Week 31 of the Premier League comes around fast after a hectic weekend of games. Chelsea and Manchester City is the headline game of a critical round of fixtures.
The Premier League doesn’t stop for breath before accelerating into week 31 of the season. The weekend has only just past and already big games like Chelsea vs. Manchester City are coming into focus.
Chelsea suffered a shock defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend. The loss injected some much-needed tension back into the Premier League title race. Or has it? A win over City over would dampen much of that once again.
But can the Blues bounce straight back? City drew with Arsenal on Sunday and still need quite a few points to secure a top four finish themselves. Antonio Conte will have preferred an easier fixture after the team’s shock loss.
Another big game will see Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford. United were held to a 0-0 draw by West Brom on Saturday. Jose Mourinho was missing a number of key players, and although the Red Devils have a good-sized squad, Mourinho’s team were unable to break down a stubborn Baggies defense.
Meanwhile, Everton suffered an all-too-familiar defeat at Anfield to rivals Liverpool. The Reds will now host Bournemouth on Wednesday. At the bottom of the table, Sunderland take on Leicester City and Hull City welcome Middlesbrough to the KC Stadium.
It’s an action-packed round of Premier League fixtures in week 31. Here are predictions for every game on the schedule.
Burnley vs. Stoke City
Suddenly, Burnley are in a relegation fight. Not so long ago, the Clarets were riding high in the top half of the Premier League standings. But a run of seven games without a win has seen Sean Dyche’s team fall back into the relegation pack.
Burnley’s home form has been fantastic for much of the season. It is now that form that they will have to rely on to usher themselves back into mid-table before things get any worse than they already are.
Stoke City are a team that are playing for nothing, really, so this is a good opportunity for Burnley to pick up a crucial three points.
Mark Hughes’ team haven’t won in three games now, so it’s a good game, being at home, for Burnley to try and increase the current five-point buffer they have to the relegation places.
Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Stoke
Leicester City vs. Sunderland
Leicester City are absolutely flying at present. It’s now four straight Premier League wins for the Foxes since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. By contrast, Sunderland couldn’t be in much worse form than they actually are.
Every week, it’s said that Sunderland need to start winning. They need to start winning,. This is the week. The time is now. But it hasn’t happened yet, and it doesn’t look like happening. Certainly not in this game against an in-form Leicester.
Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Sunderland
Watford vs. West Brom
West Brom have been phenomenal in a couple of big games recently, but now the Baggies will have a different test as they travel to Watford. Tony Pulis has done a fantastic job at keeping his players motivated, despite not really having anything to play for at this point.
Watford come into the game on the back of a win, but have been in poor form otherwise. West Brom, given how they have been playing lately against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, should win this one.
However, this is a different challenge for West Brom and Pulis’ men are not particularly great on the road.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 West Brom
Manchester United vs. Everton
Everton have been one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League in 2017. The two games the Toffees have lost recently have been two big games against Tottenham and Liverpool. So suggestions of a mental block in big games may well be true.
Everton have another big game on Tuesday, travelling to Manchester United. United have a point to prove, also, after drawing at home to West Brom. Jose Mourinho will have Zlatan Ibrahimovich back upfront, and the Swede can always be a match-winner in any game.
United need a win to keep in touch for a top four place, whilst Everton just don’t seem to be getting the job done in big games right now.
Prediction: Man United 2-0 Everton
Arsenal vs. West Ham
Every game is crucial to Arsenal now as the race for the top four places enters the final stretch. The Gunners are currently sitting in sixth position, and can afford few more slip-ups if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The doom and gloom around the Emirates was lifted somewhat on Sunday, as the team fought back to secure a draw against Manchester City. However, this is Arsenal at home against a team they usually do well against.
Times have been tough, but that doesn’t make a draw at home a good result all of a sudden. Arsene Wenger’s team remain under pressure after the City game, and West Ham will now be the next test.
