Chelsea go into Sunday’s game against Southampton on the back of a devastating Champions League exit at the hands of PSG. Will they still suffer a European hangover or will they bounce back in style? Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage discuss this weekend’s games.
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Chelsea v Southampton
Andy Gray: Jose Mourinho would have made it quite clear that Wednesday’s result is history and that winning the Premier League is now all that matters and that it is well within their grasp.
He will want to bounce back with a victory but Southampton are decent and they have the ability to keep the ball for long spells, like PSG did in midweek, and if they can do that I think they can get something out of this. 1-1.
Richard Keys: It has been a while since I last saw Chelsea play well but having said that I think they will get over the line and win the league because they have a knack of grinding out points. I don’t think the PSG result will effect Chelsea but I can’t see them winning the title emphatically or with entertaining football.
It looks like there will be no Premier League teams in the Champions League quarter-finals which is worrying. Maybe it’s time to bring in a winter break, like everybody else, remove cup replays, stop two-legged cup semi-finals which is a nonsense and give EPL teams a better chance in Europe.
Anyway, I digress; Chelsea will beat a Southampton side which looks like it has hit the wall. 2-0.
Burnley v Man City
AG: City will have half an eye on their game against Barcelona in the Champions League next week so don’t be surprised to see Manuel Pellegrini rest some of his key players which he can probably afford to do against Burnley. 1-3.
RK: City will stroll past Burnley but there are too many things going on behind the scenes, where all is definitely not well, for them to win the title. I agree with Andy. 1-3.
Manchester United v Spurs
AG: Everyone thought Spurs would slide out of contention for a top four place when they lost the League Cup final to Chelsea but they have responded well. This is the right time to play United who look off-colour. 2-2.
RK: I honestly believe Louis van Gaal has been found out in the Premier League. He’s yesterday’s man but because this is at Old Trafford I will give them a point. 2-2.
Arsenal v West Ham
AG: Apart from the Monaco debacle when they were a shambles, Arsenal have been playing well and I am sure they will finish in the top four. West Ham haven’t been great recently and they will just be hoping to finish in the top 10 which would be a good season for them. 2-0.
RK: West Ham will make life difficult but Arsenal are in good shape to finish top four and win the FA Cup again. 2-1.
Leicester City v Hull
AG: No ifs, buts or maybes; if Leicester don’t beat Hull I think they are down. With that in mind I think they will find something extra and beat Hull. 1-0.
RK: I think Leicester are already down. Steve Bruce and Hull have enough to get a point here. 1-1.
Sunderland v Aston Villa
AG: Two wins against West Brom will have done wonders for Aston Villa’s confidence. I can’t see them losing at Sunderland but it’s not an easy place to go so I’ll say 1-1.
RK: Defeat could send one of these teams down. Tim Sherwood may have got something going at Villa just in time while things are beginning to look a bit of a mess at Sunderland. 2-1 Villa.
West Brom v Stoke
AG: Mark Hughes has got Stoke into a really healthy league position and they are playing with confidence but West Brom will be determined to fight back from those defeats to Villa. 2-1.
RK: Stoke have more points that they have ever had in the Premier League so you have to applaud what Mark Hughes and Mark Bowen have done there. However, they occasionally look a bit fragile and West Brom are due a win. 1-0.
Everton v Newcastle
AG: Every time it looks like Everton are about to turn the corner they let everyone down. I thought they were fortunate to beat Kiev in the Europa League but Newcastle are not in great shape so I think my old team can beat them 2-1.
RK: I don’t think Newcastle have a plan or any idea what it is they are trying to pursue. Everton, on the back of that win in the Europa League, will fancy this. 2-0.
Crystal Palace v QPR
AG: If this was at Loftus Road I would be going for a QPR win but on the road the only points they have taken were at Sunderland and I don’t expect them to get any more. Easy Palace win. 3-1.
RK: Crystal Palace are a significantly better side than QPR who, to be frank, are a shambles. 3-1.
Swansea v Liverpool
AG: Most people will expect Liverpool to win this but although they have had some good results their performances have not been brilliant. Swansea have home advantage and if they are on their game this might be the surprise result of the weekend. 2-1.
RK: As Andy says, this could be interesting. Liverpool have been getting results in unconvincing fashion and I can also see Swansea, causing a bit of an upset by nicking this 2-1.
