High scoring weekend in store

Sunderland 1 Liverpool 1
Draw specialists Sunderland will provide evidence of how much Liverpool have progressed since Brendan Rodgers decided to switch to the 3-4-3 formation. I was alarmed by how much the Kop were dependent on Steven Gerrard in their 2-1 FA Cup win over Wimbledon. Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson will be a constant thorn.

Arsenal 2 Stoke 1
Arsenal must find a way of beating a Stoke City side that is certain to give them a run for their money in this Sunday encounter. My nominee for signing of the season, Alexis Sanchez, will once again be the main threat for the Gunners as they seek to get back into Champions League contention. Bojan Krkic is a player to watch.

West Brom 2 Hull City
Jeremy Pearce recruited Tony Pulis to manage his Brummies side at the most opportune time. They have the skeleton of a very good side. Any team that attacks with purpose like them should not be involved in a relegation scrap.

Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho rested eight starters for the 3-0 Cup win over Watford. Though he is likely to return to his tried and tested starting XI for the visit of Newcastle United in the English Premier League this weekend, I envisage a lot more rotation in weeks to come as he has Capital One Cup home and away semi-final ties against Liverpool and an English FA Cup tie to contend with this month.

Everton 2 Man City 2
Don’t like the way Manchester City are defending. Although they bridged a five-point deficit with Chelsea over the festive season, the champions’ defending has been anything but impressive. Everton manager Roberto Martinez is under pressure to avert a slide and I think he will inspire his side to a share of the spoils. Ivorian Yaya Toure’s presence or absence will be a factor for the league holders.

Man Utd 3 Southampton 1
Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United revival has been built on strong home form. Former protégé Ronald Koeman’s Southampton have been enjoying a mini-revival but they will come unstuck against the Red Machine. The record champions are spoilt for choice in midfield where Ander Herrera’s sumptuous strike at Yeovil creates a selection headache. The Saints will miss African Nations Cup bound Sadio Mane.

Burnley 3 QPR 2

Burnley are shipping in quite a number of goals but they are also scoring goals aplenty. That is a marked departure to the season’s start when their cagey approach resulted in a number of clean sheets. Sean Dyche will view this game as a must win fixture.

C. Palace 1 Spurs 2
I still haven’t come to terms with Alan Pardew’s decision to leave Newcastle for Crystal Palace. Powered by Harry Kane, Spurs are one of the three most in-form teams in the division, and they should better a Palace side that will not be able to call on the services of DR Congo showman Yannick Bolassie.

Swansea 1 West Ham 1
What will Swansea do without Wilfred Bony? The Nations Cup bound Ivorian has been carrying Gary Monk’s goal threat for the entire calendar year. West Ham will also miss Cheikh Kouyate and Diafra Sakho who have joined up with Alain Giresse’s Senegal squad.

Leicester 0 Aston Villa 0
Leicester City are a team in good form. The Foxes showed plenty of heart in their 2-2 draw away to Liverpool, and followed that up with an impressive 1-0 victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup. However, Aston Villa are one of the most dangerous side on their travels. Nigel Pearson should be wary of Belgian dangerman Christian Benteke.