Liverpool vs Everton
Saturday 1st April 2017, 12.30
Liverpool picked up a good point in their last league outing in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City. Everton continued their fine home form with a 4-0 demolition of Hull at Goodison Park.
It was an impressive display from Jurgen Klopp's men at the Etihad, who took a deserved lead through James Milner's penalty early in the second half after Gael Clichy fouled Roberto Firmino. The Reds were pegged back, Sergio Aguero scoring, but the men from Merseyside never looked like losing and had a brilliant chance to win it, but Adam Lallana fluffed his lines.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the opener against Hull, his first senior goal for the Toffees. Hull made it difficult for Everton but Tom Huddlestone was shown a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Idrissa Gueye with 18 minutes left to play, and Enner Valencia and Romelu Lukaku (2) made the Blues' advantage count.
This should be a really entertaining game between two in-form sides. Everton have a poor record at Anfield but Lukaku should cause the Reds' backline some problems. I think he'll score, but I fancy the hosts to win it with the Anfield crowd inspiring their players to victory.
Prediction: 2-1
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| Liverpool won the first Merseyside meeting of the season, back in December (Getty Images) |
Prediction: 2-1
Burnley vs Tottenham
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Burnley drew 0-0 at Sunderland in their last Premier League match. Tottenham beat Southampton 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
Burnley are now six without a win and will be pleased to return to Turf Moor on Saturday after playing away at Swansea, Liverpool and Sunderland in their last three. Sean Dyche will be confident of getting something against Spurs if his side play as well as they did against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw at February.
Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli (p) were the match-winners for Mauricio Pochettino against Southampton. They were 2-0 up at half-time and defended well in the second-half despite James Ward-Prowse halving the deficit. Spurs are reliable and look really good for another top-four finish.
Having said that, I fancy Burnley to nick a point on Saturday. Dyche will have worked his players hard over the international break and they will be very organised and competitive.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
It's three wins in a row for the league leaders after a 2-1 win at Stoke. Crystal Palace beat Watford 1-0 at home as they also recorded a third straight win.
Willian opened the scoring for Chelsea but it was 1-1 at half-time after Jon Walters equalised from the penalty spot. It was tight and edgy from there, but Gary Cahill was the hero as he netted an 87th-minute winner for Antonio Conte's team.
Troy Deeney scored an own-goal as Crystal Palace beat Watford 1-0 at Selhurst Park. It was a third win and a third clean sheet in succession for the Eagles, who are finally starting to perform for Sam Allardyce.
I can't see Palace's fine run continuing at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are getting closer and closer to the title and they should pick up another three points towards it here.
Prediction: 2-0
Hull vs West Ham
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Hull were on the receiving end of a 4-0 scoreline at Everton a fortnight ago. West Ham lost 3-2 at home to a revitalised Leicester City.
I was at the Everton-Hull match, and I thought Hull were doing well up until Tom Huddlestone's red card. They looked fairly organised but struggled to create any meaningful chances. It was difficult for them with ten men, and they did capitulate when Enner Valencia made it 2-0. Hull had to go for it then, and Romelu Lukaku twice found space to net an injury-time brace.
West Ham lost a thrilling match against Leicester at the London Stadium. The Hammers made an awful start, 2-0 down inside seven minutes, but Manuel Lanzini made it 2-1 thirteen minutes later. Jamie Vardy made it 3-1 to Leicester before half-time, meaning Andre Ayew's second-half strike was a mere consolation for Slaven Bilic's men.
West Ham have had an inconsistent season and Marco Silva will have highlighted this fixture as a really important one in Hull's quest for survival. The fans will get behind them and I fancy them to edge this one.
Prediction: 2-1
Leicester vs Stoke
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Leicester's resurgence under Craig Shakespeare continued with that 3-2 win at West Ham. Stoke were narrowly beaten 2-1 at home to Chelsea.
Riyad Mahrez and Robert Huth fired Leicester into a 7th-minute 2-0 lead at the London Stadium, and Jamie Vardy scored what proved to be the crucial third goal for Craig Shakespeare. The Foxes manager has won all four of his matches in charge so far (three league, one Champions League) and is proving to be a more than adequate replacement for Claudio Ranieri.
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Jamie Vardy has found some form again under Shakespeare, and scored for England against Lithuania (Getty Images)
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Mark Hughes will be disappointed after his side conceded a late goal to Chelsea. As always, Stoke made it difficult to play at the Bet365 Stadium but Chelsea's quality told as they proved exactly why they are sat at the top of the tree. Phil Bardsley was sent off deep into injury-time and he'll be missing here.
