POCCHETINO RETURNS TO SAINTS, LIVERPOOL TACKLE WEST BROM AND CITY WELCOME VILLA TO THE ETIHAD.
SOUTHAMPTON VS TOTTENHAM
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will be going back to a common place this weekend when his side go to previous club Southampton.
Pochettino burned through 18 months at St Mary's Stadium, directing the club to 14th and eighth-place in the Premier League, before moving to White Hart Lane toward the end of last season.
The Argentinian was tasked with returning Spurs to the top four, yet a conflicting campaign sees them lie 6th in the table, seven points off a Champions League qualifying place.
Tottenham vanquished Newcastle 3-1 last time out, which permitted them to climb one point above Southampton, who went down 2-1 at Stoke City.
Should Arsenal annihilate Aston Villa in the FA Cup final one month from now, seventh spot would seal an Europa League spot, however Southampton administrator Ronald Koeman would not like to depend on others to secure European football next season.
Filip Djuricic (lower leg) is still out, while Victor Wanyama is suspended, however Toby Alderweireld ought to be fit after a shoulder injury picked up at Stoke.
For Spurs, Hugo Lloris (knee) and Danny Rose (hamstring) are questions, while Kyle Walker (foot) will be out for around four weeks.
Pochettino burned through 18 months at St Mary's Stadium, directing the club to 14th and eighth-place in the Premier League, before moving to White Hart Lane toward the end of last season.
The Argentinian was tasked with returning Spurs to the top four, yet a conflicting campaign sees them lie 6th in the table, seven points off a Champions League qualifying place.
Tottenham vanquished Newcastle 3-1 last time out, which permitted them to climb one point above Southampton, who went down 2-1 at Stoke City.
Should Arsenal annihilate Aston Villa in the FA Cup final one month from now, seventh spot would seal an Europa League spot, however Southampton administrator Ronald Koeman would not like to depend on others to secure European football next season.
Filip Djuricic (lower leg) is still out, while Victor Wanyama is suspended, however Toby Alderweireld ought to be fit after a shoulder injury picked up at Stoke.
For Spurs, Hugo Lloris (knee) and Danny Rose (hamstring) are questions, while Kyle Walker (foot) will be out for around four weeks.
Prediction; Southampton 2 - 1 Tottenham
The Saints have made their ground a fortress and with Spurs inconsistent form I don't see a happy return for Pocchetino to Saint Marys. Southampton will win this narrowly.
WEST BROM VS LIVERPOOL
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers needs his side to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final loss and appreciate a solid end to their Premier League battle, beginning at West Brom.
Rodgers' side were well less than impressive at Wembley on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in spite of taking a first-half lead through Philippe Coutinho.
Seven points behind Manchester City having played a game less, Liverpool still harbor desires for finishing in the top four, and Rodgers is declining to harp on the loss to Villa.
Liverpool's hosts West Brom astonished numerous last time out by going to a resurgent Crystal Palace and setting out away with a 2-0 triumph.
After three defeats with 10 goals yielded all the while it was an appreciated come back to winning routes for Tony Pulis' side, and assistant head mentor David Kemp is searching for a rehash performance this weekend.
Youssouf Mulumbu finishes a three-match suspension on Saturday, while Andre Wisdom is ineligible to face his guardian club and Craig Dawson is an uncertainty with knee damage.
Rodgers, is still without Mamadou Sakho (hamstring), Lucas Leiva (thigh) and Daniel Sturridge (thump) for Saturday's trip to The Hawthorns, while Jon Flanagan and Adam Lallana are nearing returns after separate knee and crotch issues.
Rodgers' side were well less than impressive at Wembley on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in spite of taking a first-half lead through Philippe Coutinho.
Seven points behind Manchester City having played a game less, Liverpool still harbor desires for finishing in the top four, and Rodgers is declining to harp on the loss to Villa.
Liverpool's hosts West Brom astonished numerous last time out by going to a resurgent Crystal Palace and setting out away with a 2-0 triumph.
After three defeats with 10 goals yielded all the while it was an appreciated come back to winning routes for Tony Pulis' side, and assistant head mentor David Kemp is searching for a rehash performance this weekend.
Youssouf Mulumbu finishes a three-match suspension on Saturday, while Andre Wisdom is ineligible to face his guardian club and Craig Dawson is an uncertainty with knee damage.
Rodgers, is still without Mamadou Sakho (hamstring), Lucas Leiva (thigh) and Daniel Sturridge (thump) for Saturday's trip to The Hawthorns, while Jon Flanagan and Adam Lallana are nearing returns after separate knee and crotch issues.
Prediction; West Brom 2 - 2 Liverpool
The Hawthorns is never an easy place to visit and Liverpool will be well aware of that. I see both teams canceling each other out in an entertaining two all draw.
BURNLEY VS LEICESTER CITY
The Clarets' battle against relegation from the top flight took another blow last week in their 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park as Kevin Mirallas's first-half strike decided the contest.
Worryingly for Dyche's men the match reflected the tone of their season as his team played well but they were unable to take any points from the game, while they also lost Ashley Barnes to suspension.
Burnley are now bottom of the Premier League, two points adrift of safety, with time running out to claw themselves to safety as just five matches remain in the campaign.
Nigel Pearson's men have given themselves a real chance of pulling off a great escape after picking up three wins in their last three matches in the Premier League.
