PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27 – SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28

West Ham United v Sunderland – Saturday 1245

Positions: West Ham 7^th, Sunderland 19^th

Form (last six matches – league matches only – earliest results first):

West Ham

WLDWLD (8pts)

Sunderland

WLDLDW (8pts)

• Sunderland are now within touching distance of moving out of the relegation zone after some encouraging recent performances. They could stand a real chance of picking up an impressive away win here. Cheikhou Kouyate is available for West Ham after his red card was rescinded.

Leicester City v Norwich City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Leicester 1^st, Norwich 17^th

Form:

Leicester

WDWWWL (13pts)

Norwich

LLLLLD (1pt)

• Leicester will be strong favourites as they tackle a team in very poor form. Danny Simpson will be suspended after his red card in the Foxes’ defeat to Arsenal.

Southampton v Chelsea – Saturday 1500

Positions: Southampton 6^th, Chelsea 12^th

Form:

Southampton

WWWDWW (16pts)

Chelsea

DDWDDW (10pts)

• A potentially very entertaining contest between two in-form sides. Southampton have recorded six successive clean sheets and won five of these matches, so they may have the edge.

Stoke City v Aston Villa – Saturday 1500

Positions: Stoke 10^th, Aston Villa 20^th

Form:

Stoke

WDLLLW (7pts)

Aston Villa

WDDLWL (8pts)

• Villa actually have a better six match form record than their opponents. However, the manner of Villa’s 6-0 capitulation to Liverpool in their last match suggested a team who had thrown in the towel, and Stoke must start as favourites here.

Watford v Bournemouth – Saturday 1500

Positions: Watford 9^th, Bournemouth 15^th

Form:

Watford

LLWDLW (7pts)

Bournemouth

LWDWLL (7pts)

• Neither side goes into this match in great form. However Watford’s potent strike pairing of Deeney and Ighalo could fancy their chances against a sometimes shaky Bournemouth defence.

West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace – Saturday 1730

Positions: West Brom 14^th, Crystal Palace 13^th

Form:

West Brom

DLDDLW (6pts)

Crystal Palace

LLLLDL (1pt)

• From threatening to break into the top four a few weeks ago, Palace are in desperate need of a league win, and may even be uncertain of gaining the eight points they may need in the rest of the season to escape relegation. Both sides have been in poor league form but Palace may have the edge, as they go into the match on the back of an impressive FA Cup win over Tottenham, while West Brom went out to lower league opposition.

Manchester United v Arsenal – Sunday 1405

Positions: Man Utd 5^th, Arsenal 3^rd

Form:

Man Utd

DWLWDL (8pts)

Arsenal

DDLDWW (9pts)

• Arsenal appear to have come through a rough patch, and may start as slight favourites here, especially as Wayne Rooney remains sidelined for United.

Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City – Sunday 1405

Positions: Tottenham 2^nd, Swansea 16^th

Form:

Tottenham

LWWWWW (16pts)

Swansea

LWWDDL (8pts)

• Tottenham will expect to win this match and further emphasise their title credentials.

LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Liverpool v Manchester City – Sunday 1630

League Positions: Liverpool 8^th, Man City 4^th

• Man for man, Manchester City are the stronger outfit and have the greater goal threat, and they will start as favourites, but Liverpool undoubtedly stand a chance if they can play to their full potential.

Tipster Street.