English Premier League Weekly Predictions: Week 31

After a relaxing, friendly International Break, the Premiership is ready for its stretch run. England, Holland, and Spain had successful breaks, and many of their players have a clear mind heading into the last eight matches of the season.

Manchester United are still hanging to a lead that seems to get slimmer each week. Will anyone catch them? No one can be sure. We just have to take it one week at a time to find out.

MATCH OF THE WEEK

West Ham United 0 - Manchester United 1:

Normally, the match of the week features two teams fighting for the title, but I think a match like this is even better. Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to manage his team to a title, whereas Avram Grant is just trying to keep his squad in the Premier League.

One team has everything to lose, and the other one can't fall much further. West Ham are currently out of the relegation zone, but a win by any team below them would put them back in. I'm picking the Red Devils, but a draw is extremely possible.

OTHER MATCHES

Birmingham City 1 - Bolton 0:

Birmingham City play tough defense at home, and Bolton are atrocious on the road. They have lost five of their last six road matches (drawing the other), and they are unable to put the ball in the net. Combine that with some inspired defense from a relegation-bound Birmingham squad, and I could see a last-minute winner at St. Andrew's Ground.

Everton 1 - Aston Villa 2:

Tim Howard was tremendous against Argentina last Saturday, and he will have to be great again for against Villa. While Villa have struggled this season, they still have two dangerous players (Bent and Young) that will be peppering Howard all day. Expect an open, fast-paced game with Villa finishing victorious.

Newcastle United 1 - Wolves 0:

This is a tough match to predict. Newcastle have not played well recently, and Wolves have. Still, Wolves has poor form on the road, while the Magpies are traditionally strong at St. James Park.

So how do you decide? I think Wolves get a little desperate in their search for three points, and Newcastle capitalize with a counter-attack goal midway through the second half.

Stoke City 0 - Chelsea 2:

No, Fernando Torres still hasn't scored. Still, the Blues have won three matches in a row to tighten up the Premiership race. Teams like Chelsea understand when it's a must-win game; this is one of those very situations. Expect the defending champs to look good on Saturday, even if Torres is no help.

West Bromwich Albion 1 - Liverpool 0:

For anyone that has read my previous predictions, you know that I have adapted the Costanza-opposite approach to predicting Liverpool matches. Liverpool have looked fantastic lately and West Brom continues to struggle. No real decision here. I'm one for one so far, and I'm going to stick with picking against my gut.

Wigan Athletic 1 - Tottenham Hotspur 3:

Spurs have had a good run in the Champions League this year, and I think they've enjoyed it. If they want to relive the success, they need to need to make up four points over Manchester City. City have been slipping and Spurs have a game in hand. I expect Spurs to start that climb with a victory over an inferior Wigan.

Arsenal 2 - Blackburn 1:

It seems like Arsenal don't even want to win the league. Every time they get close to Manchester United, they drop points. I'm not sure what the mental block is, but the Gunners need to start winning matches if they want to hoist the Premier League trophy at the end of the year.

Fulham 2 - Blackpool 1:

Both teams are inching closer to the relegation zone each week, and they need to start winning matches to avoid dropping a division. As much as I love watching Blackpool play, Ian Holloway's club is in some trouble if they drop this match.

Manchester City 1 - Sunderland 0:

Both of these teams looked a lot better earlier this season. As the season has dragged on, their forms have slipped. Sunderland are pretty much locked in the middle of the table, and Manchester City need to hold off Spurs for coveted fourth place. Look for City to score early and hold of the Black Cats.

Last Week: 5-2-3 (W-L-D)

Season: 126-71-71 (W-L-D)

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think about each of the matches for the week, and I will be sure to justify any of my predictions. Thanks!