Week 26 is here and there is a third of the season to go. Things are heating up at the top and the bottom of the Premier League table.
With that in mind, it’s time to throw out some predictions for the 10 PL matches taking place.
[ STREAM: Every PL game live online ]
I’ve consulted my crystal ball and here’s how we see things panning out…
BASICALLY, FREE MONEY
Chelsea 3-0 Burnley – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Exepct the Blues to run rampant at home against the Clarets, as Jose Mourinho’s side could extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points before Man City kick off later on Saturday.
Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)
Palace have only lost once under new manager Alan Pardew but the Gunners will have too much fire-power in this London derby. Away win.
Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United – (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
City are back on track after their 4-1 demolition of Stoke City last Wednesday. Manuel Pellegrini’s side need to keep winning and hope that Chelsea slip up. A few early goals, plus Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony returning, should help them ease to victory. That said, the Magpies have already won at the Etihad in the League Cup this season...
DON’T TOUCH THIS…
Sunderland 1-1 West Bromwich Albion – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)
Draw specialists Sunderland (they’ve tied 12 of 25 games this season) against Tony Pulis resolute West Brom. This may not be one for the purists. Expect a stalemate.
Southampton 2-2 Liverpool – (Sunday, 11:15 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Plenty to play for on Sunday down at St Mary’s as Saints have a four-point lead over Liverpool in the race for the top four. Will Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert get a good reception back at Saints for the first-time since they jumped ship last summer?
Swansea City 1-2 Manchester United- (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)
Tough to call. Swansea have had such an inconsistent season but have scared plenty of the big boys and if they get a goal early, United could really struggle down at the Liberty Stadium. Notoriously it has been a happy hunting ground for them. Expect another disjointed and underwhelming display from the Red Devils, but they should sneak a win.
“SO YOU’RE TELLING ME THERE’S A CHANCE…”
Aston Villa 2-1 Stoke City – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)
Tim Sherwood’s first official game in charge will see Villa come out all guns blazing as the aim to climb out of the bottom three. Stoke are ravaged by injury and suspension, so I think the Villains have picked the perfect time to play the Potters and they’ll bag a first win in 11 PL outings.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United - (Sunday, 7 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Okay, this is a bold call. But you know what, Spurs struggle massively after Europa League matches and they had a tough time of things against Fiorentina on Thursday. The Hammers have won on their last two trips to White Hart Lane. They could make it three on the trot.
Everton 1-2 Leicester City – (Sunday, 9:05 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Another team in Europa League action could struggle, as Everton traveled to Switzerland on Thursday and despite winning 4-1 they looked a little shaky at the back against BSC Young Boys. Leicester need a win and drew with Everton earlier this season.
Hull City 1-3 QPR – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)
Wow. Talk about relegation six-pointers. I expect the R’s to make it two road wins on the spin after Chris Ramsey was put in charge permanently.