PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS – SATURDAY APRIL 23 – MONDAY APRIL 25

Manchester City v Stoke City – Saturday 1245

Positions: Man City 4^th, Stoke 9^th

Form (League matches only – earliest matches first):

Man City

DLWWWD (11pts)

Stoke

DLWDLL (5pts)

• Manchester City’s performance against Newcastle was far from perfect, but their performances in the few matches prior to that have been excellent. Stoke’s best hope may be that the Blues rest players ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, but with the Potters having just one win in six, and having conceded eight goals in losing their last two matches, you still have to fancy Manuel Pellegrini’s side here. Samir Nasri is doubtful with injury for Man City, while Stoke’s Xerdan Shaqiri definitely misses the match.

Aston Villa v Southampton – Saturday 1500

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, Southampton 8^th

Form:

Aston Villa

LLLLLL (0pts)

Southampton

DWWLWD (11pts)

• Aston Villa are now mathematically relegated from the Premier League, and the turmoil at the club only increased this week with the resignation of two directors and more adverse publicity regarding the off-field activities of Gabriel Agbonlahor. Villa have now lost their last nine matches, and few would bet against that run continuing in their remaining four matches. Southampton have to start as strong favourites.

Bournemouth v Chelsea – Saturday 1500

Positions: Bournemouth 13^th, Chelsea 10^th

Form:

Bournemouth

WWLLWL (9pts)

Chelsea

WDDWLL (8pts)

• Chelsea’s long unbeaten run in domestic matches under Guus Hiddink almost seems a distant memory now after their two recent losses. But Bournemouth are another side that seem to be just playing out time in mid-table, and maybe the Blues will get back to winning ways here.

Liverpool v Newcastle United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Newcastle 19^th, Liverpool 7^th

Form:

Liverpool

WLDWWW (13pts)

Newcastle

LDLLWD (5pts)

• Newcastle, having looked down and out two matches ago, will have been cheered by their win over Swansea and their performance in drawing with Manchester City. However they will still do well to get anything out of this fixture, with Liverpool having scored ten in winning their last three matches.

Sunderland v Arsenal – Sunday 1405

Positions: Sunderland 18^th, Arsenal 3^rd

Form:

Sunderland

DDDDLW (7pts)

Arsenal

DWWDDW (12pts)

• The Arsenal faithful booed the team off after their draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, but they are still unbeaten in six, and will start as favourites despite Sunderland’s vital win over Norwich last time out.

Leicester City v Swansea City – Sunday 1615

Positions: Leicester 1^st, Swansea 14^th

Form:

Leicester

WWWWWL (15pts)

Swansea

WLWDWL (10pts)

• Leicester’s winning run, and their run of clean sheets, ended last week. Although Jamie Vardy is suspended here, Leicester will be favourites to take three points – they need a maximum of eight from their last four matches to be guaranteed the title.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion – Monday 2000

Positions: Tottenham 2^nd, West Brom 15^th

Form:

Tottenham

DWWDWW (14pts)

West Brom

WLDLLL (4pts)

• Tottenham once again play after their title rivals, but this has caused them little difficulty in recent weeks. They look in superb form, and on recent evidence they could easily win all their remaining games and force Leicester to gain eight more points to hold off their challenge. With two goals in their last six matches, West Brom are not expected to stop their momentum here.

FA CUP SEMI FINAL MATCH PREVIEWS – SATURDAY APRIL 23 – SUNDAY APRIL 24

(both matches at Wembley Stadium)

Everton v Manchester United – Saturday 1715

League Positions: Everton 11^th, Man Utd 5^th

• Concerns over Everton’s consistency, and the standard of their defending, were not helped by their 4-0 thrashing in the Merseyside derby. United are perhaps in their best form of the season right now, and must be fancied here. Ramiro Funes Mori is suspended for Everton, and they may also be without Gareth Barry and John Stones, leaving them looking threadbare at the back.

Crystal Palace v Watford – Sunday 1600

League Positions: Crystal Palace 16^th, Watford 12^th

• The FA Cup has been Palace’s lifeline this season, and they are in better form in recent league matches than Watford. So a repeat of the United-Palace final from 1990 could be on the cards. Watford’s Nordin Amrabat will be suspended after his red card in midweek.
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