Clash of the Week: Everton vs Man United
The Super Sunday clash would kick off at Goodison Park while Red Devils would engage themselves in a tough bout. ‘The Chosen One’ gaffer David Moyes slumped to a heavy defeat against his Alma Mater at Old Trafford this season.
The Merseyside club has always been a juggernaut for the Red Devils in the premier league. Chelsea prodigy Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick in his previous home league game against Manchester United. Manchester United have only won one of their last five Premier league games at Goodison park, while drew and lost two each.
The Toffees got the better of Sunderland but suffered a shocking defeat against Crystal Palace last week in the high scoring affair. On the other hand, Manchester United had a one week off from the Premier League, before prevailing over Newcastle, kudos to the high profile signing Juan Mata’s all round performance. Januzaj, Mata, Kagwa et al all had a perfect outing which would give Martinez many a sleepless nights.
A win would close the gap with a Champions League spot, an epic summit for the Merseyside club. On the other hand, a defeat would be hard to swallow for David Moyes, who would be deprived of even a Europa League slot. Mirallas might be featured in the starting eleven after netting a euphoric goal against Crystal Palace, though it went for a losing cause. Tim Howard has to shoulder heavy workload in this fixture while the defense line has to be pretty busy and vigilant to keep the United attacking force calm. A clean sheet would be half the job done for the Martinez side against the Red Devils. Though a high voltage drama is on the card, Everton is having a little edge over man United who are having a roller coaster ride throughout the season.
Prediction: Everton 2 – 1 Man United
19th April : Tottenham vs Fulham
Tottenham Hotspurs was the team who had succumbed to deep grave in the first 45 minutes against toddlers West Brom, but lifted their form abruptly after the break and accumulated a point last week, kudos to their brilliant ball play.
Though Fulham is going through a rough phase this season, they have gained a monumental win against 17th placed Norwich. These outcomes by either of the side must have boosted the respective teams hugely. A win by the Spurs would cement their 6th place, but a defeat might cost them a place. On the other hand, the visiting team would strive to gather all the three possible points to come out of the relegation zone.
Spurs gaffer Tim Sherwood would bank on Adebayor, in form Eriksen and Lennon. The man under the woodwork, Hugo Lloris would be the last person to deny any points to the traveling team, who has made a number of undaunted saves this season to hand the white outfit copious vital points.
Prediction : Tottenham 2 – 1 Fulham
19th April : Chelsea vs Sunderland
Chelsea, the meanest team of the season has registered maximum number of clean sheets, kudos to the vigour and mettle shown by their vigilant defense line and veteran custodian Petr Cech. Last week was no exceptional while they registered another away win against Swansea City.
Sunderland, whose relegation is almost certain, has seen better days. The Blues will take on the bottom placed team at Stamford Bridge, which is supposed to be another routine win for the Jose Mourinho side.
The Blues will push harder for an emphatic win to continue their hunting for the coveted silverware. A lose or a draw would be nothing but to compromise with their yea long nurtured dream. They will face vigorous Atletico Madrid midweek in the Champions League fixture; hence a thumping win against a coy Sunderland side would provide them a fighting tenacity to thrive on.
Prediction : Chelsea 3 – 0 Sunderland
20th April: Norwich vs Liverpool
Brandon Rodgers is on the seventh heaven, kudos to Sturridge, inform Suarez and Sterling who are on a canter since the kick off of the season. After a long gap, the Merseyside club is a serious title contender and are looking forward to clinch the silverware for the first time in the premier league era.
In the reverse fixture, Liverpool smashed Norwich by a whipping 5-1 margin at the Anfield stadium. Any upset at Carrow Road is highly unlikely on 20th April while Liverpool will try hard to close on the gap between them and the silverware.
Liverpool would miss the service of Henderson, who is facing a week suspension. The flair in the midfield would suffer a bit because of his absence undoubtedly, might be Rodgers would feature youngster Joe Allen in the starting lineup this week. The strong determination of Stevie G & co. was clearly visible while he gave a pep talk in the team hurdle after the mammoth win against Manchester City last week.
