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Premier League previews

By on April 18, 2015

Chelsea vs Manchester United

If QPR had beaten Chelsea a week ago, this game would have much more intense and meaningful; United would have had a chance to sneak up on Chelsea and claim first place, but that looks unlikely now. Louis Van Gaals’ team will still come out bursting out of the blocks attack as they are now vying for second place with nothing to lose. The Red Devils are in a rich vain of form, most notably beating noisy neighbors Manchester City 4-2 at Old Trafford, signaling, if not proving, the old United are coming back.  Wayne Rooney has refound his form up front, while Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young and others are all peaking as well.  United are firing roundly on all cylinders.

That said, they are going to Stamford Bridge, where few teams where get points.  And considering all Chelsea have to do is hold onto a seven point lead at the top of the table, a draw would be fine for them.  Jose Mourinho doesn’t exactly strive to play possession football.  I’m going for a 2-1 home win: Chelsea will have too much for Manchester United.

Manchester City vs West Ham United

Manchester City have to win this game, it’s that simple.  Despite early warning shots they never turned up last Sunday as Manchester United cruised past them. Now, questions have been raised over Manuel Pellegrini and rightly so after three losses in their last four league matches against inferior opposition. Moreover, have lost their last four away games are now languishing in fourth place, which means even Champions League qualification remains in the balance. West Ham haven’t been in the best of form either, and have been inconsistent to say the least. I think Manchester City will find their form just in time, albeit too late for a title campaign, and defeat West Ham 3-0.

Stoke City vs Southampton

Stoke City and Southampton have both had amazing seasons this year, surprising lot of people with their respective positions in the league table. Ronald Koeman has guided Southampton team to seventh place with the old “Southampton Way,” after losing an exodus of players over the summer.  They have played some attractive football in the process, too. 

Mark Hughes has done very well at Stoke as well, getting them to play free-flowing football, rarely showing signs of their old days of direct football. Southampton have extra incentives as a win would go some way to cementing their place in the Europa League, but Stoke are always tricky customers when they are playing in front of their own fans at the Britannia, so it’s a tough game to call. I’m going for a 1-1 draw, an exciting draw. 

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