Manchester City v Southampton
City of Manchester Stadium
05-04-2014 @ 12.45 UK
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Dzeko.
Injuries: Sergio Aguero (Muscle), Matija Nastasic (Knee), Micah Richards (Muscle) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Ward-Prowse, Cork; Lallana, Ramírez, Rodríguez; Lambert.
Injuries: Nathaniel Clyne (Groin), Kelvin Davis (Knock), Maya Yoshida (Knock) Doubts: Victor Wanyama (Knock) Bans: None.
With their draw against Arsenal last week Manchester City are unbeaten in their last six matches and third in the Premier League and two points from Chelsea second. Saturday's opponent, Southampton, won 4-0 against Newcastle last week and are currently eighth in the table. Manchester City are the favorites for the early match on Saturday, as Southampton have not won against the Blues since April 2004. Edin Dzeko has grabbed his chance in the absence of Sergio Aguero and is going to be a threat against the Southampton defence.
Norwich v West Bromwich Albion
Carrow Road
05-04-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Norwich (4-4-2): Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Tettey, Howson, Hoolahan; Elmander, van Wolfswinkel.
Injuries: Elliott Bennett (Knee), Leroy Fer (Hamstring) Doubts: Joseph Yobo (Calf) Bans: None.
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Foster; Reid, McAuley, Dawson, Ridgewell; Mulumbu, Morrison; Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Dorrans; Anichebe.
Injuries: Chris Brunt (Knee), Billy Jones (Hamstring), Goran Popov (Neck), Claudio Popov (Hamstring) Doubts: Victor Anichebe (Hamstring) Bans: None.
Both sides are in need of three points; Norwich to keep a distance to West Brom and the relegation zone, and West Bromwich to get away from the danger zone. The Canaries are the favorites despite losing three of the last five matches as West Bromwich seems to keep their rollercoaster form at the moment. Furthermore, Norwich have all together won 6-0 in the last two meetings, and seems to have a good take on West Brom. However, neither Elmander or van Wolfswinkel have been the most scoring strikers this season, rather disappointing for the fans. This match, however, might be their chance to pay the manager back.
Newcastle v Manchester United
St James Park
05-04-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Evra; Carrick, Fellaini; Januzaj, Mata, Kagawa; Rooney.
Injuries: Robin van Persie (Knee) Doubts: Jonny Evans (Calf), Rafael (Knock), Chris Smalling (Hamstring) Antonio Valencia (Knee) Bans: None.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Santon, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Tioté; Sissoko, de Jong, Gouffran; Cissé.
Injuries: Mathieu Debuchy (Groin), Tim Krul (Knee), Gabriel Obertan (Knee), Ryan Taylor (Knee), Sam Ameobi (Ankle) Doubts: Loïc Remy (Calf) Bans: None.
Injuries: Mathieu Debuchy (Groin), Tim Krul (Knee), Gabriel Obertan (Knee), Ryan Taylor (Knee), Sam Ameobi (Ankle) Doubts: Loïc Remy (Calf) Bans: None.
Manchester United are back in the race for a European spot next season and can take a big step with a win against Newcastle. The visitors won the last match, but Manchester still have the upper hand with five wins within the last ten meetings. Newcastle are eight points behind Manchester and can move up one position with a win, if Stoke lose at the same time. However, this match will be tough for The Toons as Manchester found their form with last week's 4-1 win against Aston Villa and a draw against Bayern Munich midweek.
Hull v Swansea
KC Stadium
05-04-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Hull City (4-4-2): Harper; Elmohamady, Davies, Chester, Rosenior; Aluko, Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Jelavic, Long.
Injuries: Robert Brady (Groin), Joe Dudgeon (Knee), Allan McGregor (Knock), Paul McShane (Ankle) Doubts: Maynor Figueroa (Knock) Bans: None.
Swansea (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Shelvey, Britton; De Guzmán, Michu, Routledge; Bony.
Injuries: Kyle Bartley (Hamstring) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Hull have lost their last two Premier League matches while Swansea have a draw and a win on their record. The two sides are neck and neck in the lower part of the table with 33 points each before the match on Saturday. The last two meetings between the sides ended in 1-1 draws and this match could as well end the same way, as none of the teams seems to have anything to offer at the moment.
Cardiff v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City Stadium
05-04-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Cardiff (5-3-2): Marshall; Fabio, Caulker, Cala, Théophile-Catherine, John; Mutch, Medel, Kim Bo-Kyung; Bellamy, Campbell.
Injuries: Mark Hudson (Hamstring) Doubts: Fabio (Knock), Craig Noone (Muscle) Bans: None.
Crystal Palace (4-4-1-1): Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Puncheon, Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Bolasie; Ledley; Jerome.
Injuries: Marouane Chamakh (Hamstring), Dwight Gayle (Ankle) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Crystal Palace, last week, took a surprise win against Chelsea with help from John Terry's own goal. While Cardiff are three points under the relegation line Crystal Palace are five points ahead, why Cardiff on paper is the side in most need of a win. Both sides have only won one of their last five matches, but Crystal Palace won the last meeting between them. The Glazers are also the favorites on Saturday, against a Cardiff struggling to find a form that will keep them up in the best English league.
Crystal Palace, last week, took a surprise win against Chelsea with help from John Terry's own goal. While Cardiff are three points under the relegation line Crystal Palace are five points ahead, why Cardiff on paper is the side in most need of a win. Both sides have only won one of their last five matches, but Crystal Palace won the last meeting between them. The Glazers are also the favorites on Saturday, against a Cardiff struggling to find a form that will keep them up in the best English league.
