Gray and Keys: Premier League predictions - Week 22

Sport360 staff 21:48 16/01/2015
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  • A for effort: Alexis Sanchez has been superb since signing from Barcelona.

    Arsenal travel to Manchester City on Saturday having won just once in their last six league visits to the Etihad, however the Gunners do have the Premier League’s in-form player in Alexis Sanchez who was this week branded “priceless” by Thierry Henry.

    Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ coverage of the EPL offer their views on the Chilean and the rest of the action.

    – Off The Bar: Man U's tribute to Moyes & QPR's incurable homesickness

    – Sport360's fantasy football tips: Must-have pick, three bargains (GW 22)

    Manchester City v Arsenal

    Andy Gray: I’ve been very impressed by Sanchez. So much so, I’m putting him there with the top five foreign players who have come into the Premier League and had an immediate impact.

    The worry for Arsenal is that will there be an effect when they get back in the Champions League after the amount of games he’s played? It certainly doesn’t look like at this stage.

    This City side, to me, have a belief that they’re really going to push Chelsea all the way and are playing with a great ambition.

    Having Aguero back makes a huge difference. They have the bit between the teeth, their home form is excellent, they’re on a sensational run at the moment. 2-1.

    Richard Keys: Sanchez has been terrific. Has there ever been anyone who’s come into our league and made such an immediate impact? For goals scored and created he’s been sensational. It’s just a shame it’s wasted in an Arsenal shirt because they really haven’t capitalised on what he’s added.

    I do see a comfortable afternoon for City, I see Arsenal having plenty of possession but they don’t have enough to hurt them. It’s a City win; it’s just a question of picking the right scoreline. 2-0.

    Swansea v Chelsea

    AG: This is not easy but Chelsea will be happy facing Swansea without Wilfried Bony. The Swans will make Chelsea work hard but I still see the Blues edging it. 1-2.

    RK: Chelsea have had problems there in the past but Swansea will take some time to adapt without Bony, who was so important to them. Chelsea will arrive solid and pretty determined and will have too much. 1-2.

    Aston Villa v Liverpool

    AG: Villa Park is a ground Liverpool like playing at, which I know sadly to my cost. There’s such an unrest around Villa Park with the planned protest today and I just don’t see where the goals are coming from for the hosts. 0-1.

    RK: If Villa sit, Liverpool will have to find a way to beat them. Villa are dogged and I see a goal in them, the same goes for Liverpool but I don’t see much more. Liverpool aren’t very good and are exactly where their league position tells us. 1-1.

    QPR v Man United

    AG: United need to bounce back after those results against Southampton. Their away record is poor, they’re drawing far too many and it could be another one given QPR’s home record but I just feel the pressure is on the hosts. 0-2.

    RK: QPR will have a really good go at them but United have got enough firepower and if Falcao starts he’ll inevitably score because that’s what happens in football. 1-2.

    Newcastle v Southampton

    AG: It might be in Newcastle’s interest to not rush into an managerial appointment right now as they’re probably not going to get relegated, so maybe let John Carver see the season out and then get someone in.

    They played really well for 40 minutes against Chelsea last week. If they match that level of performance against Southampton they’ll be okay. But Saints are looking really good and I think they’re good enough to get a point. 2-2.

    RK:  Carver’s trying too hard to get the job: wearing Bobby Robson’s tie, claiming Jose Mourinho said  he’s the right man for the job, it’s embarrassing. Newcastle were good against Chelsea only to fall away, Saints are more than good enough for a draw and if there’s a winner I’m picking them. 1-1.

    Tottenham v Sunderland

    AG: I would play Jermaine Defoe – old players going back to old clubs tend to score. But Tottenham are somehow getting the job done. Sunderland will be tough to beat but Spurs have the better quality, the only worry if is their minds are on the League Cup semi-final in midweek. 3-1.

    RK: Inevitably, if he plays, Defoe will score. But I cannot see Spurs not winning it. That said, they’ll have to work at it because if they play as they did against Burnley they’ll there for the taking, although Sunderland don’t have enough to take advantage. 3-1.

    Burnley v Crystal Palace

    AG: Alan Pardew’s had a really good response but Burnley at home recently have been pretty good. Palace have got some good players to play away from home – some pace and some real attacking strength – and I think they’re good enough for a goal or two. 1-1.

    RK: Palace will do okay under Pardew but I don’t think he’s got what he wants in his squad and he’ll be busy this month. But Burnley are getting a lot of belief at home and Sean Dyche will be looking at this and saying, “we have to win this one.” 2-1.

    Leicester v Stoke

    AG: I think this has draw written all over it. Leicester were great against Villa and Stoke were hopeless against Arsenal so I can’t see Mark Hughes allowing his team to play that badly again. 1-1.

    RK: It has to be a Leicester win. They’ve been really good in their last three or four games, they’ve been tight at the back and have some momentum. 1-0.

    West Ham v Hull

    AG: West Ham won the cup tie against Everton, how much will that have taken out of them? They need to win to get their league season back on track. Sam will be aware once you start dropping points it becomes habitual. This a game they should win. 2-0.

    RK: I cannot see a Hull win and will concede from a set piece somewhere. 2-0.

    Everton v West Brom

    AG: Everton are on a really bad run but this is a good game for them. Although Tony Pulis will make West Brom better this may be too soon for them. Everton can take heart from recent performances and can win this. 2-0. 

    RK: Tony will get them tight and tidy. He will have had two extra days to get things right, they won’t be giving goals away. Everton, in general, have been struggling. It’s been better but I think the Baggies will restrict them. 1-1.

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