Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Saturday 4th March 2017, 12.30
Manchester United return to Premier League action this weekend after claiming the first silverware of the domestic season. Bournemouth are visitors to Old Trafford, having lost their last four league matches, the most recent a 2-1 defeat at West Brom last Saturday.
Jose Mourinho collected his first trophy as United boss last Sunday as United won the EFL Cup at Wembley. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero, scoring the opener in a thoroughly entertaining 3-2 victory over Southampton. The Swedish striker also headed home the winner with three minutes to spare, with Jesse Lingard grabbing United's second earlier in the game. Ibrahimovic is proving his quality time and time again for the Red Devils, and I wonder how they'd be doing if they hadn't signed him on a free transfer last summer!
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Wayne Rooney lifts the EFL Cup (Getty Images)
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Bournemouth will be looking over their shoulder after a fourth straight defeat at West Brom. Josh King gave the Cherries an early lead from the penalty spot, but Eddie Howe's men couldn't protect it and were 2-1 down just 16 minutes later. They are just four points above the drop zone, and that could be even less on Saturday evening after a trip to Manchester.
United will be on a massive high after winning the EFL Cup and haven't lost in the league since October. Bournemouth are in poor form, and I see their run of defeats extending to five in Saturday's early kick-off.
Prediction: 3-0
Leicester vs Hull
Saturday 4th March 2017, 15.00
Leicester started the post-Ranieri era with an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. Hull drew 1-1 at home to Burnley.
It seems a long time since Leicester lost 2-1 at Hull in the opening match of the 2016/17 season. A lot has happened since then, including the sacking of the two managers who led those teams in August. Leicester hero Claudio Ranieri was dismissed in February, leaving Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge. His team battered Liverpool, with Jamie Vardy and his teammates seemingly back to their best. The striker netted twice as the Foxes saw off the Reds, with Danny Drinkwater also netting a sensational goal (his first of the season). It was a brilliant win for Leicester and their fans, but I think the players should be ashamed of themselves. They hadn't found a performance like that for a long long time, too long in fact, under the Tinkerman. Perhaps if they had, he'd still be in charge.
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| Leicester impressed under Craig Shakespeare (Getty Images) |
Marco Silva replaced Mike Phelan earlier in the campaign, and he's steadied the ship at the KCOM Stadium. The Tigers are 19th but are just a point adrift of safety, having picked up another against Burnley last weekend. Tom Huddlestone netted from the penalty spot after a handball from Michael Keane, but the centre back redeemed himself just four minutes later when he equalised. Silva will have been disappointed, as that was only the second point Burnley have collected away from home last season.
Leicester looked like champions again on Monday, and the whole club was boosted with that brilliant performance against Liverpool. A win here would be another big statement from Craig Shakespeare, and I think he'll get it.
Prediction: 2-0
Stoke vs Middlesbrough
Saturday 4th March 2017, 15.00
These two meet having both suffered defeats in Gameweek 26. Stoke were battered 4-0 at Spurs, whilst Boro were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Crystal Palace.
Mark Hughes will be a disappointed man after his side's performance against Tottenham. The Potters were 4-0 down at half-time after breaking the golden rule when playing Mauricio Pochettino's side; don't let Harry Kane shoot! The Englishman scored a first-half hat-trick and created another for Dele Alli as Stoke simply couldn't live with him on the day.
It's looking so tight at the bottom of the Premier League. Middlesbrough are now outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone having suffered a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. The Teesiders have failed to win in their last nine in the league and I'm worried for Aitor Karanka and his team, who simply don't score enough goals.
Despite a poor result last weekend, I fancy Stoke here. They are typically good at home, whilst Middlesbrough are poor most weeks at the moment.
Prediction: 2-1
Swansea vs Burnley
Saturday 4th March 2017, 15.00
Swansea lost 3-1 at leaders Chelsea last Saturday, whilst Burnley earned just their second away point of the season at Hull in a 1-1 draw.
