Random Thoughts

I genuinely thought that things were finally going to take a turn for the better.
That everything was picking up.
Maybe I was wrong.

I tried to pull you closer, only succeeding in widening the gap.
I tried to understand you better, only succeeding in being further shrouded in mystery.
I tried to relate to you, only succeeding in causing more friction.

Maybe its just destined to be.
That this life im living.
Will only be simply about me.

Soccer Saturdate Pt 2: Liverpool vs Manchester United

The 2nd part of Soccer Saturdate sees the huge clash between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield, with 2 other matches following suit, one of which sees league leaders Chelsea travelling to the KC Stadium to take on Hull City. and QPR facing off against Everton. I will be providing my bite-sized analysis and my predictions, and if you do disagree with them, do comment and let me know. Have a great week ahead :)

Liverpool (5th) vs Manchester United (4th), SingTel TV Ch 102, StarHub TV Chn 227, 2130

Form
Liverpool (16-6-7)	Manchester United (6-8-5)
Last 5 games: WWWWW Last 5 home games: WWWWD	Last 5 games: WLWWW Last 5 away games: DDWLW

Injuries/Suspensions
Liverpool	Manchester United
Injuries: None	Injuries: Van Persie (ankle) Suspended: Evans

Midfielder Lucas Leiva's fitness will be assessed ahead after he returned to training this week following a groin problem sustained six weeks ago, but he may not be ready to go straight into the squad. Striker Mario Balotelli has recovered from the bout of illness which saw him miss Monday's win at Swansea.

Midfielder Angel di Maria is available for Sunday's match at Liverpool having served a one-match suspension for his dismissal against Arsenal. Striker Robin van Persie is still out with an ankle problem and defender Jonny Evans is suspended. Left-back Luke Shaw (hamstring) and centre-half Marcos Rojo (groin) are doubts for the Barclays Premier League match.

Here we have: 5th vs 4th, with both teams in superb form. Liverpool having won their past 5 league games, and undefeated in their past 13. Who was the last team to win against them? A certain team called Manchester United. That game was one of the most comprehensive defeats Liverpool had faced all season, in which that game marked the start of the experimentation of the 3-4-2-1 formation, which at first was deemed unlikely to succeed. Louis van Gaal's Man Utd come into this game having played one of their most convincing match, a 3-0 thrashing of fellow CL spot challenger Spurs. That game marked the swashbuckling style of late apparently, with Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney particularly impressive. With Angel di Maria back from suspension, will LVG put him back into the starting line-up and risk destroying the momentum from last week? Stay tuned to find out in this match guaranteed to have your fair share of action and controversies. This game is too close to call, but I think that Liverpool will shade it, with the Kop faithful perhaps being the 12th man. A 2-1 win to Pool.

Wayne Rooney will seek to carry on his fine run of late, whereas Jordan Henderson will be leading from the midfield if Steven Gerrard starts from the bench.

Prediction: 2-1 win for Liverpool

Key Men: Wayne Rooney, Jordan Henderson

 Hull City (15th) vs Chelsea (1st), SingTel TV Ch 102, StarHub Ch 227, 0000 (Monday)

Form
Hull City (6-10-13)	Chelsea (19-7-2)
Last 5 games: WWLDD Last 5 home games: WLWWD	Last 5 games: WWDWD Last 5 away games: WDWDW

Injuries/Suspensions
Hull City	Chelsea
Injuries: Jelavic (knee), Brady (calf), Chester (shoulder), Rosenior (hamstring), Diame, Snodgrass (both knee) Suspended: Huddlestone	Injuries: Mikel (knee)

Record signing Abel Hernandez is set to return to Hull's starting line-up after the Tigers lost Nikica Jelavic for six weeks. Jelavic faces an extended spell on the sidelines after knee surgery. Tom Huddlestone is suspended after his sending-off against Leicester last week.

Premier League leaders Chelsea have an almost fully-fit squad. Only John Obi Mikel (knee) is out, with the midfielder likely to return to contention following the forthcoming international break.

This game could be slightly trickier than paper, with Hull having an impressive home form of late that has enabled them to life themselves slightly clear away from the relegation zone, but not totally out of it yet. Chelsea would seek to bounce back from the disappointment from their previous 2 matches (knocked out of CL by PSG, and a draw against Southampton) with a win here that can see them back to being 6 pts clear at the top. Hull would hope to get something out of this game to go 6 pts clear from 18th spot Burnley. This could be one of those games where Chelsea might find themselves slipping, but I doubt Chelsea will go 3 matches without a win. Im going for Chelsea to win, but just. A 1-0 victory to the Blues.

