BPL: United to inflict first 2015 defeat on Reds

The fight for a UEFA Champions League (UCL) place dominates the headline as fifth-placed Liverpool attempt to leapfrog Manchester United into the vital fourth position in their Barclays Premier League (BPL) match at Anfield.

United go into Sunday’s clash on the back of their most impressive performance of the season in their 3-0 annihilation of Tottenham at Old Trafford, while Liverpool are on a run of 10 wins in 13 league games, which has lifted them from 10th to within two points of a UCL spot.

Our soccer analysts comprising Kayode Tijani, Aisha Falode and Sunday Omeike are back to give you their views and predictions on this tie and the other nine fixtures.

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MANCHESTER CITY V WEST BROM

Manchester City have won their last six matches against West Brom. Despite their recent poor form, City have won their last two home matches. Sunday, can West Brom avoid a thrashing at the Etihad?

Sunday: Manchester City will definitely win this match. City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, is a man looking so tactically naive and his team looks jaded, especially in their 1-0 loss to Barca in mid-week that confirmed their exit from Europe. Captain Kompany tops the list of their numerous off-form players which includes Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva and even Sergio Aguero. For a top four-team, their return of three victories and two losses in six games is mid-table form but City do find solace at their Etihad stadium, more so against West Brom. City have only fallen to an in-form Liverpool this season and against West Brom, they have lost none in 10 games. Manager Tony Pulis must be scratching his head on how strikers Saido Berahino and our own Brown Ideye can help the Midlands club to their first win at City’s home where they have not won in seven visits, and how his team would get past Joe Hart who was in inspired form against Barcelona remains to be seen. Also, striker Sergio Aguero would look to banish the penalty miss against Barca and he loves playing against West Brom with four goals in the last 5 games. West Brom have lost first-choice ‘keeper Ben Foster to injury and I expect the Argentine striker to punish them. 2-0

Aisha: Man City probably conceded the BPL title after last weekend’s defeat at Burnley. However, I think they will have no troubled beating West Brom. 3-1

Kayode: After the Champions League exit, City need to bounce back to winning ways. Chelsea have virtually won the league but the race to finish second is still wide open and the champions have Arsenal, United and Liverpool breathing their neck. West Brom don’t have a good record against City so one can predict a win for City. 3-0

ASTON VILLA V SWANSEA CITY     

Villa are looking to win three games in a row for the first time this season. In each of the last three seasons (so far) they have not managed to do this. Kayode, do you see them achieving this?

Kayode: With the form they are at the moment, one can say a resounding yes to this! Another three points would go a long way to aiding Villa’s safety bid, but Swansea are not going to Villa Park to be rolled over by the home team. They will be looking to establish themselves as a top half side. Villa have the momentum though and I expect them to flow with the tide. 2-1

Aisha: Villa gave their best performance of the season in thumping Sunderland 4-0 last weekend. I expect them to carry that form into this game. Swansea are safe so will not be desperate. Aston Villa to win this 2-1

Sunday: No need to talk about animated Tim Sherwood all day – we know what he’s going to do, especially with the game happening in front of the home fans. Based on form, Aston Villa are only behind Swansea with a point after garnering six in their last six, including back-to-back victories in the BPL, and three consecutive wins in all competitions. Swansea look home and dry already, with their form tailing off as the season approaches its end. They are on a run of two straight losses, and have suffered three defeats in six. The Swans play a beautiful passing game with too many passes and without much end-product in recent times, while Villa love to attack under Sherwood mostly using the direct route. They have scored seven goals in four matches – four in the last game at Sunderland. Strikers Christian Benteke and in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor love scoring the Welsh side that has not scored much away from home in recent times and that statistic would be maintained on Saturday. 2-1

NEWCASTLE UNITED V ARSENAL      

Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight Barclays Premier League games against Newcastle and have won all of the last six meetings. And with Newcastle failing to score in their last three league home games against the Gunners, Aisha, there’s only one winner here. No?