Prediction : Norwich 1 – 3 Liverpool
21st April: Man City vs West Brom
Definitely the 34th week bothered City the most, where they suffered havoc against Liverpool and Sunderland. Aguero’s return has not been happier for the Manchester side while they received a loss against chart leaders Liverpool and an unexpected draw against wooden spoon holder Sunderland on Wednesday. Though they have a game in hand, they are 4 points shy of Chelsea who are 2nd in the table right now.
‘The Engineer’ Pellagrini would think of nothing but a thrashing of West Brom at the Etihad Stadium. City might miss the service of Yaya Toure who suffered a knock in his knee against Liverpool last week. In that case, Pellagrini would start with Englishman James Milner or Jack Rodwell who would play the role of holding medio. Though West Brow put up a gallant show against Spurs last week, any repetition would be highly dubious against valiant City, especially at Etihad. The Monday fixture might be a one-sided affair which would cement City’s place in the third slot, irrespective of the other matches outcome.
Prediction: Man City 4 – 0 West Brom
20th April: Hull vs Arsenal
The Gunners would face the Tigers, Hull City FC, in an away fixture after they passed the Hammers’ test by an unassailable 3-1. Giroud, the sole striker deployed by Arsene Wenger this season, netted 14 times this season and provided 7 assists. Poldi came back strongly after the prolonged injury and scored a brace against Hammers last week. They would go to maintain the all-win record against 13th placed Tigers who have also fixed the FA Cup final date against the Gunners.
A win would take Arsenal’s tally to 70 points from 35 outings, while Hull City would strive to stage an upset to gather some mental space before the FA Cup grand finale. Arsenal has no other option but to win all the remaining fixtures to remain alive in the Champions League slot competition.
Prediction : Hull 0 – 1 Arsenal
19th April: Aston Villa vs Southampton
On the Saturday, Sotons will travel to Villa Park, who suffered a defeat against Crystal Palace. Right now, Southampton is at 8th place with 48 points from 34 matches. They started the season with a bang, but gradually their form slumped. Even they were rattling against mid table team Cardiff City last week and lost by a 1-0 margin. They will bank on Lallana, this year’s revelation and another Englishman Rickie Lambert heavily. They have to endure the absence of Jay Rodriguez, who has plundered the fastest goal this Premier League. A Soton win is on the card this week unless Aston Villa stages an upset.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0 – 1 Southampton
19th April: Cardiff vs Stoke City
Cardiff City and Stoke City will lock their horns after registering wins against Southampton and Newcastle respectively. A win by Cardiff would give them some breathing space while an opposite result would confirm Stoke City’s mid table finish. Right now Cardiff City is on 19th position with 29 points while Stoke is high above with 43 points from as many outings.
Prediction: Cardiff 2 – 2 Stoke
19th April: Newcastle vs Swansea
Newcastle United would take on Swansea City at St. James’ Park. Newcastle United is on a slum right now after suffering successive defeats against Southampton, Manchester United and Stoke City. On the reverse fixture, Swansea City got the better of the Magpies by a 3-0 margin. Alan Pardew side must pull up their socks to accumulate at least a point. Swansea City has gathered 33 points from 34 matches so far. This dabbing draw might go for either way, but would not bother the scorers much surely.
Prediction: Newcastle 2 – 1 Swansea
19th April: West Ham vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace will have a slight edge over West ham while they visit Boleyn Ground this week, thanks to their superior position in the league table than the Hammers. Hammers are 12th in the league table with 37 points right now while Crystal Palace has gathered 40 points from 34 matches. On the reverse fixture, Crystal Palace triumphed over the Hammers by the solitary goal by Chamakh, the Moroccan striker.
Palace custodian Speroni has a lot to do against the attacking force of West Ham, while ex-Gunner Chamakh, Gayle has to be on their toes to find the back of the net. They are on a dream run with three wins in a row. A top 10 finish is within a sight, which would be boosted another win this week. On the other hand, West Ham could get a single win in last outings while they were on the receiving end against Stoke City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Now they have to put up some bravado to register a win again inform Crystal Palace.
Prediction : West Ham 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
