Friday, 21 February 2014

Barclays Predictions League 12

Chelsea v Everton (Saturday, 12:45pm)

Chelsea are still well within the title race and are top of the Premier League, albeit by one point. Jose Mourinho will be pleased either way.

They should have enough in them to win this match, especially at Stamford Bridge, but Roberto Martinez's side should give them a tough ride.

Both sides come into this with mixed fortunes in the F.A. Cup, Chelsea losing at Manchester City while Everton overcame Swansea to advance.

Even without Romelu Lukaku, the Toffees are still strong and should easily get a top seven finish at the end of the campaign but, although you can't rule it out, it will be a bonus if they get a result here.

Score: 1-0
Arsenal v Sunderland

This is Arsenal's fourth home game in 10 days after facing Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

On paper, this looks the most straightforward out of the four, but Sunderland should give them a tough ride, especially after getting a good run around on Tuesday night.

They were extremely unlucky and gave Munich a good go even with 10 men but they face a mountain to climb in the second leg of the Champions League last 16, pardon the cliche.

But they are still in the F.A. Cup and I think they could win it. Everton and Manchester City are the toughest opponents on paper.

But I don't want to disrespect Gus Poyet's men, who have been playing better in the last couple of months and deservedly went into the last eight after victory against Southampton.

The defeat to Hull was a set back for them but the worry for the Black Cats is the potential fixture congestion as they have the Capital One Cup final, the F.A. Cup Quarter-Final against either Brighton or Hull and three other league games, Manchester City, West Brom and Liverpool, postponed.

Arsene Wenger has set his team up well at the Emirates and I expect to get through this game, but not comfortably.

Score: 2-0
Cardiff v Hull

After bowing out of the F.A. Cup to holders Wigan last weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can concentrate on keeping his side in England's top division.

It would have been good for confidence to go through to the last eight with a win but then they would add to their fixture list and they need as many fresh players as they can to boost their survival chances.

Steve Bruce complained about the fixture pile-up following his side's 1-1 draw at Brighton on Monday night. Personally I can understand his complaints as he has to play the Seagulls at home two days after this game.

I don't understand the UEFA rules about not having matches clash with European games either. If they desperately couldn't mix them together, then have them play the week after!

But Hull will be fine. They have enough in them to stay up but I actually think Cardiff will take maximum spoils this weekend in South Wales.

Score: 2-1
Man City v Stoke

Like Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini's team followed an F.A. Cup win with a somewhat undeserved loss at home in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, this time against Barcelona.

The penalty changed the game as Manchester City had looked reasonably comfortable before then but they did give an enormous effort and were caught on the break for the second goal.

I did think the La Liga leaders would win over two legs but it looks unlikely that City will progress to the next round.

Back to Premier League action, and they come up against former manager Mark Hughes, this time with Stoke City.

In the reverse fixture at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke were all over City and should have won the game. Their record at the Etihad, however, doesn't look so good.

I don't see them being in any real danger of relegation but they will do well to stop City's superiority.

Score: 3-0
West Brom v Fulham

Right, West Brom win, next!

Seriously though, sacking Rene Meulensteen and his staff is stupid to me, especially as Fulham had picked up a great point at Old Trafford and only just lost to Champions League chasing Liverpool.

Their defence is so leaky but that isn't Meulensteen's fault. Blame Martin Jol as he didn't invest in any younger players in the previous transfer windows and Felix Magath has a real job on his hands.

West Brom got an excellent point against Chelsea last time around and Pepe Mel will see this game as a perfect way to get his team further away from trouble.

Score: 2-0
West Ham v Southampton

After Southampton lost in their fourth meeting against Sunderland this season last Saturday, I did wonder why on earth Mauricio Pochettino left several first team players out.

Having said that, they should have an F.A. Cup replay after Rickie Lambert missed a sitter in the dying minutes at the Stadium of Light.

They are comfortable in mid-table and a good cup run would have helped their season but if they have a strong finish to the season the Saints fans won't be complaining too much.

West Ham have, yet again, proved my point that everything looks much more rosy after a couple of good results.

Beating Norwich just over a week ago was a massive victory for Sam Allardyce's side and they look much more like staying up than they did a month ago.

Score: 2-2

Crystal Palace v Man Utd (Saturday, 5:30pm)

As a neutral, I am quite looking forward to this game. Tony Pulis has improved the Eagles' home form and this will be a tough test for them.

Manchester United did show determination against Arsenal at the Emirates but they have to aim for at least a top seven finish and restart next season.

Like I said this season was a traditional phase but they can be a great team again with some more quality in their side.

Crystal Palace have a game in hand over their relegation rivals and I actually predict an upset on the cards for this weekend at Selhurst Park.

I think Palace will be organised and well structured and I can see them upsetting the Red Devils on the break.

Score: 2-1
Liverpool v Swansea (Sunday, 1:30pm)

While I still disagree with the sacking of Michael Laudrup, Gary Monk has done well since taking over the reigns in South Wales.

Beating rivals Cardiff and drawing at Stoke is a decent start to life as the boss, for now anyway. Losing at Everton won't be a big deal for them as staying in the Premier League should take priority.

But after a competitive meeting with Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday night, former manager Brendan Rodgers will come out on top in my opinion.

While Liverpool should have had a second penalty, Luis Suarez' reputation got the better of him and they crashed out of the F.A. Cup at the Emirates which means finishing in the top four takes on greater importance.

Score: 2-0

Newcastle v Aston Villa (Sunday, 1:30pm)

Despite scoring no goals and conceding 10 in their last three Premier League games, Newcastle should still have a strong finish this season.

The derby loss at home to Sunderland was unacceptable but Chelsea and Tottenham were always going to be hard matches as both are on good form.

This isn't going to be an easy game but I think, with Loic Remy coming back from suspension, Alan Pardew's Magpies will get a much needed win.

Aston Villa aren't great on the road and they are struggling to score goals this season but Paul Lambert has done a good job this season and the Villains should stay clear of the bottom three this season.

Score: 2-1

Norwich v Tottenham (Sunday, 4:00pm)

Tottenham have improved under Tim Sherwood but Emmanuel Adebayor has been the biggest change, scoring eight league goals in 11 Premier League matches. Well done, Mr Sherwood.

Although they narrowly lost in the Europa League this week, I think Tottenham will bounce back with a win here.

Chris Hughton's side are under pressure and realistically could do with a result from this match.

They haven't got recognised goal scorers but if Gary Hooper is fit then there could be cause for optimism.

Score: 1-2

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