With seven rounds plus two midweeks of rearranged games left, the Premier League run-in officially kicks off this weekend.
Title chasing Manchester City is Saturday’s headline act as they visit Fulham whilst the battle for seventh takes centre stage elsewhere.
Fulham vs Manchester City (12:30pm)
Fulham really need to go on an unbeaten run now if are to survive and have shown progress in recent weeks, which might trouble Manchester City who looked badly exposed at times against Swansea in their FA Cup victory a fortnight ago.
Add in the fact that the Cottagers have been quite unlucky to lose 2-1 in their last two home outings against Chelsea and Liverpool, third time lucky might be ominous here.
Manchester City however are on another level and with Raheem Sterling currently in form for both club and country, I can’t see past anything other than a comfortable win even if Fulham score a goal.
Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Fulham 0-0 Manchester City
Result: Fulham 0-2 Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Southampton
Just three points separate these teams as both hang just above the drop, making this game critical to the survival hopes of both sides.
Brighton might of won their last two games but their inconsistency is a huge worry and their lucky win over Millwall in FA Cup really highlights that issue because we don’t know what sort of team to expect every match.
Southampton meanwhile are in similar form after what was a strong January but unlike Brighton, they have shown desire even when chasing the game which is a huge positive to bring into the run-in.
On that note, I am backing the Saints because Brighton are going to have to do more than try and score from set pieces here.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Southampton
Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Southampton
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Southampton
Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Embed from Getty ImagesWolves must view this as must win because at this stage, any slip could be ruthlessly punished by those just below them in the race for seventh.
Burnley however are a good side only let down by poor defending so will ask questions of Wolves, if they sit back and slowly grow their way into the match like they have recently done against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
We therefore could have a slow burner here but with Manchester United then a FA Cup semi-final to come within next week, Wolves need a win here for momentum and i can see them edging this clash.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jake predicts: Burnley 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result: Burnley 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Crystal Palace vs Huddersfield Town
Home form has been Crystal Palace’s Achilles heel this season so this is a winnable game for Huddersfield.
I expect Palace to do most of the attacking but if Huddersfield can repeat their clinical counter attack display from a fortnight ago against West Ham, they should definitely get goals.
This therefore should be an entertaining yet competitive match and I am going for a Huddersfield win if they can defend better.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Huddersfield Town
Jake predicts: Crystal Palace 0-0 Huddersfield Town
Result: Crystal Palace 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Leicester City vs Bournemouth
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is a massive six pointer which could shape the run-ins for both teams with seventh at stake.
Leicester are definitely enjoying their football again with back to back wins but Bournemouth are finally back on track after a injury wrecked mid-season, so expect a good game here between two teams who are rediscovering their best form.
A draw therefore would be a great result for both teams, especially as last three meetings here all finished level.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-1 Bournemouth
Jake predicts: Leicester City 2-0 Bournemouth
Result: Leicester City 2-0 Bournemouth
Manchester United vs Watford
After losing two consecutive matches and crashing out of FA Cup, this is a must win for Manchester United now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as their new permanent manager.
Watford however will be a tough side to beat with their solid all round game even if recent form suggests otherwise, although they did effectively throw the Man City game to save their key players for a successful FA Cup win over Crystal Palace last time out.
I therefore can see a tightly fought game but the Hornets’ poor away league form since the New Year ultimately could be their undoing here.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Watford
Jake predicts Manchester United 2-2 Watford
Result: Manchester United 2-1 Watford
West Ham United vs Everton (5:30pm)
Embed from Getty ImagesJust two points split these teams entering this clash so I am expecting a close battle because should Wolves and Watford both fail to win, the race for seventh could get even tighter.
Inconsistency is something which both teams share performance wise but West Ham have been impressive at home since New Year with no defeats, making Everton’s task even harder.
I therefore am struggling to see how the Toffees can win this because they’re not consistent enough against the two sides currently either side of them, with seven points from seven meetings.
On that note, I going for a tight Hammers win but won’t be a particularly exciting match with so much at stake at this stage of the season.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-0 Everton
Jake predicts: West Ham United 2-1 Everton
Prediction Wars
With the season past the half way point, so is Prediction Wars between me and Boro Rants writer, Jake Self.
Rules remain the same as last season and goes as follows alongside latest standings;
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 211 |
| Jake Self | 208 |
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