Another crucial weekend of Barclays Premier League action is
ahead of us, as relegation looms for 6 or 7 teams at the bottom of the table.
One of those teams in major trouble, is Sunderland, who head
to Goodison Park for the early kick-off, and they’ll be looking to pick up
where they left off last weekend, when beating Southampton at the Stadium of
Light, and previous to that, when drawing away at Stoke.
Sunderland do still have a game in hand over the other teams
around them, and sit in 18th place, a point behind Hull, and 6
points ahead of 19th placed QPR. A victory at Everton would,
temporarily at least, lift them out of the relegation places, and up to 14th.
You have to seriously fear for Sunderland now, and
especially if they don’t pick up 3 points at Goodison, and 3 points in their
next fixture, at home to fellow relegation-fighting, and in-form, Leicester. Their
two remaining games will be away fixtures, firstly to The Emirates, then onto
newly crowned champions Chelsea.
MY PREDICTION - Everton 1-1 Sunderland
Then it’s onto the three o’clock fixtures, and a huge game
for Burnley, who are all-but down, travelling to Hull, and looking to put an
end to their run of 4 consecutive defeats, and avoid relegation.
Burnley have only managed 1 away win in the league this
season, and have scored just 12 goals in their 17 games on the road this term,
and the run they’re on will be difficult to end here. If Burnley fail to win,
relegation will be confirmed for Sean Dyche’s men.
Steve Bruce’s side will be hoping for victory at the KC
Stadium on Saturday, with remaining fixtures against United and Spurs to finish
the season, though it looks like the 2 wins from their last 3 has saved them
this season.
With their Top Goal Scorer, Nikica Jelavic (league – 8 goals) back
from a knee injury, and N’Doye finding the net of late, they’ll be confident
going into a game against a side which hasn’t won, or scored in the last 6
league games, and has won fewest games of any team all season in the Premier
League (5 wins(Burnley)).
MY PREDICTION – Hull 2 – 1 Burnley
Leicester are heading into Saturday’s game against
Southampton, sitting third in the form table (last 6 league games), just a
point worse off than Chelsea and Arsenal. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 league
games, and scored 12 goals in that time, with the only defeat coming against
Mourinho’s side.
Visitors Southampton will still be hoping they can pinch a
place for European football next season, although it will be very difficult
now.
The Saints have struggled away from home of late, and haven’t
won on the road in the league since beating QPR 1-0 with a 93rd
minute Mane winner, back in February. Since that, they lost 4 of the last 5
away league games, losing to West Brom, Everton, Stoke, and Sunderland most
recently.
The way they’re playing, I just can’t see past a Foxes
victory, and a further boost to their survival chances.
MY PREDICTION – Leicester 2-1 Southampton
Since taking over at Villa in February, Tim Sherwood has won
7 games from 13 played in all competitions, scoring 23 goals in that time, and
leading the team to an FA Cup final against Arsenal at the end of May. Not bad!
Benteke has scored in 7 of the last 10 of Villa’s games,
including a hat-trick against QPR, and a brace against Sunderland, and Everton
most recently, and he’s definitely looking like a force again up top, and key
to their survival chances.
West Ham travel to Villa Park in search of just their 4th
league win of the season away from home, and first back-to-back league wins
since December, when winning three consecutive league games. The Hammers are another
team that has struggled for goals of late, with 4 in their last 8 league games.
MY PREDICTION – Aston Villa 3-1 West Ham
OTHER PREDICTIONS FOR SATURDAY’S PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES
Newcastle 1-1 West Brom
Stoke 2-2 Tottenham
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United
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