This match weekend promises to be fascinating as ever. I will be your guide; as I analyse and predict how the matches could possible pan out.
MANCHESTER UNITED V BOURNEMOUTH
Jose Mourinho’s United team enjoyed a pleasant February; as they recorded six wins out of seven games played; recording 100 per cent wins in the two Premier League games played. United would be looking to continue in that form, when Bournemouth visits for the first Premier League game of the month. Meanwhile, Bournemouth haven’t gotten a point from an away match since their 3-0 win away at Swansea on the last day of December 2016. With United having to play City for an outstanding game, they would go for all three points in this clash.
PREDICTION: Man Utd 2-0 Bournemouth
LEICESTER CITY V HULL CITY
Leicester would prove that their 3-1 win over Liverpool on Monday was no fluke. Interim Leicester Boss Craig Shakespeare would be focused on getting the current League title holders- back firing and back in business- after Leicester endured a torrid period under former boss Claudio Ranieri. But, Hull City under new manager Marco Silva have been impressive; with a win over Liverpool and a draw at Old Trafford against Mourinho’s United a high point of their impressive feat under the new gaffer. I fancy Leicester to just nick this one; as I expect Hull to give Leicester a good run for their money.
PREDICTION: Leicester City 2-1 Hull City
STOKE V MIDDLESBROUGH
Playing Stoke at home is always a difficult task for opposition teams. And their stately stat at home just quite interprets that fact: having only lost a league game at home in mid November 2016 to Bournemouth. But their Match Day opponent Middlesbrough can take solace from the fact that: Stoke have also drawn four league games at the Bet365 stadium during this duration. Middlesbrough are entangled in relegation battle, so I expect them to put all their Arsenals into this clash.
PREDICTION: Stoke 1-1 Middlesbrough
SWANSEA V BURNLEY
Arrival of new boss, Paul Clement, has seen the Welsh club spark into life. And they would want to show Burnley how zealous they are under the new manager to escape the drop. But Burnley are a difficult side to play, and they would be seeking to cause Swansea problems when they battle the team from Wales on Saturday. A slim win for Swansea is what I envisage; as I expect Swansea to show enough sturdiness and tenacity to win this one.
PREDICTION: Swansea 1-0 Burnley
WATFORD V SOUTHAMPTON
Both sides have really been impressive in the league this season, and only have one point separating them on the log. This clash promises to be fascinating, as both sides battle for supremacy on the pitch. Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton has been firing on all cylinders: scoring 5 goals in only 3 appearances for the club. Expect him to continue in that rich vein of form, and cause Watford lots of trouble on Saturday. A repeat of the one-all draw in the first leg at Soton is what I envisage here.
MY PREDICTION: Watford 1-1 Southampton
WEST BROM V CRYSTAL PALACE
West Brom ensured they play the entirety of February without recording any loss. Winning their 2 home games in the process. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace could only secure one win out of their 3-league games played in February; loosing the remaining two. Sam Allardyce would be setting his side up to cause West Brom an upset when the two teams lock horns; as his side are stuck in the relegation zone. I expect to see a West Brom win though, as their brilliant home form would prove decisive.
PREDICTION: West Brom 3-1 Crystal Palace
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
This definitely would be the toughest clash of the weekend. Liverpool haven’t lost to any team in the top six this season and I don’t expect that to change when the Gunners come visiting on Saturday. Liverpool’s greatest problem this season has been their shambolic showing at the back. But, they showed in the first leg at the Emirates, and against other top teams that their attacking prowess is good enough to make up for that. Meanwhile, Arsenal have struggled against teams in the top six this season and I just can’t see them changing that against Liverpool at Anfield.
PREDICTION: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
SPURS V EVERTON
This clash too promises to be interesting; as two in-form sides clash on Sunday. Spurs have been impressive at home and that might just give them that needed advantage over Everton. Ronald Koeman and his wards would try to come out of this clash with something to take home with; as they would be banking on their in-form forward Romelu Lukaku(with 17 league goals) to deliver the goods. But Spurs also have in-form striker Harry Kane with 17 league goals to rely on. I expect Spurs to win this one by the skin of the teeth.
PREDICTION: Spurs 2-1 Everton
SUNDERLAND V MAN CITY
David Moyes was at the Ethihads to see City cruize pass Huddersfield Town 5-1 on Wednesday, indicating how serious this clash means to the Scottish trainer. Sunderland are just a few matches away from officially being relegated and would be wanting to show some spirited effort when they face Pep Guardiola’s City. But with City winning all their last three away matches comfortably, expect another forlorn effort from Sunderland. MY PREDICTION: Sunderland 1-2 Man City WEST HAM V CHELSEA One ‘London derby’ you wouldn’t want to miss. The Hammers welcome city rivals Chelsea to the London stadium in a late night clash on Monday. West Ham would be encourage with the fact that Chelsea haven’t been impressive playing away at a London based club this season: loosing at Spurs(L), Arsenal(L) and West Ham(EFL Cup), despite their unrivaled performance in the league. But Antonio Conte would be looking to improve on that, as his side gun for their fifth Premier League title this season. I expect this one to end in stalemate.
PREDICTION: West Ham 2-2 Chelsea
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