The English Premiership enters its 26th week this weekend and looking at the fixtures, they are not really much to look out for except upsets. The match of the week in terms of what is at stake would definitely be on Sunday when Southampton takes on Liverpool at St Mary’s Park. We would take a look at the fixtures and what to expect each of the teams as they move towards the end of the season, gradually. So far it has been eventful but no doubt the real drama is still on the way and every match from now till the last game of the season would be vital to the final outcome of the season.

Swansea City vs Manchester United (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

Manchester United would travel to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City. Even with 13 points separating both teams, it would not be an easy match for Manchester United and with their inconsistent performances in recent weeks as seen when they faced Preston North in the fifth round match of the FA Cup where they had to come back from a goal down to win the match 3-1. Against Swansea, Manchester United would be playing against a very organized side which might have lost their top marksman Wilfred Bony since he moved to Manchester City and Garry Monk’s men would be striving to climb up the table.

Prediction: Swansea 1 Manchester United 2

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

The arrival of Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park has signaled a revival and a positive turnaround in the fortunes of Palace but against Arsenal they would need to more to overcome Wenger’s men who have been on one of their diabolic and inconsistent runs this season. Arsenal would be seeking three points and hope that Southampton would lose against Liverpool so they could sneak into the top four but Crystal Palace still enjoying the Pardew magic would not be an easy nut to crack and might even go on to snatch the three points. While Arsenal looks like the likely team to win, I would not bet my top dollar on them.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2

Chelsea vs Burnley (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

Chelsea entertains struggling Burnley at Stamford Bridge as they seek to consolidate on their position at the top of the table. Burnley on the other hand look certain to drop to the lower division by the end of the season but with star man Danny Ings and Sean Dyche pulling the strings from the bench, they might not stun Jose Mourinho’s men but on paper and on current form, that seem highly unlikely. Chelsea would be expected to rout poor Burnley and rightly so but 90 minutes would tell the story better.

Prediction: Chelsea 4 Burnley 0

Aston Villa vs Stoke City (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

With Villa currently swimming in the relegation zone, Stoke City should expect a very hostile environment at Villa Park as they would seek to drag themselves out of the position they find themselves. Stoke City on the other hand are currently safe in the 10th position with a chance of even moving upwards and grabbing an European spot but against Aston Villa, a draw would be a good result for them.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Stoke City 1

Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

Sunderland is another team that is currently in danger of dropping down into the relegation zone if results go wrong. West Brom are currently are just two points ahead of Sunderland and are still in a sticky situation though dire, if they can get at least a draw. The new form of record signing Brown Ideye should be good news to them and a motivating factor. The match is wide open and the side who makes most mistakes no doubt would be the losing side.

Prediction: Sunderland 2 West Bromwich Albion 2

Hull City vs Queens Park Rangers (Sat. 21, Feb.) 5:00pm

Just a point separate Hull City and Rangers and both of them hover perilously above the relegation zone and any lose might send the team down to the zone. Hull City who were finalists in last year’s FA Cup have not had anything to smile about this season and staying in the top flight would be their priority this season. Queens Park Rangers are also another team that would have top flight survival as their number one priority. The match should play out as an exciting fixture and the game would be as open as can be.

Prediction: Hull City 3 Queens Park Rangers 2

Manchester City vs Newcastle United (Sat. 21, Feb) 7:30pm

Southampton/Liverpool match might be match of the weekend but this fixture would be the trickiest of all fixtures as Manchester City would be aiming not drop any more points as Chelsea looks certain to win against Burnley. Newcastle on the hand would be trying to improve on their current position and create an upset at the Etihad. A win would be very valuable for the Toons but would be even more to City as they might be 10 points behind Chelsea before they step on to the pitch on Saturday evening.

Prediction: Manchester City 3 Newcastle 1

Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham (Sun. 22, Feb) 2:00pm

West Ham had a dream start to the season but even they knew that it would not last. So far this season, the team has performed above expectations and are currently safe with an European spot well within their grasp, West Ham would be do all they can to consolidate or improve or their position. Spurs on the other hand, would be seeking to topple Arsenal on the table and move into the fifth position. The game is one that no team has a clear chance of winning but Mauricio Pochettino’s men would be expected to emerge victorious.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 West Ham 1

Everton vs Leicester City (Sun. 22, Feb) 4:05pm

Leicester City are one of the teams that look destined to end up in division one next season but like other teams in the relegation zone, they would act as spoilers. Everton had a dream season, last season but this term has been torrid. They have had to endure a very difficult streak and patched results but they seem to have discovered their purple patch after they destroyed Young Boys in their Europa Cup away. This fixture would definitely not be a replay of the Young Boys fixture and the match will not be as rosy as it might look on paper for Everton.

My Prediction: Everton 2 Leicester City 1

Southampton vs Liverpool (Sun. 22, Feb) 6:15pm

Southampton entertains Liverpool with four points separating both of them and both clubs pushing for the best finish possible for their seasons. With Liverpool embroiled in a bit of internal crises after Steven Gerrard criticized Mari Balotelli for disrespecting deputy captain Jordan Henderson after taking a penalty which was supposed to be taken by Henderson. Southampton might have a chance to utilize that to their advantage. Liverpool on the other hand, would be seeking to put that behind them and claim all three points available. The match promises to be the most exciting fixture of the weekend looking at the style of play of both teams.

Prediction: Southampton 1 Liverpool 2

By Victor Jones

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