It's double game week time! 7 matches, all with something riding on them. Here's what the Matchday FM team think will happen.
Manchester City Vs Wolves, March 2nd 8pm
Chris Coughlin
I feel like I’m getting Déjà vu with this prediction but it will take a brave man to predict anyone claiming even a draw against Manchester City at the moment. West Ham really took it to the Champions elect in the first half on Saturday but City dug deep and found a way with both centre-backs getting on the scoresheet. Wolves, meanwhile, have quietly put a run of form together to make themselves feel a lot more comfortable about their own situation. They’re unbeaten in their last five games and have taken 11 points in that run so there is some confidence returning to Nuno’s side. Despite that run, however, I expect City to earn another three points on their way to a third title in four seasons.
Prediction: 3-0
Chris Stott
City have been imperious since Christmas. And now they've found that Champion quality once again of not playing perfectly and still winning as demonstrated in their last 2 games. And to boot, Aguero and De Bruyne are back! It's a question of when and not if in terms of them being crowned Champions once more. For a time, Wolves looked like they could be sucked into trouble. But 11 points in 5 games, has as good as saved them for me. They could use this as a bit of a free hit. They of course have history at the Etihad, with that Adama inspired win the other season. But it's a big as for anyone to go to City and get anything, and despite the likes of Neto and Neves being in good form, Pep's men are too good. They'll keep the winning running going again.
Prediction: 2-0
Burnley Vs Leicester City, March 3rd 6pm
Chris Coughlin
Burnley were uncharacteristically poor defensively against Tottenham on Sunday. It’s not very often that Sean Dyche’s side are 3-0 down inside half an hour. They’ll be buoyed, however, with the return of Chris Wood as a substitute with the New Zealand international being the Clarets’ top scorer with four goals. It was also a tough defeat for Leicester to take on Sunday against Arsenal. They started well but failed to kick on after Youri Tielemans’ opener and were ultimately overran by the Gunners. Add to that injuries to Harvey Barnes and Jonny Evans plus uncertainty over Jamie Vardy’s fitness and the Foxes, are all of a sudden, looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack, especially when you consider their collapse at the end of last season.
Prediction: 1-1
Chris Stott
Burnley have to be really, really careful! I've been guilty of just expecting them to end up securing safety quite comfortably. But they got away with one against West Brom, and then didn't turn up defensively at Spurs. And up top, they look toothless. Home form is key for them, but Leicester have been magnificent on their travels. Injuries could begin to take their toll then for Rodgers' side, Barnes in particular could be a huge miss in the coming weeks. After the disappointment of going out of Europe, and losing to Arsenal - this is an opportunity to gt back on track and continue to fight for 2nd place.
Prediction: 0-2
Sheffield United Vs Aston Villa, March 3rd 6pm
Chris Coughlin
Sheffield United’s last glimmer of hope was surely put away after the defeat to Liverpool at the weekend. The Blades did have chances through Ollie McBurnie and Oliver Burke but, if it not for Aaron Ramsdale’s best performance of the season, they would’ve conceded much more than just the two. Therefore, you have to say this is another game Aston Villa will be targeting three points from as they look to make the most of another one of their games in hand. It was an impressive win against Leeds on Saturday without Jack Grealish in the side and a potentially huge three points in their quest for European football next season. Dean Smith could be without Emi Martinez after the Argentine looked to be struggling last on in the game but that shouldn’t stop Villa was winning this one.
Prediction: 0-2
Chris Stott
Villa will be sweating on the fitness of Emi Martinez, as without both him and Grealish they look a much weaker side. They've blown hot and cold lately, but showed a real dogged side to them against Leeds, they didn't allow them to create very much and at the other end they took their best chance of the game. Sheffield United will obviously keep going, keep fighting - but they are as good as relegated now. It's more about impacting others now, and they'll be seeking to dent Villa's Europa League hopes here. But, i don't see that happening I'm afraid, but Villa will have to work for it.
Prediction: 1-2
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United, March 3rd 8.15pm
Chris Coughlin
United haven’t lost at Selhurst Park since 1991 but they haven’t had it all their own way against Crystal Palace recently losing two of their last three games against the Eagles, both at Old Trafford. I don’t, however, see the Red Devils struggling here despite a rather toothless display at Stamford Bridge. Crystal Palace might well consider themselves very fortunate indeed to not be in a relegation scrap and I find it incredible that they’ve managed to claim four points from their last two games in which they’ve been totally outplayed throughout with no Wilfred Zaha to use as an out ball. Whilst I’m not overly convinced with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the fact remains that they are unbeaten away from home and I expect that run to continue here.
