English Premier League: EPL Week 25 Previews and Predictions

Recapping last week, we saw some interesting results as three of the top four teams struggled to exert themselves to the advantage of their opponents.

In the first frustrating top four match of the weekend, Chelsea went three goals up on Manchester United only to let them come back and claim a 3-3 draw. The Blues flirtation with dropping out of the top four once again is causing worry while United failed to keep pace at the top.

Manchester City punished United for not managing to stay top with them as they cruised to victory over Fulham. The Cottagers shot themselves in the foot time after time—unfortunately it was just not Chris Baird's day at the back: He gave up a penalty and then scored an own goal in the first half.

Liverpool and Tottenham both had a chance to gain ground as the Reds could have moved within two points of the final Champions League place and Spurs could have moved to only three points out of second and six from first. However, a draw was less than either desired with Liverpool squandering a load of chances as they have all season at Anfield.

Out of all the top teams, Arsenal impressed the most. Under pressure, manager Arsene Wenger led his side out to an Emirates Stadium crowd in near full protest of him still being in the hot seat. All the fans that failed to show up and left a bag in their seat will be disappointed as the Gunners put Steve Kean and Blackburn to the firing squad.

Robin Van Persie netted a hat trick and youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put in a young player of the year performance with a brace. Mikel Arteta also scored, and then Thierry Henry came off the bench to net the seventh goal in the club's 7-1 victory, which saw them erase their six-goal difference from the 2-8 defeat against Manchester United.

In other news, Newcastle's Demba Duo of Ba and Cisse both scored as the Magpies moved within a point of fourth in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Everton and Wigan finished in a frustrating draw thanks to a howler from Toffee's keeper Tim Howard.

Bobby Zamora made his Queens Park Rangers debut, but Djibril Cisse went from Hero in his debut to zero in his second match as a Red Card in a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton. That only adds to the frustration of new manager Mark Hughes.

Norwich City and Swansea City both got back to winning ways with victories over Bolton and West Bromwich Albion, while Sunderland continued their hot streak with a victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

This weekend, we head into another scintillating round of action to be kicked off with perhaps the hottest rivalry in the league at the moment.

Game of the Week: Manchester United vs. Liverpool FC

Liverpool beat Manchester United in their last confrontation, but this weekend's match will be a horse of a different color altogether. It will bring together two players that have been at the heart of controversy all season.

Luis Suarez has now returned from the eight-match ban that was handed to him by the English Football Association for racially abusing United's captain Patrice Evra.

It is sure to be a hostile atmosphere at Old Trafford. The confrontation between the players from last time will spurn on heavy reactions from the crowd in the direction of Suarez.

Either way, it is an important match for both clubs even more so than their last meeting in the FA Cup.

Both United and Liverpool suffered draws last week that stifled their aspirations. Liverpool should have beaten Tottenham, but as usual this season, it is not their management that is the problem, but a constant lack of finishing ability in front of the net.

United fought back to avoid a shocking defeat against Chelsea as the Blues went three goals up on the Red Devils before they responded with anything positive.

With the Red Devils looking to chase down Manchester City to nip the title at the death and the Reds are fighting to make it back to the Champions League, it is sure to be a match full of every form of entertainment you could ask for.

To read further on this weekends rivalry clash, check out Karl Matchett's Live Blog of the Match or read World Football Lead Writer Will Tidey's article, Behind the Liverpool vs. Man Utd Rivalry, on his column titled Set Piece.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 2 Liverpool

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: Ben Amos, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Ji-Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt, Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez

Players to Watch: Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez

Blackburn Rovers vs. Queens Park Rangers

Rovers and QPR are both in desperate need of a victory as the two clubs continue to look relegation bound.

The loss of Djibril Cisse to suspension is a thorn in the side of Rangers as both Heider Helguson and Jay Bothroyd are injured and only Robert Hulse is available to pair with Bobby Zamora up front for Mark Hughes.

Meanwhile, Steve Kean's Blackburn Rovers will miss Gael Givet to suspension and need this victory just as bad as Rangers.

Match Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 2 - 3 Queens Park Rangers

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Bradley Orr, Chris Samba, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, David Hoillet, Morten Gamst Pederson, David Goodwille, Anthony Modeste

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Patrick Kenny, Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Nedum Onuoha, Taye Taiwo, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jaime Mackie, Joey Barton, Shaun Derry, Robert Hulse, Bobby Zamora

Players to Watch: Morton Gamst Pederson and Bobby Zamora

Bolton Wanderers vs. Wigan Athletic

Bolton slipped up and lost to Norwich City last weekend, but should find their way back to some form against Wigan Athletic.

Both clubs have lost a lot of talent over the last two seasons and are now struggling in the EPL.

The return of Jussi Jaaskelainen should be more of a help this week; he has now gotten a match in after their loss to Norwich and should have found his bearings once more.

Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega will have to find a way to create something for the Latics if they are to get the full points from this match.

Match Prediction: Bolton 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Samuel Ricketts, David Wheater, Zat Knight, Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Fabrice Muamba, Martin Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Chris Eagles, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez,  Ronnie Stam, David Jones, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Ben Watson, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Players to Watch: Martin Petrov and Victor Moses

Everton vs. Chelsea

David Moyes and his Toffees have come to life in the last month since the arrivals of both Landon Donovan and Darren Gibson, and will be hoping that striker Nikica Jelavic will have the same kind of effect.

Two years ago only a day removed from Saturday's date saw the Toffees host the Blues at Goodison Park and deliver a 2-1 defeat to the eventual title winners. In that lineup was Donovan who was the provider of the first assist in a two-goal haul for now Hotspur Louis Saha.

