Top dogs to pull rank in tough ties

Match Forecast
QPR 1 Man Utd 2
Though record champions Manchester United have not done well on their travels, I fancy the Red Devils to puncture QPR’s solid home record. With Rio Ferdinand in terminal decline, I don’t think Richard Dunne and Steven Caulker will be able to cope with the attacking prowess of Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

Swansea 1 Chelsea 2
Moving Cesc Fabregas into a more advanced role to allow a proper holding midfielder to partner Nemanja Matic is key to Chelsea improving their faltering away form. Kurt Zouma helped keep a clean sheet last weekend but he is not ready to handle a striker of Bafetimbi Gomis’ repute. I would draft Gary Cahill back into the starting line up.

Burnley 1 C. Palace 0
Burnley’s excellent head of steam has taken them from relegation certainties to a team with a fighting chance of staying up. I was impressed by Crystal Palace’s spirit in their 2-1 victory over Spurs but I expect the absence of skipper Jedanak and Yannick Bolasie to be a big advantage to the new comers.

Man City 3 Arsenal 2
Don’t understand why Arsene Wenger is able to organise his team into a good defensive outfit while playing Champions League encounters in difficult places like the Allianz Arena but can’t do the same against Premiership rivals. Alexis Sanchez’s blistering form and Sergio Aguero’s return from injury guarantees goals in the pick of this weekend’s matches.

Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 1
Brendan Rodgers hasn’t found much joy in his team’s recent encounters with Paul Lambert. A solo defeat in their last nine outings suggests the 3-4-2-1 formation the Anfield club has adopted in recent weeks is yielding dividends. However, familiarity breeds contempt and I expect Aston Villa to give the 18-time champions a good run for their money.
Spurs 2 Sunderland 0
Can’t recall a more listless performance than Sunderland’s first half display against Liverpool. You can’t go to White Hart Lane in such poor state of mind and expect anything. Hurricane Harry Kane will be looking to give the Black Cats ageing central defensive pairing of Wes Brown and John O’Shea a torrid time. These are three points in the bag for Spurs.

Leicester 1 Stoke City 1
Nigel Pearson’s Leicester City are no longer the pushover that guaranteed opponents three points during a disastrous October and November. They have rolled up their sleeves, gone back to the basics and are now within a victory of a place out of the relegation trapdoor. Mark Hughes will demand a response following the Potters’ timid display at Arsenal.

West Ham 1 Hull City 0
Diafra Sakho’s absence due to national team duty is not being felt due to the stellar form of Andy Carroll. The giant England international should torment a Hull City side that is blighted by a long injury list. Big Sam Allardyce would be disappointed if his well-chiseled Hammers outfit fail to take full advantage of home comforts.

Everton 2 West Brom 1
Comeback draws in an FA Cup clash with West Ham and EPL collision with Man City has relieved the pressure on Roberto Martinez and restored confidence at Goodison Park. Nevertheless, the Merseyside club must be wary of Tony Pulis. I am going for a narrow Everton victory.

Newcastle 1 Southampton 1
There isn’t a better dribbler of the ball in motion, at the minute, than wiry French winger Remy Cabella. The pint-sized dazzler gave Chelsea a difficult afternoon last time out and I expect him to do the same to the wonderfully organised Southampton back four.