Having broken his run of poor form, do expect Diego Costa to provide the attacking threat. With Nikica Jelavic out, Abel Hernandez (their record signing) wiill be tasked to bang in the goals for the Tigers.

Prediction: 1-0 win to Hull City

Key Men: Diego Costa, Abel Hernandez

QPR (19th) vs Everton (14th), SingTel TV Ch 103, StarHub Ch 228, 0000 (Monday)

Form
QPR (6-4-19)	Everton (7-10-12)
Last 5 games: WLLLL Last 5 home games: LLLLL	Last 5 games: LDLLW Last 5 away games: LWLLL

Injuries/Suspensions
QPR	Everton
Injuries: Dunne, Fer, Faurlin, Isla (knee), Furlong (calf), Barton (knock)	Injuries: Mirallas (knock), Oviedo (hamstring), Hibbert, Pienaar (both knee) Suspended: Barry

QPR are hoping to have midfielder Joey Barton back after he missed his team's last three league games through suspension. But he sustained a knock in training this week and is doubtful for the encounter at Loftus Road. QPR coach Chris Ramsey will make a late decision on Barton, while Mauricio Isla (knee) and Darnell Furlong (calf) are also doubts

Midfielder Gareth Barry will have to drop out of the Everton team to face QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday. Barry started the 5-2 Europa League defeat to Dynamo Kiev on Thursday night but he has one more game to serve on his two-match domestic suspension after picking up 10 yellow cards this season. Aiden McGeady (knee) will be in the squad along with Aaron Lennon, who was cup-tied in the Europa League.

I sensed that Everton can now finally start to move out of the relegation fight after battling on the continental front as well. However, that would probably come in the upcoming games, not this one. Why? With QPR being the fresher of the 2 teams, this game could see QPR coming up with the goods to emerge victorious here. However, both teams find themselves in less than impressive form, and this game could be one cagey affair with rare moments of creativity. Everton would need to start translating their decent European form into picking up points in the league. I am going for a 1-1 draw here.

Charlie Austin would seek to carry on his good league form and show Roy Hodgson what he has missed out on, with Romelu Lukaku also looking to start scoring league-wise.

Prediction: 1-1 draw

Key Men: Charlie Austin, Romelu Lukaku

Soccer Saturdate Pt 1: Can Arsenal actually end up 2nd?

Hi everyone! It's Saturday.. and this could only mean that its Soccer Saturdate! This week's big game is definitely the fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United, which will be held tomorrow. Anothr interesting subplot would be the actual possibility for Arsenal to catch Manchester City and finish 2nd ahead of the Citizens. With City going through a disappointing run, can the Gunners roll on and for once not worry about Champions League qualification on the last day? Read on for my predictions as Man City takes on West Brom in the early fixture, and Arsenal travelling to St James Park to take on Newcastle, a fixture that im sure will be full of goals and action. There are 5 other fixtures taking place today as well, so scroll down for my analysis and predictons, and if you disagree with them, do comment and leave me your predictions :) I will be covering tomorrow's games as well, so stay tuned tomorrow for part 2 of Soccer Saturdate.

Manchester City (2nd) vs West Bromwich (13th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 845pm

Form
Manchester City (17-7-5)	West Bromwich (8-9-12)
Last 5 games: WWLWL Last 5 home games: LDWLW	Last 5 games: WDWLW Last 5 away games: WDDLL

Injuries/Suspensions
Manchester City	West Bromwich
Injuries: Toure (Achilles), Milner (knee)	Injuries: Foster (knee) Suspended: Brunt, Yacob

Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is doubtful with a muscle problem, with fellow left-black Gael Clichy being available again after being suspended for the Champions League defeat at Barcelona while fellow defenders Pablo Zabaleta and Eliaquim Mangala have recovered from minor injuries.

Chris Brunt is banned after accepting a Football Association charge for verbally abusing a match official. Claudio Yacob is also suspended as he serves the final game of a ban following his red card in the FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa. Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino continue to carry knocks but Victor Anichebe could return from a groin injury.

This game would definitely be tricker than it looks on paper, with a deflated Manchester City squad having to face a West Bromwich team on the rise under Tony Pulis. However, I feel that City's calibre of players SHOULD pull them through and make the difference. West Brom has a less than decent away form, and with Man City wanting to go back to winning ways to close down the ever increasing gap between themselves and Chelsea, as well as to steer clear away from the chasing pack that is Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool, I do expect Man City to win this game comfortably.

Do look out for Sergio Aguero, who has scored 4 goals in 5 PL appearances against West Brom. As for West Bromwich, Saido Berahino would be their go-to guy for goals, and he would have something to prove after missing out being called up to the England squad for the Euro2016 qualifiers.

Prediction: 2-1 win for City

Key Players: Sergio Aguero, Saido Berhaino

Aston Villa (16th) vs Swansea (9th) SingTel TV 105, StarHub TV 230, 1053pm

Form
Aston Villa (7-7-15)	Swansea (11-7-11)
Last 5 games: LLLWW Last 5 home games: LWLWW	Last 5 games: LWWLL Last 5 away games: LWLWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Aston Villa	Swansea
Injuries: Vlaar, Senderos, Richardson (calf), Baker (knee), Cissokho (groin)	Injuries: Bartley (knee)

Alan Hutton will return after completing a ban. Libor Kozak is training with the first team after recovering from a broken leg but is not match fit although Jack Grealish is back from suspension.

Central defender Federico Fernandez is available after missing Monday night's 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool to return home to Argentina for what manager Garry Monk described as "family reasons". Garry Monk has no new injury worries for the Villa Park clash.

What a turnaround new management can do for a team. Aston Villa sure doesnt look like the team they have been for most part of the season. 4-0 away victory? That seemed near impossible a month ago, but Tim Sherwood has shown his managerial quality with his blend of attacking football, and blooding of youngsters into the first team setup. Swansea, on the other hand, have been on a bit of a slide of late, and with PL football virtually a certainty, Garry Monk's squad might just fall into a bit of a complacent state (having lost 3 of their past 5 games). I predict Aston Villa to carry on their upward ascent into EPL safety, and Swansea are the opponents they just need for 3 points.

Christian Benteke has scored in 2 of his 3 PL appearances against Swansea, and additionally has been a revitalized striker under Sherwood (3 goals, 1 assist in past 2 games), so do expect him to have a huge role here. Gylfi Sigurdsson would provide the attacking threat for the Swans.

Prediction: Villa to win 2-1

Key Men: Christian Benteke, Gylfi Sigurdsson

 Newcastle (11th) vs Arsenal (3rd) SingTel TV Ch 102, SingTel channel 227, 11pm

Form
Newcastle (9-8-12)	Arsenal (17-6-6)
Last 5 games: DLWLL Last 5 home games: DLDWL	Last 5 games: WWWWW Last 5 away games: LWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
Newcastle	Arsenal
Injuries: Taylor (Achilles), Dummett, Haidara, Tiote (all knee), Abeid (thigh), de Jong (collapsed lung), Aarons (thigh). Suspended: Coloccini, Cisse	Injuries: Arteta (ankle), Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Wilshere (ankle) Debuchy (ankle)

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini is suspended for three games, joining striker Papiss Cisse on the sidelines as he serves the second game of his seven-match ban. Newcastle has also a lengthy injury list depriving them of many first team regulars.

Rosicky is expected to be back after illness. The Gunners have reported no fresh injury concerns following the midweek Champions League tie in Monaco, but manager Arsene Wenger will assess the fatigue levels of his players before deciding on any changes.

This fixture has somehow been a high scoring fixture regularly, with both teams having great attacking verve and suicidal defending all at the same time. Given Newcastle's pathetic form of late and that Arsenal having won their past 5 league games, this (sadly) should be a given - Arsenal to win convincingly. I really do hope Newcastle will put up a greater fight and make something out of this fixture, as we somehow always fail to nullify the threat coming from Arsenal's midfield, but the most I can hope for is a draw (but that would really be a long shot)

Newcastle will once again have to rely on Moussa SIssoko to drive the team forward with his runs from midfield. Olivier Giroud has scored SIX goals in 5 PL appearances against Newcastle (he somehow loves to play against us..)

Prediction: 3-1 win for Arsenal :(

Key Men: Moussa Sissoko, Olivier Giroud

Southampton (6th) vs Burnley (18th) SingTel TV 103, StarHub TV 228, 1055pm

Form
Southampton (15-5-9)	Burnley (5-10-14)
Last 5 games: DLLWD Last 5 home games: LLDLW	Last 5 games: LDLLW Last 5 away games: LLLDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Southampton	Burnley
Injuries: Rodriguez (knee), Mayuka (groin)	Injuries: Marney, Long (both cruciate ligament injuries)

Southampton are able to welcome back Eljero Elia now he has recovered from the ankle injury which saw him miss last weekend's 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Graziano Pelle started that match from the bench and will be vying for a start.

Defender Stephen Ward is expected to be fit after missing training with a niggle this week. Midfielder Matt Taylor requires another run out with the under-21s before he is deemed fit enough to return after an Achilless operation.

Southampton needs an uplift in form to stay in the fight for the Champions League spot, after only winning 1 of their past 5 games. They face a Burnley side that is brimming with confidence after their surprise 1-0 win against 2nd place Manchester CIty, and would seek to carry on from that win with another victory against a top10 side. Both teams have a below average home and away form respectively, but with Ronald Koeman having the better squad in terms of talent, do expect Southampton to pull through with the victory, but this would be a tight game.

Sadio Mane was the main reason why Southampton has been performing well of late given the "absence" of Graziano Pelle, so do expect him to figure prominently here. Similarly to Saido Berahino, Danny Ings would be raring to go to prove to Roy Hodgson that he deserves to be called up to the England.

Prediction: 1-0 victory to Saints

Key Men: Sadio Mane, Danny Ings

Stoke (8th) vs Crystal Palace (12th) SingTel TV 106, StarHub TV 231, 1055pm

Form
Stoke (12-6-11)	Crystal Palace (8-9-12)
Last 5 games: LWWWL Last 5 home games: WWLWW	Last 5 games: DLWLW Last 5 away games: WWWWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Stoke	Crystal Palace
Injuries: Krkic, Odemwingie (ACL)	Injuries: Chamakh (hamstring), Thomas (muscular injury), Williams (groin/pelvis) Mutch (hip/thigh) Suspended: Jedinak

Stoke striker Jon Walters could feature in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Crystal Palace despite suffering a fractured cheekbone last weekend. Walters had a routine operation to repair the damage and could play wearing a protective mask but he will be assessed first. Forward Victor Moses (leg) is unlikely to face his former club while defenders Erik Pieters (thigh) and Philipp Wollscheid (groin) will undergo fitness tests.

Crystal Palace will hand late fitness checks to wingers Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha. Puncheon (dead leg) and Zaha (hip) both suffered knocks during last weekend's 3-1 win over QPR.

This game sees 2 potential candidates for Manager of the Season face-off (yes, I'm saying Alan Pardew could well be a viable candidate for Manager of the season). Stoke continues to punch above its weight, and this is partly down to the good work that Mark Hughes has put into place in Stoke. With both teams having only lost once at home and on their travels respectively, they could well cancel each other out in this tie. Both teams are relatively safe from the relegation battle, but Palace are not well out of it yet, so this could be one of those good games that is under the shadows of a bigger game (tomorrow's Pool-Utd game). I am going for a 1-1 draw here. Peter Crouch will be the target man for the team, whereas for Crystal Palace Glenn Murray has been hitting the right notes, and goals could be coming from him.

Key Men: Peter Crouch, Glenn Murray

Predcition: 1-1 draw

Tottenham (7th) vs Leicester City (20th) SingTel TV 104, StarHub TV 229, 1053pm

Form
Tottenham (15-5-9)	Leicester (4-7-17)
Last 5 games: LDWWL Last 5 home games: LWDDW	Last 5 games: LLDLD Last 5 away games: LLLDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Tottenham	Leicester City
Injuries: Soldado (knee)	Injuries: Hammond (calf), Knockaert (personal reasons)

Soldado's absence means Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to be named among the substitutes and Pochettino may yet ring the changes after last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Dean Hammond (calf) and Anthony Knockaert (personal reasons) are the only players out for boss Nigel Pearson. Hammond is back in training but not yet match fit and Knockaert is in France to be with his ill father while Mark Schwarzer could keep fit-again Kasper Schmeichel on the bench.

Spurs was sadly disappointing against Man Utd in a game I thought they would have done much better in, whereas Leicester would have felt that they should have gotten 3 points in their must win game against fellow strugglers Hull City. From this point on Leicester would have to win as many games as possible, but it is unlikely going to come in this game where Spurs would want to get 3 points, and perhaps rack up the goals in a bid to boost its unimpressive goal difference (+4). To be honest, I am a little surprised that Leicester has not changed its management yet, and that Nigel Pearson is still in charge. I predict that Spurs will win this comfortably, perhaps hitting the final nail in the coffin for Pearson's Leicester managerial reign (sadly too little too late for Leicester). Harry Kane would look to celebrate his first England call-up by coming up with the goals. Mark Schwarzer, if he manages to keep his place, would seek to prevent Spurs from getting anything out of it.

Prediction: 3-0 win for Spurs

Key Men: Harry Kane, Mark Schawarzer

West Ham (10th) vs Sunderland (17th), SingTel TV Ch 102, SingTel channel 227, 0200am

Form
West Ham (10-9-10)	Sunderland (4-14-11)
Last 5 games: DDLLL Last 5 home games: DWDLL	Last 5 games: LDLDL Last 5 away games: WDLLD

Injuries/Suspensions
West Ham	Sunderland
Injuries: Tomkins (shoulder), Carroll (knee), Valencia (toe)	Injuries: Buckley (knee), Giaccherini (ankle)

West Ham are likely to once again be limited on defensive options. James Tomkins will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery whilst Winston Reid (hamstring) is a major doubt. Carl Jenkinson is back in contention having been ineligible against parent club Arsenal last weekend.

New Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat has revealed winger Adam Johnson is available "in principle". The 27-year-old midfielder returned to training earlier this week after a club suspension was lifted, although Advocaat was not planning to make a decision on his inclusion or otherwise until after his final session. Defender John O'Shea (knock) and Sebastian Larsson (ankle) are doubts, while fellow midfielder Lee Cattermole completes a two-match ban

This game will see Dick Advocaat take charge after Sunderland had sacked Gus Poyet, which in all honesty was coming for him. Both teams come into this fixture having not win any of their past 5 games, but Sunderland being in a more perilous position, being just 1 place above the relegation dropzone. The teams will want to see a turnaround in form, thus do expect plenty of fireworks in this fixture. I do slightly favour Sam Allardyce's Hammers to emerge victorious here, but only just.

Diafra Sakho will lead the attack for the beleaguered Hammers, whereas if Adam Johnson does get to play a part, I do expect him to inject some creative spark into the game.

Prediction: 2-1 win for West Ham

Key Men: Diafra Sakho, Adam Johnson

Soccer Saturdate: The push for Champions League qualification

Hi everyone. Back after a week's absence, this week sees crucial games in the fight for Champions League qualification. As usual, do comment on your own predictions, and see whether it matches against mine, or is somewhat similar. Cheers!

Crystal Palace (12th) vs QPR (18th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227 845pm

Form
Crystal Palace (7-9-12)	QPR (6-4-18)
Last 5 games: WDLWL Last 5 home games: WLLDL	Last 5 games: LWLLL Last 5 away games: LLLWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Crystal Palace	QPR
Injuries: Campbell, Chamakh (hamstring), Mutch (thigh) Suspension: Jedinak	Injuries: Dunne, Fer, Faurlin (knee) Suspension: Barton

Crystal Palace will have on-loan Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo back from a hamstring injury, with Glenn Murray available again following suspension. Mile Jedinak continues his four-game ban.

QPR are hoping defender Darnell Furlong, midfielder Adel Taarabt and forward Eduardo Vargas will recover in time. Furlong (calf), Taarabt (groin) and Vargas (muscular problem) returned to training this week after missing last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham through injuries. The trio will have to pass a late fitness test on Friday afternoon before club coach Chris Ramsey decides to select them. Joey Barton serves his 3rd and final match ban.

This could be one game where QPR might just nick it. I have this feeling that Crystal Palace would feel that they are relatively safe from the relegation dogfight, whereas QPR will give it a go to try and nick 3 points. The form of Charlie Austin would be crucial here, having scored in 3 of their past 5 away games (sadly all ending in defeat). As for Crystal Palace, Alan Pardew would need to remind his team that they are not entirely out of the relegation mire just as yet, and would need to motivate his charges to ensure that they do not get complacent. I see this as a potential cagey game, with the likely result of both teams cancelling each other out.

Prediction: 1-1 draw

Key Men: Charlie Austin

Arsenal (3rd) vs West Ham (10th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 1100pm

Form
Arsenal (16-6-6)	West Ham (10-9-9)
Last 5 games: LWWWW Last 5 home games: WWWLW	Last 5 games: DDDLL Last 5 away games: WLDLD

Injuries/Suspensions
Arsenal	West Ham
Injuries: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gabriel (hamstring), Arteta, Wilshere (ankle)	Injuries: Tomkins(shoulder), Cole (hamstring), Carroll (knee), Reid (hamstring), Song (knee), Valencia (toe) Ineligible: Jenkinson

Oxlade-Chamberlain faces up to a month out with a hamstring injury, Flamini is back in contention after a hamstring problem. Jack Wilshere (ankle) is still a few weeks away from a return

West Ham are without James Tomkins after the defender dislocated his shoulder in training. Enner Valencia is struggling to be fit having suffered a severe cut to his toe after standing on a broken teacup. Carl Jenkinson cannot feature against his parent club. Morgan Amalfitano is back having served a three-match ban.