Prediction: 0-2
Chris Stott
4 points from two big games against "relegation rivals" has all pretty much saved Palace, so fair play to them for that. But that's more down to what their opposition failed to do as opposed to what Palace did themselves. Granted, efficient is one way to describe their finishing, but 3 shots in 2 games is depressing. Even more so when that was from just one game. They'll stay up but big changes are needed in the summer for me, they can't survive forever like that. United have let a potential title tilt slip away rather tamely. 7 points dropped from games against Sheffield United, Everton and West Brom has seen them fall away as City's momentum built. They missed Cavani massively against Chelsea, his movement is unrivaled. He's expected to miss this one and as a result I think it'll be a bit of a slog. But they should have enough to avenge defeat in their first game of the new season...
Prediction: 0-2
Fulham Vs Tottenham, March 4th 6pm
Chris Coughlin
Of all the teams down there, Fulham are the ones that will fancy their chances of getting out of it which seems ironic when they are three points adrift. They should’ve beaten Crystal Palace on Sunday but eight points from their last four games shows that there’s a confidence in Scott Parker’s side at the moment. They come up against a Spurs team who claimed a very much needed moral boost against Burnley thanks in large part to a brace from Gareth Bale. The Welshman has still got some way to go to justify Daniel Levy spending £20m to loan him for the season but if he can get back fit and firing then Tottenham could have a very good end to the season both domestically and in Europe as well. I think this will be an entertaining one on the banks of the Thames.
Prediction: 1-2
Chris Stott
I hope Fulham don't live to rue their missed chances against Palace. They played really well the 2nd half. They played even better though at Spurs earlier in the season getting one of their umpteen draws. Scott Parker's side are in a good place mentally, their clean sheet record for a bottom table club is brilliant, and given dropped points by teams around them, they're in a great position to strike. Spurs had faltered but sprung into life against Burnley. Bale looks rejuvenated and it was ore like what we saw in the early season from Tottenham - attacking play with pace. That has to be how they play from now on, no more of this on the back foot football. But with Newcastle and Brighton not playing his midweek, this is a fantastic chance for Fulham to get out of the bottom 3 - in fact a win takes them above both the Magpies and the Seagulls. And you know what, I fancy them to pull of a shock win!
Prediction: 1-0
West Brom Vs Everton, March 4th 6pm
Chris Coughlin
If I was Sam Allardyce, the first thing I’d have done after the win against Brighton was bought a lottery ticket because when your luck’s in, your luck’s in. I’m really still struggling to believe that West Brom escaped with all three points against the Seagulls but it was a huge result in terms of giving the Baggies some sort of platform to try and get out of the relegation zone. They’ll need more than just luck against Everton however. Carlo Ancelotti’s side after a different beat away from Goodison Park, with their last defeat on the road coming against Newcastle on the 1st November and they come into this game off the back of an historic win at Anfield in the Merseyside Derby. There’ll be plenty of chances for the Blues at the Hawthorns and I’m backing them to deliver a major blow to the survival hopes of their former boss.
Prediction: 1-3
Chris Stott
Albion's win over Brighton gives them a flickering glimmer of hope. They're a better side with the news faces such as Maitland-Niles and Diagne. Wins are all that mater now for Big Sam's side and wouldn't he love to get one against his former club. Everton often struggle to build momentum. After their Derby win it's crucial that they kick on now and try and sneak into the top 4, or a least secure automatic qualification for the Europa League. The hope will be that the win at Anfield will have shifted the Toffee's mentality onto the next level, the one being that they should go to West Brom and win, and win well. I think they will.
Prediction: 0-3
Liverpool Vs Chelsea, March 4th 8.15pm
Chris Coughlin
Boy did Liverpool need that on Sunday?! After the first 45 minutes, I was wondering if it would be “one of those days” for the Reds. They created chance after chance but found an inspired Ramsdale in the way. They finally found a breakthrough with a lovely finish from Curtis Jones before seeing the game out to claim a deserved win. Chelsea travel to Anfield still unbeaten after the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and are much more solid defensively after the German came in. They were lucky not to concede a penalty against United when Callum Hudson-Odoi handled the ball but it wasn’t a game I thought either team deserved to win. I also think that Tuchel is still trying to decide what his best side is but he has the quality at his disposal to have a real go at qualifying for the top four. There have been countless classics between these two down the years and I’m hoping for an open game on Thursday.
Prediction: 2-1
Chris Stott
It may have only been against the bottom club, but that win over Sheffield United is huge for Liverpool. Any more slip ups and they're in big big trouble. But this is were we find out if Klopp's men are over their sizable blip or not. Chelsea under Tuchel are very hard to beat. They look so well drilled and are responding to the German's methods well. This result could have a big say on who makes the top 4. Selection headaches for both, but of different kinds makes this very intriguing. But, I think Liverpool know this is a crucial game, and I truly think they will respond now and kick on. You don't become a bad tam over night, there are some issues that need fixing and that's not just down to injuries. Yet a win here could see the confidence flow once again through the squad which will make a lot of difference. Lets hope for a classic like their last Anfield meeting...
Prediction: 2-1
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