Here we
are with another round of Premier League fixtures meaning another round of
predictions. Manchester United confirmed their 20th title on Monday
night with a win against Aston Villa, but there are still key games left to
decide European spots and in the battle for survival.
This weekend, there is Stoke vs Norwich, Reading vs QPR,
Arsenal vs Manchester United and Aston Villa vs Sunderland. Here are my
predictions for this weekend (with explanations too!).
Saturday
Man City 3-0 West Ham
Everton 2-1 Fulham
Southampton 1-1 West Brom
Stoke 1-1 Norwich
Wigan 1-3 Tottenham
Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool
Sunday
Reading
2-3 QPR
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd
Monday
Aston
Villa 2-1 Sunderland
Saturday
Man City 3-0 West Ham – City’s home form has been impressive all season
long and I don’t think this Saturday against West Ham will draw up any
exceptions. West Ham has been on good form, unbeaten in their last five games,
but I think this run will end against the former champions.
Everton 2-1 Fulham – A disappointing
loss against Sunderland last week will be the fuel Everton will use to produce
a win this weekend. Prior to last week, Everton hadn’t lost since February and
I think they will recapture this form. Fulham need Berbatov to get on the score
sheet if they are to have any chance of winning. They haven’t scored a goal
themselves since they played QPR at the start of the month (own goal vs Aston
Villa). Everton should win though as they are unbeaten at home in 2013.
Southampton 1-1 West Brom – In recent games, Southampton have been good at
home but only been able to produce wins against the bigger sides. A point this
weekend will take them past the magic 40-point mark which will most likely
grant them Premier League football next season. There isn’t a lot West Brom can
still go for this season as they no longer can achieve a European spot, but
they shouldn’t sit back as Southampton will be tough opposition.
Stoke 1-1 Norwich – Both sides won last weekend so they’ll hope to repeat
this form this weekend. With the threat of the drop still in sight, this game
should be a good one. Both sides lack a frequent goal scorer though so it
should be close. If Stoke still had the home form they had in 2012 this year,
this result would be going Stoke’s way, but with only one win at home in all of
2013, a draw is a more likely result.
Wigan 1-3 Tottenham – Wigan are usually impressive at this time of year
against the bigger teams. With Tottenham though still looking to earn Champions
League qualification, I think their push for survival will be halted this
weekend. Tottenham will be high in confidence after picking up a win against
Manchester City last weekend so I think another win is on the cards for them
this weekend.
Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool – The loss of Luis Suarez for Liverpool is a big
one, as he has helped his side get out of a lot of trouble. This is therefore a
great opportunity for Newcastle to pick up all three points this weekend.
Having won five of their last eight league games, Newcastle could reach the
magic 40-point mark this weekend with a win, increasing their chances of
survival. They’ll be hoping Cisse will be able to find the net for them this
weekend.
Sunday
Reading 2-3 QPR – This fixture will
be one of the best games to watch this weekend, in a ‘Go hard or face the drop’
match up. If either one of these sides loses this weekend they’ll be the first
side to be relegated from the Premier League this season. A draw wouldn't be
enough to keep both sides up for another day (till the result of the Aston
Villa game), but I think QPR will be able to find a win, meaning Reading will
be the first side to be relegated.
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea – Chelsea have been undefeated in the last six games at
home in the Premier League and Swansea have failed to pick up an away win the
Premier League in 2013. Chelsea still need to secure their Champions League
spot too so a win this weekend will take them one step closer. Swansea has
failed to win in their last five games but they have drawn their last two games,
so progress is being made. However, I don’t think they will be able to beat
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal 2-2 Man Utd – Manchester United secured another Premier League
title with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa last Monday. Unlucky for Arsenal fans then as they will have to give Robin van
Persie and the rest of the Manchester United squad the guard of honour when
they walk out onto the Emirates pitch this weekend. Manchester United has
stated that they are aiming to break the Premier League points record so don’t doubt
that they will hold anything back this weekend. Like Tottenham and Chelsea
though, Arsenal are still looking to secure a Champions League spot for next
season, so I think a draw will be a most likely result.
Monday
Aston Villa 2-1 Sunderland – Both sides
are still fighting for survival, so finding a win is vital. Aston Villa could
send QPR and Reading down this weekend with a win and with Benteke finding the
score sheet quite often in the last few games, this is looking likely.
Sunderland will hope to continue their good start under new manager, Paulo Di
Canio with another win but I think the likes of Weimann, Benteke and Agbonlahor
will be too much for them to handle.
