EPL Predictions Weekend 5th March: Arsenal and Chelsea Locked Up To Win
All twenty English Premier League teams go into action this weekend, with the pick of the games being the Liverpool v Manchester United clash on Sunday as the two fierce rivals clash Anfield in a game that could go a long way to deciding the winner of the EPL.
With just ten games and two months remaining in the season, there is plenty to play for at both ends of the table. Man Utd, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all chasing the Championship whilst just seven points separate the bottom ten clubs, all of whom could face relegation from the league with the bottom three teams at the end of the season demoted.
The following slide show previews the pick of the weekend's games and predicts the likely winners
Birmingham City V West Bromwich Albion
1 of 10
Fresh from their fantastic last gasp win in the Carling Cup last week, Birmingham must now take on the local rivals, West Bromwich Albion, at St Andrews in what is a crucial game at the bottom of the standings. Currently the two teams sit just above the relegation zone with Birmingham one place above their city neighbours.Three points from this game therefore would be a huge step towards safety for Alex McLeish’s team and they come into the match with four wins from their last five games in all competitions.
West Brom won the reverse fixture with Birmingham at the Hawthorns earlier in the season but have not had a win in any of their last six games, drawing four of them. Therefore, a win here is vital a defeat unthinkable and a draw unwanted but the only certainty is that "The Baggies" will have their work cut out.
Prediction: Birmingham City to win.
Arsenal V Sunderland
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Arsenal can put huge pressure on table toppers Manchester United with a win against the "Black Cats" on Saturday at the Emirates. Despite their Carling Cup Final defeat last week, the overall form of the "Gunners" has been excellent, with ten wins and two draws from their last thirteen games which should give them the edge over their visitors.
Sunderland unfortunately cannot boast the same recent form which has been nothing short of dire. Four defeats in their last four Premier League games has seen their hopes of a top six finish disappear and it's likely to be a five defeat streak come Saturday.
Prediction: Comfortable Arsenal Win - the first locked up prediction of the weekend.
Bolton Wanderers V Aston Villa
3 of 10
With four wins and a draw from their last six games, Bolton must fancy their chances of maintaining this consistent form against an Aston Villa team that have been inconsistent all season.
With just two defeats at home this season, Bolton are tough to bear to beat at the Reebok Stadium, particularly for a Villa team that have been beaten eight times on the road and have just two wins away from Villa Park.
Prediction: Bolton win.
Fulham V Blackburn Rovers
4 of 10
With only one defeat in their last eight league games, Mark Hughes must believe that his Fulham side can secure all three points from his former club, Blackburn Rovers, who appear to be on an abysmal run of form with three defeats and a draw in their last four league matches and do not look like a team who are going to find answers to their growing problems quickly and Fulham can take advantage at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: Fulham win.
Newcastle United V Everton
5 of 10
This looks a very difficult match to call with both teams struggling for consistency, but equally capable of winning on their day. However, with home advantage, Newcastle should have enough about them to claim the three points and complete the double over the Toffees after winning the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup midweek by Reading, a team in the league below and David Moyes' side will be eager to bounce back to winning ways but it's a tough ask to do so at St James's Park.
Prediction: Newcastle win.
West Ham United V Stoke City
6 of 10
A vital match for West Ham United who come in to the game in seemingly good form with only one defeat in their last six games in all competitions. Their 3-1 win last week against Liverpool will have given them much confidence and the belief that they can climb their way out of the relegation zone.
Stoke on the other hand have lost four of their last six league games and have struggled on the road all season, with home form keeping them in a mid-table position and West Ham can capitalise on this with home advantage on Saturday.
Prediction: West Ham United win.
Manchester City V Wigan Athletic
7 of 10
Third placed Manchester City affirm their claim for a top four Premier League place and even keep the pressure on Man Utd and Arsenal at the top with victory over bottom club Wigan Athletic. They won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in September and come into the match on the back of a 3-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa in midweek.
Wigan were thrashed by City's local rivals Manchester United 4-0 last weekend and will not want a repeat dose at the hands of City. However, with just one win in their last nine games in all competitions their chances don't look too good.
Prediction: Comfortable Man City Win
Liverpool V Manchester United
8 of 10
The game of the weekend in the EPL without a doubt, bringing back to the Premier League a head to head battle between Sir Alex and King Kenny that was once upon a time very feisty until Dalglish left Anfield in 1990 prior to a sensational return just two months ago. There is always an extra edge to a Liverpool v United encounter but Sunday it will be extra sharp as Ferguson and Dalglish clash for the first time since 1990.
There is no love lost between these two rivals who are just 30 miles apart in the North West of England and Liverpool. Form often goes out of the window in game like this and it can be won by the team who make the fewest mistakes are better prepared mentally for the challenge. Home advantage may prove important for Liverpool but United is the better team therefore a tie could be the likeliest outcome.
Prediction: Game to finish all square, 1-1 draw.
Wolverhampton Wanderers V Tottenham Hotspur
9 of 10
Wolves have been fighting valiantly to cling on to their Premier League status which at least has seen them climb off the bottom of the table. Their 4-0 demolition of Blackpool last weekend will have given the team a great boost and the confidence especially after beating table toppers Man Utd in the home game before that.
Spurs have struggled to win away from home against teams at the bottom of the table and despite in excess of twenty shots on goal against Blackpool last time out, they went down 1-3 and must bounce back here in a game that could deliver the most goals of all football scores this weekend with both defenses susceptible to conceding goals. If the Tottenham strikers rediscover their scoring touch, they can win this game.
Prediction: Spurs win.
Blackpool V Chelsea
10 of 10
Chelsea will see this match as a potential "banana skin" with Ian Holloway’s team more than capable of pulling off surprise wins, similar to those achieved against Spurs and Liverpool recently. However, Blackpool have on the whole been struggling and relegation remains a distinct possibility and whilst they've caused upset on occasion this season, there's no getting away from the fact they've lost seven of their last ten games.
Chelsea will be buoyed by their 2-1 win over Manchester United last week and can build on that result as they look to get their title challenge back on track.
Prediction: Chelsea win and the second locked up prediction of the weekend.
