West Ham United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 3
Why? Tottenham have won their past nine games, playing some superb football along the way, and there is no reason to expect that run to end at West Ham. Yes, West Ham have kept a clean sheet in their past two games, but dealing with Everton and Stoke City is one thing, dealing with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in great form is something else, though, and Tottenham will have too much for them.
Manchester City 2 Crystal Palace 1
Why? City wobbled at Middlesbrough last weekend with Gabriel Jesus heading a late goal to earn them a draw. City cannot afford any more slip ups if they are to finish in the top four, and they should have too much for Palace, whose recent run of good results came to a surprising end at home to Burnley on Saturday.
Bournemouth 2 Stoke City 0
Why? Both sides are all but mathematically safe from the drop. Stoke have won only one in their past eight, while Bournemouth have won their last two. So with the home side having the momentum and Joshua King in great form, this looks like the points will be going to Eddie Howe’s men.
Burnley 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Why? It only took 18 tries, but Burnley finally won away from home last week at Palace, and Sean Dyche’s men will expect to clinch survival with an 11th home win of the season at Turf Moor against opponents who have not scored in their past five matches.
Hull City 3 Sunderland 0
Why? Marco Silva’s side can take a big step towards securing their survival against Sunderland, the first club relegated to the Championship for next season. Hull have not lost at the KCOM Stadium since Silva took over and they should be too strong for demoralised Sunderland, who have only picked up two points from their past 10 games and failed to score in nine of those matches.
Leicester City 2 Watford 0
Why? Both sides are on 40 points but all the momentum is with Leicester, who probably wish this season was lasting another three months and not three games. Jamie Vardy got their winner at West Brom last week and the England striker and his teammates should pick up three more points against a Watford side who have not scored a goal away from home since January 31.
Swansea City 1 Everton 2
Why? This is maybe the end of the line for Swansea in their bid to beat the drop. With Hull playing the worst side in the league in Sunderland, Swansea need three points, too, but Everton are tough opponents, with players such as Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley who can hurt them at the back. Swansea have to go for it, to an extent, and their defence is not good enough to keep out Everton.
Liverpool 1 Southampton 0
Why? Liverpool are running out of steam and look jaded without the injured Sadio Mane. They have won three of their past four games, but the wins over Stoke City and West Brom were not convincing, and it took a wonder goal from Emre Can to see off Watford on Monday. Happily for them, they are facing a Southampton side who looked tired and below par in drawing against Hull last weekend, and Liverpool should have just enough to win again.
Arsenal 1 Manchester United 1
Why? If either side is to get in the top four, this is a must win. But Arsenal are looking a spent force, and have only beaten Hull, West Ham, Middlesbrough and Leicester in the past three months in the league. United may well make changes with their priority the Europa League, but Jose Mourinho’s side are nothing if not resilient, having not lost in the league since October 23, and even with a weakened side you would still fancy them to at least get a share of the spoils at Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea 4 Middlesbrough 0
Why? The leaders need only three more wins to be champions and one of them should be ticked off against Middlesbrough, who are almost certain to be relegated this weekend. Chelsea showed their mettle in grinding out a 3-0 win over Everton, but while they should be wary of a side who deservedly drew with Manchester City on Sunday, they should be far too strong for Steve Agnew’s men.
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