Premier League Predictions - 19/20th March 2016

Everton v Arsenal - 12:45

This one looks like a home banker for Everton as far as i'm concerned. Arsenal's defeat to Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday did not help the mood around the Emirates and it's become toxic with fans turning on each other at the weekend. They are in desperate need of a result but I can't see it changing here.

Arsenal haven't won in the league since beating title favourites Leicester City at home which was over a month ago. Since then it's been a demoralising defeat against Manchester United and outclassed by Barcelona in Europe. 

On the other side, Everton carry the most in form striker in the league right now in Romelu Lukaku with six in as many games in the league. Despite the Toffee's being unpredictable this season this seems like the perfect team for Roberto Martinez to play against.

Prediction: 2-1 with the inform Belgian on the score sheet.

Chelsea v West Ham - 15:00

The toughest prediction over the course of the weekend here, Chelsea will still be reeling from their Champions league exit at the hands of PSG and FA cup exit on the weekend. Although West Ham are usually a side that Chelsea do well against having been beaten only once since 2012.

The Hammers however are in the form of their life and currently sit just outside the Champions League places in 5th. It's been an unbelievable season for Slaven Bilic's men and would probably gain more attention had Leicester not be where they are. 

I'm probably swerving towards a draw here purely on the fact it's probably a good result for both considering their situation although Chelsea would argue they need to be closer to the European places than they currently are. 

Prediction: 1-1 Payet is in the form of his life right now and would expect more magic from the Frenchman on the weekend. 

Crystal Palace v Leicester City - 15:00

The first fixture between these two was settled with a Jamie Vardy finish and you wouldn't look further than the same here again.

Leicester continue their unbelievable assault for the title and will be pleased to have a fit Riyad Mahrez in their ranks especially away from home. The Foxes have been blessed on the injury front this season too with Kante coming back sooner than expected.

On the other hand Palace sit precariously close to the trap door of relegation and will need a result here to put some space between them and Swansea/Sunderland and co. 

Alan Pardew will be hoping his own hitman in the form of Connor Wickham will be fit this weekend after coming into the goals recently because Leicester will eventually score as they so often do.

Prediction: 0-1 Mahrez proving the difference in this one, should be a good battle up against Pape Souare at Selhurst Park.

Watford v Stoke City - 15:00

The corresponding fixture between these two was probably Watford's best performance and result of the season. 2-0 it finished to the Hornets and was the first proper glimpse of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney's fruitful relationship. 

Stoke will have been frustrated by their defeat to Southampton last week as it was a game which didn't mirror the strides they've made all season at all. The game was practically over after Graziano Pelle's double early on.

You can't say Watford haven't been consistent they've won 10 games this season and it's been 5 home and 5 away but their performances have often been better at Vicarage Road. 

Stoke though seem to have adapted to play on the counter this season like many sides and won't be fussed by the physicality that Watford will aim to force on them too.

Prediction: 1-0 I feel like this is a game that Watford really need to win and will be on a massive high following the win at Arsenal. Expecting Ighalo to get on the scoresheet here.

West Brom v Norwich - 15:00

A few weeks ago this one would have been a proverbial six pointer but West Brom partially due to the emergence of Solomon Rondon as a cult hero have put some breathing space in their fight to stay up.

Currently sitting on 39 points you would expect that to be more than enough to keep the Baggies on course for another season of Premier League football.

On the other hand Norwich City really can't seem to find a result from anywhere at the moment and have dropped into the relegation places.

2 points from 30 in the last 10 games really do make it a steep hurdle when confidence must be at an all time low down at Carrow Road.

Prediction: 2-1 The Baggies have already beaten Norwich this season and seem to be coming into a little bit of form at the right time. Rondon and Saido Berahino always have goals in them.

Swansea v Aston Villa - 17:30

Swansea will be absolutely devastated they didn't take anything from Bournemouth on the weekend especially having fought back twice and will need to pick themselves up for a massive game this weekend.

The Swans are in decent form themselves with 4 wins in the last 10 and will be hopeful the return of Francesco Guidolin will inspire them at home where they've been dreadful this season with only 5 wins at the Liberty Stadium.

Villa need a result here it's pretty black and white, If they lose they'll end up 20 points behind their Welsh rivals and you would think that's too big a gap to recover.

Andre Ayew will be a big miss for Swansea this weekend but this will be a very close game. If the away side get a victory here it could be a late push from an almost doomed season.

Prediction: 1-0 It's a tough call here it's not going to be a walkover but you would think there's just a bit more fluidity about the Swans and should end up comfortable winners.

Newcastle v Sunderland - 13:30(Sunday)

Sunderland really like Tyne-Wear derbies don't they?

The Black Cats have won six on the bounce against their fierce rivals it's become something of a hoodoo now for Newcastle United.

Their last victory came in August 2011. Both sides come into this not in great form as shown by their league positions with only two wins in ten from both. 

This is probably the biggest game of the season for both and could determine each others fates going forward. Sunderland currently sit outside the relegation places but only on goal difference. Newcastle are only a point behind their rivals and have a game in hand so the stakes couldn't be higher.

Prediction: 2 - 0 Newcastle have appointed Rafa Benitez this week as their new manger following the departure of Steve McClaren and this is the ideal game for the Spaniard to be adored by the Toon Army.

Southampton v Liverpool - 13:30(Sunday)

In the last few years Liverpool have had the proverbial number of their opponents this weekend. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 5 games against Southampton including a 6-1 demolition at St Mary's in December.

Southampton however will be relieved after last weekend's away victory against Stoke City and are playing some nice football whilst conceding very little. Interestingly both these sides sit on 44 points although Liverpool have two games in hand over their rivals in the race for a European place.

Both these sides have found consistency hard to come by this season. This game always has plenty of goals even with Southampton having the 2nd best defence in the league, Liverpool rarely don't score. 

Prediction: 1-2 This genuinely could go either way with Liverpool's leaky defence giving up goals but usually scoring them as well i'm going for a smash and grab. Sturridge being fit will be a massive plus as well.

Tottenham v Bournemouth - 16:00(Sunday)

Bournemouth can probably go into this with a little less pressure than recent games. The win over Swansea last week has put them on 38 points, this leaves them only needing a few more points to guarantee staying up this season.

The Cherries can go to White Hart Lane and play their fluid football without worrying if results should go their way. Tottenham meanwhile have only lost 4 times all season and only twice at home. 

They do have the best defence in the league having only conceded 24 goals all season, half being at home. Although with the second Europe League leg against Dortmund on Thursday will they try to rescue a 3-0 deficit or will they prepare for this instead. I'm guessing the latter.

Prediction: 4-2 I see plenty of goals here with both sides looking to play football in the right manner and plenty of chances being created.

Manchester City v Manchester United - 16:00(Sunday)

Without doubt the biggest game this weekend for the neutrals. Usually a heated affair and not without incident. Hopefully it won't be the dour affair we saw at Old Trafford earlier this season.

City have the best record at scoring goals at home this season so you would fancy Sergio Aguero and co notching here. Unfortunately the defence has been a problem even with the returning Vincent Kompany. 

United are still in disarray on the injury front it's been spectacular that they've been able to hold any kind of momentum in their charge for a top 4 finish. 

A win for Man City could take them over Arsenal but still remain 9 points behind leaders Leicester even with the game in hand. Whilst for the red side of Manchester, a victory could take them within a point of their ''nosy neighbours''.

Prediction: 2-1 I feel Man City have to win this game to have any hope of staying in the title race and should have enough in the middle of the park to gain ascendancy. Expect them to concede though having conceded 17 goals in 15 home games at the Etihad.