Fireworks expected at Stamford Bridge

Southampton 2 Swansea 0
Southampton were one of several Premier League sides to suffer shock FA Cup exits last weekend. Ronald Koeman’s side are usually defensively stout but they let in three against Crystal Palace. I expect normal service to be resumed as dribbling wizard Eljero Elia finds rhythm with team mates Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic.

C. Palace 2 Everton 2
Crystal Palace’s excellent run of form has caught all and sundry by surprise. The Selhurst Park outfit are a completely different kettle of fish since Alan Pardew took over, winning all three of their matches under the club legend. That they are doing it without Yannick Bolassie and Mile Jednak is even more amazing. But I see a draw.

Hull City 1 Newcastle 0
Its now or never for Hull who used the FA Cup weekend to recharge their batteries and treat injured players. This should be a tight game, with returning strikers Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez making the difference against a Newcastle whose Papisse Demba Cisse and Cheikh Tiote are at Afcon.

Chelsea 1 Man City 1
Chelsea’s poor squad strength forced Jose Mourinho to have a stronger look at Brazilian striker Douglas Costa and Colombian wing wizard Juan Cuardrado. The league leaders have a very strong starting line up but little else. City have floundered in Yaya Toure’s absence but they should have it within their locker to pick a point against a troubled Chelsea team.

Liverpool 2 West Ham 1
Team formations do matter after all. Brendan Rodgers’ switch to the 3-4-3 formation, with Lucas Leiva in the holding role has freed the team’s creative spirits Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana. West Ham United are dangerous opposition, who are normally good for a goal. But with Daniel Sturridge back in contention, the 18-time champions should prevail.

Man Utd 2 Leicester 0
Louis van Gaal is not winning many new friends with his tinkering. Lack of stability is stopping Manchester United from fully realising their potential under the ‘innovative’ Dutchman. Record signing Angel di Maria, Juan Mata and Radamel Falcao will be keen to make amends for the staggering 5-3 loss to Nigel Pearson’s Foxes in the reverse fixture.

West Brom 1 Tottenham 1
Tony Pulis will turn out to be one of the signings of the season. Already, there is an intensity about the way the Brummies go about their business since the 57-year-old Welshman took over at the Hawthorns. Crucially, strikers Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe have rediscovered their groove. Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs can expect a very stern examination.

Sunderland 2 Burnley 1
Pricey signing Jermaine Defoe has made a career out of picking off ambitious but limited outfits like Burnley. I am backing him to get off the mark when Sean Dyche’s relegation strugglers come to town. This will be a very closely contested outfit, with the Black Cats edging it courtesy of home ground advantage.

Stoke City 2 QPR 0
QPR can do with the steel Stephane Mbia brings to any side. The Indomitable Lions captain’s no-holds-barred approach to midfield battles could make a difference as Harry Redknapp’s Londoners aim to improve their away form. Instead, Mbia is away on loan at Seville where he is a darling of many.

Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 0
Aston Villa have completely forgotten how to score goals. A paltry return of 11 in 22 is not good enough to ensure survival. Arsenal are thriving since young Francis Coquelin was drafted into the holding role. His combo with Santi Carzola and Mesut Ozil is crucial to the push for a Champions League spot.