By Sam Beresford Edited by Peter Cordi
Sunderland (15th) vs West Bromwich Albion (14th) - Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Adam Johnson (Sunderland), Saido Berahino (West Brom)
This match sees a mid-table clash with 14th facing off against 15th. With two very strong sets of attacking options, this game should be full of goals. West Brom alone have scored no less than 8 goals in their last three games. Only 2 points separates these two sides at the start of play with this making the 3 points all that more important.
Prediction: Draw 2-2
Chelsea (1st) vs Burnley (19th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Danny Ings (Burnley)
These two sides last met on the opening day of the season with Chelsea coming out 3-1 winners. Burnley have put up a brave fight this season however, with one win in their last eleven games it does not look great for Sean Dyche’s men. Chelsea’s attacking flair and their sturdiness in defence should be too much for the Claret and Blue.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 3-0
Aston Villa (18th) vs Stoke City (10th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
This Midlands Derby should be as feisty as ever. With Aston Villa boasting a new manager (Tim Sherwood), who will be taking charge for the first time Saturday afternoon. Sherwood will be hoping he can get striker Christian Benteke hitting the back of the net once again, the powerful striker’s form has dipped in recent weeks. The key to Stoke’s game plan will be to press high on Villa’s back four and put them under pressure, not allowing them time on the ball should create opportunities for Stoke’s strike force.
Prediction: Aston Villa wins 2-1
Crystal Palace (13th) vs Arsenal (5th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Brede Hangeland (Crystal Palace), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Crystal Palace have been better than expected this season, largely due to the arrival of Alan Pardew as Manager. Pardew has revitalized this team, with additions such as Fraizer Campbell and Yaya Sanogo, they really make for an interesting outfit. Arsenal are now pushing for that final Champions League spot so they cannot afford to be dropping points in these type of games. The physicality of Palace could cause a sometimes shaky Arsenal defence problems however, an Arsenal loss is still very unlikely.
Prediction: Arsenal Wins 2-0
Swansea City (9th) vs Manchester United (3rd) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
Swansea will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss on Wednesday night as Manchester United travel to the Liberty Stadium looking to cement third place. Swansea will try to play their passing style of football we have come to be accustomed to, which could lead to problems for a less than settled United midfield. The long-ball tactic has brought Manchester United a lot of success in recent weeks however, with the criticism this ugly style of play has brought, will Van Gaal stick with it? Swansea are more than talented enough to pose a threat, will United hold strong?
Prediction: Draw 1-1
Hull City (16th) vs Queens Park Rangers (17th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Tom Huddlestone (Hull City), Steven Caulker (Queens Park Rangers)
Queens Park Ranger’s recent form has been enough to drag themselves out of the relegation zone however, fellow strugglers Hull City provide a stern test. Chris Ramsey has just been unveiled as the new Rangers manager until the end of the season. Ramsey seems to have got them playing with belief again, with a big 2-0 win against Sunderland last week, Rangers players and fans alike will be full of confidence heading into the relegation battle. Steve Bruce’s men will be no walkovers though, with the quality they possess in their squad they are no doubt underachieving at 16th place.
Prediction: Hull City wins 1-0
Manchester City (2nd) vs Newcastle United (11th) - Saturday 21 February 17:30 GMT
Key Men: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Jack Colback (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United have been largely underwhelming this season personified by their place in the league table. Newcastle’s hope of a rejuvenation may have to wait another week as they face off against Manchester City. City have to try and make up seven points on leaders Chelsea, this means they will be as ruthless as ever. Newcastle’s only hope is to sit back and then try and beat City on the counter attack.
Prediction: Manchester City wins 3-1
Tottenham (6th) vs West Ham (8th) – Sunday 22 February 12:00 GMT
Key Men: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Alex Song (West Ham)
West Ham have been a very pleasing outfit this season which sees them sitting in an impressive eighth position. Their physical style has been too much for many teams this season and they will be hoping Spurs are next. Tottenham will still be beaming after their recent win over fierce rivals Arsenal, they will want to keep it that way against another London side. With Harry Kane (England’s next top striker) scoring for fun they will be going into this fixture with high expectations. West Ham need to win the midfield battle to stand a good chance of winning this game. We could be in for a thriller.
Prediction: Tottenham wins 4-3
Everton (12th) vs Leicester City (20th) – Sunday 22 February 14:05 GMT
Key Men: Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Matty James (Leicester City)
Leicester City prop up the league table at the start of play and not a lot suggests they will be moving any time soon. With 4 Points separating them from ninetieth, Leicester will need a miracle to get them out of the relegation zone come the end of the season. There were high hopes for Everton at the start of the season however, they have all but gone. Roberto Martinez’s men don’t have a lot to play for with a European place surely too far away. Leicester’s desire and need to win may be enough however, Everton’s attacking talent should get them all three points.
Prediction: Everton wins 3-0
Southampton (4th) vs Liverpool (7th) – Sunday 22 February 16:15 GMT
Key Men: Victor Wanyama (Southampton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
The Premier League weekend concludes with the most mouth-watering fixture as Liverpool travel to Saint Mary’s to face high flyers Southampton. Many people were shocked as Southampton sold no more that three key players to Liverpool before the start of the season however, this seemed to make no difference. Southampton have been punching above their weight this season under boss Ronald Koeman which leaves them vying for a Champion League place as the season comes close to the end. Liverpool will need to exploit their pace on the wings in Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe to try and get in behind this, usually solid, Southampton defence. Southampton must keep doing what they are doing to gain the victory, getting their balls into their magic players, such as Elijero Elia and Graziano Pelle, will be a must.
