Arsenal vs Hull
Saturday 11th February 2017, 12.30
Arsenal were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat at Chelsea last Saturday, a result which saw them drop to fourth, now twelve points behind the table-topping Blues. Hull enjoyed a brilliant 2-0 win over Liverpool, a result which leaves them 18th but just one point off leaving the drop zone.
Arsenal were deserved losers at Stamford Bridge and couldn't live with Eden Hazard who scored a stunning solo goal on the day. Arsene Wenger's misery was compounded when former Gunner Cesc Fabregas made it 3-0 to Chelsea following a mistake from Petr Cech, and although Olivier Giroud headed a late consolation it was a disappointing trip to West London for the Arsenal faithful.
Hull were terrific against Liverpool and were rightful victors against Jurgen Klopp's struggling side. Marco Silva has got his team playing some excellent football, and goals from new signing Alfred N'Diaye and on-loan Everton striker Oumar Niasse earned the Tigers an impressive win at the KCOM.
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Can Niasse inspire another Hull City upset? (Getty Images)
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Despite Hull's upturn in fortunes, the Emirates is still one of the toughest grounds to visit in the Premier League and I'm expecting the Gunners to return to winning ways in Saturday's early kick-off.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester United vs Watford
Saturday 11th February, 15.00
Manchester United enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory at reigning champions Leicester on Sunday, whilst Watford enjoyed a solid 2-1 home victory over Burnley, their second successive league win.
Jose Mourinho's side are now unbeaten in their last fifteen Premier League games, the Red Devils' longest run since 2013 (18). They demolished Leicester at the King Power thanks to goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata, a result which means they remain 6th in the table but are now just two points adrift of the top four.
Watford were winners against 10-man Burnley at Vicarage Road thanks largely to an excellent home debut by M'Baye Niang. The man on loan from AC Milan created Troy Deeney's opener before netting the second himself, and although the visitors halved the deficit in the second half from the spot, Walter Mazzarri's men hung in there to take the three points and jump to 10th in the league.
Watford are looking on course for safety this season but face a massive test at Old Trafford on Saturday. United are in fine form and I fancy them to win by the same margin as they did at Leicester last weekend.
Prediction: 3-0
Middlesbrough vs Everton
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Middlesbrough are without a win in seven Premier League fixtures after a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in last Saturday's late game. Everton are unbeaten across the same length, and won an absolute thriller last weekend, 6-3 at home to Bournemouth.
Aitor Karanka will have been proud of how difficult his side made it for Spurs at White Hart Lane, but disappointed that they left London empty-handed. Bernardo Espinosa needlessly fouled Son Heung-min in the box, allowing Harry Kane to grab the game's only goal from the penalty spot. Boro also had a great chance to equalise at the death, but Marten de Roon volleyed wide when in space in the box.
Everton were 3-0 up inside half an hour in their match with Bournemouth and looked comfortably in control at half-time. The Cherries scored twice after the break to apply the nerves, however, and Romelu Lukaku will be relieved that Romelu Lukaku had one of the games of his career; the Belgian netted four goals in total as well as creating another in the 6-3 victory. Ross Barkley wrapped up the victory after Bournemouth had again reduced the deficit, whilst James McCarthy netted earlier in the game.
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| Ross Barkley celebrates before scoring Everton's 6th of the afternoon (Getty Images) |
Middlesbrough are hovering just a point above the bottom three due to their recent poor form and they face one of the league's in-form sides on Saturday. Everton are making a late push for Europe - they trail neighbours Liverpool by just six points - and I expect them to continue their surge on Saturday.
Prediction: 1-2
Stoke vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Stoke suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at West Brom in their last Premier League match. Sam Allardyce endured a miserable afternoon last Saturday as his former side Sunderland humiliated Palace, losing 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
A slow start at the Hawthorns saw Stoke lose to former manager Tony Pulis' West Brom side. The Potters defenders were slow getting to James Morrison, who netted the game's only goal on just six minutes. It leaves Mark Hughes' men winless in their last three league matches, and sees them drop to 11th in the table.
Palace's 2-0 win at Bournemouth was swiftly forgotten as the Eagles were stunned by David Moyes' Sunderland. It was 4-0 at half-time, and Sam Allardyce will have been devastated at the humiliation at the hands of his former side, as will Patrick van Aanholt who recently transferred to Palace from the Black Cats. Palace sit 19th in the table, and are yet to find any sort of consistency under the former England boss.