The Foxes have come into form at just the right time in the season, and their feat could echo the accomplishment of Sunderland last season, when they rose from the foot of the table to safety in the last month of the campaign.
Leicester lie in the relegation zone only on goal difference, and are also boosted by the fact that they have a game in hand over some of their relegation rivals entering the climax of the season.
Burnley will be without Ashley Barnes, who was sent off in their defeat to Everton last week, as he serves his one-match ban.
Lukas Jutkiewicz or Michael Kightly could start in place of Barnes at Turf Moor, meanwhile the Clarets will also be without long-term absentee Dean Marney as he is out with a torn ACL.
David Nugent is a major doubt for the clash for Leicester as he is struggling with a calf injury he sustained in the warm-up ahead of his side's win over Swansea City.
Marcin Wasilewski is also in battle for fitness after missing the second half of the victory over the Swans as Ritchie de Laet is ready to come into the team to replace the defender.
Worryingly for Dyche's men the match reflected the tone of their season as his team played well but they were unable to take any points from the game, while they also lost Ashley Barnes to suspension.
Burnley are now bottom of the Premier League, two points adrift of safety, with time running out to claw themselves to safety as just five matches remain in the campaign.
Nigel Pearson's men have given themselves a real chance of pulling off a great escape after picking up three wins in their last three matches in the Premier League.
The Foxes have come into form at just the right time in the season, and their feat could echo the accomplishment of Sunderland last season, when they rose from the foot of the table to safety in the last month of the campaign.
Leicester lie in the relegation zone only on goal difference, and are also boosted by the fact that they have a game in hand over some of their relegation rivals entering the climax of the season.
Burnley will be without Ashley Barnes, who was sent off in their defeat to Everton last week, as he serves his one-match ban.
Lukas Jutkiewicz or Michael Kightly could start in place of Barnes at Turf Moor, meanwhile the Clarets will also be without long-term absentee Dean Marney as he is out with a torn ACL.
David Nugent is a major doubt for the clash for Leicester as he is struggling with a calf injury he sustained in the warm-up ahead of his side's win over Swansea City.
Marcin Wasilewski is also in battle for fitness after missing the second half of the victory over the Swans as Ritchie de Laet is ready to come into the team to replace the defender.
Prediction; Burnley 2 - 0 Leicester City
Burnley have been playing really well but have been on the end of defeats. I believe they'll be too good for a resurgent Leicester side.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ASTON VILLA
Tim Sherwood trusts Aston Villa can bridle the feel good factor of their FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool when they go to Manchester City on Saturday.
Villa progressed to their first FA Cup showpiece for a long time with a 2-1 triumph at Wembley on Sunday as their resurgence under Sherwood proceeded.
Since his entry in February, Villa have extraordinarily helped their shots of maintaining the drop, climbing four points clear of the relegation zone ahead of this weekend's outing to the Etihad Stadium.
Unlike Villa, reigning champions City are wandering towards closing the season with no silverware, their sights rather set on securing an automatic Champions League spot.
Manuel Pellegrini's side lie fourth, a point behind Manchester United and one further of Arsenal, and defender Bacary Sagna is focusing on a solid end to what has been a troublesome crusade.
David Silva endured a facial injury in the 2-0 win over West Ham last time out and remains doubtful, as do Samir Nasri (leg), James Milner (knee), Stevan Jovetic (muscular) Gael Clichy (groin) and Wilfried Bony (ankle).
Vincent Kompany's thigh injury looks set to preclude him for whatever remains of the season, while Sherwood will be without defensive twosome Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker (both knee).
Gabriel Agbonlahor is still a worry in the wake of missing the semi-final, but Aly Cissokho and Philippe Senderos are back in contention following injury.
Villa progressed to their first FA Cup showpiece for a long time with a 2-1 triumph at Wembley on Sunday as their resurgence under Sherwood proceeded.
Since his entry in February, Villa have extraordinarily helped their shots of maintaining the drop, climbing four points clear of the relegation zone ahead of this weekend's outing to the Etihad Stadium.
Unlike Villa, reigning champions City are wandering towards closing the season with no silverware, their sights rather set on securing an automatic Champions League spot.
Manuel Pellegrini's side lie fourth, a point behind Manchester United and one further of Arsenal, and defender Bacary Sagna is focusing on a solid end to what has been a troublesome crusade.
David Silva endured a facial injury in the 2-0 win over West Ham last time out and remains doubtful, as do Samir Nasri (leg), James Milner (knee), Stevan Jovetic (muscular) Gael Clichy (groin) and Wilfried Bony (ankle).
Vincent Kompany's thigh injury looks set to preclude him for whatever remains of the season, while Sherwood will be without defensive twosome Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker (both knee).
Gabriel Agbonlahor is still a worry in the wake of missing the semi-final, but Aly Cissokho and Philippe Senderos are back in contention following injury.
Prediction; Manchester City 3 - 1 Aston Villa
City haven't been on the best of runs, but they know a victory will carry them above rivals United who will have a game in hand and Arsenal who'll have two games in hand. Both teams play tomorrow. City to come out good in this one with a convincing victory.
OTHER FIXTURES
CRYSTAL PALACE VS HULL
NEWCASTLE VS SWANSEA
QPR VS WEST HAM UNITED
STOKE VS SUNDERLAND
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