Prediction: Southampton wins 3-2
Sunderland (15th) vs West Bromwich Albion (14th) - Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Adam Johnson (Sunderland), Saido Berahino (West Brom)
This match sees a mid-table clash with 14th facing off against 15th. With two very strong sets of attacking options, this game should be full of goals. West Brom alone have scored no less than 8 goals in their last three games. Only 2 points separates these two sides at the start of play with this making the 3 points all that more important.
Prediction: Draw 2-2
Chelsea (1st) vs Burnley (19th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Danny Ings (Burnley)
These two sides last met on the opening day of the season with Chelsea coming out 3-1 winners. Burnley have put up a brave fight this season however, with one win in their last eleven games it does not look great for Sean Dyche’s men. Chelsea’s attacking flair and their sturdiness in defence should be too much for the Claret and Blue.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 3-0
Aston Villa (18th) vs Stoke City (10th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
This Midlands Derby should be as feisty as ever. With Aston Villa boasting a new manager (Tim Sherwood), who will be taking charge for the first time Saturday afternoon. Sherwood will be hoping he can get striker Christian Benteke hitting the back of the net once again, the powerful striker’s form has dipped in recent weeks. The key to Stoke’s game plan will be to press high on Villa’s back four and put them under pressure, not allowing them time on the ball should create opportunities for Stoke’s strike force.
Prediction: Aston Villa wins 2-1
Crystal Palace (13th) vs Arsenal (5th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Brede Hangeland (Crystal Palace), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Crystal Palace have been better than expected this season, largely due to the arrival of Alan Pardew as Manager. Pardew has revitalized this team, with additions such as Fraizer Campbell and Yaya Sanogo, they really make for an interesting outfit. Arsenal are now pushing for that final Champions League spot so they cannot afford to be dropping points in these type of games. The physicality of Palace could cause a sometimes shaky Arsenal defence problems however, an Arsenal loss is still very unlikely.
Prediction: Arsenal Wins 2-0
Swansea City (9th) vs Manchester United (3rd) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
Swansea will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss on Wednesday night as Manchester United travel to the Liberty Stadium looking to cement third place. Swansea will try to play their passing style of football we have come to be accustomed to, which could lead to problems for a less than settled United midfield. The long-ball tactic has brought Manchester United a lot of success in recent weeks however, with the criticism this ugly style of play has brought, will Van Gaal stick with it? Swansea are more than talented enough to pose a threat, will United hold strong?
Prediction: Draw 1-1
Hull City (16th) vs Queens Park Rangers (17th) – Saturday 21 February 15:00 GMT
Key Men: Tom Huddlestone (Hull City), Steven Caulker (Queens Park Rangers)
Queens Park Ranger’s recent form has been enough to drag themselves out of the relegation zone however, fellow strugglers Hull City provide a stern test. Chris Ramsey has just been unveiled as the new Rangers manager until the end of the season. Ramsey seems to have got them playing with belief again, with a big 2-0 win against Sunderland last week, Rangers players and fans alike will be full of confidence heading into the relegation battle. Steve Bruce’s men will be no walkovers though, with the quality they possess in their squad they are no doubt underachieving at 16th place.
Prediction: Hull City wins 1-0
Manchester City (2nd) vs Newcastle United (11th) - Saturday 21 February 17:30 GMT
Key Men: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Jack Colback (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United have been largely underwhelming this season personified by their place in the league table. Newcastle’s hope of a rejuvenation may have to wait another week as they face off against Manchester City. City have to try and make up seven points on leaders Chelsea, this means they will be as ruthless as ever. Newcastle’s only hope is to sit back and then try and beat City on the counter attack.
Prediction: Manchester City wins 3-1
Tottenham (6th) vs West Ham (8th) – Sunday 22 February 12:00 GMT
Key Men: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Alex Song (West Ham)
West Ham have been a very pleasing outfit this season which sees them sitting in an impressive eighth position. Their physical style has been too much for many teams this season and they will be hoping Spurs are next. Tottenham will still be beaming after their recent win over fierce rivals Arsenal, they will want to keep it that way against another London side. With Harry Kane (England’s next top striker) scoring for fun they will be going into this fixture with high expectations. West Ham need to win the midfield battle to stand a good chance of winning this game. We could be in for a thriller.
Prediction: Tottenham wins 4-3
Everton (12th) vs Leicester City (20th) – Sunday 22 February 14:05 GMT
Key Men: Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Matty James (Leicester City)
Leicester City prop up the league table at the start of play and not a lot suggests they will be moving any time soon. With 4 Points separating them from ninetieth, Leicester will need a miracle to get them out of the relegation zone come the end of the season. There were high hopes for Everton at the start of the season however, they have all but gone. Roberto Martinez’s men don’t have a lot to play for with a European place surely too far away. Leicester’s desire and need to win may be enough however, Everton’s attacking talent should get them all three points.
Prediction: Everton wins 3-0
Southampton (4th) vs Liverpool (7th) – Sunday 22 February 16:15 GMT
Key Men: Victor Wanyama (Southampton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
The Premier League weekend concludes with the most mouth-watering fixture as Liverpool travel to Saint Mary’s to face high flyers Southampton. Many people were shocked as Southampton sold no more that three key players to Liverpool before the start of the season however, this seemed to make no difference. Southampton have been punching above their weight this season under boss Ronald Koeman which leaves them vying for a Champion League place as the season comes close to the end. Liverpool will need to exploit their pace on the wings in Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe to try and get in behind this, usually solid, Southampton defence. Southampton must keep doing what they are doing to gain the victory, getting their balls into their magic players, such as Elijero Elia and Graziano Pelle, will be a must.
Prediction: Southampton wins 3-2