Liverpool Vs Arsenal
The pick of Week 25 has got to be this tantalizing fixture between two sides who have both performed magnificently so far this season. For these two teams to be involved in a title race this late in the season is a credit to their respective managers and to their long suffering fans. While I think it might be a bridge too far for Arsenal to end up on the top of the pile come May, both will be looking to build upon commanding league positions. The teams are in good form coming into this tie, and it should be an entertaining one for the neutral.
Prediction 2-2
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Aston Villa Vs West Ham
Hammers fans will still be fuming over Andy Carroll’s red card against Swansea last time out, an incident that soured an otherwise jubilant three points. The value of another win against Villa will not be lost on Sam Allardyce’s boys, and they’ll be desperate to avoid dropping away from the chase for safety. Villa on the other hand are in patchy form, and it remains to be seen what side will turn up on Saturday, Lambert will hope it’s the dynamic, young, energetic group led by Benteke who have lit up the Premier League at times this season.
Prediction 0-1
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Chelsea Vs Newcastle
These ties are always good bouts, with Newcastle more than doing their bit over the previous few fixtures. Chelsea will have not forgotten their 2-0 defeat back in November, but I’d argue that this is a different Blues side than a few months ago. There will be nothing like a win against City to add momentum to a title challenge, and it looks like the Special One has played his cards perfectly this year. The loss of Cabaye has left a void in the Newcastle midfield.
Prediction 2-0
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Crystal Palace Vs West Brom
Never mind the more glamorous matches this week; games do not come bigger than this. Both teams will be desperate to book their seat on the Premier League express next season and I think they will both be safe come May. Palace will not have minded an away loss to the Gunners last time out, with their eyes firmly set on easier pickings. Pepe Mel looks like he is still trying to find his balance in English football; this might be a tricky tie for the Baggies.
Prediction 2-1
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Norwich Vs Manchester City
Chris Houghton will be left scratching his head after losing to Cardiff last week. It looked like his team were ready to pull themselves out of their slump, and if it were not for the woodwork, the Canaries may not be as far down the mine as they find themselves this weekend. I think Norwich may struggle to stay up this season, and hosting City will be of no help. The Manchester side will be smarting after losing a game of chess to Jose Mourinho, and Pellegrini will be desperate to keep his camp together for the final push. I think this fixture may be just the tonic for City.
Prediction 0-3
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Southamptom Vs Stoke
Southampton sail on, the team looks more settled than a few weeks ago, and credit must go to the gaffer who has piloted his crew around boardroom disputes, training ground spats and scrapes with referees. The Saints are still playing, and are tough to beat. They do however host a Stoke side who will be full of it after claiming the scalp of United last time out. The win ended a nasty run of form that threatened the Potters with a relegation scrap, making this weekend’s game something to play for, for one team at least.
Prediction 2-0
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Sunderland Vs Hull
A few weeks ago and these two sides were separated by a gulf of form. Now, both have collected 24 points after 24 games making this yet another hammer and tongs relegation cat fight. However, I believe that Sunderland have turned a corner and will be comfortable home and dry. Ki is world class, everyone is wandering where Phil Bardsley got that right peg, and suddenly the whole teams looks like it wants to be there. Hull on the other hand are going the wrong way down the table. They did well to get a draw last week against Spurs, but these are the games that really count in this league.
Prediction 3-1
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Swansea Vs Cardiff
Every man and boy in Wales will have had one eye on this fixture since the two sides last met back in November, with Cardiff taking all the points last time out. This has been a transitional year for the Welsh sides, both with managerial changes and both trying to find their feet, and arguably their true form. I’m inclined to feel that the guide goes out of the window for this game, such is the hype surrounding the Welsh derby, and given the added threat of relegation. Defeat is not an option.
Prediction 0-0
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Tottenham Vs Everton
While this game may look good on paper, neither sides can boast their best form of late. Spurs have relied heavily on their midfield pairing of Dembele and Bentaleb, and to me it looks like some tiredness has crept into the Spurs starting XI that has showed such consistency since Sherwood took over. Martinez and Everton still have a lengthy Doctor’s bill to attend to, but will be confident ahead of this fixture. Champions League football is just out of reach at the moment, but both teams will know a small slip from Liverpool could change everything.
Prediction 0-1
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Manchester United Vs Fulham
United fans will be feeling sick after last week. Mata was meant to change everything, and with Rooney and Van Persie back and fit there are no excuses for David Moyes. He will be looking for his team of Champions to get themselves out of the mire they are so deeply stuck in. They will be grateful for the visit of Fulham and ex-coaching favorite Rene Meulensteen. The beleaguered Dutchman admitted that his team are at rock bottom following FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United, and he will have to work some kind of act of God to escape the drop now. Moyes will have been thanking his lucky stars for this freebie after such a miserable loss in the Potteries.
Prediction 4-0
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