Gray and Keys: EPL predictions - Week 33

Sport360 staff 04:13 18/04/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Top of the table clash: Chelsea v Man Utd.

    Manchester United go to Stamford Bridge today full of confidence after beating Manchester City 4-2 but Chelsea, on the brink of securing the title, will be a different proposition with Eden Hazard already being named Player of the Year by his manager Jose Mourinho.

    Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage discuss this and the weekend’s other games.

    Andy Gray: Mourinho is right when he says Hazard has been the EPL’s best player this season. One thing is for sure, he has certainly been Chelsea’s best player and he will be a big threat to United today. 

    His contribution to Chelsea’s title bid has been phenomenal. Barring Branislav Ivanovic he has probably played more games than anyone else at Chelsea. He has got 12 goals in the league, is incredibly creative and I can’t remember the last time he had a bad game.

    Last season his work rate was perhaps a little lacking but he has improved on that this season. I would definitely make him Player of the Year, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Young Player.

    Unless Chelsea do a Liverpool and get some silly results in the run-in, Mourinho knows that the title is more or less won. Liverpool got a bit carried away with the euphoria last season when they thought if they beat Chelsea the league would be their’s and we all know what happened.

    Mourinho would never have gone out to try and win that game as Liverpool did. He would have made sure he didn’t get beaten and I think that is exactly what he will do today.

    He will set up his team to avoid defeat. He’ll probably play the big centre-back Kurt Zouma or Ramires alongside Nemanja Matic and move Cesc Fabrigas forward and leave Oscar out so they can cope with Marouane Fellaini and make sure what he did against Man City when he caused havoc does not happen.

    He will know a draw is good enough and even if Arsenal win their next league game he will still have a game in hand and will be in control so don’t expect Chelsea to come out and take the game to United and try and play them off the park.

    United will fancy getting a result after playing so well against Man City and without Diego Costa, Chelsea may be lacking up front a little bit.

    But, as I say, Mourinho will be determined to get at least a point and with home advantage I think he will get it. 1-1.

    Richard Keys: I agree with Mourinho on Hazard but my Player of the Season is John Terry.

    He won’t get that award because he is not an entertainer like Hazard and I know we all pay money to see things that excite us but when you consider John’s career, and the fact that he has been the rock around which all Chelsea’s success over the past 10 years has been built I think there is a very good case for him to win it.

    Defensive rock: Terry.

    He has been phenomenal and I’d say he is still the best centre-back in England but unfortunately he will be overlooked.

    As for today’s match, Mourinho will know he is within touching distance of the title. However, like Andy says, he will be also be aware of the trap Liverpool fell into when he went up to Anfield last season and taught Brendan Rodgers a lesson which was that there are time when you should try to win a game and times when you shouldn’t.

    I actually think if Liverpool had not gone all out for victory in that match they would have gone on to win the title. Some will say they lost the title at Palace but I don’t agree.

    They had to chase goals in that game because they had lost to Chelsea at home. Mourinho won’t make that mistake. He knows he has enough games left to win the title without trying to win this match which is why his approach will be pragmatic.

    United were terrific last week and they will cause Chelsea some problems and if I had to pick a winner it would be United but I am with Andy on this. 1-1.

    Man City v West Ham

    AG: If I was manager of City the two teams I would fancy taking on at home right now are Newcastle and West Ham, two teams who are really struggling.

    The Hammers look to be coasting with nothing to really play for, although they will want to ensure they don’t slip any further down the table. City were poor last week but I can’t see them losing this. 3-0. 

    RK: City have to beat a West Ham side that has one win in 10. If they can’t do that then, in my opinion, Manuel Pellegrini, Chief Executive Ferran Soriano and Director of Football Txiki Bergiristain should all quit and walk away tomorrow night. 2-0. 

    Newcastle v Tottenham

    AG: This might sound daft but I wonder if Tottenham really want to qualify for the Europa League and might just fancy finishing seventh and have a good run at the league next year without any distractions.

    Newcastle have been awful for the last few games but surely that can’t go on. I’m going for a score draw here. 2-2.

    RK: Newcastle have packed up for the season and Tottenham have hit a wall but out of the two of them there is more about Spurs. 0-2.

    Everton v Burnley

    AG: Everton have put together a nice little run and Burnley are fighting for their lives so this should be an interesting game. Burnley have only won one away game this season and are facing Everton at the wrong time. 2-0.

    RK: Burnley are in trouble but they have given their all and I think they have enough to go to Everton, who admittedly are playing a little better, and get a point. 1-1.

    Leicester v Swansea

    AG: Five of Leicester’s last seven games, including this one, are at home and the only away games are at Burnley and Sunderland which gives them a real chance of survival.

    Beating Swansea would be their third consecutive win which is difficult to do in the Premier League which is why I think they will have to settle for a point. 2-2.

    RK: I know I wrote off Leicester a couple of weeks ago but they had a terrific result last week and they now have as good a chance as anybody of survival. Their place will be jumping and Swansea will know they are in a game. 2-1.

    Stoke v Southampton

    AG: Stoke have done really well this season and are aiming for a top 10 finish and Southampton are still chasing a place in Europe and although they are playing ok, they are still struggling for goals. Stoke will have enough to win this. 1-0.

    RK: I was a bit disappointed with Stoke last week and while Southampton are still in the mix for a place in Europe they haven’t been playing that well. 1-1.

    Crystal Palace v West Brom

    AG: Surprisingly, the Baggies have really struggled under Tony Pulis with five defeats in six games which is not good enough so they will be looking to stop the rot.

    However, I can’t see them beating a buoyant Palace side which is why I can’t see anything other than a home win. 2-1.

    RK: I hope Pulis gets a fantastic reception at his old club because what is happening at Palace now is down to what he did there but four defeats in five at West Brom is very worrying. He needs a result but Palace will be too good for them at home. 3-1.

    FA Cup semi-finals: Reading v Arsenal

    AG: I know there have been some cup shocks but Reading don’t have many, if any, players who have played at Wembley before and Arsenal will be far too strong for them. 3-0 to the Gunners.

    RK: Reading haven’t got anything to trouble the Gunners and while many might like to see a shock it won’t happen. Reading haven’t got a hope. An easy 2-0 win for Arsene Wenger’s side.

    Aston Villa v Liverpool

    AG: I am much happier with the way Villa are playing now. They believe in themselves again and although there is still a lot of work to be done I think they have enough to cause a bit of a shock and beat Liverpool 2-1.

    RK: Tim Sherwood has done a good job at Villa and Liverpool are still not the real deal for me. If Villa get stuck into them they can win this. I agree with Andy, 2-1.

    Recommended