Andy Gray and Richard Keys: EPL predictions

Andy Gray: Wenger’s record against Mourinho is dreadful but he will never be in a better position to change that. They go into this game as the form team in the EPL, are in the FA Cup final, and are on a fabulous run of nine straight wins since they lost 3-1 to Monaco in the Champions League. That sort of form breeds confidence.

Look, when you have taken on Mourinho 12 times and not won one of them it can leave a psychological scar but the likes of Alexis Sanchez won’t be scarred by that record, neither will Mesut Ozil and I would like to think Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey are mentally strong enough to ignore the record books and realise they have a great chance to beat Chelsea.

Chelsea has lost just three matches this season across all competitions, or half as many as Arsenal lost during their “invincibles” season.

— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) April 24, 2015

The fact Chelsea have no Diego Costa or Loic Remy and possibly no Didier Drogba, although it looks like he might make it, means they are a bit lacking up front while Arsenal will be, more or less, at full strength.

If you look at Arsenal and Chelsea there’s not much to separate them in attack. Even without Costa, Chelsea have Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard while the Gunners have Giroud, Sanchez, Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Ramsey.

Then you look at the defence and most people would probably say Chelsea have the more reliable players at the back. People are always criticising Arsenal’s defence, saying they are not good enough, and concede too many goals. In reality Arsenal actually have the third best defensive record at home in the league.

Mourinho will approach this game in much the same way as their match against Manchester United last week and adopt a pragmatic approach. Having seen off United, the only team that really threatens him now are Arsenal, albeit they are 10 points adrift.

That last thing Mourinho wants is to see that lead cut to seven points and Arsenal continuing their run. So, like last week, he will be happy to take a point.

He might not be as negative as he was against United but I expect Arsenal to have the ball for long periods. And whereas I don’t think United had the required craft and quality at the top end last week to take advantage of the possession they had, I think Arsenal have got more players with the ability to cause Chelsea problems.

I hesitate to bet against Mourinho because I know what he is capable of and part of me says he will get a result at Arsenal one way or another but I am going to stick with Arsene Wenger’s side to beat Chelsea and keep the title race going for at least one more week. 2-1 home win. 

Richard Keys: The most obvious score is a draw but I think Arsenal can do Chelsea this time. It’s going to be tough but I really fancy them to get a result.

Listen, Chelsea aren’t scoring many goals at the moment but they get the job done and leave very lit- tle to chance. You can’t see anyone but Chelsea winning the title now but I reckon Arsenal, playing as well as they are, can win this and close the gap a little bit.

If Mourinho approaches this game like he did last week against United when he allowed them to have the majority of possession he takes a bit of a risk because, as Andy says, Arsenal are a bit sharper up front and are more of a threat.

As long as Arsenal can keep Eden Hazard quiet and keep an eye on Fabregas, who will want to put on a show for obvious reasons, I really can see the Gunners winning this and ending that dismal record. 2-1.

Everton v Man United

AG: Everton’s record against United is quite good at Goodi- son and although they have put together a good run of results they are not playing with a swagger. United played well at Chelsea but lacked a cutting edge so I can see this ending in a draw. 1-1.

RK: If United play as they did last week then they will have too much quality for Everton who have scraped together enough results to be comfortable in the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney loves going back there and the curse of the returning player will mean Marouane Fellaini will score. 0-2.

Man City v Aston Villa

AG: About a month ago this would have been a home banker, but not now. City have collapsed and are now sitting 12 points behind Chelsea.

They can’t afford to give Liverpool and Tottenham any hope that they can be caught in that all important fourth place and that, along with home advantage is why I am going for them to win this 3-1.

RK: I see nothing but decline at City at the moment. Villa are buoyant and they will have a go. 1-1.

Southampton v Tottenham

AG: Tottenham might not be want the distraction of playing in the Europa League next season but Southampton would love it and although this is a tough one to call I think they will be more motivated to finish in the top six. 2-1.

RK: Southampton are beginning to feel the intensity of their season but I would love to see them get what they deserve, which is a place in the Europa League. That incentive will be enough to see them beat Spurs. 2-1.

Burnley v Leicester

AG: The stats scream Leicester who have won three in a row and Burnley can’t get a goal. However, Sean Dyche’s team need to win this to keep their survival hopes alive so I’ll say 1-0 home win.

RK: Winning four in a row is such a big ask but Nigel Pearson’s side are at it. Leicester have got goals in them and they now have belief. 1-2.

Crystal Palace v Hull

AG: Palace were dreadful last week against West Brom but Alan Pardew would have had more than a few words about that and I expect them to play much better in this game. Hull are really struggling and I can’t see things improving for them here. 2-0.
RK: Of all the teams at the bottom Hull are the one I fear for. They don’t have enough goals in them. I expect Palace to bounce back from last week’s let-down. 3-1.

Newcastle v Swansea

AG: Newcastle are arguably the worst team in the league at the moment. I just don’t think they have it in them to win a game but because it’s at home they will probably have enough to get a point. 2-2.
RK: I have run out of things to say about Newcastle who are just desperate. I can’t see where the next goal or win is going to come from. Swansea will win this. 0-2.

QPR v West Ham

AG: With five games to go, I would say QPR need a minimum of nine points to have a chance of staying up and they can pick up three of them against a West Ham side which appears to have packed up for the season. 2-0.

RK: This is the perfect game for QPR. West Ham have made a complete mess of their season and look like they have given up. 2-1.

Stoke v Sunderland

AG: Sunderland are another team facing the threat of relegation. They are struggling all over the park and Stoke will have too much for them. 1-0.

RK: Whatever side Mark Hughes picks, Stoke will be too good for Sunderland who, apart from Jer- main Defoe, have no threat. Stoke should breeze this 2-0.

West Brom v Liverpool

AG: I can’t remember the last time I watched a really good Liverpool performance so I find them a hard team to predict. West Brom did well against Palace last week and they will be up for this.

A good Liverpool side would win this but as it stands I can see beyond a 1-1 draw.

RK: If Brendan Rodgers remains the best man for the Liverpool job, which he is insisting he is, then let’s see how they react to last week’s disappointment when they lost to Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Baggies, who had a great result at Palace last week, will fancy it. 1-1.