Premier League predictions: Week 27 – Part 1
We have reached the point of the season where fatigue and fixtures start to take its toll on both players and managers. The needless international friendlies are out of the way and no one is sure how fit his players are.
Therefore, it will be a tough task predicting the starting line-ups. For the teams playing in the Champions League this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, they will have to keep one eye on that as well. This makes this match week even more interesting.
The pick of the matches this week is none other than the Manchester derby between United and City. Last weekend’s results have given City new hope and a win here would get them right back into the mix. The race for fourth champions’ league spot is heating
up as well, with Liverpool’s win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 has given them a glimmer of hope and if they can keep up their super form then who knows what the end of season run might have in store for us.
We start the weekend with the game we all are looking forward to; it is, indeed, the Manchester derby.
Manchester United v Manchester City
This is huge game for both teams, not because it’s a derby but also because its outcome will play a key part in the title race. Had United won their game against Wolves, they might have settled for a draw in this one, but the last-week defeat at the hands
of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 has changed everything.
City are still outsiders for the league title; five points behind United, having played a game more, seems quite a bit at this stage. However, we all know how City approaches these big games, the Italian in Roberto Mancini takes the centre stage and one
thing he believes his team must do is ‘Not Lose’.
He has already shown that to them this season with a 0-0 draw at the Emirates and at Eastlands against Manchester United. However, we know Sir Alex will tell his troops to attack from the onset and take the game to City.
The difficulty United had in creating enough goalscoring opportunities last Saturday will give City a lot of encouragement. They will sit back and try to hit United on the break.
It would be a pleasant surprise if http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323 decides to have a go against United at Old Trafford. They need to win if they want to stay in the title race but United also need to win to keep the gap to at least four points.
We expect this to be another low-scoring draw, a 0-0 shouldn’t surprise anyone, but it still would be a fascinating game.
Prediction: 1-1
Birmingham City v Stoke City
It was three massive points for Birmingham last weekend, and doing so against relegation rivals was quite sweet for the Birmingham fans. Alex McLeish’s side is clearly missing Scott Dan who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and, unsurprisingly,
they have started to leak in goals.
Stoke were the team that kicked off last weekend in style. After staring at defeat for most of the game, they roared back in the last 10 minutes to score two goals and take home all three points. It was a much-needed win over a good Sunderland side.
Both teams have been a bit of a mix bag this year and it is difficult to predict this one. But considering both teams are making defensive lapses but both aren’t http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/The-Strongest-c40725 going forwards, this one seems to have a low-scoring draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Continued in part 2
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