This should be another good game and I actually fancy Stoke to get something here. They've got some good players in their ranks and should be able to score a couple against a still-frail Leicester defence. I think this will be an exciting draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Manchester United vs West Brom
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Manchester United return to Premier League action after a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough in Gameweek 29. West Brom enjoyed a fantastic 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Hawthorns.
United had a comfortable afternoon at the Riverside. Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard put the Red Devils two ahead and although Middlesbrough pulled one back with thirteen minutes left to play, Jose Mourinho's men defended well and deservedly made the points safe thanks to Antonio Valencia's 93rd-minute strike.
West Brom simply wanted it more than Arsenal and got exactly what they deserved. Craig Dawson scored twice and Hal Robson-Kanu was also on the scoresheet as Tony Pulis' men outfought the disappointing Gunners to the three points.
Mourinho will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba on Saturday, amongst others, so he'll be glad that this one is at Old Trafford rather than the tricky Hawthorns. I fancy United to win by the narrowest of margins.
Prediction: 1-0
Watford vs Sunderland
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Watford lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace in their last league match a fortnight ago. Sunderland were involved in an uneventful 0-0 draw at home to Burnley.
Troy Deeney will be raring to get back on the pitch this weekend and make up for his own-goal at Selhurst Park which saw the Hornets leave with nothing. It was a narrow game that looked like ending goalless until Deeney's mistake, for which he has held his hands up for.
Sunderland once again failed to score and David Moyes' side are now seven points from safety. Jermain Defoe will be buzzing after his goal for England against Lithuania, and the Black Cats need to provide him with some decent service on Saturday if they want to leave Vicarage Road with something.
Sunderland are doomed in my opinion. They don't score enough goals and they can't win the games (like Burnley) that you have to win if you want to stay in this league. I see them losing again on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton vs Bournemouth
Saturday 1st April 2017, 17.30
Southampton enter this South Coast derby on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in Gameweek 29. Bournemouth enjoyed a solid 2-0 home victory over Swansea.
Southampton were narrowly beaten by a very good Tottenham side. The Saints found themselves 2-0 down but made a game of it when James Ward-Prowse netted early in the second-half. They couldn't get the all-important equaliser against one of the league's best defences but will be looking forward to getting back to St Mary's this weekend.
Eddie Howe was March's Manager of the Month and Bournemouth's Gameweek 29 victory over Swansea was a contributing factor. Benik Afobe was the difference on the day, forcing Alfie Mawson into an own-goal before adding the second himself.
This should be a good game between two mid-table sides. Both play good, attacking football and I fancy the hosts to win a game full of goals.
Prediction: 3-1
Swansea vs Middlesbrough
Sunday 2nd April 2017, 13.30
Swansea were losers at Bournemouth in that 2-0 defeat whilst Middlesbrough lost 3-1 at home to Manchester United two weeks ago.
Swansea didn't really turn up at Bournemouth and were undone by the impressive Benik Afobe, as mentioned above. The Swans are only three points clear of the drop zone and Paul Clement will have highlighted this game as being absolutely massive.
Boro started slowly against Man United and rightly found themselves 2-0 down before Rudy Gestede gave them a route back into the game. They had a real go at United and I was impressed with substitute Adama Traore, who could be some player if he can start adding more goals and assists to his game. United made it 3-1 late on but head coach Steve Agnew will have been encouraged by his side's second-half display.
Swansea's home form under Paul Clement has been a huge factor in their bid for survival and I see that continuing on Sunday. Middlesbrough are one of my picks to go down and I think they'll suffer a damaging loss here.
Prediction: 3-0
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Sunday 2nd April 2017, 16.00
It will have been a long two weeks for Arsenal after a bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat at West Brom. Manchester City drew 1-1 at home to Liverpool.
Arsenal made a slow start and were 1-0 down after twelve minutes at the Hawthorns but talisman Alexis Sanchez equalised just three minutes later. Arsenal were second best from there and deservedly lost in a game where both Wenger Out' and 'In Arsene We Trust' banners were flown over the stadium. I do feel sorry for the man who has done so much for the club.
City deserved their point in a brilliant match-up against Liverpool. Both sides deserved something from the game and Sergio Aguero was the man who earned Pep Guardiola his share of the spoils.
