Mourinho primed to win silverware
Hull City 1 Burnley 0
I cannot recall a more insipid Burnley performance than their display against non-league side Lincoln City in the FA Cup. A repeat act at the rejuvenated Hull City will almost certainly see Marco Silva’s hungry Tigers devour the Clarets. Hull are playing good football whereas Burnley are not good travels.
Everton 2 Sunderland 0
The Black Cats’ 4-0 win at Crystal Palace was a flash in the pan. Sunderland have been abject since the turn of the year. On the other hand, Everton are flying. The 3-5-2 formation has liberated their wing backs, brought defensive solidity and freed the goal scoring instincts of Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku. Home win.
Chelsea 2 Swansea 0
Paul Clement is a future England manager. He has brought the experience of serving as second in command at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to Swansea. The Swans are organised but will find league pacesetters a hurdle too high to jump. Chelsea are too strong at home.
Man Utd 2 Southampton 1
Big name players usually show up on big occasions. Southampton come into this fixture well prepared as they’ve had a two-week break. I was impressed by Italian Manuel Gabbiadini’s double away to Sunderland. However, United are a different kettle of fish. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already plundered 24 goals in 36 games, and I am once again tipping him to prove the difference.
Leicester City 1 Liverpool 2
What a fall from grace! By the time English Premier League champions Leicester City face Liverpool on Monday night, they could well be in the drop zone. Italian manager Claudio Ranieri has called for Warriors to help stave off the relegation monster. Sadly, Leicester have lost their confidence and lost their way. I am backing Liverpool.
Watford 1 West Ham 1
Six wins in the last 10 outings has created distance between West Ham and the drop zone. That said, Watford recruited well in January and I expect M’Baye Babacar Niang and Mauro Zárate to cause problems. But West Ham United are creative and have goals in them. Goal scoring stalemate is my call.
Bournemouth 1 West Brom 0
Despite their strong start to this English Premier League season, Eddie Howe’s Cherries are in genuine danger of losing it. Kamikaze defending is spoiling all their good work going forward. West Brom are an uncompromising outfit especially when playing at the Hawthorns. I envisage another home victory for Tony Pulls’ Brummies.
Tottenham 2 Stoke 1
Spurs were uncompromising in dispatching Fulham 3-0 last Sunday, putting an end to a two-game losing streak. Jan Vertoghen’s return from injury has steadied the back line whereas Harry Kane has rediscovered his goal scoring boots. Stoke will make it difficult, before Spurs settle the tie late.
C. Palace 1 Boro 1
I stopped backing Crystal Palace the day they received a 4-0 walloping from Sunderland. Middlesbrough have added the firepower of Rudy Gestede to the brilliance of returning rebel Gaston Ramirez. I don’t see how the hesitant Palace will get the better of Aitor Karanka’s FA Cup quarter finalists.