Aston Villa v Fulham
Villa Park
05-04-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan; Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Bertrand; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Injuries: Chris Herd (Personal reasons), Libor Kozák (Broken leg), Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles), Jores Okore (Knee) Doubts: Karim Al Ahmadi (Thigh) Bans: None.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Richardson; Sidwell, Diarra; Dejagah, Holtby, Kacaniklic; Woodrow.
Injuries: Matthew Briggs (Hernia), Dan Burn (Muscle), Damien Duff (Knee), Kostas Mitroglou (Knee), Scott Parker (Knee) Doubts: Giorgios Karagounis (Knock) Bans: None.
Fulham are hopelessly lost in the heavy end of the league, and only a miracle can save them from being relegated. Saturday, they visit Aston Villa who have lost their last two matches, and Fulham might be able to kickstart the miracle on Villa Park. The last ten matches between the two sides have been equally shared in three wins to each side and one draw. Villa are the favorites at home and given Fulhams miserable form they will probably take the win this week.
Fulham are hopelessly lost in the heavy end of the league, and only a miracle can save them from being relegated. Saturday, they visit Aston Villa who have lost their last two matches, and Fulham might be able to kickstart the miracle on Villa Park. The last ten matches between the two sides have been equally shared in three wins to each side and one draw. Villa are the favorites at home and given Fulhams miserable form they will probably take the win this week.
Chelsea v Stoke City
Stamford Road
05-04-2014 @ 17.30 UK
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Luiz, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.
Injuries: Ashley Cole (Knock), Samuel Eto'o (Hamstring) Doubts: Marco van Ginkel (Lack of match fitness) Bans: Ramires.
Stoke City (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Adam, Whelan; Odemwingie, N'zonzi, Arnautovic; Crouch.
Injuries: Robert Huth (Knee) Doubts: Oussama Assaidi (Knee) Bans: None.
John Terry more or less sent Chelsea out of the trophy race with his own goal against Crystal Palace last round, some say. This week he and his teammates will try to prove the experts wrong with a win against Stoke City who are unbeaten in five consecutive matches. However, Stoke have only won one of the last ten matches against Chelsea and will get their hands full against Hazard and Oscar on Saturday. Unless, John Terry mess up again, Chelsea should take a comfortable win at Stamford Bridge.
Everton v Arsenal
Goodison Park
06-04-2014 @ 13.30 UK
Everton (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Mirallas, Osman, McGeady; Lukaku.
Injuries: Darron Gibson (Knee), Arouna Koné (Knee), Lacina Traoré (Hamstring), Bryan Oviedo (Broken leg) Doubts: Ross Barkley (Calf) Bans: None.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Flamini, Arteta; Rosicky, Cazorla; Podolski; Giroud.
Injuries: Abou Diaby (Knee), Laurent Koscielny (Calf), Ryo Miyaichi (Hamstring), Nacho Monreal (Ankle), Mesut Ozil (Hamstring), Aaron Ramsey (Thigh), Theo Walcott (Knee), Jack Wilshere (Foot) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Arsenal looked as a contestant for the trophy earlier in the season, but now they will have to fight just to end in top three.Sunday, Everton awaits at Goodison Park, and they can take a vital step towards Arsenal as a win will separate them by only one point. The Toons are unbeaten in their last five matches and are the favorites against an Arsenal struggling with injuries. That said, Podolski and Rosicky will have to show that they deserve to stay in the starting lineup, even when Walcott, Wilshere and Ozil returns.
West Ham v Liverpool
Upton Park
06-04-2014 @16.00 UK
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Adrián; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney; Noble, Taylor; Diamé, Nolan, Downing; Carroll.
Injuries: Marco Borriello (Hamstring), Joey O'Brien (Shoulder dislocation) Doubts: James Collins (Calf) Bans: None.
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan; Gerrard; Henderson, Allen; Sterling; Sturridge, Suárez.
Injuries: Sebastián Coates (Knee), Enrique (Knee) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Liverpool are unstoppable at the moment with 13 consecutive wins and are first in the Premier League three points clear of Manchester City. West Ham have more or less secured another season in the Premier League being 11 points clear of the relegation zone and winning their last two matches. However, the Hammers are not left with many chances against Liverpool on Sunday, and Adrián can probably look forward to picking the ball out of the net a couple of times.
Tottenham v Sunderland
White Hart Lane
07-04-2014 @ 20.00 UK
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Naughton, Vertonghen, Kaboul, Rose; Dembélé, Bentaleb; Lennon, Chadli, Eriksen; Adebayor.
Injuries: Etienne Capoue (Ankle), Erik Lamela (Thigh), Kyle Walker (Groin) Doubts: Emmanuel Adebayor (Foot), Vlad Chiriches (Lack of match fitness), Paulinho (Illness), Roberto Soldado (Hamstring), Jan Vertonghen (Calf) Bans: None.
Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone; Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea, Alonso; Ki, Bridcutt, Cattermole; Johnson, Wickham, Borini.
Injuries: Steven Fletcher (Ankle), Keiren Westwood (Shoulder) Doubts: None Bans: None.
Tottenham was sent home from Liverpool with a 4-0 loss last week but should get back on the horse against a struggling Sunderland. The Black Cats are way down below the relegation zone and looks to be hopelessly lost after Monday's loss to West Ham. In fact, Sunderland have not won in six consecutive matches and will probably add the seventh on Monday against Tottenham.