BeIN Sports hosts Andy Gray and Richard Keys share their predictions for the weekend’s Premier League football fixtures, with Manchester City hosting Tottenham and Leicester travelling to Arsenal in two potentially crucial matches in the race for the Premier League title.
Who are they backing for success?
Andy Gray: Sunday’s match will be open and there will be goals. Man City have got to do better than they did against Leicester last week and it would be a blow to their title ambitions if they were to lose again. However, I don’t think that is going to happen. 2-2.
Richard Keys: City look a bit off the pace at the moment and Pellegrini doesn’t look well to me. If they lose this I think they can forget their title bid. 1-2.
AG: As I said last week, I am convinced that Arsenal are going to give someone a hiding soon, scoring three or four. I know it’s risky to bet against Leicester at the moment but they can afford to lose this while Arsenal can’t. 3-1.
RK: I have to stick with Leicester. They didn’t just beat Man City last week, it was a clinical dissection. Arsenal will probably have the majority of possession but Leicester won’t care. 1-2.
AG: Liverpool always win at Villa Park. It is one of those grounds they love going to. This is not the Liverpool of old but Villa struggle to score goals. 1-3.
RK: Villa are now in the top half of the form guide but, as Andy says, Liverpool have a great record at this ground and with Jurgen Klopp back in the dugout they’ll win. 0-1.
AG: Newcastle’s away form is dreadful; they have only scored six on the road all season in the league and it won’t change today. 3-0.
RK: Chelsea are much better than Newcastle and Costa has reinvented himself to become the player he was when he first came into the Premier League. 3-0.
AG: The speculation over Mourinho going to United is getting ridiculous. If I was Louis van Gaal I would walk into Ed Woodward’s office and tell him, “I’m off” – it’s embarrassing. If it is a done deal then I hope it hasn’t been done behind his back and it should be made public. There won’t be many goals in this game but United are good enough to win it. 0-1.
RK: I am totally in agreement with Andy in that I feel sorry for Van Gaal. It’s not fair and will affect team performances. As for this game, I think Sunderland, who did well to get a draw at Liverpool last time out, can get another point. 1-1.
AG: Stoke have lost their way a little bit but I think they will get something at Bournemouth who are still not clear of danger. 1-1.
RK: Bournemouth won’t make the same mistake they did against Arsenal last week when they showed them far too much respect. 2-1.
AG: A draw last week brought an end to five successive defeats for Palace while Watford have hit the buffers away from home. 2-1.
RK: It was an important point for Palace last week but Watford are good at sitting deep and containing teams and can come away with a point. 1-1.
AG: I wonder if the season is going to catch up with West Ham soon. They had extra time in midweek in a cup tie and their players might be running on empty. Because of that I think Norwich can get a vital three points. 2-0.
RK: Norwich are in trouble. If the fat lady is not singing she is certainly warming up. West Ham had a really good win the FA Cup last week and it’s great to see that Slaven Bilic gives that competition the respect it deserves. 0-2.
AG: I fancy an away win here. Southampton are playing well and are hard to score against. Swansea are still finding their feet under a new manager and because of that I think Saints will win. 1-2.
RK: Swansea have been very good in their last four of five games but I can’t go against Southampton when Ronald Koeman has got them back on track. 1-2.
AG: Home banker. Everton are playing well, have had three clean sheets in a row which makes a huge difference to any team. 2-0.
RK: Ross Barkley has found some form, Romelu Lukaku is scoring goals and Aaron Lennon has been a breath of fresh air for them. The Baggies are hard to beat but Everton have got goals in them and now know how to kill games off. 3-0.
