Chelsea to hold Man U

Benitez will thus play all three of them from the start leaving himself exposed. I am anticipating a very open, thrilling game with plenty of goals.

Man Utd 2 Chelsea 2

Champions Manchester United are in cruise mode. But they don’t normally have answers to Chelsea’s three musketeers Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata. Benitez will thus play all three of them from the start leaving himself exposed. I am anticipating a very open, thrilling game with plenty of goals.

Liverpool 1 Everton 1 `

Daniel Sturridge proved there is life in the immediate aftermath of Luis Suarez’s absence with a man of the match performance in the 6-0 annihilation of Newcastle. Everton will provide much more formidable opposition. Liverpool normally boss this fixture but I expect improved Everton to stand tall this time round.

QPR 0 Arsenal 2

Arsenal have been cruising past bottom half opposition since the turn of the year and I expect the same. I expect them to bounce back from their 1-1 stalemate with Manchester United to take care of Rangers. Ridiculous as it sounds, Olivier Giroud’s suspension has robbed the Gunners of some oomph.

Tottenham 2 Southampton 1

Double player of the year Gareth Bale turns his guns on his former side hoping to guide Spurs to Champions League qualification. He will be ably assisted by Jermaine Defoe who has rediscovered his goal-scoring touch. The Saints will miss Uruguayan playmaker Gaston Ramirez who is suspended.

Fulham 3 Reading 1

Nigel Adkins is already making plans for promotion from the Championship. Even without talisman Dimitar Berbatov, who is injured, Fulham should prove too strong for Reading. The Cottagers are looking to end the season with a bang, so I fancy them to pick all three points at a canter.

Norwich 1 Aston Villa 1

I saw enough fight in Villa’s 6-1 demolition of Sunderland to convince me they will pick up a point at Norwich. Norwich like to keep it tight, which guarantees there won’t be a barrage of goals. Belgian goal machine Christian Benteke’s prolific form guarantees a share of the spoils.

Swansea 1 Man City 2

What happened to Swansea? That question can best be answered by Brian Laudrup, who has seen his erstwhile impressive outfit win just one of their last six Premiership outings. If truth be told, they have achieved their season’s goal of staying in the Premiership. Winning the Carling Cup was a huge bonus.

Sunderland 0 Stoke 0

Stoke have rediscovered their form at the most opportune time. Following their 1-6 capitulation last Monday, Sunderland manager Paolo di Canio will demand a reaction. However, in the absence of the red-carded Stephan Sessegnon, I can’t see where the goals are coming. This tie is a cast iron barren draw.

West Ham 2 Newcastle 0

Who would have thought that good, old Andy Carroll would finally deliver the goods? He remains a huge threat in the air, is forceful and hungry. He comes up against his former side hoping to convince them to pay the $25m needed to secure his services. Newcastle appear listless.

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