BPL: Chelsea to win the league at the Bridge

All eyes are on Chelsea in this weekend’s action in the Barclays Premier League (BPL).

They face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge needing a win to win their 5th title – Jose Mourinho’s third with the Blues.

Our soccer analysts also have their eyes on this game. Star match Tottenham v Man City can as well take the backseat.

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LEICESTER CITY V NEWCASTLE

The Magpies have lost seven successive league games for only the second time in their history – their worst run was 10 in a row from August to October to 1977. Sunday, Leicester are fighting for survival so can we say its number eight for Newcastle?

Sunday: This is the game that’d really drag Newcastle back into relegation war. Leicester saw their four-game winning streak snapped by champions-elect Chelsea in a midweek game in which they held their own for over 45 minutes. Leicester’s attack and a resilient midfield is being undermined by a leaky defence which although has improved in recent weeks came unstuck against Chelsea. Newcastle are in tatters and the fans are having a go at the owner for lack of ambition. However, on the field is where ambition was never found with 7 straight losses. Leicester should grind the Magpies and show them how to be ambitious even in a relegation struggle. 2-1                    ‎

Aisha: Leicester City have given themselves real hope of avoiding relegation with four wins in a row. Too bad they came up against potential champions Chelsea on Wednesday and lost 3-1 at home. Newcastle have been very poor lately and may yet find themselves in a relegation fight. I think Leicester will win this 2-1

Kayode: Leicester City probably head into this important game as the favourites for victory. They had won four on the bounce before their midweek defeat to Chelsea but even in defeat Leicester could be proud of their performance especially after taking the lead before half time. Newcastle are down and out at the moment. But they should be safe from any relegation worries with five points separating them from 18th-placed Sunderland even after losing this game. 1-0

ASTON VILLA V EVERTON

Everton have won five of their last six league games. Another win for the Toffees, Aisha?

Aisha: Everton tore apart Manchester United 3-0 last weekend ‎and would want to finish as high as possible. I felt Aston Villa were unlucky against Manchester City when they lost 3-2. The Villans would want this more in order not to get dragged into a relegation dogfight. I’m going for a home win, 2-1

Sunday: Everton’s win over Man United took me by surprise, but the warning signals were there: four wins on the bounce. Aston Villa are still fighting for survival and this game being at home, they should get a good lift from the fans while the manager Tim Sherwood once again show off his tactical skills. 2-1

Kayode: Villa will be looking to continue their escape from the relegation zone with a victory against Everton this weekend. Villa have seen a huge improvement in their performances since Tim Sherwood took over from Paul Lambert. Everton are flying after their 3-0 demolition of Manchester United last weekend and are currently on an unbeaten run of six games. But I give this tie, like the others said, to the home team. 2-0

LIVERPOOL V QPR

The two clubs have faced off a total of 47 times, with Liverpool winning 33, QPR 7 and 7 draws. Aisha, can QPR cause an upset 24 years after their one and only win (3-1) at Anfield in 1991?

Aisha: Liverpool’s season has gone horribly wrong and the Reds may miss out of Europe altogether. The 1-0 loss to Hull City on Tuesday showed how far Liverpool have fallen from what they achieved last season. But their opponents are Queens Park Rangers who are not very good travellers, so the Reds should win this 2-0

Kayode: Both teams missed crucial chances over the week to get closer to their season goals – one to be in the Champions League and the other to remain in the Premier League. While Charlie Austin’s penalty miss meant QPR missed the chance to move within two points of escaping the drop zone, Liverpool missed the chance to take advantage of United’s slip-up at Goodison Park, with a demoralising 1-0 loss at the KC Stadium leaving them seven points off the Champions League places. Both would be looking at results elsewhere to help their cause. I give it to Liverpool just because they are playing at home. 2-1

Sunday: Brendan Rodgers needs a win soonest. The Kop lost to relegation-threatened Hull in midweek and where abject for most part of that game. QPR are another team neck-deep in relegation and they need the points, but Anfield would rally behind Rodgers and his boys no matter the groans. 2-0

SUNDERLAND V SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton are unbeaten in their last six league visits to the Stadium of Light (W1 D5 L0) but did lose in both cup competitions at the same ground last season. Sunday, where will the pendulum swing?

