Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Wed 27/02 at 19.45
Arsenal welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
After an important win over Southampton at the weekend, Arsenal pulled themselves back into the top four and regained that last Champions League spot.
Consistency is now key for Arsenal. However, Bournemouth could prove a difficult team to record another win against.
However, Unai Emery will be pleased with how his team performed in the first half of their weekend win against Southampton. He admitted after the game that it would have been hard for his team to maintain the same intensity as they showed in the first half.
In terms of team news, Maitland-Niles should should return for Arsenal after missing the Southampton game due to illness. There are no new injuries for Arsenal. However, I expect Emery to rest some of hist starting XI for the London derby at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth will be looking to avoid slipping further down the table. However, The Cherries have got a few tough games with Arsenal and Man City their next two fixtures.
Bournemouth are also likely to rest some of their players due to the busy football schedule.
Arsenal for the win.
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Wed 27/02 at 20.00
Chelsea host Tottenham in a London derby on Wednesday evening.
A different Chelsea frustrated a strong Man City team at the weekend in the Carabao Cup final. They made life very difficult for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernado Silva.
However the game was overshadowed with what happened just before the penalty shootouts with goalkeeper Kepa refusing to be subbed by Sarri.
It will be interesting to see whether Sarri picks Kepa.
Back to the football and Chelsea played very well. Maurizio Sarri will be hoping that good form continues and ends their poor run in the league.
With a game in hand, Chelsea should be a net 5th in the table but Sarri and his Chelsea players will want more.
Meanwhile, Tottenham had a difficult weekend of league action as they were beaten by Burnley 2-1. This was their first league defeat in 5 games.
Kane returned but Son’s form seemed to drop as a result. Tottenham are surely well and truly out of the title race now unless the wheels fall off for both Liverpool and Man City which I doubt.
I’m going for a Chelsea win based on their brilliant performance in the final against Man City.
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd
Wed 27/02 at 20.00
After their draw against Liverpool at the weekend, you could argue this game has come too soon for Man Utd. They were the walking wounded out there!
Having dropped back into fifth position in the table, Man Utd will be looking to get back to winning ways in their trip to London.
However, Man Utd will be without a number of their starting XI after an incredibly tough and physical game against Liverpool.
Herrera, Mata and Lingard are all doubts for this one as they went off during the weekend’s goalless draw to Liverpool.
Rashford also looked as if he was struggling throughout the game, although he was forced to stay on as interim-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had used up his three substitutions.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will be in high spirits after their 4-1 win at Leicester on Saturday despite only having 35% possession. With that away win, The Eagles managed to pull themselves 6 points away from the relegation zone.
My money’s on a Man Utd win.
Liverpool vs Watford
Wed 27/02 at 20.00
Liverpool welcome Watford to Anfield on Wednesday evening, possibly subdued by their draw against Man Utd at the weekend.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will be slightly worried about his team’s lack of precision in the final third against Man Utd. Liverpool had scored in every away game up until their trip to Manchester. However, they didn’t really look like scoring at all against The Red Devils.
This one might come too soon for injured Firmino after landing awkwardly on his ankle during the weekend fixture in Manchester.
Other than Firmino, Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have any fresh injury woes.
Watford will be boosted by the abundance of goals they scored against Cardiff last Friday. Currently sitting in 7th position, Watford are jostling with Wolves for ‘best of the rest’. They’ve got a lot to play for.
However, I’m going for a comfortable home win for Liverpool.
Man City vs West Ham Utd
Wed 27/02 at 20.00
After their win in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, Man City will be looking forward to returning to the Premier League with one piece of silverware already ticked off.
Despite having a difficult day against Chelsea, Man City held their nerve in the penalty shootout to successfully defend their Carabao Cup title.
Man City will be looking to carry this winning mentality into the rest of the Premier League season in the aim of beating Liverpool to the to spot.
With Liverpool only managing a draw against Man Utd, Man City could pip them to the top spot depending on how Liverpool fair against Watford.
In terms of team news, Man City have two fresh injuries in Fernandinho and Laporte who are both likely to be out for a number of weeks.
Meanwhile Fabian Balbuena and Winston Reid will also miss this one for West Ham.
I’m going for a Man City win.