Premier League Predictions – Manchester United to keep Kane quiet, Southampton to hold Chelsea, and Hull to continue hot streak?

By Mark Young.

It’s back to Premier League business this weekend with some key games in the race for the title and top four, plus huge relegation battles at the King Power Stadium and at the Stadium of Light.

Former Arsenal player and manager Terry Neill is the man to go up against Mark this week and he fancies the big boys to have a good weekend.

Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham

With Radamel Falcao playing for the Under-21s and Juan Mata struggling to get a game, it is certainly a strange time at United, with Louis van Gaal’s philosophy and direction questioned.

Angel Di Maria was sent off as Arsenal beat the Red Devils in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Monday night, and will be missing against their North London rivals.

Harry Kane has been incredible this season, notching over 20 goals after hitting the net against QPR last weekend, and will fancy himself against United. Spurs have been kings of the 2-1 scoreline this term, but a gritty, and certainly not pretty, win by that margin for LVG seems likely.

Terry Neill’s Prediction:

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham

 Chelsea 1-1 Southampton

Chelsea’s week could take an upward turn or a nosedive depending on their result at home to Southampton on Sunday. Extra-time elimination from the Champions League by ten-man Paris Saint-Germain was fully deserved over two legs.

The champions elect face another tough test against Saints. Ronald Koeman’s side will appreciate having 10 days off after a midweek victory last time out, and as injuries get closer to being cleared up, they could take full advantage of a lack-lustre, tired Chelsea.

These two teams shared the points at St Mary’s in December, with the same scoreline a real possibility, as Jose Mourinho could struggle to get his players off the floor.

Terry Neill’s Prediction:

Chelsea 2-0 Southampton

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Arsenal were good value for their victory against Manchester United in the FA Cup, and look just as good to beat a depleted West Ham at the Emirates this weekend.

The visitors have struggled since news leaked that Sam Allardyce may no longer be in charge when his contract runs out at the end of this season. Chelsea managed to sneak a 1-0 victory last Wednesday, but with Thibaut Courtois in miraculous form and Eden Hazard’s goal seemingly offside, Hammers can count themselves a little unlucky.

It is unlikely to be the same outcome this weekend with Arsenal becoming formidable in front of their fans, and a simple win will push the Gunners closer to another season of Champions League football.

Terry Neill’s Prediction:

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United

Leicester City 2-3 Hull City

One of the two relegation battles on Saturday sees in-form Hull City travel to face Leicester City. Steve Bruce signed a contract extension this week after a run of only one defeat in their previous five fixtures, which came at Stoke.

With January singing Dame N’Doye having netted three goals in four games, Hull seem to have found the man to lift them away from the drop zone. While Leicester will feel their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last Wednesday was a sore one, that seems to be the story of their season.

Nigel Pearson’s side have only won twice in the Premier League since the turn of the year, and that trend could continue in a high-scoring affair at the King Power Stadium.

Terry Neill’s Prediction:

Leicester City 1-0 Hull City

Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa

The second of the two relegation battles could be a little bit tougher to watch, as buoyant Aston Villa make the trip to the North East to square up with Gus Poyet’s Sunderland.

Despite Villa making it to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals, Tim Sherwood has struggled to get a tune out of his side in the league, barring a win against West Brom prior to the cup triumph.

The 17th-placed visitors have scored 15 goals this season in 28 matches, while Sunderland have scored eight more, but have drawn 14. Both teams leave a lot to the imagination, and it seems like it could be a long, hard slog for both sets of fans.

Terry Neill’s Prediction:

Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa

 

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