Sunday: Sunderland got lucky against Stoke City and Jermain Defoe’s goals have dried up again, which is a concern. The Mackems are another relegation-threatened club while Southampton are fighting for an European place. Unless their leaky defence is sorted before Saturday, Sunderland could be overrun by a resurgent Graziano Pelle while Southampton’s defence doesn’t let in many goals. 1-2

Aisha: The Saints know that they need to get better otherwise their European ambitions will be a mirage. Sunderland are in serious trouble and it’s looking like they will go down. ‎I predict a Southampton win. 1-2

Kayode: Sunderland go into this game with just one win in the last 10 games and are in dire need of a couple of wins in their next two games at home to pull themselves out of their misery. But what better ways than to achieve a season-defining win against the side that pummelled them 8-0 back in October? For Southampton, it’s been a somewhat roller coaster ride all season where they have defied the odds, silenced their doubters by punching way above their weight, especially in the first half of the season. They are still looking to qualify for Europe and they should pick a point here. 1-1

SWANSEA V STOKE

Swansea have taken sixteen points from their last ten matches, whilst Stoke are not far behind with a total of fourteen. Sunday, who wins this game of two average sides?

Sunday: Home and dry. Both teams have nothing to play for; therefore this game will be played at an easy pace. Both teams have similar passing styles but Stoke are more direct. Sigurdsson is returning to form and he could claim the three points for the home team. 2-1  ‎

Aisha: I’m guessing that these two sides have achieved their season targets so don’t have much to play for. A nailed on draw this one. 1-1

Kayode: Like Aisha said, this tie can be regarded as a ‘dead rubber’. Swansea currently sit in eighth position, seven points off Europa League qualification while Stoke are just three points behind them. They are both looking at next season now. So, I go for a draw. 0-0

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WEST HAM V BURNLEY

Sam Allardyce’s side have only picked up 13 points since Christmas and have only won one of their last 13 matches. Sunday, will West Ham break away from the unlucky 13 with a win here?

Sunday: I should think so because Burnley have a huge problem. Burnley’s problem stem from the fact that Danny Ings’ goals have dried up. Sean Dyche has been unable to solve this problem for eight games now and at West Ham, Adrian’s been superb between the stick. Confidence seem low in both camps but West Ham still have a few match winners in some form.‎ 2-0

Aisha: Burnley showed flashes of brilliance this season but it’s only a miracle that can save them from relegation. West Ham have their critics but I think they will win this 1-0

Kayode: Every game is now a must win game for Burnley as they find themselves five points adrift from safety with only four games left.  Their opponents, West Ham are sitting comfortably in mid-table.  Their recent performances indicate that they feel the season is over.  For Burnley, though, the season has just started! I see a surprise away win. 1-2

MANCHESTER UNITED V WEST BROM

Sir Alex Ferguson’s last match in charge of Manchester United was against West Brom at the Hawthorns. That game ended 5-5 in May 2013. Aisha, another high scoring game?

Aisha: Hmmmmm, doubt it! United suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Everton in their last game and got the devastating news that captain Wayne Rooney’s season may be over due to injury. But Robin Van Persie should be back for this game and I honestly don’t see West Brom causing an upset here. 3-1

Kayode: Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their 3-0 loss at Goodison Park against West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday. West Brom have proven to be a thorn in United’s side in recent meetings. West Brom managed to avoid defeat against United in three of their last four meetings. And it even includes a 2-1 victory when the two met at Old Trafford last season. But I don’t see them repeating that feat. 2-0

Sunday: Athough the injuries are affecting their defence, United’s show of shame against Everton must be banished this weekend at Tony Pulis’ expense. De Gea’s form has dropped in recent weeks while the defenders have been abject, their attack can still hurt the opposition and Old Trafford is a fortress once again. 3-1

CHELSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE

Alan Pardew has won four of his last six Premier League matches as an opposition coach against Chelsea. Aisha, is there an upset in the air?

