PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS – SATURDAY MAY 7 – SUNDAY MAY 8

Norwich City v Manchester United – Saturday 1245

Positions: Norwich 19^th, Man Utd 5^th

Form (League matches only – earliest matches first):

Norwich

DWWLLL (7pts)

Man Utd

WWLWWD (13pts)

• Norwich are sure to be fighting hard, but spirit may not be enough as they face a United side in their best form of the season. United must be favourites even though Marouane Fellaini starts a three match ban.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, Newcastle 17^th

Form:

Aston Villa

LLLLLL (0pts)

Newcastle

LLWDDW (8pts)

• Villa managed to lead 2-1 against Watford last week, before their injury time capitulation condemned them to an 11^th straight defeat. Can they summon up some of the same form they showed for 89 minutes at Watford in this encounter? However, Villa probably prefer playing away at the moment, and with their protesting supporters not creating a positive atmosphere at Villa Park, coupled with the potential psychological damage of the way their last match ended, indications suggest Newcastle could secure another vital win here.

Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 1500

Positions: Bournemouth 15^th, West Brom 14^th

Bournemouth

LLWLLL (3pts)

West Brom

DLLLDL (2pts)

• So how will an encounter between two sides who are now mathematically safe, but who are both in poor form, pan out? Expect a low key encounter where one goal either way may be enough.

Crystal Palace v Stoke City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Crystal Palace 16^th, Stoke 10^th

Form:

Crystal Palace

DWDDLL (6pts)

Stoke

WDLLLD (5pts)

• This may also not be the most keenly contested encounter, but with Stoke’s recent defensive problems, Palace could claim what would be just their second league win of the year. However, this match does see a team whose focus appears to be on the FA Cup final with one whose focus appears to be on the end of the season.

Sunderland v Chelsea – Saturday 1500

Positions: Sunderland 18^th, Chelsea 9^th

Form:

Sunderland

DDLWDD (7pts)

Chelsea

DWLLWD (8pts)

• Seeing the level of effort they put into Monday night’s match, an uninformed observer could have been forgiven for thinking Chelsea were themselves in title contention, rather than simply trying to stop their rivals Tottenham from claiming the prize. The intensity could be much reduced here, and Sunderland may fancy their chances of getting something, even if it may just be an extension of their recent run of draws.

West Ham United v Swansea City – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Ham 6^th, Swansea 13^th

Form:

West Ham

DDDDWW (10pts)

Swansea

WDWLLW (10pts)

• In an act of kindness towards international teams rarely seen from top clubs, Swansea are set to rest their Welsh internationals Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor to allow them to prepare for Euro 2016. With West Ham still not out of the race for the top four, expect the Hammers to prevail.

Leicester City v Everton – Saturday 1730

Positions: Leicester 1^st, Everton 11^th

Form:

Leicester

WWWDWD (14pts)

Everton

LDDDLW (6pts)

• So this is it – the homecoming of the newly crowned league champions. It’s a chance for players and supporters alike to celebrate Leicester’s unlikely title win, and with all pressure removed, this could be the day that Leicester turn on the style on the pitch, and it may be Everton who suffer. Jamie Vardy returns from suspension, but team mate Danny Drinkwater is now obliged to sit this one out after his red card at Old Trafford, as is Robert Huth, who starts a three match ban for his actions in the same match.

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton – Sunday 1330

Positions: Tottenham 2^nd, Southampton 7^th

Form:

Tottenham

WDWWDD (12pts)

Southampton

WLWDWW (13pts)

• So how will Tottenham react to seeing their title hopes slip away? Spurs are still not certain of second place, but with the big prize having gone, how much of an incentive will that be? Southampton were in exhilarating form last weekend, even though they were playing a weakened Manchester City, and Tottenham’s defence will need to be on top form to keep them out. At time of writing, no bans had yet been imposed on either Erik Lamela or Moussa Dembele for their actions in Monday’s stormy encounter with Chelsea. Dele Alli remains suspended.

Liverpool v Watford – Sunday 1600

Positions: Liverpool 8^th, Watford 12^th

Form:

Liverpool

DWWWDL (11pts)

Watford

LLDWLW (7pts)

• Liverpool had been in excellent form, until a weakened side lost last weekend. Brad Smith is suspended after his red card in that match, but may not have played anyway, as with the Europa semi-final now completed, Liverpool are likely to revert to full strength, and should have enough to see off Watford.

Manchester City v Arsenal – Sunday 1600

Positions: Man City 4^th, Arsenal 3^rd

Form:

Man City

WWWDWL (13pts)

Arsenal

WDDWDW (12pts)

• City were another side that lost last weekend after fielding a weakened side for a match that fell between the two legs of a European semi-final. With the Blues still not sure of their place in next season’s Champions League, the big names will surely be back for this one, but with Arsenal unbeaten in eight, City’s stars will need to be on top form to claim three points. Vincent Kompany’s latest injury will not help City’s chances.

Tipster Street.