English Premier League Predictions: Game Week 26 (2/5-2/6)

It's another quick turnaround this week, so I'm just going to go with predictions instead of the power rankings. Enjoy!

GAME OF THE WEEK

Chelsea 3 Liverpool 1: After both clubs completed team-altering transfers, they face off at Stamford Bridge. An upset is very possible if Chelsea do not come to play, but I wouldn't count on that. Lately their run of form has been great, and I don't expect that to stop any time soon. The home fans are looking forward to seeing the new-look club, and I don't think the Blues are going to disappoint.

OTHER GAMES

Stoke City 2 Sunderland 1: Despite my doubts, Sunderland have responded to the loss of Darren Bent tremendously. That being said, Stoke are much too tough at Brittania Stadium to falter. If it were the other way around, I would probably go with the Black Cats, but the match isn't at the Stadium of Light so it's too tough to go with Sunderland.

Aston Villa 3 Fulham 1: After looking so good for the first Darren Bent games, Villa looked flat at Old Trafford. Then, all of a sudden, Bent struck gold, and it looked like Villa were going to steal a point. Obviously, Vidic ended that idea with his second half strike, but Villa were right there! So, what does that mean? It means Villa are playing up to the form that everyone expected from them all year. Expect this to continue.

Everton 1 Blackpool 0: It's tough to predict which of these teams are going to show up, but I guess that's the tough job I chose to undertake. Blackpool have lost four matches in a row (and six out of seven), and Everton haven't lost at home since November. I'm not extremely confident, but Everton should get the points.

Manchester City 3 West Brom 0: Suddenly, this match is between two teams that don't seem to be as real as they were leading on. City have only five points in their last four matches, and they have fallen from the top of the table. Albion have only won once on the road since September. They looked like they were going to hang around the middle of the table all season, and now it looks like they're going to fight to avoid relegation. This isn't the game to get started, but when it comes to City, nothing is for sure.

Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 2: Newcastle looked pretty punch-less without Andy Carroll and that could continue against the better defenses. I think Arsenal qualifies as that better defense. The Gunners are simply waiting for Manchester United to slip up, and regardless of it will happen or not, they need to keep winning, just in case.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Bolton 1: Bolton rebounded last week and picked up maximum points against a sub-par Wolves squad. Now, they have to travel to White Hart Lane and try to follow that up. I don't see it happening. Spurs may not be a serious title contender anymore, but they have a good chance of finishing in the top four; however, a win is necessary this week, and I think they'll manage it over a weaker Wanderers squad.

Wigan Athletic 1 Blackburn 2: Rovers have been up and down lately, and I think this will be an up for them. The Latics have been struggling lately, and I think they'll drop this match and stay in the relegation zone.

Wolves 0 Manchester United 2: Ok, so United have had troubles on the road this year, right? Not this week. This has a great possibility of being a trap game, but I think Sir Alex Ferguson will have his squad prepared to go out and get an easy three points.

West Ham United 1 Birmingham City 0: Some call it crazy, but I call it a long-time coming. The Hammers are playing as well as ever, and they have a great possibility of winning two matches in a row. It is far from a guarantee, but Birmingham City haven't played well on the road this year, which gives West Ham a great chance to get maximum points for the second time this week.

I'm going to come back with the power rankings next week, but I hope you enjoyed strictly the predictions for the two sets of games this week. Feel free to comment or give me any feedback. Thanks, and have a good week!