Andy Gray & Richard Keys: EPL predictions – Week 30

Sport360 staff 15:27 15/03/2014
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  • In a bid to end speculation that he wants out of Manchester United, Robin van Persie has claimed he is happy, has no issues with new manager David Moyes, wants to extend his contract and end his career at Old Trafford.

    Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, discuss his future and Sunday’s big match against Liverpool.

    Andy Gray: Last year Robin had an outstanding season. He hardly missed a game, scored 30 goals and was the main reason United won the title. This year has been fragmented because of injuries and that has left him frustrated. He knows his form isn’t where it should be and that’s because he hasn’t had a consistent run of matches.

    It’s the same for all strikers. If they play every game they get into a rhythm and score goals. Robin has started 17 league games and scored 11 which is not a bad return but his body language tells you he is not happy, but I believe that comes from a lack of playing, nothing else.

    I accept he might have been disappointed when Sir Alex Ferguson retired because he probably bought into Fergie being there for another couple of years and was taken by surprise, but is that a reason for him to want to leave? No.

    A lot of people have interpreted his current mood and his reaction when he was substituted against West Brom as a sign that he wants a move. I don’t agree. There aren’t many bigger clubs in the world than Manchester United, so where would he go at this stage of his career? He is 30 years old, earning a fabulous wage and has a platform to perform at the highest level. He must know that.

    At his age Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint Germain are not going to spend what it would take to get him out of Old Trafford or pay him the sort of wages he would want. And I can’t see Arsene Wenger paying a huge transfer fee and massive wages to take him back to Arsenal. Ok, United are going through a transition but if he left he would be taking a big step down. That’s why I believe him when he says he wants to extend his contract.

    Whether it actually happens is another matter because, apart from whether he is worth a new deal, I think there is something in the growing speculation that Edinson Cavani will be at Old Trafford next season. That would impact on Van Persie. He might then have to spend some time on the bench or play a slightly different role. It would be interesting to see how he handles that.

    I have no doubt he will start against Liverpool tomorrow. He is still the best striker United have up top with Wayne Rooney playing off him and Juan Mata in the areas around those two. I know some people think United played better when Van Persie was taken off and Danny Welbeck came on and scored against West Brom, but is Welbeck better than Van Persie? Not in a million years.

    This should be a cracking game. Liverpool won’t go there and defend; it’s not in their nature and I see both teams scoring. If Mata, Rooney, Van Persie, Daniel Stur- ridge, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez all play at their best there will be plenty of chances with both defences a bit leaky. For Liver- pool to go to Old Trafford and win would be a wonderful result but I think this will end 2-2.

    Richard Keys: I’m not sure I believe that RVP wants to finish his career at Manchester United and anyway, I wouldn’t be in a rush to offer him an extended contract if I was Manchester United because he is already 30. And if, as Andy says, Cavani is United’s primary target and they can land him then that is a much better piece of business.

    Van Persie has done nothing this year to suggest he is worth an extended contract. He might have scored 11 goals in the games he has played but against who? I haven’t seen him settle the big games with his goals like he did last season and there have been suggestions that David Moyes has been more than a little aggravated by his absence and the length of time it has taken to get himself fit in a World Cup year. I think Van Persie is playing for himself and Holland and isn’t really interested in United any more.

    At the moment it doesn’t appear he and Rooney are enjoying playing together, he looks disinterested, not overly keen to get out there and knuckle down and is nowhere near as important to United as he was last season. I think there is a huge doubt over whether he will be there next season.

    If United can shift £14.5m a year off their wage bill, and that is how much he is costing them, I think they would be more than happy to sell at the right price which, of course, could be the problem because of his age.

    Tomorrow’s game is huge but whatever happens United won’t finish in the top four. The best they can hope for is Europa League. I think Liverpool will win because they have more to play for than United. If they win here they can really believe they can go on and win the title. 2-1 away win.

    Tottenham v Arsenal

    AG: It’s beginning to look like Tottenham’s season could fall apart. Although I was a little disappointed with the way Arsenal went out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, they are better than Spurs. 2-1 away win.

    RK: Tottenham are in turmoil and it looks like it’s beginning to prove a little bit too much for Tim Sherwood. Arsenal 2-0.

    Aston Villa v Chelsea

    AG: Villa need to treat this match as an away game, let Chelsea come at them and then hit them on the counter attack with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke. That is the only chance they have but, realistically, I can’t see Chelsea losing. 2-0 away win.

    RK: Chelsea will win this because they are now playing with real belief that they can win the title. It will be 0-0 after an hour before Chelsea move into gear. 1-0.

    Hull City v Man City

    AG: I can’t believe there won’t be a reaction from City after going out of the Champions League and the FA Cup in a matter of days. They can now focus entirely on the league title and that is a bonus. Hull might score and they don’t give much away but I think City, even without the injured Aguero, have too much firepower. 3-1.

    RK: There will be a lot of tension in the City side because they are now playing catch-up to Chelsea and can’t afford to make one mistake. Hull will get into them and I can see them holding City. 1-1.

    Everton v Cardiff

    AG: Cardiff got a good win last week to boost their hopes of survival and although Everton are looking a bit inconsistent they will be too good at home. 2-0.

    RK: Everton have too much class for Cardiff who, despite their great result last week, will lose this 3-0.

    Fulham v Newcastle

    AG: Every time I think Fulham might get out of trouble they disappoint me. They were poor at Cardiff last week and I think Newcastle will be too good for them. 3-1 away win.

    RK: You would expect Fulham to lose because the club is a mess but I think this might be a surprise result. Pardew is banned which will affect Newcastle and Fulham need the points. 2-1 home win.

    Southampton v Norwich

    AG: Norwich are terrible away from home and Southampton are a good side with players who are desperate to get into the England World Cup team so they will be up for it. 2-0 home win.

    RK: Southampton are too good at home for a side like Norwich. I said last week that I fear Norwich will be relegated and my view hasn’t changed. This is too big an ask for them. 2-0 home win.

    Stoke v West Ham

    AG: This will be a dour battle of attrition. Stoke have only conceded 14 at home while West Ham have only conceded 15 away so I reckon one goal will settle it. Stoke 1-0.

    RK: Stoke are still not out of the danger zone and need a result. I agree this will not be pretty but I think these two teams will cancel each other out. 1-1.

    Sunderland v Crystal Palace

    AG: If Palace win it would take them seven points clear of Sunderland and out of reach. But Palace have lost 10 games away from home so I’m going Sunderland 1-0.

    RK: The initial impact Tony Pulis had on Crystal Palace is beginning to fade and they have a terrible away record. Both of these teams are poor but home advantage will be decisive. 1-0.

    Swansea v West Brom

    AG: In 13 away games, West Brom have one win and incredibly that was at Old Trafford. Swansea are not brilliant but will win 3-1.

    RK: If West Brom had kept faith in Steve Clarke they would be safe but they chose not to and now they are paying the price and the club is a shambles. 2-0 Swansea.

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