Big Big Games!
Premier League MW 28
Norwich vs. Leicester
20th vs. 3rd as Leicester travel to Norwich. Norwich as they do every week need to start winning some games with only 10 of them left but Leicester should be a step too far for the home team. Leicester have not been at their best in recent months but the likes of Vardy, Perez, Barnes, Maddison etc should be more than enough to get a win against the Canaries. Leicester are currently on a 3 match winless run that should end this week. The reverse fixture was a 1-1 draw.
Brighton vs. Crystal Palace
Brighton are 4 points from safety as they have drawn their last three games and sit 15th in the table while Palace are 13th and finally managed to win last weekend. If Brighton win that should pull them further away from the bottom three while a Palace win would see them create a substantial gap from the lower places. The teams are at a similar level of form and so this could go either way. The reverse fixture was a 1-1 draw.
Newcastle vs. Burnley
Burnley sit 10th unbeaten in their last 5 with 4 wins out of those 5 games as they travel to Newcastle who are 14th and are winless in their last 4 having lost their last two games. Two teams at opposite ends of the form spectrum with Newcastle falling further down the table. Burnley should get a win against Newcastle considering their current form but Newcastle can always cause an upset. The reverse fixture was a 1-0 win for Burnley.
West Ham vs. Southampton
18th placed West Ham are in dismal form as they entertain Southampton who sit 12th and are in a bit of patchy form themselves. West Ham have a great chance to get climb out of the relegation zone as Villa do not play this weekend while Southampton will want to build on their win from last weekend. Southampton are clearly the better team but West Ham were decent against Liverpool albeit poor defensively and they could get a point. The reverse fixture was a 0-1 win for West Ham.
Watford vs. Liverpool
19th placed Watford can also climb out of the relegation zone but they face a tough task with Liverpool the team that are visiting them. Liverpool are looking to get the title done and dusted but they needed luck to beat West Ham and will want to beat Watford convincingly. Liverpool should win this game for obvious reasons and it would be a big upset if Watford got a point or more. The reverse fixture was a 2-0 win for Liverpool.
Everton vs. Man United
A big game in the top five race as 11th placed Everton welcome 5th placed Man United. Everton were perhaps unlucky to lose to Arsenal last weekend which ended a brilliant run of form while United have won their last two games. It should be an open game and Ancelotti will relish a chance to beat United while losing to Ole would be a blemish on his glittering career. Everton have the players to do the damage and while United are dangerous on the counter I expect Ancelotti and Everton to take 3 points. The reverse fixture was a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham vs. Wolverhampton
6th vs. 8th as Tottenham welcome Wolves in this weekend’s 2nd top five clash. Tottenham ended a winning run last weekend with a defeat at Chelsea while Wolves are unbeaten in their last 3 games having won the last one. Wolves always tend to have the number of the traditional top 6 teams and with Tottenham in such dire shape they could get another win this weekend. Mourinho will probably serve up more siege mentality as he looks to grind out a win. If Wovles’s players like Jota and Jimenez etc are up for the task this should be a win for Nuno and team. The reverse fixture was a 1-2 win for Tottenham.
La Liga MW 26
Sevilla entertain to Osasuna, Atletico travel to Espanyol, Getafe travel to Mallorca, and Barcelona take on Real in the game of the weekend. Real are coming off of a defeat to Man City during the week while Barcelona also drew against Napoli. Neither team is in great form but they both lead the table as Barcelona can open up a 5 point gap while Real can jump above Barcelona with a win. It is a big game that could set the tone for the run in with both teams desperate for the win. With Real at home I expect real to win but it could be close.
Serie A MW 26
Lazio take on Bologna, Napoli take on Torino, Milan welcome Genoa, Atalanta travel to Lecce, Roma travel to Cagliari, and Juventus entertain Milan in a top of the table clash. Lazop will be eyeing a win against Bologna and hope that either one of Juventus and Inter drop point or its a draw. Juventus can create a big distance from Inter with a win while Conte and co need three points if they want jump back into the race as they are currently 6 points behind Juventus with a game in hand. An entertaining weekend in Italy with Milan also trying to break into the European places.
Bundesliga MW 24
Dortmund entertain Freiburg, Monchengladbach travel to Augsburg, Bayern travel to Hoffenheim, Schalke travel to Koln, and Leverkusen travel to Leipzig. Tricky fixtures for all teams involved as there are no easy wins. Bayern still lead by a point and will hope that Leipzig drop points against Leverkusen but the reigning champions themselves face a tough task against Hoffenheim who are more than a decent side.
Ligue 1 MW 27
Marseille travel to Nimes, PSG take on Dijon, Monaco welcome Stade Reims, Rennes travel to Toulouse, Lille travel to Nantes, and Lyon take on St.Etienne. The race for the top four and European places is still well and truly on but PSG are clear favourites for the title as they are every season. Marseille are looking like they will finish 2nd but nothing is done and dusted yet.
Carabao Cup Final
Aston Villa vs. Man City
The holders are looking to make it 3 seasons in a row as they take on Aston Villa this time. Villa got through 3-2 on aggregate as they beat Leicester while City beat United 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final for the third consecutive time. If this was a Premier League game then City would be certain winners but cup games are different and an upset is always on the cards. Pep rested several players against Real Madrid with the likes of Sterling, and Aguero on the bench and so they should fresh for Villa. City should win this but Villa cannot be underestimated and an upset could be on the cards and would be a fun result.
Park The Bus 