@0riginalfooty takes a look at the weekend fixtures for the 37th round of Premier League football. Last time out we got a measly two out of ten predictions right and no correct scores. Hopefully we will do better this week!
Saturday
Southampton vs Aston Villa (12:45)
The Saint’s season is tailing off and they are struggling to produce decent performances. They have had a terrific season overall, though, so hopefully their finish won’t put too much of a downer on things at St Mary’s. Villa, on the other hand, are in excellent form and are playing some great football. It’s hard to see the Villans being relegated even if they don’t get anything out of this match but I don’t see why they can’t win against Ronald Koeman’s floundering side.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Aston Villa
Burnley vs Stoke (15:00)
It was a case of too little too late last week for Burnley who ultimately did not have the quality to survive in this league. Stoke thumped Tottenham last weekend and have reached their highest ever points total. A point will guarantee them a top-half finish and I think they will get that.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Stoke
QPR vs Newcastle (15:00)
The R’s were relegated in appalling fashion last weekend but in truth they have been so poor all season that it was hardly a surprise. This is their chance to have a parting shot at the league and drag Newcastle into real trouble. The Magpies finally picked up a point last weekend and could have beaten West Brom but they are still perilously close to the drop zone. Hull have tougher fixtures but seem more likely to pick something up really. I think Newcastle will lose here to pile more pressure on them.
Prediction: QPR 2-1 Newcastle
Sunderland vs Leicester (15:00)
This is a huge game and a chance for one of these teams to virtually escape. Sunderland picked up a huge result, albeit with a bit of luck in front of goal, against Everton while Leicester continued their revival with a comfortable victory over Southampton. Both these teams will be desperate to win and to avoid defeat so it should be a tense game. A draw is not good enough to ease the nerves of either set of fans especially if Hull win but I think that’s what they will get.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-2 Leicester
Spurs vs Hull (15:00)
Tottenham are having a miserable end to the season and their defeat last weekend was extremely poor. It’s almost as if they’re trying to finish as far down the league table as possible to avoid the Europa League, which they will probably get anyway if Villa fail to win the FA Cup. Hull also endured a terrible result to lose to Burnley at home and have reason thrown themselves into trouble. They simply must win this match and I have a sneaking suspicion that they will get a something and possibly even nick it.
Prediction: Spurs 1-2 Hull
West Ham vs Everton (15:00)
This match could be seen as the battle for a top-half finish as Everton will leapfrog the Hammers with a victory. It’s been a good season for Sam Allardyce’s team but the gloss has been taken off by their performances in recent months. It’s not been such a good season for Everton but a season outside the Europa League might do them the world of good, assuming they don’t qualify through fair play. This really could go either way but I’ll lump for Everton.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Everton
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (17:30)
The Reds nabbed a draw against Chelsea but they were heavily reliant on Man United losing and a top-four place is now beyond them. Palace are another team whose season is tailing off and it’s hard to see them leaving here with three points.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Sunday
Swansea vs Man City (13:30)
The Swans pulled off another unlikely victory on Monday night by beating Arsenal and they may have done their opponents this weekend a huge favour in doing so. City are now in pole position to finish second and they will hope to capitalise on Arsenal’s defeat. They were ruthless against QPR but this will be a much tougher fixture. I had my doubts about Garry Monk’s credentials at the start of the season but he has done fantastically well and deserves infinite credit for the job he’s done and he may even guide them into the Europa League, should Villa lose the FA Cup final.
Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Man City
Man United vs Arsenal (16:00)
The Red Devils edged a victory over Crystal Palace to all but seal a top-four spot but will want to leapfrog Arsenal if possible to avoid Champions League qualifiers. The Gunners would have been virtually assured of avoiding them had they beaten Swansea but now face an anxious battle to the end of the season. Some players may have one eye on the Cup final too and I fancy United to grab a win.
Prediction: Man United 2-1 Arsenal
Monday
West Brom vs Chelsea (20:00)
The Baggies don’t have much to play for so their main target now might as well be to finish above Midlands’ rivals Aston Villa who are three points off them. West Brom have superior goal difference so should complete the job but Villa’s good form could close that gap before the start of play. Chelsea have won the league with ease but I still expect them to strengthen this summer as their rivals will come back stronger. They would like to finish on 90 points and I think they’ll take a further step towards that here.
Prediction: West Brom 0-2 Chelsea