As the Premier League season enters its final few weeks, there is still plenty to play for. Can Tottenham Hotspur close the gap on leaders Chelsea? Who will stake a claim for the top four? And how is the relegation scrap shaping up? Graham Caygill makes his predictions for this weekend’s action.
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Bournemouth 1
Why? Tottenham are in superb form right now, with six wins on the bounce as they continue to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea. Harry Kane returned from injury as a substitute in the 4-0 thrashing of Watford last Saturday, and considering Spurs have won every league game at White Hart Lane since October 29, all signs point to another three points here.
Crystal Palace 2 Leicester City 1
Why? A run of four wins in five games has lifted Sam Allardyce's men away from the bottom three, although they are not safe yet. But with Wilfried Zaha, Yohan Cabaye and Christian Benteke all finding good form at the right time, they will be confident of extending that run against a Leicester side who may well be preoccupied with preparing for the second leg of their Uefa Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid.
Everton 3 Burnley 0
Why? The goals of Romelu Lukaku have propelled Everton's second half of the season charge, and they will be confident of a sixth successive triumph at Goodison Park over a Burnley side who are still to win away this season, to keep up their outside hopes of securing a top-four position and Champions League football next year.
Stoke City 2 Hull City 1
Why? Hull have raised their game under manager Marco Silva, but their renaissance may struggle at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke came close to beating Liverpool last week after a Jon Walters goal had given them the lead, and are playing better than a run of one win in seven games would signify.
Sunderland 0 West Ham United 2
Why? Last Sunday's defeat at home to Manchester United appeared to suggest a demoralised Sunderland effectively waving the white flag and accepting their relegation fate. It is hard to see David Moyes's men bouncing back from that, and a galvanised West Ham, fresh from beating Swansea City, will fancy their chances of all but securing their own survival with another three points.
Watford 2 Swansea City 1
Why? Watford have improved as an attacking force since the most recent international break, with M'Baye Niang and Nordin Amrabat offering them much more of a cutting edge. They were hammered by Tottenham, but had given the London side some problems before going behind. Swansea are nowhere near as good as Tottenham, and though they are fighting for their life in 18th place, last week's loss to West Ham hinted at the Welsh side running out of steam at exactly the wrong moment.
Southampton 2 Manchester City 2
Why? While City continue to always entertain as an attacking force, with Sergio Aguero on a run of five goals in his past six games, they remain susceptible at the back. Southampton can exploit that, with Nathan Redmond continuing to impress in the forward line for Claude Puel's side.
West Bromwich Albion 1 Liverpool 2
Why? He is only one player, but Liverpool do look much less of a competitive team without Sadio Mane at the fore. With the Senegalese forward ruled out for the rest of the season, Jurgen Klopp's men have to secure a top-four finish without him. They are relying heavily on Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino for the sparks of inspiration, and it will be those two who will be key at the Hawthorns against a West Brom side who have not scored in their past three games.
Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1
Why? Manchester United have already fallen short against Chelsea twice this season, but both were at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho has struggled to make United into the attacking force of the sides around them, but he has made them tough to beat. In fact, United's last league defeat was at Stamford Bridge in October, 21 games ago. Chelsea, with a seven-point lead at the top, do not have to win here and a gritty draw will do them fine.
Middlesbrough 0 Arsenal 3
Why? Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four are hanging by a thread, and given how limp they were in their loss at Crystal Palace on Monday it is hard to see how they bounce back. Luckily for them, they face a side in even worse form in 19th-placed Middlesbrough, who have not won since December 17. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, despite their mediocre recent form, should still have too much for Championship-bound Boro.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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