Bournemouth vs West Ham
Saturday 11th March 2017, 15.00
Bournemouth ended a run of four straight league defeats with an excellent point in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United. West Ham's three match unbeaten run came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on Monday night.
Bournemouth's result at Old Trafford has gone under the radar a bit due to the controversy in the game surrounding Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings. Both have been retrospectively banned by the FA this week, meaning Mings will be missing for the Cherries after his stamp was deemed deliberate. He will sit out the next five matches. Bournemouth also received a red card in the game, Andy Surman receiving two yellows, meaning Eddie Howe's men had to see out the remaining 45 minutes with ten men. Marcos Rojo had given United an early lead before Josh King responded from the penalty spot five minutes before Surman's dismissal. It was a brave performance by Bournemouth, and Artur Boruc was the hero after he saved a 71st-minute penalty from Ibrahimovic.
 |
| These two men have been in trouble this week (Getty Images) |
Like so many before them, West Ham struggled to live with two of Chelsea's best on Monday night; Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. Both scored to give the league leaders a 2-0 advantage, and the Hammers never really looked like getting back into it, although Manuel Lanzini did hit a 92nd-minute consolation. It was a frustrating night for Slaven Bilic, whose side couldn't really provide any chances for the returning Andy Carroll.
I think this will be a close game. Bournemouth will be bolstered after a terrific point at Old Trafford whilst West Ham have been in decent form and should have no shame in losing to a brilliant Chelsea team. I think this could end honours even at the Vitality Stadium.
Prediction: 2-2
Everton vs West Brom
Saturday 11th March 2017, 15.00
Everton lost their first league match since December, going down 3-2 in a frantic game at Tottenham. West Brom's run of five league matches without defeat is over after a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Harry Kane was the difference at White Hart Lane as Tottenham became the first team to beat Everton in the Premier League in 2017. The England ace gave Spurs a 2-0 lead before Everton gave themselves a chance with nine minutes to play, Romelu Lukaku scoring to become Everton's leading Premier League scorer with 61 goals. The hosts restored their two goal lead in the 92nd-minute through Dele Alli and although Enner Valencia bagged a consolation goal a minute later there wasn't time for Everton to seriously threaten an equaliser. This isn't an easy follow-up game for the Toffees, either; West Brom are just a place behind them (8th) and only four points worse-off.
 |
| Lukaku is now Everton's leading goalscorer in the Premier League (Getty Images) |
The Baggies suffered a surprising defeat as they lost 2-0 at home to struggling Palace. It was a most unlike-West Brom performance at the Hawthorns as they failed to create clear-cut chances and were punished by a Crystal Palace side who were better on the day. Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend both scored in the second-half to lift Sam Allardyce's team out of the bottom three, and Tony Pulis will be frustrated that his team appeared to underestimate the Eagles.
Romelu Lukaku will be looking forward to facing his former side as Everton's leading Premier League scorer, and I think he could be the difference between two good teams. I'm going for a home victory for Ronald Koeman's men.
Prediction: 2-1
Hull vs Swansea
Saturday 11th March 2017, 15.00
Hull have failed to win in their last three league matches, the most recent of which was a 3-1 defeat at champions Leicester. Swansea continue to put distance between themselves and and the relegation zone, winning 3-2 at home to Burnley last weekend.
In fairness to Hull, the timing of the Leicester game couldn't have been much worse. The Foxes were on a massive high after beating Liverpool 3-1 in Craig Shakespeare's first game in temporary charge, and they earned a repeat scoreline against Hull, who are still 19th in the league. Sam Clucas had given the Tigers the lead but goals from Christian Fuchs, Riyad Mahrez and a Tom Huddlestone own-goal gave Leicester a deserved victory.
 |
| Tom Huddlestone's own-goal contributed to Hull's 3-1 defeat at Leicester (Getty Images) |
Paul Clement collected another win as Swansea manager but it needed a late, late goal to do it. Fernando Llorente had given the Swans an early lead but an Andre Gray penalty and another finish from the striker saw Burnley take the lead. The Welsh side showed great resilience, though, Martin Olsson hitting an equaliser before Llorente popped up with a 92nd-minute winning header. Llorente has scored some massive goals in Swansea's recent resurgence.
Hull's progress under Marco Silva has faltered in recent weeks, whereas Swansea continue to pick up important points in the race for survival. They're in good form and good confidence at the moment, and I fancy this to be an away win at the KCOM Stadium.
Prediction: 1-3
Liverpool vs Burnley
Sunday 12th March 2017, 16.00
Liverpool's excellent form against the top six continued with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield. Burnley were on the receiving end of that late Fernando Llorente goal in a 3-2 defeat at Swansea.
Sadio Mane was outstanding again as Liverpool earned a thoroughly deserved three points against the Gunners. He created Roberto Firmino's opener before scoring a second himself, and although Danny Welbeck halved the deficit in the second-half a fine breakaway goal in injury-time saw Gini Wijnaldum put the game beyond doubt. Wijnaldum has scored some crucial goals at Anfield this season, and has netted in big games against Manchester City, Chelsea and now Arsenal as well as against Watford earlier in the season.
 |
| Liverpool put a fine shift in against Arsenal (Getty Images) |
Burnley's struggles on the road continued after that crushing last-gasp winner for Swansea. Sean Dyche's side have only picked up two points away from Turf Moor all season, but their home form has been so good that they can afford to go to Anfield and have a go; and of course, we all remember their 2-0 home victory over Jurgen Klopp's team last August.
This is actually tougher to call than it appears on paper, as Liverpool's woes this season have all come at the hands of bottom-half teams like Burnley. However, after an outstanding performance against Arsenal coupled with the Clarets' dreadful away form, I have to back the men from Merseyside.
Prediction: 2-0
No comments:
Post a Comment