United look to atone for FA Cup loss

Match Forecast

Man Utd 1 Arsenal 1

Louis van Gaal has achieved his primary objective of getting Man Utd into the Champions League. Nevertheless, the rebuilding process must continue if the Red Devils are to challenge Chelsea next season. Memphis Depay is an exciting addition, but they are still a central defender, holding midfielder and striker short of mounting a sustained assault on the title.

West Brom 0 Chelsea 1

I had promised to jump out of my skin if Eden Hazard was not named Footballer of the Year. I am therefore happy the Belgian added the FWA award to the PFA gongs he won earlier. Jose Mourinho will use his masterly to break down Tony Pulis’ stubborn Brummies as he closes in on his stated goal of reaching the ninety point mark.

Liverpool 2 C. Palace 1
Crystal Palace are dicey opponents on their travels. In fact, I am only calling a Liverpool victory because the Anfield crowd is to give a rapturous farewell to the great Steven Gerrard on his final home appearance. Brendan Rodgers’ record as the first Liverpool manager not to win a single trophy in three years is weighing heavily on his shoulders.

West Ham 0 Everton 0
Did not like the look of Everton as they fell 0-2 to Sunderland. West Ham’s decline during the second half of the English Premier League season coincided with mounting speculation over Sam Allardyce’s future. This could well be Big Sam’s last game at Upton Park, so he will demand his players give 100 per cent performance. A barren draw is on the cards.

Swansea 1 Man City 2
A team that has delivered home and away victories over Arsenal and Manchester United deserves respect. Gary Monk has done a monumental job with the Swans as he actually remains unbeaten against Arsene Wenger. I expect Manuel Pellegrini to start Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany, both of whom were rested in the 6-0 mauling of Queen’s Park Rangers.

Sunderland 1 Leicester 1
Sunderland have the fight and ladies’ luck on their side; Leicester City are very much the form team coming into this tie. Dick Advocaat has re-awoken the spirit that saw Sunderland make a great escape last season. The Black Cats have won three of the last four, while Leicester have won six out of seven. A point apiece would propel both to safety.
Burnley 1 Stoke 2
This could be a cracker. With Sean Dyce’s eager but limited Burnley already relegated and Stoke confirmed for mid-table safety, I expect the two teams to play with freedom. I was impressed with the speed and clinical nature of the Potters approach play as they dismantled Spurs last weekend. I am going for a narrow Stoke victory.

QPR 1 Newcastle 1
Newcastle United are not yet safe from the relegation monster. A point away to listless Rangers would see them over the line. Joey Barton talked of rotten eggs at the Loftus Road club and I reckon the club’s age merchants and expensive foreign imports are to exit the club. Papisse Demba Cisse has promised to deliver the goals for United this weekend.
Tottenham 1 Hull 0
Tottenham have huffed and puffed during the season but overall you can’t say they have improved much under Mauricio Pochettino’s tutelage. I like the individual quality of Hull players. If they do go down, Steve Bruce can reflect on injuries to Momo Diame and Nikica Jelavic as the main reason for their return to the championship.

Southa’ton 1 Aston Villa 1
Southampton have lost their mojo. Pitfalls of using a small squad have been apparent in the second half as the Saints have gone from title contenders to Europa League hopefuls. There is a vibrancy about Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa that dictates they must leave St Mary’s Stadium with a result.