Aisha: The Gunners are the form team of the BPL right now and I can’t see Newcastle stopping them even though they are home. 1-2

Sunday: As a Geordie, I like John Carver a lot. If not for anything but because he was once an assistant to my hero, late Sir Bobby Robson, and he imbibed the Toon legend’s attacking philosophy. What has been lacking his defensive cohesion with numerous blunders from both defenders and keeper. Also, the attacking flair has gone since walloping Hull City 3-0. The Magpies have not scored more than one goal in six games, going barren in three of them. In contrast to Arsenal who are the second in the form books, the Gunners average two or more goals every game and are on a 5-match unbeaten run. Their form against Newcastle spells doom for the home faithful: clean sheets on their last three visits to St. James’ Park, no loss in 8 encounters and on a run of six consecutive wins. Coupled with Giroud’s form, the urge to put UCL disappointment behind them and the gifts Newcastle hand out to the Gunners, it’s a no-brainer – Wenger’s boys will win this latest match-up. 1-3

Kayode: I smell an upset here. The Magpies have beaten Chelsea and Liverpool at the St James’ Park and I see them adding the Gunners to that list. I am quite sure Arsene Wenger and his men are yet to recover from the Champions League ouster on Tuesday. The hangover will be carried into this match. 2-0

SOUTHAMPTON V BURNLEY 

The Saints’ home form has been patchy recently with a record of W3 D2 L4 in their last nine league matches at St Mary’s. Sunday, they should patch things up against Burnley right?

Sunday: At the business end of the season, a game between a top team and a relegation struggler is difficult to call, as Burnley made Man City understand last weekend. The Clarets are giving it a real go and should be encouraged, but Southampton will burst their bubble prematurely. The Saints have dipped in form but showed signs of life against league leaders, Chelsea, and are still fighting with the big boys for an almost impossible top-4 spot. Saido Mane is on form, Dusan Tadic looks threatening again and the Dubai break has afforded the team a fresh start. Danny Ings is still a threat for Burnley but the goals have dried up a bit, and I expect Sean Dyche’s men to end up on the losing side following another determined display. 2-0

Kayode: The record book is heavily skewed in favour of the away team. Burnley have won three and lost just one of the last six league meetings with Southampton. There have been just four goals scored in the last four BPL matches played at St Mary’s. And like the moderator said, the Saints’ home form has been patchy recently with a record of W3 D2 L4 in their last nine league games at home. But Southampton have kept 11 clean sheets and conceded just 12 goals in their last 19 league games on home soil. They will keep another clean sheet and even do better than that with a win. 2-0

Aisha: The Saints were excellent in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea last weekend but Burnley probably had the performance of the season in beating Man City. Southampton are strong at home but Burnley will give them a good fight. But I believe the Saints will earn a win. 1-0

STOKE CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE    

Stoke City have won five of their last eight league games at the Britannia Stadium (W5 D1 L2), with their only defeats coming against Chelsea and Manchester City. Kayode, what are your expectations?

Kayode: I expect a very edgy game with both sides looking to capitalise on the mistake of the other team. If a winner emerges then the score line would be quite slim. But a winner won’t emerge. 0-0

Sunday: Crystal Palace and Yannick Bolasie in particular tore QPR apart following an atrocious defensive display last week but they should expect no such favours against a well-drilled Stoke City side whose home form at the Britannia stadium has improved. They have won four in six and were only defeated by Man City during a brief dip in form. Palace on the other hand are toothless when their wings are clipped and this would be the case with Stoke’s multi-faceted attack of Crouch, Moses, Diouf and Jon Walters putting them on the back foot. 2-1

Aisha: Stoke are not playing very well right now and last weekend’s loss to West Brom proves it. Crystal Palace on the other hand are doing very well. Tough to call but I think this is 1-1

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V LEICESTER CITY   

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last nine league games at White Hart Lane (W6, D3) while Leicester have won just one of their last 13 BPL away games (W1, D2, L10). Aisha, Spurs to nick this?

Aisha: Tottenham have been disappointing and brilliant this season. The loss to Manchester United was a surprise. I don’t think there will be surprises when Tottenham plays Leicester though. 2-1

Sunday: Manager Mauricio Pochettino labelled Spurs’ loss at United as ‘probably the poorest performance of his reign’ and he was right. So many mistakes from the outset gave away the match to United, but he’d be looking to banish Manchester ghost against an abject Leicester City side who have just one win in 13 away games in the BPL. Tottenham however are unbeaten in nine home games and against lower teams, score two or more goals. Nigel Pearson’s team are last on the table with no win in six games and four goals to show. Their displays show a determined team that is just not good enough and Tottenham will surely punish their naivety. Cue Harry Kane to celebrate his England call-up with a goal. 3-0

Kayode: 2-1 has been a favourite score line for Spurs this season and I am tempted to say this would end same way.

WEST HAM UNITED V SUNDERLAND

Sunderland have won the joint least amount of matches in the league this season with four. Only Leicester have won as few matches as the North East club. Aisha, fancy a win for Sunderland and their new coach?

