Champs Chelsea switch to kingmakers

Leicester 1 Southampton 1
Leicester are on track to pull off a Houdini act. Five victories out of their last six games means only champions Chelsea and Arsenal are in better form. Sadly for them, Ronald Koeman’s well chiseled Saints rarely lose two matches on the bounce. Southampton were unlucky to fall to two penalties at Sunderland. I forecast an improvement.

Aston Villa 2 West Ham 1
Just like their lead strike Christian Benteke, Aston Villa are in beast mode. All the credit goes to manager Tim Sherwood, who has brought the best out of a team that couldn’t buy a goal under Paul Lambert’s management. The FA Cup finalists will secure the points that guarantee survival.

Hull City 1 Burnley 0
The Tigers are in good enough form to dispose of a Burnley side that are in their last chance saloon as far as the Premiership is concerned. Steve Bruce has earmarked this as the absolute must-win relegation six-pointer that will ensure the team’s top flight status. Senegalese Dame Ndoye and Nikica Jelavic are primed to do the damage.

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
It would be in order for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to request his former protégé Jose Mourinho to field a strong side for this encounter. The Special One has won eight and lost just one of his 10 Premier League encounters with Liverpool. That strong head-to-head record will deliver a fatal blow to Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League hopes.

C. Palace 1 Man Utd 1
I have backed record champions Manchester United to get to something out of their last three games and they have disappointed. Gaffer Louis van Gaal’s instructions for their trip to Selhurst Park will include a demand to shoot on sight. If this game had come three weeks ago, I would have gone with United. But not any more due to their recent record both home and away.
Man City 3 QPR 1
Listless Queens Park Rangers are set to provide cannon fodder as Sergio Aguero further enhances his reputation as the most consistent finisher in the EPL. City have wobbled badly since January but QPR simply do not have the quality to trouble the outgoing champions. I reckon Manuel Pellegrini’s men will see off the Londoners with something to spare.

Everton 2 Sunderland 1
Sunderland were lucky to escape with all three points at home to Southampton last weekend courtesy of two controversially awarded penalties. Though they need a result, they do not have the quality to take care of business at Goodison Park.

Stoke 2 Spurs 2
Stoke are still in the hunt for their highest ever position. That should make for a good encounter against Mauricio Pochettino’s inconsistent Spurs. I am tipping Harry Kane to get onto the score sheet and maintain his chase for the Golden Boot. Nevertheless, I can foresee shared points.

Newcastle 1 West Brom 1
Can Newcastle United do the unthinkable and lose their ninth game in a row? I think not. John Carver was right to lose his cool in the aftermath of their 1-3 capitulation to Swansea – a game in which two of his players were needlessly sent off. Top scorer Papisse Demba Cisse’s return from injury should be a catalyst for a long awaited point.

Arsenal 3 Swansea 1
While I don’t agree with a football luminary, who claims Arsenal have been the best team in Europe this year, I certainly feel they aren’t far behind. Barcelona have won 25 out of their 28 games this year, and lost none. Arsenal have lost to Monaco and Chelsea. Anticipate fireworks from Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez and company as they chase second place.