The 2020/21 Premier League season is heading into the final few weeks with issues to resolve at both ends of the table. Check out our preview and predictions for the latest round of matches.
Southampton vs Leicester City
Leicester City kept up their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday.
The result left the Foxes third in the standings, seven points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham United with five games remaining.
With Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur amongst their final fixtures, Leicester will be desperate to take something from St Mary’s.
The home side were narrowly defeated by Leicester in the semi-final of the FA Cup and a similar outcome is on the cards in their latest meeting.
Prediction: 0-1
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
While the chasing pack battle to finish in the top four, Manchester City need just a couple of victories to confirm their status as Premier League champions.
City are 10 points clear of Man Utd and it would take a collapse of epic proportions to prevent them from completing the job.
Pep Guardiola’s side highlighted their quality in their most recent league outing, recovering from a goal down to win 2-1 at Aston Villa.
Palace have nothing much to play for during the rest of the campaign and this game has ‘away win’ written all over it.
Prediction: 1-3
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United
Leeds United have done extremely well since winning promotion from the Championship and are on course to claim a top 10 finish.
The are unbeaten in their last five matches – a run that includes a win at Man City and draws against Chelsea and Liverpool.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side appear to have tightened things up defensively over the pasty few weeks and look a good bet to pick up at least a point at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion are not quite safe from relegation and this could be a tight encounter between two teams who try to play the game the right way.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea boosted their hopes of securing a top four place with a 1-0 victory over West Ham last weekend and will be confident of following up here.
They have rattled off six successive victories over Fulham in the Premier League and haven’t been defeated by their local rivals since 2006.
The Blues triumphed 1-0 in the reverse fixture during January, with Mason Mount bagging the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.
Fulham are seven points adrift of safety with games running out and they look set for another tough outing at Stamford Bridge.
Prediction: 2-0
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Everton vs Aston Villa
Everton have been hugely frustrating this season, blowing numerous opportunities to force their way into the top four.
Their home form has been a major issue, with Carlo Ancelotti’s team winning just five of their 16 league fixtures at Goodison Park this term.
Despite this, the Toffees still hold an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League but cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Aston Villa have been hit-and-miss over the past few weeks and Everton are fancied to win what could be an entertaining contest.
Prediction: 3-2
Newcastle United vs Arsenal
Eight points from their last four matches has helped Newcastle United ease away from the relegation zone, although they are still not mathematically safe.
However, they showed plenty of fighting spirit at Liverpool last weekend and will be confident of completing the job over the next couple of weeks.
The Magpies have struggled against Arsenal in recent years, but their latest meeting affords them an excellent opportunity to pick up a win.
Arsenal are involved in a Europa League semi-final either side of this game and their focus will probably be on that tie.
Prediction: 2-1
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Manchester United head into this game knowing that a victory would probably be enough to guarantee them a place in next season’s Champions League.
The Red Devils have been much-improved during the current campaign, although they still have work to do if they are to mount a serious title challenge next season.
By contrast, Liverpool have been woeful at times this term and are in danger of missing out on European qualification.
Both teams need three points for different reasons, but the home side are strongly fancied to grab a valuable victory.
Prediction: 3-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sheffield United
Tottenham are another club who have had an underwhelming season and could well miss out on qualifying for Europe.
The timing of Jose Mourinho’s sacking just days before the Carabao Cup final caught many people by surprise and ultimately failed to spark a response.
Spurs were outclassed by Man City at Wembley Stadium, highlighting how far away they are away from being able to challenge England’s biggest clubs.
The pressure is off for Sheffield United following their relegation and it would be no surprise to see them take something from this game.
Prediction: 1-1
West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion’s faint hopes of survival were dealt a severe blow last weekend, with a stoppage time goal denying them three points at Villa Park.
The Baggies are nine points adrift of safety with five games remaining and it is difficult to believe that they will dig themselves out of trouble.
However, they will fancy their chances against a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who turned in a thoroughly abject performance at home to Burnley last weekend.
They were thumped 4-0 by the Clarets at Molineux and will need to improve against a team that will fight for every ball.
Prediction: 2-1
Burnley vs West Ham United
Burnley had lost three in a row prior to last week’s win at Wolves, sparking fears that they could be dragged into the relegation battle.
The result gave Sean Dyche’s side some valuable breathing space, and they should have enough about them to steer clear of trouble from this position.
They are unlikely to find things easy this weekend, with West Ham currently fighting to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
The Hammers have won seven and drawn three of their 16 away matches this term and are fancied to grab a victory at Turf Moor.
Prediction 0-2
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