Swansea were very much in the game at Stamford Bridge and Fernando Llorente, who terrorised Liverpool in January, equalised on the stroke of half-time after Cesc Fabregas had opened the scoring. Paul Clement's men battled and battled, but the Blues' quality eventually told as Pedro and Diego Costa wrapped up the three points. The Swans remain outside the bottom three, though, and will hope to start climbing the table rather than looking down.
Michael Keane got himself out of trouble at Hull, equalising just four minutes after gifting Hull a penalty for handball. It was an important point for Burnley, who would have suffered a second defeat in three games had Keane not converted. Sean Dyche will be without Ashley Barnes after he was dismissed in injury-time at the KCOM.
This is a tough game to call. Swansea have improved drastically under Clement, whilst Burnley have had a really good first season back in the league. They've struggled on their travels, but I fancy them to pick up another point after last week's result.
Prediction: 1-1
Watford vs Southampton
Saturday 4th March 2017, 15.00
Watford drew their last match in the Premier League, 1-1 with West Ham at Vicarage Road. Southampton return to league action after losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester United.
Mauro Zarate lined up against former-side West Ham last weekend, and won a penalty just three minutes in after drawing a foul from Cheikhou Kouyate. Troy Deeney duly converted to give the Hornets a perfect start, but the first-half was marred by a nasty-looking knee injury to Zarate. Andrew Ayew netted an equaliser for West Ham, a draw probably a fair result.
I thought Southampton were terrific in their cup final defeat. They got themselves back into the game from 2-0 down and played with great freedom throughout. Some of the deliveries into the area were stunning, and January-signing Manolo Gabbiadini is proving to be a fine player, netting both goals for the Saints in the 3-2 defeat. The Italian should have had a hat-trick, after seeing an early strike incorrectly ruled out for offside. Claude Puel can be very proud of his team, who lost solely because of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's clinical nature.
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| Gabbiadini has made a terrific start to life in England (Getty Images) |
Puel will be hoping that defeat didn't dent his team's confidence too much, as they are capable of playing some great football for the rest of the season. Watford aren't bad at home, however, and I think Walter Mazzarri's team will hold the visitors to a draw this weekend.
Prediction: 2-2
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 4th March 2017, 15.00
West Brom are unbeaten in five league games following last weekend's 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth. Palace also won, 1-0 at home to Bournemouth.
Tony Pulis' team have got something really good going on this season. There seems to be a great team spirit and work ethic at the Hawthorns, and that was apparent as they fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 2-1. Every Baggies player contributes, and it was two defenders that won the game for WBA - Craig Dawson and familiarly, Gareth McAuley.
Despite beating Boro, Sam Allardyce's Eagles remain in the bottom three. It was a big win, however, thanks to a goal from January signing Patrick van Aanholt. Big Sam will hope his side can back up victory better this weekend; last time they won in the league, they lost 4-0 at home to Sunderland in the next game!
I can't go against West Brom at home. The Baggies might not play the best football but they are so well organised and disciplined and they have thoroughly earned their current position of 8th in the table. I think they'll outfight Palace on Saturday.
Prediction: 1-0
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Saturday 4th March 2017, 17.30
Liverpool have now won just one of their last seven Premier League games after an abysmal 3-1 defeat at Leicester on Monday. Arsenal weren't in Premier League action last weekend, as they were scheduled to be playing EFL Cup finalists Southampton.
I can't believe what has happened to Jurgen Klopp's Reds. They were simply embarrassing at the King Power on Monday, and it's becoming all a bit too similar. Liverpool have now lost to Swansea, Hull and Leicester in 2017. Phillipe Coutinho scored a fine goal in Monday's defeat, but that was the only moment of quality they could muster in the 90 minutes. What's frustrating, though, is that Liverpool can raise their game for the big sides. They've drawn against Chelsea and beaten Tottenham in the opening months of this year, and who'd be surprised if they beat Arsenal on Saturday?
