LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, December 19, 2016: The Premier League trophy on display before the FA Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool, the 227th Merseyside Derby, at Goodison Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Chelsea to end Man United’s top four hopes – Premier League Preview

There are 10 more Premier League matches to look forward to this weekend, as the 2016/17 season slowly edges towards its conclusion.

Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Stoke City last Saturday has given every Red a spring in their step, and attention now turns to Sunday’s trip to West Brom.

Elsewhere last time around, it was a disastrous weekend for Arsenal, who lost 3-0 at Crystal Palace and witnessed all of their rivals win.

Losses for Sunderland and Swansea City leave them in the relegation zone, while 19th-place Middlesbrough could only draw 0-0 at home to Burnley.

Things are really taking shape at both ends of the table now, and over the next three days, there will be yet more Premier League drama.

Here’s a look at the best of the action, aside from Liverpool’s clash with the Baggies.

 

Chelsea to end Mourinho’s top four hopes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, February 3, 2014: Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho before the Premiership match against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It takes a lot for Reds supporters to cheer on Chelsea, but that will be the case on Sunday, as they take on Man United at Old Trafford.

The Blues are closing in on the league title, and another positive result this weekend would surely signal the moment they sealed glory.

United, somehow, haven’t lost in the league since October, so it will be nice to see that run come to an end too.

Jose Mourinho’s side are still staying in touch in the top-four battle, but they are at a stage where they cannot afford any slip-ups.

With Liverpool playing before them on Sunday afternoon, the hope is that the pressure is cranked up as much as possible.

 

Spurs to continue formidable run?

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 17, 2015: Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli in action against Liverpool during the Premier League match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Kloppaganda)

You have to take your hat off to Tottenham, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side in magnificent form even without injured talisman Harry Kane.

They have rattled off seven straight wins in all competitions and are now the only team with a remote chance of catching Chelsea.

A number of players are in sublime form, most notably Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, and you cannot see anything other than three more points for them on Saturday lunchtime.

The north Londoners host a Bournemouth side not safe from the drop yet, and a win for Spurs would make Chelsea a little worried ahead of their clash with United.

Of all the games this weekend, this feels like the most nailed-on home win.

 

Wenger out to avoid lowest ebb yet

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 23, 2012: Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger before the Premiership match against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by Vegard Grott/Propaganda)

Last weekend was an absolute nightmare for Arsenal, with every single one of their top-six rivals winning and Crystal Palace handing them a beating.

It was a pathetic performance from the Gunners at Selhurst Park, and one that further suggested they are no longer all playing for Arsene Wenger.

Watch him sign a new deal, though. Hopefully!

Like United, Arsenal now have to finish the season in formidable fashion, starting away to Middlesbrough on Monday evening.

On paper, Wenger’s men should have enough to get over the finish line, despite their atrocious recent form, but you wouldn’t be shocked if they failed to win again. Boro may fancy their chances, despite relegation being likely.

This could be an entertaining contest – whoever loses will have a very long week ahead of them.

 

Liverpool looking for a favour from Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 11, 2017: Southampton's Nathan Redmond in action against Liverpool during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg match at St. Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Once this time of the season arrives, you find yourself rooting for other teams as well as Liverpool. Chelsea are one of them this weekend, as discussed, and Southampon are another.

Saints welcome Man City to St Mary’s, and while Pep Guardiola’s side will be strong favourites to prevail, these are never easy games.

Liverpool are two points ahead of City having played a game extra, so if Southampton could get at least a draw, the Reds would suddenly be looking good for a third-place finish.

Whether Claude Puel’s team are in holiday mode is up for debate, but they enjoyed an impressive 1-0 win at West Brom in their last outing.

City always have a dodgy result in them – let’s hope one comes along this weekend.

 

Several key clashes at the bottom

Hull City manager Marco Silva before the EFL Cup Semi Final, Second Leg match at the KCOM Stadium, Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday January 26, 2017. See PA story SOCCER Hull. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

The top of the table may be dominating the headlines, as it always seems to, but the relegation fight is also intriguing.

Only Sunderland look genuinely doomed at the moment, and in the coming days, a few vital games take place.

Palace and Leicester City face-off, with both knowing that a victory would cement their place in the Premier League for another season, and the same applies to Stoke when they host 17th-place Hull City.

Swansea have dipped alarmingly in recent times, not winning in five matches, and failure to get at least a draw at Watford would be a real blow.

If Sunderland want any chance of producing one of their trademark miracle escapes, they must beat West Ham at the Stadium of Light. The Hammers are yet another team not totally safe.

 

Fixtures, UK TV Info & Predictions

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 31, 2016: Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola during the FA Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Saturday

Tottenham vs. Bournemouth – 12:30pm, Sky Sports
Prediction: 2-0

Crystal Palace vs. Leicester – 3pm
Prediction: 2-1

Everton vs. Burnley – 3pm
Prediction: 2-0

Stoke vs. Hull – 3pm
Prediction: 1-2

Sunderland vs. West Ham – 3pm
Prediction: 0-0

Watford vs. Swansea – 3pm
Prediction: 1-1

Southampton vs. Man City – 5:30pm, BT Sport 1
Prediction: 2-2

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates after the 2-1 victory over Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sunday

West Brom vs. Liverpool – 1:30pm, Sky Sports 1
Prediction: 1-2

Man United vs. Chelsea – 4pm, Sky Sports 1
Prediction: 0-0

Monday

Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal – 8pm, Sky Sports 1
Prediction: 0-2

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