Andy Gray and Richard Keys: Premier League predictions

Sport360 staff 21:39 30/01/2015
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  • Diego Costa will be a huge loss this weekend for Chelsea.

    Chelsea host Manchester City as the top two in the Premier League do battle in the match of the season so far. Chelsea are without the banned Diego Costa but will it be decisive in the game? Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIn Sports’ EPL coverage have their say on the stamping incident and Saturday’s match:

    – Batistuta: Argentina legend ready to take the plunge into management

    Man City v Chelsea

    Andy Gray:  Chelsea would be happy because the gap wouldn’t have closed and City would be satisfied because five points behind is not insurmountable. Home advantage definitely gives Chelsea the edge but they had a tough game in midweek against Liverpool so all those players, with the exception of Costa, are going to be asked to deliver again which might affect them. Because both would settle for a draw I’m going to say 1-1.

    Richard Keys:  At the end of the day Costa is an entertainer and we need players like him in the Premier League but I think Chelsea will be more worried about Fabregas. His absence will be a much bigger blow than the loss of Costa.  The title won’t be decided by this match because  even if City lose it and Chelsea go eight points clear we all know anything can happen in this league.  I don’t think Mourinho will be happy with a draw because he will want to win to put some doubt in the minds of the City players but I can also see this ending 1-1.

    Man United v Leicester

    AG:  Louis van Gaal has got away with a lot with regards criticism and way his team has been playing which has not been great but this is Leicester and United have a chance to show what they can do. 3-1.

    RK: I am not convinced by Manchester United or Van Gaal but at Old Trafford against Leicester they will have far too much firepower for Nigel Pearson’s team. 2-0.

    Liverpool v West Ham

    AG:  A tough game with not much to separate these two teams in the league but because it’s at Anfield I expect Liverpool to win.

    West Ham have only lost three games away from home so far this season but Liverpool have got a feel good factor about them. I am not overly impressed by them but I think they will have enough to win this 1-0.

    RK:  Sam Allardyce will fancy this and West Ham will make life very difficult for Liverpool who may well still be suffering from the rigours of the midweek cup match against Chelsea. 1-1.

    Hull v Newcastle

    AG:  Both managers desperately need a result. This is a game that screams ‘draw’ to me but I’m going to put my faith in Steve Bruce’s team to win at home. 2-0.

    RK: Two really poor teams, but Hull’s home advantage will be decisive here. 2-1.

    Crystal Palace v Everton

    AG: Everton are not in a great place and aren’t playing well. It’s been eight games since they tasted victory and that’s not good enough. Palace are in good form and Alan Pardew has given them new belief but I think Everton can get something. 2-2.

    RK: I think the Toffees are soft-centred and are in trouble. Roberto Martinez hasn’t made any real progress since taking over from David Moyes and Palace will get stuck into them. 3-1.

    Stoke v QPR

    AG:  QPR are due to get at least a point away from home at some stage.  Stoke are without their best player Bojan Krkic who is injured and they will miss him but I still think they have enough. 2-1.

    RK: The law of averages says that QPR must get something out of an away game at some point but they are an ageing team with no legs and even less belief. 2-1 to Stoke.

    Sunderland v Burnley

    AG: I expected Burnley to be rooted at the bottom of the EPL but they have done well but Sunderland are due a win at home. 2-1.

    RK: Sunderland will get goals against Burnley but they will also concede so I’m going for another draw for Gus Poyet’s team. 2-2.

    West Brom v Tottenham

    AG: Spurs had a tough cup tie against Sheffield United in midweek and I wonder if they will be in the right frame of mind for this one. Going to the Baggies won’t be easy and I can see them getting caught out here and losing 1-0.

    RK: I have been impressed with Tottenham over the past few weeks with Christian Eriksen on fire but the Baggies at home are a tough proposition. 2-1.

    Arsenal v Aston Villa

    AG: Villa have had  a few good results but you have to go back to September for the last time they won away so I can’t see them bothering Arsenal too much. 3-1.

    RK: This looks like a home banker but Aston Villa won at the Emirates on opening day last year so Arsenal will be a little wary but they are too good for Villa. 1-0.

    Southampton v Swansea

    AG: Life without Wilfried Bony goes on for Swansea and they have to find someone to fill that gap. Southampton are back on track and will have far too much for Swansea to deal with. 2-0.

    RK:  Swansea have hit the wall. They haven’t won in the league so far this year and there are now huge doubts over whether they can keep the momentum going.  I can’t see anything other than 3-0.

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