Aisha: Chelsea have led the league from their very first game. Remarkable! The Blues know that a win in this game will give them their first BPL title in five years. The match will be played at Stamford Bridge and I don’t see Crystal Palace spoiling the party. Chelsea to win this 2-0

Sunday: Jose Mourinho would not pass on this sort of opportunity: clinch the league in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful. Two straight losses have dampened Palace’s good form while Chelsea’s win at Leicester in midweek would need another classic display this weekend. 2-0

Kayode: Jose Mourinho has coached Chelsea in 95 BPL games at Stamford Bridge, losing just one (W74 D20 L1). A win over Palace will make it his 75th! 2-0

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V MANCHESTER CITY

Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 BPL outings. Sunday, surely they will let in goals against City.

Sunday: Two teams fighting for familiar purpose: Europe. Harry Kane could celebrate his Young Player of the Year award with another matured performance while Sergio Aguero could have other plans.‎ Both teams should cancel each other out‎. 2-2

Aisha: This should be the most exciting game of the weekend. Spurs are gunning for the Europa League while City want to consolidate on their Champions League spot. These two sides can score goals so I predict an entertaining 2-2 draw

Kayode: Manchester City have won seven and lost just one of the last eight BPL meetings with Spurs. They have scored 15 goals in their last three league games against Spurs and at least four in each match. And Sergio Aguero has netted nine goals in six BPL appearances against Spurs. The record book gives it to City; Kayode gives it to City, too. 1-2

HULL V ARSENAL

Arsenal have won their last four BPL away games all by a one-goal margin. Aisha, another 1-0 for the Gunners?

Aisha: Arsenal don’t play until Monday by which time Chelsea may have been crowned champions. That shouldn’t affect the performance of the Gunners though as they would still want to at least finish second. Hull should be safe with the 37 points they have so far but they will make this difficult for Arsenal. I see a 1-1 draw here

Kayode: Hull City have lost five and drawn one of the last six BPL games against Arsenal, including defeats in all three games at the KC Stadium. The Gunners have won eight and lost none of the last nine meetings with Hull in all competitions. They should extend it to nine! 1-2

Sunday: Mini-revival for Hull or a full-scale revival? We’d find out in this fixture. Chelsea’s BPL title win should knock the wind out of the Gunners’ sail and Hull City, fresh from defeating Liverpool in midweek, could pounce to further enhance their survival prospect. 1-1

WEEK 33 PREDICTIONS

MATCH	KAYODE	AISHA	SUNDAY	RESULT
Southampton v Tottenham	2-1	2-2	1-1	2-2
Burnley v Leicester	0-0	1-0	1-2	0-1
Crystal Palace v Hull	2-2	0-1	3-1	0-2
Newcastle v Swansea	1-1	1-2	2-1	2-3
QPR v West Ham	2-0	2-1	1-0	0-0
Stoke v Sunderland	1-1	2-0	1-0	1-1
West Brom v Liverpool	2-1	1-1	1-1	0-0
Man City v Aston Villa	0-0	3-0	2-2	3-2
Everton v Man United	1-3	1-1	1-1	3-0
Arsenal v Chelsea	1-1	1-1	1-2	0-0

PUNDITS LEAGUE TABLE

PUNDIT	WK 33 RESULT (1PT)	WK 33 SCORE (2PTS)	WK 33 TOTAL POINTS	CUMMULATIVE POINTS
Sunday Omeike	3	0	3	203
Aisha Falode	6	2	8	192
Kayode Tijani	2	2	4	168