It might be Grand National weekend, it might be the US Masters but they still don’t beat the Premier League. This weekend’s flagship event is the Manchester derby on Sunday in a huge top 4 battle. Expect goals this weekend, and if you were wondering.. First Leuitenant wins the Grand National.

Swansea v Everton

It has taken until long into the season but Everton are finally beginning to show the sort of form that has consistently led them to European qualification in years gone by.  When they travel to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday lunchtime they will be looking to make it four consecutive league wins. The last time they did that was this month last year when they won seven on the spin. However, the hosts themselves will be looking to make it three in a row for the first time since the first three games of the season.

When Swansea lost their star talisman Wilfried Bony in January to Manchester City, there was nothing to suggest that Bafetimbi Gomis would be a sufficient replacement for the Ivorian, given he had scored only twice in his last 25 appearances. However, perhaps he is beginning to find his feet on English soil, with three in his last two Premier League appearances.

Another man in goal scoring form is midfielder Ki Sung-Yong who now has four goals in his last eight games. Perhaps a FPL bargain at only 5.3m.

Prediction: 1-1

Southampton v Hull

Whether you consult the past history or the current Premier League table, they will both tell you the same thing; Southampton should surely win this game. The Saints have won seven of their last eight against Hull and find themselves ten places above Hull in the league. However, perhaps consider looking at the form guide for a more comprehensive look at this game. Since Feb 1^st, Southampton have taken only two points more (11) than Hull City (9), despite having played an additional game.  This can be accounted to the fact they have scored only five goals in their last nine Premier League matches. It says something when your best attacking threats are your full backs.  Southampton know that Champions League football is beyond them but they also know it is unlikely that they will slip below 7^th this season. The temptation could be there to begin to slip into ‘holiday mode’ and cruise along for the next seven games. If they do relax on Saturday, they could upset a few people’s accumulators, as The Tigers will be fighting with everything they have to get those vital points in their battle against relegation.

Prediction: 1-0

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew was the first Newcastle manager of the modern era to lose to Sunderland four times in a row. He will take his Crystal Palace team to the Stadium of Light on Saturday looking to win their fourth league game in a row. In fact, if the Premier League table only counted games since Pardew took over then Palace would be 5^th, 2 points behind Chelsea. Glenn Murray has scored five and assisted two more in his last five appearances, a perfect example of the exciting and attacking football Pardew has his side playing. At the other end of the pitch is where their problems lie. The Eagles have only one clean sheet in 11 Premier League games under Pardew. Lucky for them they play a Sunderland team that play ugly and will struggle to create anything.  However, as Defoe showed in the derby last week, he still has the ability to score goals out of nothing. 

Prediction: 1-2

Tottenham v Aston Villa

Six goals in their two games last week suggest Aston Villa could be in for tormenting time against Harry Kane who has six goals in his last four Premier League games at White Hart Lane. Spurs will be looking to temporarily leapfrog Liverpool into 5^th after a dull 0-0 draw against Burnley last week.

Under Tim Sherwood, Christian Benteke has scored at a rate of one goal every 87 minutes including seven goals in his last five Premier League games.

Just like Villa, Tottenham struggle to stop leaking goals and White Hart Lane is the highest scoring stadium in the Premier League this season. Expect goals.

Prediction: 3-2

WBA v Leicester 

WBA have lost their last two games, conceding seven goals in the process; four of them at home to QPR last week. Consider his managerial pedigree is built upon defensive organization, Tony Pulis will be furious with his side’s recent displays. They still need at least two wins from their last seven games to be sure of survival so they will welcome the visit of the leagues bottom side.

However, The Foxes come to the Hawthorns on the back of a very good 2-1 win against West Ham and a win here would put them on the brink of 17^th place, given they have a game in hand.

Prediction: 1-2

West Ham v Stoke 

West Ham haven’t won in their last three meeting against Stoke. That doesn’t make pretty reading when you are desperate for three points having won only once in their last nine games.  However, their opposition are hardly in form themselves, having lost three games in succession.

Stewart Downing has been involved in 13 Premier League goals this season, however 10 of these were before the New Year. Is he the pivotal man to West Ham’s form? This game stinks of desperation and mediocrity. 

Prediction: 1-1

Burnley v Arsenal

Arsenal will be looking to be the first team this season to win eight games in a row, whilst Olivier Giroud is looking to make the scoresheet for the 7^th game in a row. The Frenchman has now scored 10 in his last 10 matches in all competitions for Arsenal.  Mesut Ozil has scored or assisted seven goals in his last eight games but perhaps consider bringing in Aaron Ramsey to your team. With The Ox looking likely to miss the rest of the season, the Welshman is likely to operate in a more advanced position from the right hand side. He looked good there last week and helped himself to two assists.

Burnley will be happy with their hard fought 0-0 draw against Spurs last week but they need to start winning games very quickly if they are to be playing Premier League games next season. I feel they will once again fail to score in a comfortable Arsenal win.

Prediction: 0-2

QPR v Chelsea

QPR managed seven goals in their two games last week with Matthew Phillips assisting three and scoring another. That makes it two goals and seven assists in his last eight appearances, prompting a surge in transfers for the 4.6m man.  Charlie Austin also helped himself to two goals and two assists last week and he has now been involved in 55% of QPRs 38 goals this season. He is now on 17 goals for the season, a remarkable tally in his first Premier League season.

Eden Hazard continues to be indispensible to Chelsea with another goal and assist last week. Diego Costa picked up a hamstring injury that should keep him out of at least the next 2-3 games but in Loic Remy, Mourinho has a ready made replacement raring to go, having picked up two goals in his last two appearances. 

Prediction: 1-2

Man Utd v Man City

This is United’s best chance of victory in a Manchester derby in the post-Ferguson era. They have lost the last four league games against Man City and should they lose again, The Citizens will be the first side in Premier League history to record five consecutive victories against The Red Devils.  Sergio Aguero has not scored in any of his last six games for Man City. However, the little argentine does have four goals in his last three Premier League matches against Man United. Rooney has scored 4 goals in his last 5 Premier Leagues games and the skipper has been greatly helped by the form of his two Spanish teammates, Herrera and Mata. Herrera grabbed two goals last week, just like Mata did the week before. Mata also got an assist last week.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v Newcastle

For me, Newcastle United are the worst team in the league right now, something that was proven in their complete disinterest in their biggest game of the season last weekend; when they lost their 5^th Tyne-Wear derby in a row. They have now lost four successive Premier League games and it is very likely they will make it five on Monday night. Liverpool have been outclassed in their last two games; three if you include the very lucky win against Swansea a few weeks back. They limped to a 1-0 win against Blackburn in the FA cup and are struggling to find their best form they showed over the start of the year.

With a makeshift back four, Newcastle could be in for a torrid time against the likes of Sterling, Sturridge & Coutinho. Liverpool are due to give a team a spanking and this could be the game. 

Prediction: 4-0