It’s a weekend full of mouthwatering derbies at the English Premier League (EPL); as Manchester City welcomes José Mourinho’s Manchester United, Liverpool square up to Everton and Chelsea host West Ham. So, who will come out of this derbies with the bragging right? Read on to find out…
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
You will have to cast your mind back to the 2010/2011 Premier League season for the last time Everton defeated Liverpool in a Merseyside derby.
While there have been some thrilling draws between this two since then, Liverpool have often come out of this clash with the bragging rights. And if the Reds’ recent form is anything to consider, then you will fancy them again in this one. Everton are a decent side, but they struggle against the top six clubs.
Mohamed Salah is fit to play in this one, after limping out of Liverpool’s stunning Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday. If he gets to play, then you’d fancy him to score in this sort of game because he seems to be scoring for fun at the moment.
MY PREDICTION: Everton 1-2 Liverpool
BOURNEMOUTH V CRYSTAL PALACE
With six games left in this campaign, Bournemouth can start looking forward to another Premier League season. But same can’t be said of Crystal Palace – who are just two points above the drop zone. Roy Hodgson and his wards will come into this clash looking to scoop all three points, but, Bournemouth are a difficult nut to crack at home. That’s why I think this will end in a draw – like it ended in the reverse fixture.
MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace
BRIGHTON V HUDDERSFIELD
Brighton will be looking to get back to winning ways at home, after their 2-0 defeat to Leicester at the Amex – last time out. Though Huddersfield are not mathematically safe yet, you’d fancy them to avoid the drop this season. They have looked an impressively decent side so far. That said, I think Chris Hughton and his boys will have too much for Huddersfield in this clash.
MY PREDICTION: Brighton 1-0 Huddersfield
LEICESTER V NEWCASTLE
Despite Leicester’s impressive win at Brighton last weekend, they have struggled at home since the turn of the year. To put that into perspective, you will have to count back to mid-January for the last time Leicester City won a match at home. This is going to be a difficult match for both sides.
The reverse fixture ended 2-3 in favour of Leicester, and I think this one will be full of goals too. But, I think Newcastle will get something from this fixture this time around.
MY PREDICTION: Leicester 2-2 Newcastle
STOKE V SPURS
Spurs defeated Chelsea 3-1 last weekend, putting an end to a 28-year Stamford Bridge hoodoo. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are on fire at the moment. And the last time they visited Stoke City for a Premier League game, it ended 4-0 in favour of the Lilywhites. Harry Kane should start this game, after coming on as a late substitute in their 3-1 win over Chelsea last weekend. He would be looking to give his bid for a third consecutive golden boot a boost in this game.
MY PREDICTION: Stoke 0-2 Spurs
WATFORD V BURNLEY
Burnley are on a decent run; which have seen them win three league matches on the bounce. Their last two victories came on the road, a major reason Watford would be worried ahead of this clash. That said, Watford have been solid at home recently, and I think this will be a tough game for both clubs. I am finding it difficult to separate them.
MY PREDICTION: Watford 1-1 Burnley
WEST BROM V SWANSEA
West Brom are already set for life in the Championship next season. Bottom of the log with just six games left, only a miracle from the caretaker manager, Darren Moore will see the Baggies escape relegation. Swansea are not safe themselves (mathematically), but their chances of survival are a mile better than West Brom’s. And I think they will improve their chances of survival by getting something out of this clash on Saturday.
MY PREDICTION: West Brom 0-0 Swansea
MAN CITY V MANUTD
It was an outstanding performance from Marcus Rashford that gifted United a win the last time the Red Devils left the Ethihads with all three points. And it will take another outstanding performance from the men in red to get anything from this clash on Saturday.
It’s in José Mourinho’s proclivity to set up his side to sit deep and try to hit back on the counter in this sort of games. And I think he will adopt the same approach in this game. City still hurting from their 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday will come into this game looking to make amends with a win; which will also see them win the title officially.
The Manchester derby is always an exciting clash to see, and this won’t be any different. City have the best defence in the league, but Liverpool have shown that if you can force those back four of theirs (City) to defend (which many teams have rarely done), backed with clinical finishing from your forwards, you are likely to come out on top against City. But, I don’t see José Mourinho’s United doing all of that on Saturday.
MY PREDICTION: Man City 1-1 Manutd
ARSENAL V SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton held Arsenal to a one-all draw in the reverse fixture, but I don’t think they will get anything from this one on Sunday. The Gunners have been impressive at the Emirates (especially against sides outside the top six), and I see them winning emphatically here.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-0 Southampton
CHELSEA V WEST HAM
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to Spurs – when they welcome another London rival; West Ham on Sunday. The Blues are in a chaotic state at the moment, but, it shouldn’t stop them from overcoming struggling Hammers.
There is no stopping a Chelsea win in this one.
MY PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham