This weekend is a massive one for several teams in the Premier League as relegation and European spots start to get finalised.
West Bromwich Albion could be first team down whilst Liverpool can move a step closer towards confirming their Champions League spot for next season.
The big match sees Southampton host Bournemouth and can be found here.
Liverpool vs Stoke City (12:30pm)
Stoke City can place pressure on Swansea with victory here as they face what will be a much changed Liverpool side from their midweek win over AS Roma.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have now been unbeaten at Anfield for over a year in the league so definitely will be tough for the Potters to break down.
Stoke meanwhile have won just one away game this season and taken nine points on the road out of a possible 51 points.
To be frank, that is a woeful collection of points with 42 points wasted although not all came under Paul Lambert, so I can see just one winner here.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City
Jake predicts: Liverpool 4-0 Stoke City
Result: Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City
Burnley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
After a mind blowing season, any point here will confirm Burnley’s return to Europe because their lead over Everton will become unassailable.
The last four meetings between these sides have however ended in draws which will be a great result here for the Clarets.
Brighton meanwhile have lost just one of last seven trips to Turf Moor but haven’t won their last ten away league games since beating Swansea in early November (D3 L7).
That needs to change here but Burnley are on a hot goal streak, finding goal in last eight matches despite keeping one clean sheet.
I can’t see any change here but Burnley should get another win and clean sheet.
Prediction: Burnley 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jake predicts: Burnley 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Result: Burnley 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace vs Leicester City
For Crystal Palace, this is a must win if want to avoid a potential last day survival showdown.
Leicester on other hand are safe but questions are being asked about Claude Puel’s future at the Foxes.
Interestingly unlike many other teams at home, Palace tend to score more in first half but overall Leicester are more clinical in front of goal, averaging 1.59 goals per away game to the Eagles’ 1.29 goals per home game.
Form wise sees to favour the home side who are unbeaten in four of last five matches with Wilfried Zaha scoring three goals in two of last three games.
Ultimately, I can see a draw here because Leicester will be more fresher after last playing nine days ago but are in shaky form.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leicester City
Jake predicts: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester City
Result: Crystal Palace 5-0 Leicester City
Huddersfield Town vs Everton
With a nightmare part of run in to come, this is Huddersfield’s last realistic hope at getting a win this season.
The Terriers have Manchester City (a), Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h) left so really need the three points to keep them clear from the drop.
Everton meanwhile are safe and know that if they win their remaining games and Burnley lose theirs, the Toffees could sneak the final European spot.
Huddersfield’s last win in this fixture came in March 1956, with the Terriers suffering relegation that season.
This time around, they have a six point cushion above the drop but Stoke have two winnable games against teams around them, meaning that should they win both and Huddersfield lose theirs then it will come down to goal difference.
Another concern is that Huddersfield are one of three sides yet to win from a goal down. That has to change from now on in if they’re to survive otherwise they might need to rely on other results to keep them up.
A positive is that their form has improved recently, taking 11 points from last eight games.
Everton’s wins this season have come against sides below them but they have struggled on past trips to Yorkshire based clubs in the top flight.
Prediction wise, I would fancy Everton but their Yorkshire record is worrying and Huddersfield need at least a point.
In end, I can see a score draw.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Everton
Jake predicts: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Everton
Result: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Everton
Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion
Anything less than victory and West Brom are down. It’s as simple as that.
Victory here definitely will feel like a cupset given the Baggies’ poor record at St James Park, having won just one of last 15 trips (W10 D4).
That achievement would be more of a surprise, given that Rafa Benitez has seven wins out of eight against West Brom without conceding a goal at home, drawing the other.
Newcastle meanwhile are safe so can relax and prepare for next season now and I reckon that may play into West Brom’s hands a bit.
Prediction: Newcastle United 0-1 WBA
Jake predicts: Newcastle United 1-1 WBA
Result: Newcastle United 0-1 WBA
Swansea City vs Chelsea (5:30pm)
Depending on Stoke’s and Southampton results earlier in day, Swansea can potentially push them further towards the drop with victory over Chelsea.
In seven top flight clashes at the Liberty Stadium, this fixture has seen four draws with Chelsea winning two to Swansea’s one.
Form wise, Swansea haven’t won any of last five games but four of those were away. Chelsea meanwhile are unbeaten in four of last five but haven’t kept a clean sheet in last six league games.
Since Carlos Carvalhal arrived at Swansea, the Swans have beaten two members out of three from the ‘Big Six’ who visited the Liberty Stadium. That is bound to give them plenty of confidence for this clash.
The Blues however have a danger sub in Oliver Giroud, who might just swing this game Chelsea’s way.
Prediction: Swansea City 0-2 Chelsea
Jake predicts: Swansea City 1-0 Chelsea
Result: Swansea City 0-1 Chelsea
Prediction Wars
Here at Sport Grill, me and Middlesbrough FC writer, Jake Self are going head to head predicting this season’s Premier League games.
This is how things stand after the previous round of games along with the rules.
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 224 |
| Jake Self | 221 |
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