As with all London derbies, form should be thrown out of the window, although I can’t see Arsenal losing steam here. One might feel that they could be distracted by the must-win game against Monaco, but Arsene Wenger would want to ensure that they seal up the 3rd spot as early as possible to avoid last-day dramatics from taking place for another season. As for West Ham, they seem to have lost track as of late, and see themselves starting this week in 10th. Sam Allardyce is amazingly in the hot-seat of late, and to be honest if West Ham is really to let him leave after a season of amazing work from their gaffer, I would be at a loss for words. I do see Arsenal winning this, but not before West Ham make them work real hard for it. Arsenal to win by the odd goal, and consign West Ham to their 3rd successive London derby defeat (after Palace & Chelsea) Expect both Olivier Giroud and Diafra Sakho to feature heavily.

Prediction: 2-1 win to Arsenal

Key Men: Olivier Giroud, Diafra Sakho

Leicester (20th) vs Hull (15th) SingTel TV Ch 103, SingTel channel 228, 1053pm

Form
Leicester (4-6-17)	Hull (6-9-13)
Last 5 games: LLLDL Last 5 home games: LWWLL	Last 5 games: DWWLD Last 5 away games: LLLDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Leicetser	Hull
Injuries: Hammond (calf)	Injuries: Brady(calf), Snodgrass (knee)

Kasper Schmeichel may make his return for Leicester after four months out with a broken foot. Anthony Knockaert is omitted from the squard due to personal reasons.

Hull trio Mohamed Diame, Liam Rosenior and James Chester are close to first-team returns but will not be fit for this game. Robert Snodgrass is out for the season.

This game could well see an “upset” in terms of a victory for Leicester City. Hull have not impressed on their travels of late, and I think its due time that Leicester gets a victory to arrest their continuing descent towards Championship football next season. This game is a definite relegaton 6 pointer, and I personally feel that this game would be decided by either a moment of brilliance, or sheer utter mistake/error taking place. Leicester would hope for their major signing Andrej Kramaric to start firing on all cylinders, and the same would go for Hull City’s major buy during the winter transfer window Dame N’Doye. I predict for Leicester to nick a victory, and for Hull to push them all the way for the win.

Prediction: Leicester 2-1 winners

Key Men: Andrej Kramaric, Dame N’Doye

Sunderland (16th) vs Aston Villa (17th) SingTel TV 104, StarHub TV 229, 1053pm

Form
Sunderland (4-14-10)	Aston Villa (6-7-15)
Last 5 games: DLDLD Last 5 home games: LDWLD	Last 5 games: LLLLW Last 5 away games: LLLLL

Injuries/Suspensions
Sunderland	Aston Villa
Injuries: Giaccherini (ankle), Buckley (knee) Suspended: Cattermole, Johnson	Injuries: Cissokho (groin), Senderos (calf), Cole (hamstring), Baker (knee), Richardson (calf) Suspended: Hutton, Grealish

Sunderland are without the suspended Lee Cattermole after he picked up his 10th booking of the season in the recent draw at Hull and picked up an automatic two-match ban. Adam Johnson remains suspended by the club.

Christian Benteke will return to the Aston Villa squad after missing the FA Cup win, Ron Vlaar (calf) will be assessed. Libor Kozak is not yet match fit, but has returned to full training.

Is the Aston Villa revival in full flow under Tim Sherwood underway already? We have seen Villa clinching 2 back-to-back wins, but both are against the same opponents (WBA) This game pits 16th against 17th, and with relegation potentially having far-reaching effects for either team, both teams would want to start stringing some positive displays and pick up much needed points. Looking beyond Aston Villa’s pathetic form of late, I feel that they have turned the corner around. With Gus Poyet having escape a touchline ban for his argument with Steve Bruce, Gus would hope his team displays the same fiery brand of passion on the pitch as like what he did off it. However, I feel that both teams would most likely cancel each other out with a tepid display from both teams. A 1-1 draw.

Predicton: 1-1 draw

Key Men: Gus Poyet, Tim Sherwood (LOL) but really, both teams dont exactly have 1 player on decent form of late.

