The Manchester derby has plenty riding on it Sunday with both City and United struggling to maintain any consistency in the league. Andy Gray and Richard Keys discuss what is going on at both clubs and this weekend’s other games.
Do you agree with their predictions?
Manchester City vs Manchester United
Andy Gray: If Manchester City aren’t careful they could finish the season out of the top four. On their day they can beat anybody and if they don’t play to their potential they can get beaten by anyone, and that’s the worry.
However, the one thing City have that United don’t is an ability to raise their game to another level and I think that is what will happen Sunday. 3-1.
Richard Keys: I can find a reasons for both to win Sunday’s match, for both to surprising us and both to disappointing us, it’s that confusing now but because City appear to be distracted by the Champions League I think United can win this. 1-2.
Everton v Arsenal
AG: On current form you would have to say that Everton will win this and although Arsenal have a good record at Goodison Park, they look a bit fragile right now, are edgy at the back and they are about to face one of the top strikers in the country at the moment in Romelu Lukaku. 2-1.
RK: Arsenal always fancy playing Everton and will want to win this to keep their fading title hope alive. Everton are good going forward but tend to concede too many. 2-2.
Chelsea v West Ham
AG: West Ham will probably never go to Stamford Bridge with more confidence and with a real chance to make a statement. Chelsea were ok at Everton, and I think the fuss made about Diego Costa’s behaviour was over the top. I know he lives on the edge but I like him. I would rather have someone who is honest about his aggression than someone who dives and tries to con the referee. Anyway, he won’t be playing in this game but Chelsea have enough to get a point. 1-1.
RK: Right now, West Ham are the significantly better team and Chelsea have hit a wall of ordinaryness and as for that fool, Costa, he is a man with issues. Much of his behavior would get him arrested in the street, so I can’t agree with Andy on this. 1-2.
Crystal Palace v Leicester
AG: Leicester are beginning to look a little edgy but they getting the job done. Beating Newcastle last Monday was a big result for them because of the pressure they were under. Palace look like they are getting back to their early season form so I’m going for a draw here. 1-1.
RK: I am sure Leicester will trip up somewhere over the next few weeks where they will lose a game they should have won and Palace, on their day, might beat them. However, I am going to stick with Claudio Ranieri’s side to get through this. 1-2.
Southampton v Liverpool
AG: Two teams next to each other in the league so this should be a close game. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool’s players suffer from their efforts against United on Thursday night. Southampton are a good side and home advantage should help them. 2-1.
RK: I think Liverpool’s players will be definitely affected by the huge energy they put into beating United on Thursday. Southampton are a better side and its got home win all over it. 2-0.
Tottenham v Bournemouth
AG: Bournemouth are a decent side but Tottenham know they have to win this to keep the pressure on Leicester in the title race and I think they will be too strong for Eddie Howe’s team. 2-0.
RK: If they get their noses in front Bournemouth are capable of causing a shock but the possibility of winning the league title is so great for Spurs now I can’t see them slipping up here. 3-1.
Newcastle v Sunderland
AG: It’s one thing to make a team better organised and more difficult to beat which Rafa Benitez is very good at but its another thing to create chances and score goals and you need more than a week in charge to work your magic at that end of the pitch. That means he is going to have to rely on a good defensive display against Sunderland who have a very good record against Newcastle. 2-2.
RK: Sunderland have won the last six North East derbies and although Benitez will have worked hard on his team in the short time he has had since joining Newcastle, Sunderland know what they are about, are a better team, will play deep and nick a goal on the break. 0-1.
Watford v Stoke
AG: Until the cup tie against Arsenal, Watford had been struggling to get goals. Stoke will be better defensively than Arsenal were and they will want to bounce back after being beaten at home by Southampton last week. 0-1.
RK: You never know what you are going to get from Stoke and Watford’s Troy Deeney, who has been brilliant for them this season, is a threat. 1-1.
West Brom v Norwich
AG: West Brom are playing really well at the moment and although Norwich did well against Manchester City last time out they still can’t buy a goal. 2-0.
RK: I thought Norwich were good against Man City but West Brom won’t get beaten at home. 1-1.
Swansea v Aston Villa
AG: There have been some changes on the board at Villa but it’s a bit too late to alter things on the pitch this season, Swansea are playing well and I can’t see any respite for Villa. 3-0.
RK: Aston Villa are hopeless. This is a big opportunity for Swansea to bag three more valuable points. I am with Andy on this. 3-0.