Aisha: Dick Advocaat is new Sunderland manager and this usually means a positive effect. West Ham are not doing too badly so it’s safe to bet on a draw. 1-1

Sunday: There are rumours that Sam Allardyce would be shown the exit at the end of the season and possibly turn to Africa to manage Nigeria. All this will however not deter ‘Big Sam’ in his quest to win games, given the players he has at his disposal. Sunderland fired an uninspiring Gus Poyet and hired an experienced head, Dick Advocaat who is without any Premier League experience and this might just have put the Mackems to the relegation sword. Felix Magath helped Fulham relegate to the Championship last season. Unless he can conjure up some magic dust to revive an ailing team in all departments, including an off-form Defoe, West Ham could use this game as an opportunity to get back to winning ways. 2-1

Kayode: Sunderland may have a bounce in their step due to the managerial change made in the week. Dick Advocaat replaced Gus Poyet and I can’t wait to see how he’ll set up his side on Saturday against Sam Allardyce – a manager who has a lot of Premier League experience.  1-1

LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER UNITED

Attack has been the name of the game lately for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who have managed a minimum of 11 shots per match in five of their last six League games, with the highlight being 20 in their 2-0 home victory over Burnley. Kayode, do you see them bombarding your team with the same style?

Kayode: Liverpool will be out for revenge after their 3-0 hammering at Old Trafford in December. It’s a close call but United can nick it with a slim win. 0-1

Sunday: Champions league six-pointer. Liverpool have not lost a league game in 2015 and could be tipped to win this tie. However, a look at their win at Swansea last Monday showed that they could be picked apart. Sterling still has flashes of brilliance but not all the time, Coutinho can hit it from distance but goes missing in games, while the defence is holding out but for how long? And against a United team who seem to find form whenever Michael Carrick is in the team. Wayne Rooney also loves to play and score on Sundays and I think he’d repeat the trick this weekend. Without looking much into statistics because this sort of game is not governed by such, I do think the Red Devils could be the team to end Liverpool’s 14-game unbeaten run. 1-2

Aisha: The biggest tie in European football this weekend (Are you sure, Aisha?). I think playing at Anfield will give Liverpool a slight advantage. 2-1

HULL CITY V CHELSEA

Diego Costa is now leading the BPL goal scorers’ chart on his own again with 18, after his header against Southampton gave him a first goal in eight League matches. Kayode, do you see him adding to that tally against Hull?

Kayode: After ending his barren run in the Premier League last weekend, Costa will be in the mood to fire leaders Chelsea a step closer to the title at Hull. He has already scored this season against the Tigers in Chelsea’s 2-0 home win in December. I see him pushing Steve Bruce’s 15th-placed side back towards the relegation zone with more goals at the weekend. 0-2

Aisha: The Blues failed to beat Southampton last weekend, giving Man City faint hopes of still winning the league. Chelsea will be determined to win this and should get all three points. 1-2

Sunday: Hull City have three wins from six games at home and are in need of more points to ensure safety. Chelsea on the other hand have dropped in form and are looking at the chasing pack with six points and a game in hand, therefore they need to close the season out and a hard-fought win against a physical Hull City side would do the trick. 0-2

QPR V EVERTON

Everton are unbeaten in the last five meetings in all competitions with Queens Park Rangers (W3 D2 L0). However, the Toffees have won none of their last five BPL trips to Loftus Road with two defeats against Fulham and two draws and a loss against QPR in those visits. Sunday, what do you expect from Everton?

Sunday: The Rangers are almost certain to win demotion into the Championship going by their recent abject displays under interim manager Chris Ramsey – bar their 2-0 win at Everton in his first game. The players play with no determination and pride, as if nothing is at stake. They do not look like a team battling for dear life but more like one that has resigned to fate based on the players’ displays. The London side’s home form has been keeping them aloof for weeks but this has vanished with four straight losses at home. Everton are not in form themselves with three straight losses away from home in the league, but they got a crucial win against Newcastle last weekend and in Europe on Thursday, got walloped 5-2 by Dinamo Kiev. Both teams’ defences are not inspiring their teams and they settle for a draw to halt the slide. 1-1

Aisha: QPR are really struggling now and may end up relegated. Everton have had issues of their own but are beginning to improve. I’ll go for a draw, 2-2

Kayode: QPR are hoping to have midfielder Joey Barton back in time for this match. He has missed his team’s last three league games through suspension, but he sustained a knock in training this week and is doubtful for the encounter at Loftus Road. If he plays and avoid unnecessary altercation with the opponent, he can help his side to a home win. 1-0