West Bromwich (13th) vs Stoke (8th) SingTel TV 107, StarHub TV 230, 1053pm

Form
West Bromwich (7-9-12)	Stoke (12-6-10)
Last 5 games: DWDWL Last 5 home games: WLWWW	Last 5 games: DLWWW Last 5 away games: WWDLW

Injuries/Suspensions
West Bromwich	Stoke
Injuries: McManaman (foot)	Injuries: Krkic, Odemwingie (both knee), Ireland (gashed leg)

West Brom have doubts over strikers Saido Berahino, Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe. Berahino and Ideye have been playing through the pain barrier recently while Anichebe has a groin problem.

Ryan Shawcross is available after recovering from a back problem, but boss Mark Hughes must make a decision whether to throw him straight back in.. Stephen Ireland is likely to sit out with a gashed leg while Philipp Wollscheid (groin) is struggling.

Tony Pulis welcomes the arrival of the team that he manages for nearly 7 years, with him leaving Stoke due to a disagreement with the chairman. Stoke has made significant strides since Tony Pulis’ departure with Mark Hughes most likely going to steer Stoke to a 2nd straight top10 season. West Bromwich find themselves with the possibility of 3 strikers missing in action, and with Peter Crouch in good form of late, Tony Pulis might find himself not having such a great welcome. However, given West Bromwich’s good home form, this could well be a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Key Men: Peter Crouch

Burnley (19th) vs Manchester City (2nd) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 130

Form
Burnley (4-10-14)	Manchester City(17-7-4)
Last 5 games: DLDLL Last 5 home games:DWLDL	Last 5 games: DWWLW Last 5 away games: DWDWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Burnley	Manchester City
Injuries: Marney, Long (cruciate)	Injuries: None

Burnley wont have Matt Taylor or new signing Fredrik Ulvestad in the Burnley squad. Taylor continues his slow recovery from Achilles surgery but is not yet ready for the first-team squad

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will hope to be recalled for the champions. The Belgium defender was dropped for City's last game against Leicester after a spell of indifferent form, while midfielders Fernandinho and Samir Nasri also missed out. Striker Wilfried Bony will hope to retain his spot after a first start for the club in the victory over the Foxes

Burnley will have their work cut for them against a Manchester City squad hoping to start closing the gap between them and league leaders Chelsea, who are already 5 points behind with Chelsea having a game to spare. However Burnley are no pushovers, although their league positions speaks otherwise. Burnley have done pretty well against the bigger teams, and with both teams having their own agenda in getting the 3 points, this could be a tighter game than expected. I am going for a Man City victory, but only just.

Prediction: 1-0 to Man City

Key Men: David Silva

Chelsea (1st) vs Southampton (7th) SingTel TV 102, StarHub TV 227, 2130pm

Form
Chelsea	Southampton
Last 5 games: DWWDW Last 5 home games:DWDWD	Last 5 games: WDLLW Last 5 away games: WWWWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Chelsea	Southampton
Injuries: Mikel (knee)	Injuries: Rodriguez (knee), Mayuka (groin)

Jose Mourinho will resist wholesale changes on Sunday following the midweek Champions League exit. The Blues boss insists "everyone wants to play" and has Nemanja Matic available for domestic duty

Toby Alderweireld is set to make his first appearance in nine weeks. The Belgium defender has been out since picking up a hamstring complaint at Manchester United on Jan. 11 and is likely to start at Stamford Bridge.

After Chelsea's painful exit to PSG at Champions League, and with Man City's loss to Burnley, I believed that Chelsea will have double the motivation to do well against a Southampton side that has gone a little off steam as of yet. However, Southampton do still have a realistic chance of finishing in the top 4 this season, and they definitely will not be easy to deal with. Their previous encounter finished in a fiery 1-1 draw in which Mourinho felt that a penalty decision involving Cesc Fabregas didnt go their way, and I believe that this match will also provide the same amount of fireworks and controversial moments as well. I would honestly hope for the Saints to come up with an upset and at the very least make the league slightly more interesting, but I doubt Mourinho will let slip at the chance of going 8 points ahead of City with a game in hand. Chelsea to win this by 1 goal.

Prediction: Chelsea 1 Saints 0
Key Men: Nemanja Matic, the backline of Southampton

Everton (14th) vs Newcastle (11th), SingTel TV 103, StarHub TV 228, 0000 (Monday)

Form
Everton (6-10-12)	Newcastle (9-8-11)
Last 5 games: DLDLL Last 5 home games: DDDWW	Last 5 games: DDLWL Last 5 away games: LLWDL

Injuries/Suspensions
Everton	Newcastle
Injuries: Oviedo (hamstring), Hibbert, Pienaar, McGeady (all knee) Suspended: Barry	Injuries: Haidara, Dummett (knee), Taylor (Achilles),, de Jong (collapsed lung), Tiote (knee) Suspended: Cisse

Everton full-back Leighton Baines (groin) faces a late fitness test. Centre-back John Stones is expected to be available again after missing Thursday's Europa League win over Dynamo Kiev due to a virus.

