BeIN Sports presenting duo Andy Gray and Richard Keys give their opinions on all the weekend’s Premier League action, with league leaders Leicester City against Newcastle United under Rafael Benitez for the first time the standout tie.
LEICESTER CITY V NEWCASTLE
AG: Newcastle could have done without a trip to Leicester this weekend because, even if Benitez gives them that new coach rush and inspires them to raise their game, I think Claudio Ranieri’s team have got too much for them. 2-0.
RK: I am not saying Benitez is the wrong guy I just don’t think it matters whether it is him, Steve McClaren, Brendan Rodgers, David Moyes or anybody else. Things aren’t going to change in the long term unless there are big changes within the club. As for Monday, Benitez will give them a lift and I expect a reaction but they won’t beat Leicester. 1-0.
NORWICH V MANCHESTER CITY
AG: Norwich look destined for the drop, and I really can’t see them getting anything against Man City who still have a chance to win the title, although their priority is the Champions League. 1-3.
RK: Norwich are going down and we all saw what Manchester City can do when they are in the mood when they eventually blew Aston Villa away. 0-2.
ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM
AG: Villa are a bit like Newcastle, going nowhere but down. Mauricio Pochettino rested a few players for the Europa League game on Thursday night and although they lost he was absolutely right to do that and target the Premier League. 0-2.
RK: It will probably be 0-0 at halftime and then the wheels will come off for Villa. Once Spurs get one there will be any number of goals for them if they want. 0-3.
BOURNEMOUTH V SWANSEA
AG: Swansea have put some wins together at just the right time but they will come unstuck at Bournemouth who, whilst not playing brilliantly, get the job done. 2-1.
RK: Newcastle didn’t play too badly last week but Bournemouth were really good and well worth their victory. Eddie Howe has got something going on there and they will win this 2-1.
STOKE V SOUTHAMPTON
AG: Two very similar teams sitting alongside each other in the league and although Southampton have the ability to score goals I don’t think there will be many here. 1-0.
RK: Both can be good on their day but you never know how they are going to perform which must be frustrating for their fans. Nothing really at stake for either of these teams so I can see a draw. 1-1.
FA CUP
EVERTON V CHELSEA
AG: Chelsea will be a bit flat after being knocked out of the Champions League by PSG so their players might struggle to pick themselves up and perform at their best. I expect Everton to win this 2-1.
RK: Everton can’t win a game or hang on to a lead and Chelsea were, at times, made to look ordinary by PSG in the Champions League and although this might be entertaining I think it will end 2-2.
ARSENAL V WATFORD
AG: With their Champions League campaign almost certainly over Arsenal will give everything in this game. Watford struggle to score goals and although they can be difficult to beat the Gunners will be too strong. 3-0.
RK: Arsenal would prefer to have their minds on the league title instead of this and Arsene Wenger will know that the FA Cup won’t be enough for Gunners fans this year. However, they should progress. 1-0.
MAN UTD V WEST HAM
AG: Another horror for United in midweek when Liverpool were too good for them in the Europa League. West Ham will really fancy this. Slaven Bilic has always picked a strong side for FA Cup games and he will do that again. 0-1.
RK: West Ham really want to win the FA Cup. Bilic is taking it seriously and because of that I would love to see them win it. For me, they are a better team than United and the desire to lift that trophy will carry them through. 1-2.