Arsene Wenger needs a performance from his team and I think they'll be better than they have been in recent weeks. City are too good to lose here, so I fancy this to end all-square.
Prediction: 1-1
Manchester United vs West Brom
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Manchester United return to Premier League action after a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough in Gameweek 29. West Brom enjoyed a fantastic 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Hawthorns.
United had a comfortable afternoon at the Riverside. Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard put the Red Devils two ahead and although Middlesbrough pulled one back with thirteen minutes left to play, Jose Mourinho's men defended well and deservedly made the points safe thanks to Antonio Valencia's 93rd-minute strike.
West Brom simply wanted it more than Arsenal and got exactly what they deserved. Craig Dawson scored twice and Hal Robson-Kanu was also on the scoresheet as Tony Pulis' men outfought the disappointing Gunners to the three points.
Mourinho will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba on Saturday, amongst others, so he'll be glad that this one is at Old Trafford rather than the tricky Hawthorns. I fancy United to win by the narrowest of margins.
Prediction: 1-0
Watford vs Sunderland
Saturday 1st April 2017, 15.00
Watford lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace in their last league match a fortnight ago. Sunderland were involved in an uneventful 0-0 draw at home to Burnley.
Troy Deeney will be raring to get back on the pitch this weekend and make up for his own-goal at Selhurst Park which saw the Hornets leave with nothing. It was a narrow game that looked like ending goalless until Deeney's mistake, for which he has held his hands up for.
Sunderland once again failed to score and David Moyes' side are now seven points from safety. Jermain Defoe will be buzzing after his goal for England against Lithuania, and the Black Cats need to provide him with some decent service on Saturday if they want to leave Vicarage Road with something.
Sunderland are doomed in my opinion. They don't score enough goals and they can't win the games (like Burnley) that you have to win if you want to stay in this league. I see them losing again on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton vs Bournemouth
Saturday 1st April 2017, 17.30
Southampton enter this South Coast derby on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in Gameweek 29. Bournemouth enjoyed a solid 2-0 home victory over Swansea.
Southampton were narrowly beaten by a very good Tottenham side. The Saints found themselves 2-0 down but made a game of it when James Ward-Prowse netted early in the second-half. They couldn't get the all-important equaliser against one of the league's best defences but will be looking forward to getting back to St Mary's this weekend.
Eddie Howe was March's Manager of the Month and Bournemouth's Gameweek 29 victory over Swansea was a contributing factor. Benik Afobe was the difference on the day, forcing Alfie Mawson into an own-goal before adding the second himself.
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March's Manager of the Month (Getty Images)
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This should be a good game between two mid-table sides. Both play good, attacking football and I fancy the hosts to win a game full of goals.
Prediction: 3-1
Swansea vs Middlesbrough
Sunday 2nd April 2017, 13.30
Swansea were losers at Bournemouth in that 2-0 defeat whilst Middlesbrough lost 3-1 at home to Manchester United two weeks ago.
Swansea didn't really turn up at Bournemouth and were undone by the impressive Benik Afobe, as mentioned above. The Swans are only three points clear of the drop zone and Paul Clement will have highlighted this game as being absolutely massive.
Boro started slowly against Man United and rightly found themselves 2-0 down before Rudy Gestede gave them a route back into the game. They had a real go at United and I was impressed with substitute Adama Traore, who could be some player if he can start adding more goals and assists to his game. United made it 3-1 late on but head coach Steve Agnew will have been encouraged by his side's second-half display.
Swansea's home form under Paul Clement has been a huge factor in their bid for survival and I see that continuing on Sunday. Middlesbrough are one of my picks to go down and I think they'll suffer a damaging loss here.
Prediction: 3-0
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Sunday 2nd April 2017, 16.00
It will have been a long two weeks for Arsenal after a bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat at West Brom. Manchester City drew 1-1 at home to Liverpool.
Arsenal made a slow start and were 1-0 down after twelve minutes at the Hawthorns but talisman Alexis Sanchez equalised just three minutes later. Arsenal were second best from there and deservedly lost in a game where both Wenger Out' and 'In Arsene We Trust' banners were flown over the stadium. I do feel sorry for the man who has done so much for the club.
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| Arsene Wenger's Arsenal future is in doubt (Getty Images) |
Arsene Wenger needs a performance from his team and I think they'll be better than they have been in recent weeks. City are too good to lose here, so I fancy this to end all-square.
Prediction: 1-1
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