Both of these sides could do with a win, but for Palace it's absolutely vital that they start picking up points in these sorts of matches. As it is, their confidence will be at rock bottom after last weekend's result, and I think Stoke will have enough to beat them here.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunderland vs Southampton
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Sunderland enjoyed that fine 4-0 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday, whilst Southampton suffered a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to West Ham.
Jermain Defoe unsurprisingly netted a couple of Sunderland's goals at Selhurst Park, but I was pleased to see a few others helping him out for once and contributing to a Black Cats victory. Lamine Kone set them on their way to victory and Didier Ndong added a second before Defoe's brace in first-half injury time stunned Sam Allardyce's Palace. Sunderland remain bottom of the league due to other results, but will have experienced a massive upsurge in belief and confidence in the past week.
Southampton are a bit hit-and-miss at the moment, and lost for the second league game running as West Ham left St Mary's with maximum points. New signing Manolo Gabbiadini gave the Saints the lead on his debut, but West Ham rallied and equalised just two minutes later before taking the lead on the stroke of half-time. The visitors added a third in the second-half, and Claude Puel's men had no response as they were deservedly beaten on the day.
This should be a really interesting game at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland appeared to have turned a corner last Saturday but have struggled to win consecutive games throughout the season. Southampton aren't playing to their best, but I think they'll leave Wearside with a point this weekend.
Prediction: 1-1
West Ham vs West Brom
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Ninth host eighth this Saturday at the London Stadium. Both enter on the back of solid victories in Gameweek 24, West Ham's a 3-1 victory at Southampton whilst West Brom beat Stoke 1-0 at the Hawthorns.
West Ham responded brilliantly after going a goal behind at Southampton last Saturday. Andy Carroll equalised just two minutes after the hosts' opener, and Pedro Obiang completed the turnaround before half-time. Skipper Mark Noble put it beyond doubt in the second half as Slaven Bilic's Hammers climbed to 9th in the league, just five points adrift of Saturday's opponents.
James Morrison's 6th-minute strike was enough to see the Baggies take all three points against Stoke. Tony Pulis' side are so good once they have a lead, and they defended comfortably to see out the Potters. I've been so impressed with West Brom this season, and it's incredible to see that they have just ten points fewer than 5th-placed Liverpool - the Baggies are closer to the Reds than Jurgen Klopp's men are to top-of-the-table Chelsea (13 points).
I'm expecting another close game at the London Stadium. West Ham seem to play better away from home at the moment, whilst West Brom are cautious visitors. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one end goalless.
Prediction: 0-0
Liverpool vs Tottenham
Saturday 11th February 2017, 17.30
Liverpool are still without a league victory in 2017 after a poor 2-0 defeat at Hull. Tottenham eventually broke down Middlesbrough in last Saturday's late kick-off, winning 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
Just when Jurgen Klopp's Reds appeared to have rediscovered some competitiveness, they completely rolled over at Hull. It was a polar-opposite performance to the 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea which preceded the Hull meeting, but the Reds were toothless at the KCOM Stadium and deservedly lost a match in which they never looked like scoring.
Spurs are the opposite to Liverpool in the way that they manage to beat the bottom-half clubs even when they're not at their best. Harry Kane kept his cool when Spurs were gifted a penalty by Boro, and you expect Mauricio Pochettino's side to keep clean sheets in those types of games - unfortunately, Klopp can't say the same about his charges.
Liverpool need to find a big performance from somewhere, and they usually up their game when facing one of the top six. The Reds are unbeaten against any of the five teams around them this season, and I think they'll get their top-four hopes back on track with a massive win at Anfield.
Prediction: 2-1
Burnley vs Chelsea
Sunday 12th February 2017, 13.30
Ten-man Burnley lost narrowly at Watford last Saturday, going down 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Chelsea comfortably swept aside Arsenal in Saturday's early match, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Jeff Hendrick cost his Clarets teammates dearly at Watford, receiving a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Jose Holebas after just six minutes. Watford made their man advantage count, racing into a two-goal lead and although Ashley Barnes pulled one back from the penalty spot with twelve minutes left, Sean Dyche's team couldn't haul themselves level.
Chelsea dismantled Arsenal and had the air of champions about them. Marcos Alonso headed Antonio Conte's men into an early lead, before two fine goals in the second half saw off the Gunners. Eden Hazard scored a remarkable solo goal, and Cesc Fabregas netted an audacious lob against his former employers. The only disappointment for Conte will have been Arsenal's late consolation, but it was an excellent afternoon for the Italian whose side now hold a nine-point lead at the top.
