EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 31

Arsenal v Liverpool - It does not augur well for Liverpool. Sturridge is injured and Skrtel banned. They have just lost their first match after a long time. Will Rodgers be tempted to field Gerrard? He is a legend but whenever he plays, he slows down Liverpool. It does not help that they won only once in 18 visits away to Arsenal. The Gunners have been on a hot winning streak having won seven on the trot. Arsenal are favourites but the match should be close. It depends on how Liverpool could surprise with a fast tempo game or an early goal. Arsenal must win to catch City while Liverpool must win to get nearer to Man Utd. A draw may not be the best result for both but it is probably the result. 2-2.

Everton v Southampton - By their own lofty standards, Everton has strangely fared poorly this season and languishing in 13th position.. However, they have won their last two matches. The Saints reversed their losses and remained unbeaten in their last three. In their previous five encounters, Southampton have never won at Everton both times suffering losses when they visited. I see a level game here. 1-1.

Leicester v West Ham - The Foxes' future looks bleak. They have nine more matches to save their season. Even when they were playing well, they do not know how to finish matches. The Hammers themselves has dropped to ninth after three straight defeats before they won again. Leicester have not defeated West Ham the last five times they have met. If West Ham pull up their socks a bit they can win this one. 1-2.

Man Utd v Aston Villa - The Red Devils played surprising well to beat Liverpool but I was not sure if Liverpool were poor or Unite were really that good. Villa have been scrapping by and doing a little better than at the beginning, In their previous meet up, United won four each time having scored three goals or more. Only in their last meeting did Villa held them to a draw at Villa Park. The home team is getting into their stride a bit and should finish off Villa again. Anything other than this would be a surprise. 3-1.

Swansea v Hull - The Swans are doing fairly but the Tigers have not won in four matches but somehow they have a good record whenever they play Swansea even when away but usually these encounters do not bring lots of goals. Just one or two. I pick a draw here. 1-1.

WBA v QPR - The Baggies are higher up and at home so they should be favoured. Though their historical records showed that they are level, QPR have lost all their last five matches. It seems hard for them just like Leicester to pick up the pieces with 8 games left to the season. Strangely QPR have lost by 1-2 in their last five games. WBA to win, yes you guess it, 2-1.

Chelsea v Stoke - Chelsea is the only undefeated team at home this season. The Potters have not scored against Chelsea in their last six meetings. Worse, Stoke's progress was recently halted with two defeats. Chelsea have won 10 and lost just once in 13 EPL meetings with Stoke. Chelsea are still charging and with no more distraction from Europe, can have a firm win here. 2-0.

Burnley v Tottenham - Burnley are the better of the lot among the strugglers. They have scored only 14 goals at home in Turf Moor in 15 matches and Tottenham seldom keep a clean sheet n away games. You can almost assure yourselves that the goals will flow here with Burnley boasting Ings and Tottenham, Harry Kane. Kane has followed up his fine vein of form where dreams are made of with his England goal against Lithuania in less than 80 seconds after coming in. Tottenham v Burnley games can be high scoring. 2-3.

Sunderland v Newcastle - This is a derby. Sunderland are doing poorly but there is hope. They remained unbeaten by Newcastle after six previous meetings. The Black Cats made their own history by beating the Magpies for four consecutive games. Sunderland scored only once in their last five matches while Newcastle scored twice. Nobody wins here. 1-1.

Crystal v Man City - Alan Pardew has somehow revived Crystal Palace but they have not kept  a clean sheet for a long time. In seven previous encounters, City won all of them but against smaller and weaker teams like Burnley, they have slipped. City must do well in every game now to have any realistic hope of catching Chelsea. 0-2.