Sunderland Vs Manchester United
Sunderland have suffered a loss of form at exactly the wrong time as the season reaches its climax. The Black Cats are now just 4 points clear of danger with 8 fixtures to play. Unfortunately, Sunderland will have to get through the remainder of the campaign without the services of Cattermole and Fletcher who have been ruled out through injury. Manchester United visit the North East in top form and have won their last two matches on the road. The Red Devils have one hand on the trophy and I can only see this match going one way.
Prediction 0-2
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Arsenal Vs Reading
Arsenal are in danger of missing out on Champions League football for the first time under Arsene Wenger’s watch. The Gunners have won 3 of their last 4 at The Emirates and will fancy their chances of recording a victory when Reading visit on Saturday. Reading will be playing their first match under new manager Nigel Adkins who has moved from 1 relegation scrap to another. The Royals have lost 5 of their last 6, including 3 consecutive losses on the road. Home win expected here.
Prediction 3-1
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Manchester City Vs Newcastle
Manchester City will spend the rest of the campaign looking over their shoulders rather than trying to claw back ground on United. City trail their rivals by 15 points with 9 fixtures left to play and surely have no chance of turning it around. Mancini orchestrated a 2-0 win over Chelsea in City’s last home game and will need to do likewise when Newcastle visit The Etihad. The Magpies lost their last game at Wigan in a match that was overshadowed by a disgraceful challenge on Haidara. Newcastle are unlikely to leave Manchester with any points.
Prediction 2-0
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Southampton Vs Chelsea
Southampton welcome Chelsea to St Mary’s looking to claim their second scalp following their win over Liverpool in Gameweek 30. The Saints are 4 points clear of the drop zone and would be a huge step closer to safety for them. Chelsea have found some decent form and have won 3 of their last 4 league games. The Blues will be keen to maintain their cushion over Top 4 rivals Spurs and Arsenal as the end of the campaign nears.
Prediction 1-2
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Swansea Vs Tottenham
Swansea City have had an excellent campaign thus far and find themselves 9th in the table heading into Gameweek 31. Manager Laudrup has become a sought after manager having won the League Cup with the Welsh side. Spurs have lost their way in their last two League games and have dropped to 4th place. Arsenal are four points adrift of Spurs with a game in hand and AVB can’t afford to drop points at The Liberty Stadium.
Prediction 1-1
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West Ham Vs West Brom
West Ham United are celebrating their successful bid to play matches in The Olympic Stadium for the 2016/2017 season onwards. The Hammers need to ensure that they are playing top flight football to fill the stadium every week. A Gareth Bale wonder strike condemned West Ham to defeat in their last League outing at Upton Park. West Brom have excelled under Steve Clarke and are 8th after playing out a 0-0 draw at Stoke last Gameweek. The Baggies don’t travel well and I expect a West Ham victory.
Prediction 2-1
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Wigan Vs Norwich
Wigan Athletic’s win over Newcastle was overshadowed by an awful tackle from Callum McManaman. The Wigan player may yet miss out against Norwich due to an ankle injury. The Latics are 3 points from safety and Roberto Martinez is yet again trying to produce a Houdini-like escape from the clutches of relegation. Norwich are 7 points clear of danger having drawn their last two matches. I do not expect this to be the most entertaining of Gameweek 31 fixtures.
Prediction 0-0
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Everton Vs Stoke
Everton continued their excellent home form when they despatched Manchester City 2-0 at Goodison Park in Gameweek 30. The Toffees were fortunate not to concede a penalty late on and that victory moved Everton just two points behind Arsenal in 5th place. Stoke City treated their fans to a very dull 0-0 draw when West Brom visited The Hawthorns a fortnight ago. The Potters have lost their last 5 league matches on the trot and Everton should win this match comfortably.
Prediction 2-0
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Aston Villa Vs Liverpool
Aston Villa welcome Liverpool to Villa Park for the only match to be played on Easter Sunday. Most Villa fans aged years in the final few minutes against QPR. The final whistle must have been music to Paul Lambert’s ears. Liverpool had won three on the spin before losing at Southampton and have moved behind Everton in the table. Brendan Rodgers will be targeting a strong finish to the season to convince fans and potential new signings that Liverpool will mean business next season.
Prediction 1-1
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Fulham Vs QPR
Monday Night Football returns as Fulham welcome Queens Park Rangers to Craven Cottage. Fulham upset plenty of punters and ruined numerous accumulator bets by beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Berbatov provided the only goal in that match and will terrorise a less than water tight QPR defence. Rangers remain rock bottom of the table and need all the points they can muster to avoid the drop. Harry Redknapp will have his work cut out to leave Craven Cottage with 3 points.
Prediction 2-1
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