Burnley are brilliant at home and this will be no easy game for Chelsea. However, I can't see who is going to beat the Blues at the moment, and I believe they'll win by the narrowest of margins at Turf Moor.
Prediction: 0-1
Palace's 2-0 win at Bournemouth was swiftly forgotten as the Eagles were stunned by David Moyes' Sunderland. It was 4-0 at half-time, and Sam Allardyce will have been devastated at the humiliation at the hands of his former side, as will Patrick van Aanholt who recently transferred to Palace from the Black Cats. Palace sit 19th in the table, and are yet to find any sort of consistency under the former England boss.
Both of these sides could do with a win, but for Palace it's absolutely vital that they start picking up points in these sorts of matches. As it is, their confidence will be at rock bottom after last weekend's result, and I think Stoke will have enough to beat them here.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunderland vs Southampton
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Sunderland enjoyed that fine 4-0 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday, whilst Southampton suffered a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to West Ham.
Jermain Defoe unsurprisingly netted a couple of Sunderland's goals at Selhurst Park, but I was pleased to see a few others helping him out for once and contributing to a Black Cats victory. Lamine Kone set them on their way to victory and Didier Ndong added a second before Defoe's brace in first-half injury time stunned Sam Allardyce's Palace. Sunderland remain bottom of the league due to other results, but will have experienced a massive upsurge in belief and confidence in the past week.
Southampton are a bit hit-and-miss at the moment, and lost for the second league game running as West Ham left St Mary's with maximum points. New signing Manolo Gabbiadini gave the Saints the lead on his debut, but West Ham rallied and equalised just two minutes later before taking the lead on the stroke of half-time. The visitors added a third in the second-half, and Claude Puel's men had no response as they were deservedly beaten on the day.
This should be a really interesting game at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland appeared to have turned a corner last Saturday but have struggled to win consecutive games throughout the season. Southampton aren't playing to their best, but I think they'll leave Wearside with a point this weekend.
Prediction: 1-1
West Ham vs West Brom
Saturday 11th February 2017, 15.00
Ninth host eighth this Saturday at the London Stadium. Both enter on the back of solid victories in Gameweek 24, West Ham's a 3-1 victory at Southampton whilst West Brom beat Stoke 1-0 at the Hawthorns.
West Ham responded brilliantly after going a goal behind at Southampton last Saturday. Andy Carroll equalised just two minutes after the hosts' opener, and Pedro Obiang completed the turnaround before half-time. Skipper Mark Noble put it beyond doubt in the second half as Slaven Bilic's Hammers climbed to 9th in the league, just five points adrift of Saturday's opponents.
James Morrison's 6th-minute strike was enough to see the Baggies take all three points against Stoke. Tony Pulis' side are so good once they have a lead, and they defended comfortably to see out the Potters. I've been so impressed with West Brom this season, and it's incredible to see that they have just ten points fewer than 5th-placed Liverpool - the Baggies are closer to the Reds than Jurgen Klopp's men are to top-of-the-table Chelsea (13 points).
I'm expecting another close game at the London Stadium. West Ham seem to play better away from home at the moment, whilst West Brom are cautious visitors. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one end goalless.
Prediction: 0-0
Liverpool vs Tottenham
Saturday 11th February 2017, 17.30
Liverpool are still without a league victory in 2017 after a poor 2-0 defeat at Hull. Tottenham eventually broke down Middlesbrough in last Saturday's late kick-off, winning 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
Just when Jurgen Klopp's Reds appeared to have rediscovered some competitiveness, they completely rolled over at Hull. It was a polar-opposite performance to the 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea which preceded the Hull meeting, but the Reds were toothless at the KCOM Stadium and deservedly lost a match in which they never looked like scoring.
Spurs are the opposite to Liverpool in the way that they manage to beat the bottom-half clubs even when they're not at their best. Harry Kane kept his cool when Spurs were gifted a penalty by Boro, and you expect Mauricio Pochettino's side to keep clean sheets in those types of games - unfortunately, Klopp can't say the same about his charges.
Liverpool need to find a big performance from somewhere, and they usually up their game when facing one of the top six. The Reds are unbeaten against any of the five teams around them this season, and I think they'll get their top-four hopes back on track with a massive win at Anfield.
