English Premier League: The four fixtures of Matchday 31 taking place Saturday
Two English competitions one weekend. Only four Premier League matches will take place while the rest of the weekend will be filled with FA Cup fixtures.
After a fun, exciting and well anticipated Champions League draw took place today – teams prep for Matchday 31 of the English Premier League. Although we have few fixtures to look forward to – it does not change the magnitude of those fixtures.
Stoke City, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and West Brom play for tremendously important three points. Other teams like Everton and Watford, play to stay as far possible from the royal rumble transpiring at the bottom of the table.
Liverpool, the only team of the day playing to apply pressure to the top-four fight and not let the team behind rest one bit. Every game is final now, and rightfully so should be treated as a final. Champions League top priority, along with Top Flight survival.
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Stoke City vs. Everton
The two met back in August inside Goodison Park, and were both under different management. Ronald Koeman claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in Liverpool with Wayne Rooney the Man of the Match, and goalscorer on the day.
Before the Blues victory, the tie saw four draws in succession. Tomorrow Stoke must want to change their miserable fate against the team who will be visiting this meeting. Both teams have nothing to be boastful when going into the match.
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Both have been poor and inconsistent. Stoke come from a heavy defeat against title bound, Manchester City. While Everton lost their last two in three matches against opposition they should be beating.
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Everton sit in the middle section of the table, they not in the clear and a loss would put them in a place where eight games will seem like a hundred fixtures remaining. Stoke City must win being second last on the table. Every game is three points they cannot lose.
Match time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: bet365 Stadium
Score prediction: Stoke City 1-1 Everton
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Huddersfield vs. Crystal Palace
Third last takes on 15th place with only four points separating the two sides. Crystal Palace has found it challenging against their opposition and have been sitting on 27 points for four fixtures running.
Huddersfield come into the match more confidence and have seen a safer run. However, this is the match that holds the cards to remaining safe, or dropping in to unsafe depths.
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This has to be one of the most important matches out of the last standing fixtures. Having only to concentrate on their league aspirations – gives both these teams no excuse not to perform tomorrow.
Match time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Kirklees Stadium
Score prediction: Huddersfield 1-2 Crystal Palace
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Bournemouth vs. West Brom
The second match of two featuring teams trying to avoid the drop, one who looks certain of the drop out of the Premier League, whereas the other plays to stay further from the drop.
West Brom Supporters Coming Home From A Match Like https://t.co/06Pwksh0qV
— Fourth Official (@Fourth0fficial) March 15, 2018
Last place team West Brom, travels to the Vitality Stadium in search of a rare victory in what looks like an already doomed season. Bournemouth have seen one of the most inconsistent runs and find themselves having a similar end to last season’s late drama.
If the visitors fail, it could seal the fate of Alan Pardew – who’s been warned that results must take place for a stay. We’ve already witnessed a late change in managerial roles, will we see another?
Match time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Score prediction: Bournemouth 3-1 West Brom
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Liverpool vs. Watford
The final match of the day, once again features Liverpool. An exciting Anfield fixture to look forward to with both teams enjoying the attacking game.
These two teams met on opening day and played out to a high-scoring game of six goals, three a piece – sharing the points on the day. Liverpool’s defence was at its best with then unable to keep a lead twice.
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Although leading twice in the reverse fixture – the Hornets can be accused of the same behaviour at the back after they were the team to score the first goal of the match. This fixture set Watford up for their best start to a Premier League campaign and proved Liverpool was suffering from the same problems as previous seasons.
Much has changed since then, Watford happy with a new manager and the Reds a defender of £75 million better than they previously were. One team plays to reach a top-four finish in consecutive seasons and the other – plays to stay clear of going anywhere near the bottom of the table.