should have picked up wins over.
They travel to Watford who have been inconsistent in recent weeks, highlighted by a sound victory over Cardiff City and an annihilation at the hands of league leaders, Liverpool, on Wednesday.
Both teams will favour their chances of a victory and the open style of play lends itself to frequent chances and a game that will be pleasing for neutrals looking to watch attack minded football.
This will be a thriller that sees the lead change hands a couple times before ending all even.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Dan
If Watford wants to finish seventh or maybe even fifth or sixth, this is a game in which they NEED these points at home.
Leicester City’s win just this week was the first win since Jan 1st, I’d like to see them add another, but I think Watford wins this.
Prediction: Watford 2-1
Fulham v. Chelsea
Andrew
Chelsea responded to the Carabao Cup final crisis with an emphatic derby win over Tottenham on Wednesday and with a game in hand, have a realistic chance of getting back into the coveted fourth position.
They won’t have to travel far again as they gear up for another London derby against 19th place Fulham.
The Cottagers are a mess right now and after Huddersfield’s surprise win over Wolves on Tuesday, Fulham could find themselves dead last by the end of the weekend if results go against them.
The possibility for survival at this point is well and truly done and question marks will be raised as to how caretaker manager, Scott Parker, acclimates himself and whether they can prevent key pieces such as Ryan Sessegnon from leaving in the summer.
Chelsea won’t have to do much to get control of the game, keep possession and ruthlessly put Fulham away.
Prediction: 3-0 Chelsea
Dan
Is this the game that Fulham finally get back on track and get some well-deserved points?
Unfortunately, not this week. Chelsea will be too strong on the ball.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1
Everton v. Liverpool
Andrew
The Merseyside derby ends a weekend of intriguing fixtures. All eyes will be planted on the city of Liverpool as the two bitter rivals gear up for another in what’s been a long line of memorable games.
It will be hard for either set of supporters to forget the images of Jordan Pickford fumbling the ball in stoppage time and Divock Origi scoring the most improbable of goals when they first met at Anfield earlier in the season.
Even though Liverpool emerged with all three points, Everton looked like the team more likely to grab a winner and will be desperate to exact revenge and deal a potentially vital blow to Liverpool’s chances of winning a first Premier League trophy.
The atmosphere inside Goodison Park will be tense and noise levels from both the home and away sections will rival anything we’ve heard all season.
Liverpool’s lack of goals in recent weeks ended as they put five past Watford and they will think they can use that momentum to carry them through this game, the upcoming Champions League trip to Munich and the remainder of the season. With the intensity so high and the anger Everton will play with, I expect Liverpool to struggle breaking them down and work tirelessly in only managing a point.
By the end of the weekend, Manchester City regain control of the title race and put all the pressure on Liverpool to win every one of their remaining nice matches to have a chance at lifting the league crown.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Dan
Everton host Liverpool for the second Merseyside Derby of the year and will have the support of Manchester City and probably United fans also.
Liverpool is coming into their ‘put up or shut up’ part of the season and it’s by their own making. I still have enough faith that they pull this one out.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1