Chelsea continue to be suspect at the back as they blew a three-goal lead against Manchester United and quite frankly are open to easily suffer an away defeat to Everton despite the Toffee's having multiple top players sidelined through injury.

Match Prediction: Everton 2-1 Chelsea

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, John Heitinga, Phil Neville, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Apostolos Vellios, Darren Gibson, Royston Drenthe, Landon Donovan, Nikica Jelavic

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, David Luiz, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Florent Malouda, Oriel Romeu, Juan Mata, Raul Meireles, Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge

Players to Watch: Landon Donovan and Juan Mata

Fulham vs. Stoke City

Fulham have a frustrating result from last week to cancel out as does Stoke City.

The snow fell fast and hard at the Etihad Stadium as the Citizens took a victory thanks to an unfortunate first half highlighted by the terrible luck of Cottager Chris Baird.

Stoke City usually rely on their home stadium of the Britannia as a fortress but were stormed by Sunderland as the Black Cats raided a 0-1 result against the Potters.

Clint Dempsey will have to exert himself in the match for the London side to be sure and claim three points to the good.

Match Prediction: Fulham 2 - 1 Stoke City

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: Mark Schwarzer, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise, Danny Murphy, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Damien Duff, Pavel Pogrebnyak

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Thomas Sorenson, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant, Wilson Palacios, Ryan Shotton, Dean Whitehead, Jonathan Walters, Peter Crouch

Players to Watch: Clint Dempsey and Jonathan Walters

Sunderland vs. Arsenal

Sunderland have sprung to life under Martin O'Neal, but that may not be enough to hold off the Gunners. The Black Cats managed another victory this past weekend against Stoke, but their luck may run out against the firing club from London.

Young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks to be giving absentee winger Gervinho a run for his place in the first team after his impressive brace against Blackburn Rovers.

Likewise, Robin Van Persie also continued his fine form with a hat trick. The real joy was to see Thierry Henry come off the bench to score the seventh and final goal. Seeing both Henry and Van Persie score in the saw match has been a dream for many Arsenal fans. 

Match Prediction: Sunderland 2-3 Arsenal

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Simon Minoglet, John O'Shea, Michael Turner, Sotirios Krygiakos, Wayne Bridge, Kieran Richardson, Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner, James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon, Frazier Campbell

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott

Players to Watch: Frazier Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Swansea City vs. Norwich City

A battle of promoted clubs sees Swansea City and Norwich City clash at the Liberty Stadium in Wales with both clubs looking at once believed impossible middle of the table finishes.

Both managers have done a phenomenal job in the Premiership since their arrival and have seen both surprise many.

The Swans have been excellent at home and are not expected to slip up, but given both clubs desire to finish as high as possible it should be a great match.

Match Prediction: Swansea City 2-1 Norwich City

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Angel Ranger, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Mark Gower, Leon Britton, Luke More, Joe Allen, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Marc Tierney, Adam Drury, Kyle Naughton, Andrew Crofts, Bradley Johnson, Wesley Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Players to Watch: Scott Sinclair and Anthony Pilkington

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United

Tottenham failed to get on the score sheet at Anfield against Liverpool last weekend, but fortunately for them so did the Reds.

Spurs need a victory to gain some ground back if they have any hope of trying to make a late run at the title.

Meanwhile, injuries to both Shola Ameobi and Leon Best see the Dual Demba strike force take center stage for the Magpies as both Ba and Cisse are tipped to become a great partnership at Newcastle. 

Match Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Newcastle United

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Luis Saha, Emmanuel Adebayor

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Davide Santos, Michael Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Gabriel Obertan, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Damba Ba, Demba Cisse

Players to Watch: Emmanuel Adebayor and Demba Cisse

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Bromwich Albion

Wolves earned a much needed victory last week over Queens Park Rangers while West Bromwich Albion slumped to a defeat at the hands of Swansea City at home.

The season-ending injury to on loan midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong hurts the lineup for Wolves but the return of Jamie O'Hara should come this weekend and give them a boost.

West Bromwich continue to suffer from the loss of captain Chris Brunt in the midfield as their creativity and drive have been lacking without him.

Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long need to step up their efforts up front in order to get the club firing once again.

Match Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 1 West Bromwich Albion

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Sebastian Bassong, Roger Johnson, Jamie O'Hara, David Edwards, Stephen Hunt, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Nicky Shorey, Jonas Olsson, Liam Ridgewell, Billy Jones, Yousuff Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, James Morrison, Billy Cox, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Peter Odemwingie

Players to Watch: Steven Fletcher and Peter Odemwingie

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

Aston Villa have enjoyed Robbie Keane in some of the best form of his career in England—he has already fired three goals for the Villains since arriving on loan.

Manager Alex McLeish has failed to land him on an extended loan, however, as the LA Galaxy will pull him back at the end of his current spell, according to ESPNsoccernet.com.

Manchester City however should not be troubled to much and should earn another three points. James Milner and Adam Johnson should be in the line up as Samir Nasri is injured and Yaya Toure is still off in Africa. 

Match Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Shay Given, Alan Hutton, Carlos Cuellar, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Barry Bannan, Stiliyan Petrov, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Robbie Keane

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Adam Johnson, David Silva, Eden Dzeko, Sergio Aguero

Players to Watch: Darren Bent and Sergio Aguero

Conclusion

This is sure to be a great weekend of action, but the most controversy is sure to come from the first match of the round if anywhere with Manchester United hosting Liverpool early Saturday.

As always, lets hear your predictions in the comments below.

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