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It promises to be another hard-fought battle between these two at Anfield (Getty Images)
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Burnley vs Chelsea
Sunday 12th February 2017, 13.30
Ten-man Burnley lost narrowly at Watford last Saturday, going down 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Chelsea comfortably swept aside Arsenal in Saturday's early match, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Jeff Hendrick cost his Clarets teammates dearly at Watford, receiving a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Jose Holebas after just six minutes. Watford made their man advantage count, racing into a two-goal lead and although Ashley Barnes pulled one back from the penalty spot with twelve minutes left, Sean Dyche's team couldn't haul themselves level.
Chelsea dismantled Arsenal and had the air of champions about them. Marcos Alonso headed Antonio Conte's men into an early lead, before two fine goals in the second half saw off the Gunners. Eden Hazard scored a remarkable solo goal, and Cesc Fabregas netted an audacious lob against his former employers. The only disappointment for Conte will have been Arsenal's late consolation, but it was an excellent afternoon for the Italian whose side now hold a nine-point lead at the top.
Burnley are brilliant at home and this will be no easy game for Chelsea. However, I can't see who is going to beat the Blues at the moment, and I believe they'll win by the narrowest of margins at Turf Moor.
Prediction: 0-1
Swansea vs Leicester
Sunday 12th February 2017, 16.00
This is a massive six-pointer at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday. Swansea were desperately unlucky to lose 2-1 right at the death at Manchester City, whereas Leicester were dreadful when hosting the other Manchester club, losing 3-0 at home to United.
Swansea are much-improved under Paul Clement and looked set for a deserved point at the Etihad. Gylfi Sigurdsson had popped up with another big goal with the Swans to make it 1-1, but a soft piece of goalkeeping from Lukasz Fabianski allowed Gabriel Jesus to win it for City in injury time. Swansea remain outside the bottom three, though, and will climb above Leicester with a victory on Sunday.
Leicester were squarely beaten by United at the King Power but received a massive confidence boost in midweek as they beat local rivals Derby 3-1 after extra-time in an FA Cup Fourth Round replay. Andy King, Wilfred Ndidi and Demarai Gray all scored good goals as Leicester finally gave the Foxes faithful something to cheer about. Claudio Ranieri will be hopeful that his side can take that performance into this massive clash in Wales.
Only goal difference keeps Leicester above Swansea in the league standings, and this game should be as close as it looks on paper. Leicester are still without an away win in the league all season, but I think it's only a matter of time before Ranieri reinforces the spirit his side had in abundance last season, and I fancy them to ease their relegation fears this weekend.
Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Monday 13th February 2017, 20.00
Bournemouth were on the wrong end of the thrilling 6-3 scoreline at Everton last Saturday, whilst City won it at the death at the Etihad on Sunday as they defeated Swansea.
To give Eddie Howe's men some credit, they gave themselves a chance at Goodison Park and it was impressive to seem them get back to 3-2 after being 3-0 down at half-time, Josh King netting both of those goals. The Cherries had to go for it from there and left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack; Romelu Lukaku was too much of a handful on the day and sent Everton on their way to an eventual 6-3 win.
Gabriel Jesus is City's latest superstar, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over Swansea. He was in the right place at the right time to tap home the winner in the 92nd-minute after his initial header was saved, sending Pep Guardiola's men back into the top four in the process.
I can this being a really entertaining game to culminate Gameweek 25. Bournemouth are conceding too many goals at the moment and I think City will keep up their winning form in a game full of goals.
Prediction: 1-3
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| It's a massive six-pointer in Swansea on Sunday (Getty Images) |
Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Monday 13th February 2017, 20.00
Bournemouth were on the wrong end of the thrilling 6-3 scoreline at Everton last Saturday, whilst City won it at the death at the Etihad on Sunday as they defeated Swansea.
To give Eddie Howe's men some credit, they gave themselves a chance at Goodison Park and it was impressive to seem them get back to 3-2 after being 3-0 down at half-time, Josh King netting both of those goals. The Cherries had to go for it from there and left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack; Romelu Lukaku was too much of a handful on the day and sent Everton on their way to an eventual 6-3 win.
Gabriel Jesus is City's latest superstar, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over Swansea. He was in the right place at the right time to tap home the winner in the 92nd-minute after his initial header was saved, sending Pep Guardiola's men back into the top four in the process.
I can this being a really entertaining game to culminate Gameweek 25. Bournemouth are conceding too many goals at the moment and I think City will keep up their winning form in a game full of goals.
Prediction: 1-3
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