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse will miss the game as he begins a seven-match ban. The Senegal international incurred the suspension after accepting an FA improper conduct charge. Jack Colback returns after sitting out the last two games following his 10th booking of the campaign. Rob Elliot returns following his recovery from a long-term thigh injury along with midfielder Remy Cabella, who has shaken off a knee problem.

I really hope for Newcastle to compound Everton’s domestic misery with a win, but with Cisse being suspended for such lengthy duration, Newcastle’s chances of completing a double over Everton doesnt look too rosy. However, given that Everton has a gruelling mid week Europa League game against Dynamo Kiev, I would think that Newcastle would have a decent shot of at least getting a point. Given Lukaku’s lack of form, Steven Naismith could well be the key men to look out for, provided if he starts the game. As for Newcastle, it would be once again up to Moussa Sissoko to come up with the driving force for the Magpies. I am going on a limb, and predicting a tight 2-2 draw.

Prediction: 2-2 draw

Key Men: Steven Naismith, Moussa Sissoko

Manchester Utd (4th) vs Spurs (6th), SingTel TV 102, StarHub 227, 0000 (Monday)

Form
Man Utd (15-8-5)	Spurs (15-5-8)
Last 5 games: DWLWW Last 5 home games: WWWWL	Last 5 games: WLDWW Last 5 away games: WLLLW

Injuries/Suspensions
Man Utd	Spurs
Injuries: van Persie (ankle) Suspended: di Maria, Evans	Injuries: None

Ashley Young has overcome the leg injury he suffered in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal. Marcos Rojo is doubtful because of a groin problem.

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has a fully fit squad to choose from. With only league fixtures remaining, Pochettino has been able to give his squad a two-day break in the lead up to the game at Old Trafford.

Both teams have deceiving form. One would have thought that this would be a easy victory for Man Utd given their impressive home form, and Spurs wretched away form. However, delve deeper and you would realized that Man Utd’s oppnonents have been teams struggling of late whereas for Spurs, they have been playing top-caliber teams like Fiorentina and a Liverpool team steamrolling everyone of late. Man Utd had finally seen their luck ran out when they lost the FA Cup quarter-final tie deservingly to Arsenal, and I believe that Spurs do have the quality to turn the race for 4th up on its head with a victory. With di Maria and van Persie missing, the onus will be on Wayne Rooney once again to step up. As for Spurs, with Harry Kane (or HurriKane) still on that impressive streak, do expect a tight game with plenty of quality on display. I would go for a Spurs victory to further continue Man Utd’s losing streak with tougher games to come.

Prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Key Men: Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane

Swansea (9th) vs Liverpool (5th), SingTel TV 102, StarHub 227, 0400 (Tuesday)

Form
Swansea (11-7-10)	Liverpool (15-6-7)
Last 5 games: DLWWL Last 5 home games: WDLDW	Last 5 games: DWWWW Last 5 away games: WDWWL

Injuries/Suspensions
Swansea	Liverpool
Injuries: Bartley (knee)	Injuries: Enrique (knee), Allen (hip)

Bafetimbi Gomis should be available after collapsing during the 3-2 defeat at Tottenham on March 4. Gomis suffers from a vasovagal condition which causes low blood pressure and prompts fainting episodes, but he returned to training on Wednesday. Other than that, Garry Monk has a full-strength squad to select from.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is back in contention, having missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury. Defenders Martin Skrtel (head) and Mamadou Sakho (hip) are expected to be fit but there could still be a doubt over midfielder Joe Allen (hip).

This fixture has been synonymous with Jonjo Shelvey. The ex-Liverpool player has netted in the last three league matches between Liverpool and Swansea as a Swans player, though the last of these was an own goal. Liverpool seems to have finally found the balance and the personnel to execute the 3-4-2-1 tactic, and they really have been impressive of late. However, Swansea are no mean pushovers at home, having lost just once in the past 5 home games. I do expect Liverpool to pull through to further spice things in the race for 4th, with Shelvey once again expected to play a big role, and for Philippe Coutinho to finally break out of his mini “slump” and to perform well here.

Prediction: 2-1 win to Liverpool

Key Men: Jonjo Shelvey, Philippe Coutinho