Arsenal's last league match was a 2-0 home victory over Hull. Since then, they have lost 5-1 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League and progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Sutton. So, a bit of a mixed bag for Arsene Wenger, who has been linked with the Barcelona job this week after Luis Enrique announced his intention to step down at the end of the season.
Liverpool's thrilling 4-3 win at the Emirates on the opening day seems a long time ago. It set the trend for the Reds' season, able to beat the big sides but not the battling strugglers. With that in mind, I'm going for a home win, based on home advantage and the fact that Klopp will have torn into his players this week.
Prediction: 2-1
Tottenham vs Everton
Sunday 5th March 2017, 13.30
Spurs are back up to 2nd after thrashing Stoke 4-0 at White Hart Lane. Everton were comfortable 2-0 winners over Sunderland at Goodison.
I've already mentioned Harry Kane, but he deserves further praise. He was simply sensational in the first-half at the Lane, and for me he's the best natural finisher in the league, Sergio Aguero aside. Kane scored his third hat-trick in nine games, and his 100th career goal. I had a bit of a debate over this at the time, but I really do feel that if he stays at Spurs, or at least in the Premier League, for a long time then he could be the man to break Alan Shearer's record.
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This man is in excellent form (Getty Images)
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Everton are in excellent form and haven't lost on league duty since the Merseyside Derby in December. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku saw off Sunderland, managed by former Toffees boss David Moyes, at Goodison. Ronald Koeman has had a great impact at the Blues.
I think Everton's unbeaten streak could come to an end here. Spurs bounced back from defeat at Anfield with an emphatic victory over Stoke, and they're so strong at White Hart Lane.
Prediction: 2-0
Sunderland vs Manchester City
Sunday 5th March 2017, 16.00
Sunderland remain bottom of the league after that 2-0 defeat at Everton. City didn't feature last weekend due to Manchester United's participation in the EFL Cup, but warmed up for this one with a 5-1 win over Huddersfield in an FA Cup replay.
Amazingly, Sunderland are only three points from leaving the drop zone, despite being rock bottom for weeks. They will have to perform a damn sight better than they did at Goodison Park. It was far too easy for Everton, who coasted to a 2-0 win.
Pep Guardiola will be happy to return to league action after a 5-1 thrashing of Huddersfield in midweek. Sergio Aguero scored twice in that one and will have been drafted into a lot of Fantasy League teams ahead of this fixture!
I just don't see the Black Cats keeping City out here. They are so poor defensively, and this should be an easy away win.
Prediction: 0-3
West Ham vs Chelsea
Monday 6th March 2017, 20.00
West Ham drew 1-1 at Watford last Saturday, whilst Chelsea's lead at the top is ten points after a 3-1 win over Swansea at Stamford Bridge.
Andre Ayew came off the bench to tap home an equaliser against Watford after Michael Antonio's shot rebounded off both posts. It's now three games unbeaten for Slaven Bilic's side, but they will be without Antonio who saw red at Vicarage Road.
Chelsea broke down a resilient Swansea side to record a 3-1 win. Cesc Fabregas started and scored the opener, before Pedro and Diego Costa made it safe. Antonio Conte's men are travelling comfortably towards the title, but face a big game against Manchester City in April. It was nice to see Victor Moses rewarded with a new contract this week after a string of fine performances.
West Ham still aren't quite right at the London Stadium, but I think they'll make this difficult for the Blues. However, if Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are on their game, it has to be an away win.
Prediction: 1-2
Manchester City vs Stoke
Wednesday 8th March 2017, 20.00
These two feature twice in Gameweek 27 owing to City having a game in hand. City are too good at home for most teams, and I think they'll get two wins this Gameweek.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester City vs Stoke
Wednesday 8th March 2017, 20.00
These two feature twice in Gameweek 27 owing to City having a game in hand. City are too good at home for most teams, and I think they'll get two wins this Gameweek.
Prediction: 2-0
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