PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS SATURDAY APRIL 9 – SUNDAY APRIL 10

West Ham v Arsenal – Saturday 1245

Positions: West Ham 6^th, Arsenal 3^rd

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

West Ham

DWWWDD (12pts)

Arsenal

WLLDWW (10pts)

·         Arsenal played some excellent football in their 4-0 win over Watford last week, and were they to win their game in hand they would be just one point behind second placed Tottenham. If they can win at West Ham, who are unbeaten in six, it should give them a major confidence boost. This is potentially a very exciting match.

Aston Villa v Bournemouth – Saturday 1500

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, Bournemouth 13^th

Form:

Aston Villa

LLLLLL (0pts)

Bournemouth

DWWWLL (10pts)

·         Villa have now lost seven in succession for the second time this season, and given the manner of their defeat to Chelsea last week, another defeat for the Birmingham side must be the most likely outcome here. Having said that, Bournemouth have conceded seven goals in losing their last two, and have been accused of coasting now they appear to be safe from relegation.

Crystal Palace v Norwich City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Crystal Palace 16^th, Norwich 17^th

Form:

Crystal Palace

LLDLLD (2pts)

Norwich

LLLDWW (7pts)

·         Palace are still without a league win in 2016, and will be targeting this match against lowly Norwich to finally end that run. However, Norwich will go into the game on a high after their vital win over Newcastle, and may have the edge here.

Southampton v Newcastle United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Southampton 7^th, Newcastle 19^th

Southampton

LLDWWL (7pts)

Newcastle

LLLLDL (1pt)

·         Newcastle suffered a potentially very damaging loss to Norwich last week, and now stand six points adrift of safety. Southampton have to be fancied to claim three points here.

Swansea City v Chelsea – Saturday 1500

Positions: Swansea 15^th, Chelsea 10^th

Swansea

LWWLWD (10pts)

Chelsea

WWWDDW (14pts)

·         Chelsea’s long unbeaten run in the Premier League continues, and they will expect that to continue as they visit inconsistent Swansea.

Watford v Everton – Saturday 1500

Positions: Watford 14^th, Everton 12^th

Form:

Watford

WDLLLL (4pts)

Everton

WLWLLL (6pts)

·         Two sides on losing runs meet here. Of all the matches this weekend, this probably has the least riding on the result, and with both teams seemingly prioritising the FA Cup now, this may not be a thriller.

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 1730

Positions: Man City 4^th, West Brom 11^th

Form:

Man City

LLWDLW (7pts)

West Brom

WWDWLD (11pts)

·         Kevin de Bruyne was instrumental in City’s comfortable win over Bournemouth, and Manuel Pellegrini will be delighted to have him back, given how much better their results have been when the Belgian has been in the side. West Brom have been tough to beat in recent weeks, but expect City to prevail here.

Sunderland v Leicester City – Sunday 1330

Positions: Sunderland 18^th, Leicester 1^st

Form:

Sunderland

WLDDDD (4pts)

Leicester

WDWWWW (16pts)

·         Leicester are not only seven points clear, but also top of the six game form table. All five of their wins in this period have been by 1-0 margins, and while they are not thrashing teams at present, they are getting the job done, and their recent defensive form must be very reassuring for their supporters. Maybe Leicester will win by a greater margin here?

Liverpool v Stoke City – Sunday 1600

Positions: Liverpool 9^th, Stoke 8^th

Form:

Liverpool

DWWWLD (11pts)

Stoke

WWDLWD (11pts)

·         Liverpool go into the game having had an away Europa League match on the Thursday, so will the fatigue factor edge it for Stoke, given the two teams have identical records in the last six matches?

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United – Sunday 1600

Positions: Tottenham 2^nd, Man Utd 5^th

Form:

Tottenham

WLDWWD (11pts)

Man Utd

LWWLWW (12pts)

·         If Leicester win the day before, Tottenham will be 10 points adrift of top spot come kick off. They also face a very tough match here, with United having won four of their last five, with only one conceded in the last four, and with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial continuing to pose a major threat upfront.