The big game is Liverpool v Man City, but the Arsenal is also incredibly crucial for the Top Four race, but can Emery suddenly conjure up an away win?
Norwich 1-2 Watford
Both will think ‘if they can’t win here, when will they?’. With Watford’s owners, would it be a shock if they made another change if they found themselves 5 points behind Norwich, let alone the gap between them and 17th? Player for Player the visitors are better, but do they have the character for a battle? Tomorrow will say a lot about them, as with the floodlights on, evening kick off and a full house, the Canaries will make this as difficult as possible. We will find out here if the Hornets have the mentality to fight.
Chelsea 2-0 C Palace
Frank Lampard has admitted that if Chelsea’s transfer ban is overturned this month, he won’t hang around in terms of spending. The balance he will have to find is keeping faith with the youngsters who have done so well since being given a chance. The Blues play entertaining football but can also win when not playing well. They are going well in the Top Four race.
Burnley 1-1 West Ham
Hammers fans are starting to question their manager; mostly his line up and tactics staying the same no matter who the opposition. The perception is that West Ham don’t like to roll up their sleeves and battle – making this a nightmare away trip. The only reason I see them getting a point is Sean Dyche’s men are conceding lots of goals, uncharacteristically for them.
Newcastle 0-2 Cherries
I know Newcastle scored more than one goal in a game this season last weekend, but that was the exception to the rule. With the attacking players the visitors have the home side will sit back and try to nick it. The initiative will be on Eddie Howe’s side, and they should be ambitious with the individuals they have . They are due some luck in front of goal.
Spurs 2-1 Sheff United
The biggest compliment I will give Chris Wilder is that his men are doing so well I don’t think the likes of Spurs will be underestimate them. Teams know to beat the Blades you have to go through a battle. In the end though, as they showed in midweek, Spurs have too much firepower.
Saints 0-1 Everton
The kind of fixture that long term will define Marco Silva. The home side are not confident and seemingly there for the taking, yet too often in this type of occasion the Toffees don’t battle hard enough. The first goal is vital. Everton should win with a moment of quality.
Leicester 2-1 Arsenal
Don’t get me wrong the Foxes have a very good young squad, but the fact that we are such massive underdogs going to Leicester City shows how far we have fallen. Even the year they were Champions we went there and scored 5. I actually think we will play better than people think as we will be approaching this as a massive game. Yet you can’t trust our defence not to undermine us though. If Emery played Tierney midweek because he plans to start Kolasinac here then that’s a sackable offence ! I’m not sure if the Kroenke’s will sack their coach during the international break as they have no track record to go by, however it will be two weeks of backlash from gooners if we end up dropping out of the Top Four and a massive 9 points behind the Foxes.
Man United 1-0 Brighton
Sums up where United are at the moment. It won’t be a pretty game to watch, quite scrappy, not convincing, but they should just nick it. It will be interesting to see how positive the visitors will be?
Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa
Wolves are doing well in the Europa League but unlike Arsenal and Man Utd they haven’t got the squad to field separate teams in both. Not that they will struggle to motivate themselves for a derby but with a week to prepare solely for this, Villa will have the added energy to get something.
Liverpool 3-0 Man City
Offer both teams a draw now and they will bite off your hands. Like Anfield can be intimidating on European nights, I’m predicting that type of atmosphere on Sunday, one that can intimidate the opposition like it has before. Home fans have waited 30 years for the title and know this is a golden opportunity this weekend, they know they can play their part. With the injuries in defence, no David Silva and doubts over Ederson, Pep hasn’t got the leaders he would like to survive such a fixture.
Dan Smith