Or will they? The Hammers are in dreadful form right now. Traditionally, a game between Arsenal and West Ham might have been tight and fiery. This one might prove something a bit different. Despite only drawing with City, the fact that the team fought back felt like a positive in some ways for Arsenal. Something of a lift.
People questioned Arsenal’s heart and character prior to the game, and the team showed some to claw City back. The result may not have been totally ideal, but the Arsenal players might just have took more confidence and positives from the game than people realize.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Hull City vs. Middlesbrough
Two wins out of three means Hull City are suddenly just one point away from safety. There’s a lot of work still to do, but the Tigers are inching in the right direction. Which is a lot more than can be said for Middlesbrough.
Boro earned a 0-0 draw away to Swansea on Sunday, but it’s wins the club needs. There’s no time for a few draws and a marginal improvement. Hull will move seven points clear of Boro if the home team win this game.
This is it for Boro. All or nothing. If they lose this, then it’s close to game over. A win, however, drags Hull back towards them and gives the club a lifeline. Boro have only scored three goals in their last 10 games, though.
It’s hard to win games when you cannot score.
Prediction: Hull 1-0 Middlesbrough
Southampton vs. Crystal Palace
It took some time to get the right mixture, but Sam Allardyce is finally working his magic at Crystal Palace. Out of nowhere, the Eagles have suddenly won four games in succession. Who would back against them making it five on Wednesday?
Southampton have been largely inconsistent as of late. Manolo Gabbiadini has been a revelation since joining the club in January. Unfortunately, the Italian is out injured right now and looks likely to miss this game.
Palace have a lot more still to play for and Allardyce’s men are on a roll right now.
Prediction: Southampton 0-1 Crystal Palace
Swansea City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Are Tottenham back in the title race? Really, only Chelsea can answer that question over the next few games. During that time, Tottenham just need to keep on winning and see where they are in a few weeks time.
Spurs are staggeringly consistent. They may have the odd blip here and there, but it tends to just be one game, and then they’re right back to business. Even the absence of Harry Kane has not slowed down Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Tottenham continue to win even without their star striker, however, every game without Kane is an individual challenge of its own. Swansea, now, will be exactly that once again. The Swans are fighting to remain in the Premier League and are capable on their day.
Prediction: Swansea 0-1 Tottenham
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Liverpool have found their groove once again after a particularly bad start to 2017. The Reds have won three of their last four league games, and are now looking a much stronger bet to finish in the top four.
Bournemouth were , similarly, on a poor run since the turn of the year but are now back in better form. Neither team have lost in their last four games. One will likely lose here, though, and that’s Bournemouth.
The Cherries can be a dangerous team, but they pride themselves on offense more than they do defense. This wont be a difficult game for Liverpool at home, it will just be dangerous as long as it is 0-0. If Liverpool take their chances, they will win rather clearly.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth
Chelsea vs. Manchester City
Chelsea need a quick reaction in this game. After losing to Crystal Palace, all eyes will be on the Blues to see what their reaction will be. Will they have a wobble now? Will the pressure tell? Chelsea need to provide an emphatic answer.
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More dropped points here – particularly a loss – and the tension and pressure is only going to grow. Prior to the Palace game, Chelsea have been in good form. Antonio Conte’s men just need to pretend like nothing happened and continue doing what they were doing beforehand.
Manchester City have the players to do damage to Chelsea in this game. However, they also have the defense to be just the remedy Chelsea need. It’s dangerous for the Blues, though, because of City’s quality in attack, and especially out wide.
Chelsea’s three-man defense means the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling will find space to exploit, and that could spell trouble. But Chelsea can hurt a fragile City defense just as much.
Pep Guardiola’s team look like they are easing along hoping to secure a top four place. So the home team wont be facing a team that are in top form right now or outrageously motivated. City are just doing enough.
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Chelsea need to do more than that, though. A big win in a game like this will just settle everybody down for the final run-in. A loss here could open up all kinds of issues. It’s a pivotal game for Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Man City