Weekly Picks: PL Predictions GW 36
Don’t believe the hype. Especially if it’s yours.
I’ve always thought that Roberto Martinez got away with failings that other managers would not. His affable charm and relentless positivity used to work in his favour. But after an unacceptably shabby season at Goodison, the tide has turned.
Martinez teams have always flattered to deceive. They appear great on the surface, but lack substance. Much like his post-match comments…
Gareth Barry in NOT ‘one of best English players ever’. Tom Cleverley is NOT ‘the most sensational you are going to see in the Premier League’. Turning a 2-0 into a 3-2 defeat inside 15 minutes does NOT demonstrate ‘incredible tactical understanding and character’.
However, if things don’t improve in the next couple of weeks Everton could easily finish in the Bottom Five. In which case, Martinez WILL be sacked.
Saturday Fixtures:
3pm Everton v Bournemouth
Being level on points at this stage of the season constitutes a job well done for Eddie Howe. But possibly a job lost for Roberto Martinez. Seven without a win, including four failures to score is bad enough for Everton. The last minute FA Cup semi-final defeat rubbed salt in the wounds and upcoming trips to Champions in-waiting Leicester and relegation brawlers Sunderland won’t make the run-in any better. Bournemouth have downed tools – intentionally or not – and are shipping an uncharacteristic number of goals (14 in five). But all the pressure is with the home team.
Score Prediction: Spoils shared. 2-2
MVP: Romelu Lukaku owes his team after the Wembley penalty miss.
3pm Newcastle v Crystal Palace
Palace have saved their season – or the disastrous second half anyway – by getting to the Cup Final. But Newcastle are intended an even greater rescue mission. A point behind and a game ahead of their relegation rivals Norwich and Sunderland, the Geordies look the team less likely pre-match. But three points here would change everything. Their tails are up following their best run of form since December. Admittedly, this only amounts to five points from three matches but momentum is a big deal when you’re dipping for the finish line. Wonder what former boss Pardew will be thinking?
Score Prediction: Got to go with the home side. 2-1
MVP: Andros Townsend has added a new dimension.
3pm Stoke v Sunderland
Relegation rivals Sunderland will be hoping that they find Stoke is as charitable mood as their last three opponents have. The Potters have been hit for four three matches in a row. A six-point gap beneath them means a Top Half finish is all but assured and that will do nicely. So this result might come down to ambition – which will swing it in favour of the visitors. A great win at Norwich and decent draw at home to Arsenal will have Big Sam fancying his chances here.
Score Prediction: Sunderland to sneak it 0-1
MVP: Jermain Defoe deserved better at Arsenal.
3pm Watford v Aston Villa
A decent run-in could mean the difference between finishing 11th and 16th for Watford. A trip to Anfield and a two of the three relegation scrappers won’t make that easy, so it is imperative they get maximum points here. Villa have shown some signs of life in their last couple. But not enough to arrest the losing streak which now stretches to ten matches. In a week that has seen skipper Gabby Agbonlahor surrender his armband, players can only be playing for new contracts. With other clubs.
Score Prediction: Still enough sting to see off Villa. 2-1
MVP: Troy Deeney has been carrying his team for weeks now.
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3pm West Brom v West Ham
West Brom only manage to rouse themselves when a chance to spoil something raises its head. Their only two points from their last six matches have stopped Sunderland grabbing three much needed survival points and ended Tottenham’s title challenge. West Ham still have fifth place in their sights, but its’ doubtful if that will get the Pulis pulse racing. As for the Hammers, they have run out of steam. Andy Carroll’s six in six has injected life but they have only managed to win one of them.
Score Prediction: A last hurrah from the Hammers. 0-1
MVP: Andy Carroll has earned it.
5.30pm Arsenal v Norwich
Arsenal would have you believe they are still in the race for the PL runners-up spot. But then Tottenham will say they can still catch Leicester. Neither are fooling anyone. Wrestling third place of Man City is a more realistic goal for the misfiring Gunners. But Norwich are scrapping for survival points. In the last month, Arsenal have only managed draws with relegation threatened Sunderland and Palace (at the time, at least). Norwich need more than a draw really but that will require finding some goals from somewhere. Plus, they have lost to the two mentioned teams in their last two.
Score Prediction: Looking grim for Norwich. 2-0
MVP: Alexis Sanchez looks by far the freshest Gunner.
Sunday Fixtures:
12 noon Swansea v Liverpool
I suspect that if both teams were offered a point apiece, no injuries and probably even a small fine they would take it rather than have to play this fixture. Liverpool have already racked up 56 matches in a punishing season. Jurgen Klopp has bigger – perhaps Champions League sized – fish to fry on Thursday. And there is little PL progress to be garnered here. Swansea have played a mere 28 times, but since clocking up 40 points are thinking about their holidays. They’ve done enough. Successive drubbings at the hands of Leicester (forgiveable) and Newcastle (less so) suggests they’ve also had enough.
Score Prediction: A tackle-free 1-1
MVP: Gylfi Sigurdsson is no ugly duckling.
2.05pm Man United v Leicester
Not much could make this season any more spectacularly memorable for Leicester. But clinching the title at Old Trafford would be kinda sweet. The PL title is surely now decided, so Leicester will get the fairytale ending they deserve – going into their final match at Chelsea as Champions. Claudio Ranieri and his heroes will get a guard of honour from the old Champions, before helping themselves to their trophy. United will look to prolong the inevitable, of course. Their recent record almost matches their visitors and there are now FA Cup Final places to play for.
Score Prediction: Honours even. In this match at least. 1-1
MVP: Wayne Rooney has a bit of catching up to do.
4.30pm Southampton v Man City
Wednesday’s visit to the Bernabeu is likely to impact City’s showing here. The team to face Real Madrid will be picked before the team that plays here, that is for shiz. Plenty will miss out and even those that do play will be tip-toeing through this match. The race for third place in the PL will be a poor second in terms of priorities and Arsenal are up next anyway. Southampton looked locked on eighth place and that will do after a messy season. Expect an end-of-season friendly vibe here.
Score Prediction: More goals than 50/50 tackles. 3-2
MVP: Sadio Mane will enjoy more space than he normally would.
Monday Fixture:
8pm Chelsea v Tottenham
The only people more disappointed with last Monday’s draw than Tottenham were the TV companies. The media and pundits alike had decided on the narrative of Spurs relentlessly stalking Leicester, just waiting for one slip-up to set up a final day feeding frenzy. But West Brom saw to that last week. Instead this is an opportunity for Chelsea to appease their fans after just two wins in their last nine at home (v a Man City youth team and a Newcastle shambles). Dele Alli’s ill-judged right hook will deprive Tottenham of their Young Player of the Year, but they will want to deliver a knock-out blow to their London rivals before the season’s out.
Score Prediction: A counter-punching 1-2
MVP: Looks like it’s Harry Kane then.
That’s how it looks from here.
Until next time.
Matt Nesbitt’s short, unspectacular but joyful playing career has given way to a much longer, more successful but immeasurably more rubbish one writing about football and providing betting advice. Email: Matt Nesbitt
