Match to catch
Manchester United’s season suffered a significant blow with Monday’s home FA Cup quarter-final loss to Arsenal — and in ugly style too, with a pair of yellow cards for diving and Angel di Maria’s red card for manhandling the referee. While Louis van Gaal’s reign has been marginally less dreary than David Moyes’ spell, Red Devils fans must have little doubt now that their team is a long way short of challenging for silverware and will be for some time to come. That directionless performance against Arsenal will give their rivals a confidence boost as they bid to overhaul United in the top four and earn a place in next season’s Champions League — and Spurs will be looking to take advantage on Sunday. They have won at Old Trafford in each of the last two seasons and a hat-trick can’t be ruled out. Prediction: Man Utd 1 Spurs 1.
Keep an eye on
Liverpool are the big threat to United’s Champions League hopes as they have gone three months unbeaten in the league and are now just two points off the top four with ten matches to go. But they face a tricky assignment on Monday as they visit a Swansea team who have been unpredictable lately. Last season this fixture was a thriller, with the Swans’ former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey producing a performance that had moments of the sublime and the comical in a 2-2 draw. The visitors should have enough to edge it this time. Prediction: Swansea 1 Liverpool 2.
For the purists
With little riding on the West Brom vs Stoke match at the Hawthorns on Saturday in terms of relegation or European issues, attention can turn to Baggies boss Tony Pulis as he bids to get one over the club that he helped establish in the Premier League. The experienced coach has done well for West Brom so far, but two defeats in a week against local rivals Aston Villa will be motivation for his players to perform against Stoke. Prediction: West Brom 1 Stoke 0.
Showing form
Leaving aside their difficult Champions League predicament, Arsenal have been in good form lately and have quietly cut the gap on second-placed Manchester City to just four points. And, with an FA Cup semi-final spot secured, this could yet turn out to be a better-than-expected season for the Gunners. With their European tie away to Monaco — where they hope to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit — just around the corner, Arsene Wenger will be hoping for a routine home win against slumping West Ham on Saturday to see them on their way. Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 0.
Need a win
Manchester City also have a big European game next week, although their task is far more daunting than Arsenal’s as they must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Barcelona in Camp Nou. They too will be hopeful of a straightforward assignment on Saturday as they visit a Burnley side that has really struggled lately, but with it being a Lancashire derby and in front of a passionate Turf Moor crowd, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can take nothing for granted. Another potential worry for City is that leaders Chelsea are now fully focused on the league following their Champions League shocker against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek — the Blues will be in no mood to squander their significant advantage after that disappointment. Prediction: Burnley 1 Man City 2.
Get involved
Think I’m way off the mark? Tweet me your EPL predictions vie @MartinDownerGN or email sportsdesk@gulfnews.com
