Premier League fans are treated to a double dose of action this week with a full midweek fixture list. Graham Caygill attempts the predict the outcome of each game.
Burnley 2 Stoke City 1
Why? With only a five-point lead over Hull City in 18th spot, Burnley are not safe yet, largely due to their awful away form. At home they have been excellent though, and their greater urgency for the points should push them to get the better of mid-table Stoke.
Leicester City 3 Sunderland 0
Why? Sunderland appeared to all but wave the proverbial white flag in their bid to avoid relegation on Saturday in their limp performance in losing to Watford. So the last thing the bottom side need after that is to visit in-form Leicester, who six months too late are playing like the side who shocked everyone on the way to winning the title. With Jamie Vardy back firing they should be too strong for Sunderland and will push David Moyes's side another step closer to the Championship.
Watford 1 West Bromwich Albion 2
Why? Watford took a lot of pressure off themselves on Saturday with the win over Sunderland. But the result only papers over the cracks of a badly unbalanced squad, who struggle to create chances against decent opposition, which they will face in West Brom. The aerial threat of Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson at set pieces should be too much for the home defence to handle.
Manchester United 2 Everton 1
Why? The return from suspension of Zlatan Ibrahimovic should give United a fillip after they drew a blank in front of goal against West Brom on Saturday. Everton, through Romelu Lukaku, will be a threat offensively, but United should have too much overall.
Arsenal 1 West Ham United 1
Why? Arsene Wenger's side look devoid of confidence at present. Yes, they twice came from behind against Manchester City, but the draw ultimately flattered them. Arsenal really need a string of wins if they are to have any chance of a top-four finish, but given how shaky they are in defence, in-form Andy Carroll will fancy his chances of causing them further woe.
Hull City 1 Middlesbrough 0
Why? A real six-pointer if ever there was one. Both sides are in the bottom three and it really is a must win for both. Marco Silva's men have the momentum after their brave win over West Ham and, while Middlesbrough have improved, they still cannot score as their blank at Swansea City on Sunday highlighted. Hull to edge it and effectively doom Middlesbrough in the progress.
Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 2
Why? It took a little while longer to come, but the Sam Allardyce effect has finally hit Palace and moved them four points clear of the bottom three. Hard to believe the side that beat Chelsea on Saturday had lost 4-0 at home to Sunderland only 56 days earlier. They will trouble Southampton, but then the home side will cause them issues too with their lively forward line, with Nathan Redmond on fine form at present.
Swansea City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Why? Swansea are in the thick of the relegation fight, so playing host to a side who now have a serious hope of the title is not what they need. Tottenham go into this round of games seven points off the top, and with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen both on top of their game at present, another three points should come here.
Chelsea 1 Manchester City 2
Why? Are we finally seeing a wobble from Chelsea? Losing to Palace was a big surprise, and they had needed a late winner to see off Stoke before the international break. City are improving under Pep Guardiola, and while the defence still needs a lot of work, they are beginning to click offensively with Sergio Aguero beginning to find his range after injury. City dominated Chelsea in their first meeting earlier this season for the first hour, before being undone on the counter-attack and a more streetwise City should stop that happening this time.
Liverpool 4 Bournemouth 2
Why? If Liverpool do not finish in the top four this season, the three points they lost at Bournemouth in December, when they went down 4-3 after being 3-1 up, will rankle heavily with Jurgen Klopp. The quality of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will open up the Bournemouth defence, but Eddie Howe's side will fancy their chances of netting a couple at the other end too.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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