Premier League Predictions: Pedro Mendes backs Tottenham and Liverpool to take derby spoils

By Mark Young.

It’s another big weekend in the Premier League with the North London and Merseyside derbies along with table-topping Chelsea’s trip to a beleaguered Aston Villa to look forward to.

On Sunday, there’s Tony Pulis’s West Brom facing Burnley as the relegation battle intensifies and Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground among the pick of the games. Here Mark Young and former Spurs star Pedro Mendes give their predictions.

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Harry to Kane Gunners

Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal

Both Tottenham and Arsenal go into the North London derby on the back of fine results, which makes for a magnificent clash. Spurs hitman Harry Kane’s in sparkling form after netting a double in their impressive 3-0 win at West Brom and looks certain to add to his tally of 20 goals in all competitions this season on Saturday.

Team-mate Christian Eriksen has improved dramatically since his move from Ajax last summer to secure a regular starting place alongside Kane and Hugo Lloris. The Dane’s free-kick prowess and knack for scoring late winners could also help give Spurs the edge.

It was a stroll in the park for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s men put five past Aston Villa on Sunday. Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud hit the target, while keeper David Ospina proved himself as the best goalie at the club.

Alexis Sanchez could have an impact on his return for the clash at White Hart Lane but I predict Kane will lead Spurs to their first derby victory since 2013

Pedro Mendes’s Prediction

Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal

As a former Spurs player, I truly believe they will win this derby. It’s the perfect opportunity to overtake rivals Arsenal in the table. Although with the quality that Gunners have up front, I believe they will score once.

Villa’s Hazard warning

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

Aston Villa couldn’t face table-toppers Chelsea at a worse time, having gone over ten hours without hitting the target to earn them the dubious honour of being the lowest scoring side out of the 92 teams across the Premier and Football Leagues. It’s a shocking record for a club that aren’t even in the relegation zone.

Gaffer Paul Lambert will be looking for a response from his men after blasting them following their Arsenal thrashing. But this is just the kind of fixture his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho needs after their dull 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Eden Hazard was the key man with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa out as he set up Loic Remy’s goal against their title rivals. They are still without bad boy Costa, so will look to the Belgian playmaker again at Villa.

Fellow countryman Christian Benteke is likely to be starved of any service up front in this clash for Villa and I reckon Chelsea will continue to set the pace at the top of the Premier League.

Pedro Mendes’s Prediction

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

This will be an easy away win for Chelsea and for the Special One in their title race.

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Red alert

Everton 0-1 Liverpool

This Merseyside Derby could prove to be one for the purists as Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park. Both teams won without conceding a goal last weekend with many positives for their managers to take.

Everton inflicted a first defeat on Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace on Saturday, while hitman Daniel Sturridge returned to help Reds defeat a good West Ham team at Anfield.

Liverpool’s strong defensive record gives me confidence they will keep another clean sheet at the home of their biggest rivals. Since Leicester scored twice against them on New Year’s Day, Brendan Rodgers’s men haven’t conceded a goal in the league.

Toffees still look shaky, although the return of John Stones has shored up the defence. But with pacy winger Raheem Sterling also to contend with, I reckon it’ll be a narrow derby defeat for Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Pedro Mendes’s Prediction

Everton 0-1 Liverpool

I think this will be a difficult game for Liverpool, but they’ll manage a narrow victory as they can’t afford to lose more ground in the hunt for the Europa places.

It’s in the Baggies

Burnley 0-1 West Brom

In Sunday’s midday game, Tony Pulis takes his West Brom to Burnley. Baggies want to bounce back after surprisingly losing 3-0 to Tottenham, considering the solidity the new gaffer has introduced to the side.

But Pulis’s men should recover from that blip by returning to winning ways at Burnley, who after a strong few weeks over the winter period, seem to have fallen into trouble again.

Both clubs will be boosted by managing to retain star players linked with moves elsewhere in the transfer window. For now, Burnley have kept hold of hitman Danny Ings and West Brom striker Saido Berahino remains at the Hawthorns.

Pulis has also added the experience of former Manchester United ace Darren Fletcher to his midfield, so I expect Berahino to come out on top in the battle of England’s rising stars.

Pedro Mendes’s Prediction

Burnley 1-1 West Brom

It’s a clash of two teams fighting to climb the table. West Brom are the better team but Burnley will make life difficult for them playing at home.

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Big test for Big Sam

West Ham 1-3 Manchester United

Manchester United travel to West Ham in a game usually guaranteed goals. Louis van Gaal’s men are rattling them in but they can also struggle to keep clean sheets as displayed in their 3-1 win at home to basement boys Leicester.

But LVG will have been pleased with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao finding the net alongside the performances of Angel di Maria and Daley Blind. Although United were poor in the second half, there was never any danger of another 5-3 comeback by the Foxes.

The hosts have failed to turn up against the bigger teams as their top four hopes diminish with Tottenham and Arsenal hitting form as they are starting to stutter.
Hammers hitman Andy Carroll went off injured in last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool and it would be a huge miss if he was unavailable to battle United’s defence.

The selection of a consistent back four by LVG – and a Wayne Rooney goal at a ground where he tends to score for fun – should see United perform well enough to retain third place.

Pedro Mendes’s Prediction

West Ham 1-3 Manchester United

West Ham are comfortable in the table so have nothing to lose in this match at all. United need to win to keep the third spot, therefore all the pressure is on them, but I think they can handle it and will triumph.

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