Premier Picks: The lowdown on the weekend’s English Premier League action

Match to catch

There’s never a dull day for fans of Chelsea and Manchester City at the moment, but all the arguments over FA Cup defeats, controversial League Cup semi-finals, ‘stamps’ (not forgetting the inverted commas) and media agendas can be put to one side for 90 minutes, when the two best teams in the country do battle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. The hosts’ hopes of success have been heavily damaged after the FA banned Diego Costa for his clash with Liverpool’s Emre Can, depriving them of a key man and leaving them reliant on Didier Drogba or Loic Remy as chief goal threat. Assist machine Cesc Fabregas is also a doubt for the Blues, meaning they will again have to rely on Eden Hazard for their creativity. How the visitors handle the Belgian could well prove decisive. City themselves are understandably missing midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure — they haven’t won in the three games since he left for the Africa Cup of Nations — and coach Manuel Pellegrini needs to come up with a solution to help him overcome his Jose Mourinho jinx. Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, perhaps? Prediction: Chelsea 2 Man City 1

Keep an eye on

Saturday’s match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford will offer some interesting insights into how far the Red Devils have come since they were embarrassed 5-3 by the Foxes in September. Unfortunately for United fans, progress under Louis van Gaal has been slower than hoped for as, after a run of six successive wins in November and early December, a lack of goals has seen them slip back into their inconsistent ways. Bottom side Leicester’s form has picked up in recent weeks and their shock FA Cup win at Tottenham last time out should give them plenty of confidence. Prediction: Man Utd 3 Leicester 1

For the purists

The north-east derby between Hull and Newcastle has been put on the pedestal of an early kick-off due to the threat of crowd trouble, but in essence the match remains a relegation scrap between two poor teams. Hosts Hull have lost their last three games without scoring a goal, while the Toon have somewhat bizarrely given caretaker boss John Carver the reins until the end of the season as a reward for three defeats and a solitary draw since replacing Alan Pardew last month. Prediction: Hull 0 Newcastle 0

Showing form

Arsenal’s impeccable performance in their 2-0 win at Manchester City a fortnight ago was reminiscent of far better times under manager Arsene Wenger, when the Gunners were serious title challengers on a regular basis. That’s not going to happen this season, but if they can continue their current form then surely Arsenal will be set for silverware of some kind this season. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 0

Need a win

Everton have gone eight matches without a win — and have only one victory in their last 13 — as coach Roberto Martinez struggles with difficult second season syndrome. On Saturday the Toffees are away to a resurgent Crystal Palace, who can go above them in the standings with victory at Selhurst Park. New boss Alan Pardew seems to have thrown the shackles off the Eagles and they now carry a regular goal threat. Prediction: Palace 3 Everton 1

Get involved

Think I’m way off the mark? Tweet me your EPL predictions via @MartinDownerGN or email sportsdesk@gulfnews.com.