PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS - SATURDAY APRIL 2

Aston Villa v Chelsea – Saturday 1245

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

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

Aston Villa

LLLLLL (0pts)

Chelsea

DWWWDD (12pts)

• Remi Garde has left Villa this week, leaving them searching for yet another manager to mastermind their attempt to bounce back next season. A Chelsea win is the most likely outcome in what could be a very low key affair.

Arsenal v Watford – Saturday 1500

Positions: Arsenal 3^rd, Watford 14^th

Form:

Arsenal

WWLLDW (10pts)

Watford

LWDLLL (4pts)

• If any lingering title hopes remain for Arsenal, they have to win here. Despite their own far from brilliant form, Arsenal have to be fancied given Watford’s recent losses and lack of goals.

Bournemouth v Manchester City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Bournemouth 13^th, Man City 4^th

Form:

Bournemouth

LDWWWL (10pts)

Man City

LLLWDL (4pts)

• Surely all that remains for City this season is firstly to make sure of a top four spot, and then see if they can move up to third and avoid a Champions League qualifying round. Given the recent form of the two sides, few will confidently back City’s megastars to see off Bournemouth here.

Norwich City v Newcastle United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Norwich 17^th, Newcastle 19^th

Form:

Newcastle

WLLLLD (4pts)

Norwich

DLLLDW (5pts)

• A huge match for both sides in the fight to stay in the Premier League. Sky and BT’s live match choices seem to favour matches involving the traditional big clubs this week, even if there is little riding on the game, so its a Saturday 3pm kick off for this showdown. Karl Darlow, with only a few unconvincing first team appearances under his belt, is likely to be pressed into service in the Newcastle goal after the serious injury sustained by Rob Elliott on international duty, which will keep him out of Euro 2016. Will this uncertainty, plus Norwich’s win in their last game, give them the edge?

Stoke City v Swansea City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Stoke 8^th, Swansea 15th

Form:

Stoke

WWWDLW (10pts)

Swansea

LLWWLW (9pts)

• Both sides are in decent form, but perhaps home advantage will swing it for Stoke. Shay Given is expected to replace the injured Jack Butland in goal for the Potters, and by a happy coincidence (from his point of view) he returns to first team action at the same time as Elliott’s injury has pushed him up the pecking order in the Ireland squad.

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 1500

Positions: Sunderland 18^th, West Brom 11^th

Form:

Sunderland

DWLDDD (7pts)

West Brom

LWWDWL (10pts)

• West Brom’s revival was checked with a disappointing loss to Norwich last time out. After three successive draws, Sunderland must be targeting this one as a winnable game as they seek to exit the bottom three.

West Ham United v Crystal Palace – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Ham 5^th, Crystal Palace 16^th

Form:

West Ham

LDWWWD (11pts)

Crystal Palace

DLLDLL (2pts)

• Sides who are seven points clear of the relegation zone at this stage of the season are usually feeling fairly untroubled. But Crystal Palace’s wretched run continues, and they will surely have to win at some stage to escape the drop. With West Ham still flying high, you would not expect it to occur here.

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur – Saturday 1730

Positions: Liverpool 9^th, Tottenham 2^nd

Form:

Liverpool

LDWWWL (10pts)

Tottenham

WWLDWW (13pts)

• In most of the forthcoming rounds of matches, Tottenham will play after Leicester, so this is a rare opportunity to get the points on the board and put pressure on their title rivals. Spurs probably start as slight favourites here.

Tipster Street.