IT'S UNITED VS VILLA, SAINTS VISIT GOODISON, AND STOKE LOOK TO SLOW DOWN MOU'S MEN.
EVERTON VS SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton just sit six points off the top 4 and will be looking to pile more pressure on Roberto Martinez side, though the Saints will be looking to improve on recent form that has just seen them pick three wins in their last eight matches and drop further behind their challengers for a top 4 spot. Ronald Koeman's side have lost their last two visits to Goodison park 3-1 two seasons ago and 2-1 just last season but to what was then a very in form Everton side that finished 5th in the table.
Everton fans have been wondering how a side challenging for top 4 honors just sit 9 points of the relegation zone. How things can change in a matter of months! Martinez and his Everton side will be looking for a third consecutive win after wins against Newcastle and OPR before the international break. Everton have just won 4 home games this season which doesn't read well for a team with so much talent across the field.
Everton will be hoping both Lukaku and Gibson pass late fitness tests but we'll be glad to welcome back Kevin Mirallas and long term absentee Steven Pienaar.
The only injury concern for the Saints is Steven Davis who will have a fitness test to determine his place on the squad.
Prediction; Everton 1 - 1 Southampton
This game has a draw written all over it. Everton look a shadow of what they were last season while Southampton's early season steam seems to have cooled down of late. It would be a good point for the Mersysiders but the Saints need a victory to avoid falling further behind the challengers.
LEICESTER CITY VS WEST HAM
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last seven games vs Leicester city both home and away and will be hoping the head to head record will be reading eight unbeaten after Saturday's game. The reverse fixture ended 2-0 in the Hammers favor having scored from their only two shots on target. West Ham ended a seven match winless streak by beating struggling Sunderland 1-0 before the international break.
Leicester on the other hand sit bottom of the league, seven points from safety and have only won one of their last ten home games and will definitely be looking to turn things around at the King Power Stadium if they are to have any chance of surviving the drop.
Leicester city will be without both Dean Hammond and Zoumana Bakayogo.
West Ham will miss the services of one of their top players this season Enner Valencia as he is suffering from a toe injury but welcome back Spurs and Arsenal target Winston Reid to the heart of their defense.
Prediction; Leicester City 2-2 West Ham
Leicester are in desperate need of a point at least and will give it their all against a team that has surprised many this season. I do not see West Ham losing this one though, Sam Allardyce men should have enough to steal a draw from the King Power Stadium.
MANCHESTER UNITED VS ASTON VILLA
United who missed out on Champions League football last season welcome a Villa side who had picked up 9 points form 9 before their defeat to Swansea before the international break. The Red Devils on the other hand will be in high spirits after victory at rivals Liverpool gave them a strong grip on fourth spot. Louis Van Gaal will be hoping for nothing less than a win and with Arsenal v Liverpool the early kick off, LVG will know what has to be done. United can jump as high as 2nd temporarily if Liverpool beat Arsenal and with City playing on Monday. Defeat can leave four points off Arsenal if the Gunners beat Liverpool, or two ahead of Liverpool if the Reds are able to record just their second victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Villa will be happy to welcome back captain Ron Vlaar and defender Jores Okore to their defense line.
United will be without Johnny Evans, while Robin Van Persie and Luke Shaw face late fitness tests. Smalling is expected to be fit despite been taken off in England's international game.
Prediction; Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
I fancy United will be too strong for the Villains, and have been in good form despite the recent blip against Arsenal in the FA cup. A win is a must for United as they have a bulk of tough fixtures coming up, City (H), Chelsea (A), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (A), Arsenal (H) are five of their remaining eight games.
SWANSEA CITY VS HULL CITY
The Swans face Hull at the Liberty Stadium, where they have already claimed victories over both United and Arsenal. Swansea edged the reverse fixture 1-0 at the KC Stadium but we'll surely be up for a fight against a team just 3 points above the drop and fighting for survival.
If Hull can produce what they did against Chelsea then I fancy them to escape the drop and give Swansea a tough time in South Wales. They'll be boosted by the return of powerhouse midfielder Mohamed Diame who has been out for a while due to a knee injury.
Swansea without Tom Carroll, while speedy winger Jefferson Montero faces a late fitness test.
Prediction; Swansea city 2-0 Hull city
Swansea should be too strong at home for a struggling Hull side.
WEST BROM VS QPR
This should be a no brainer really, West Brom have been prolific at home recently keeping six clean sheets in the last seven home games while QPR have lost seventeen out of ninteen away games, That really tells us the whole story. The last five meetings stands even with two wins a piece and a draw.
Prediction; WBA 1-0 QPR
QPR's away record is traumatizing, and it looks to get even worse when they face a team generally hard to beat at their turf.
CHELSEA VS STOKE CITY
Chelsea look to have taken their foot of the gas in recent weeks but still have a rather comfortable lead at the top of the table with a game in hand. Without a doubt Mourinho's men have looked like champions elect even before a ball was kicked. They survived a bit of a scare in their last outing against Hull city and will be looking to stamp their authority at the top of the table when they face the tough tackling Stoke.
Stoke have failed to win their last eight visits to the bridge and will be having the slightest of hopes that they can pick a victory at Stamford Bridge.
Diego Costa and John Obi Mikel will have late fitness tests while Stoke will be without Victor Moses as he is ineligible to play against his parent club but welcome back Jonathan Walters and Muniesa.
Prediction; Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City
With or Without Diego Costa, Chelsea should pick up a win in front of their home crowd. Stoke is never the easiest of opponents and I expect them to put up a resilient display.
Have your say, leave a comment on what you think.
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