Arsenal vs Middlesbrough

15/3- Arsenal would be facing the heat now as they get prepared to take on Middlesbrough, though they are on the top spot they would be worried as the second placed team( Manchester United) are just a couple of points behind them and have played a match less as well. Middlesbrough on the other hand are on the 12^th position but they would have a mental advantage as they are the only team in the premiership this season that has defeated Arsenal. In the last match between both the teams Middlesbrough had won with a 2-1 score line while playing at home. However looking at the overall record of the matches played between the sides it is clearly evident that the Gunners have been the dominant force and have managed to win 15 of the 23 matches while 4 matches have been draws. Both the teams have been in decent form as per their standards and hence a good match can be expected. Since Arsenal are the home team they would definitely hold the advantage and with the home crowd behind them they would be expected to make the most of this home tie.

Arsenal come into this match after having drawn their last match against Wigan which was an away tie. Playing at home they have been virtually unbeatable and with Manchester United threatening to take the top spot a victory here would be highly essential. Adebayor has been in fantastic form and his contribution might prove essential in this tie and with 19 goals he is the side’s most prolific scorer.

Middlesbrough on the other hand had a decent start to their campaign this season but have lost some ground in the last few weeks. They have won just 3 of the last 10 matches while lost 3 and the remaining 4 have been draws for them. This match is important is important if they want to end the season in the top half of the table.

Prediction: 3-1, Arsenal win

Tottenham vs West Ham United

9/3- Tottenham have been disappointing this season and their performances have been suffering off late as well. They are currently placed on the 11^th position and in no way look like making it to the top half of the table and after a loss last week they get ready to take on the 10^th placed West Ham United at home this weekend. West Ham United on the other have been good travellers and their performance away from home this season has been quite good as well and they would want to continue it in this tie against Tottenham.

In terms of form both teams are almost at par as the home side has won 4, lost 4 and drawn 2 in the last 10 matches while the visiting team too possesses the exact same record. Also their last match which was earlier this season ended in a draw which makes it all the more easier to believe that the match can be evenly contested. The only aspect where the side differ is their head to head performance as in the last 25 matches played between them Tottenham have won 10 while West Ham have won 9 and there have been 6 draws. But interestingly 6 of the 9 West ham victories have come away from home and hence they would hold a good chance this time as well.

Tottenham would want to get back after the shocking 4-1 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City last week and would like to get back on track with this home tie whereas West Ham United are on a losing streak as they have lost their last two matches. After the 4-0 loss against Liverpool last week in an away tie West ham United would be looking to protect their good away record and a win here could help them earn some spots.

Prediction: 1-2, West Ham Win

Wigan vs Arsenal

9/3- Wigan have come way after being in the relegation zone for nearly the entire first half of the season, they have moved up to the 15^th spot and have managed to clear themselves from the relegation zone by 2 points. They have been good while playing at home and in another home encounter they get ready to take on league leaders Arsenal. Arsenal have come back to winning ways as they defeated AC Milan in a Champions League tie last week after they had drawn three matches continuously. The last time both the teams faced each other was earlier this season and Arsenal won playing at home with a 2-0 score line. The overall record between the two sides show a clear dominator as Arsenal have won all the 5 matches played between the two sides and go into this match as favourites. Also on current for they look to be the better side as they have won 6 of the last 10 matches played while the remaining 4 matches ended as draws. Wigan on the other hand have been a mixed bag as they have won 4, lost 4 and drawn the remaining 2 matches in the last 10 encounters.

Wigan come back to home after a creditable draw against Manchester city in an away tie last week and a similar result here would be satisfying as well. In Bent they have a decent striker as well and with 7 goals already this season he can surely score.

Arsenal on the other hand would want to win and create a four point gap between themselves and the second placed Manchester United, they have been leading the league for virtually the entire season and would not like to choke it off in the end.

Prediction: 1-3, Arsenal win

Sunderland vs Everton

9/3- In an attempt to revive their position on the points table Sunderland would be taking on Everton this week in a home tie. Sunderland are a couple of points above the relegation zone and would like to continue their run outside the danger zone, they have been in good form at home and at least a point of this match would be their outlook. Everton on the other hand are in tremendous form and in their last three matches they have managed three victories and would like to continue the winning run and jump positions on the points table. The last match between the two sides that was played earlier this season Everton had managed a home win with 7-1 score line. A win here would put them on equal points with 4^th placed Liverpool and almost a certain spot for the European championships for next year. The overall head to head record also shows that Everton have a better record and of the 13 matches played Everton have won 6 matches while Sunderland have been able to win only 4.

Everton come into this match after a 3-1 win in their last match against Portsmouth at home. Yakubu and Cahill are the two players which could make the difference to the side, their away form has been great as well and they would expect to score all three points and any point dropped would be a disappointment.

Sunderland on the other hand would want to make of the home advantage and if they can capitalise in this match they can surely make a way out of the bottom part and stabilise themselves away from the relegation zone. Jones is their key player and has scored five goals this season and if he can deliver the team can expect to score at least a point.

Prediction: 1-2, Everton win

Reading vs Manchester City

8/3- While Reading are trying to retain their spot in the premiership for the next year their opponents this week, Manchester City, are trying to get themselves upgraded to the European division at the end of this season. While the hosts Reading are placed on the 18^th position on the points table, the visitors Manchester City are placed on the 8^th spot. Though Manchester City defeated reading earlier this season in a home tie for them they cannot be considered to be out and out favourites as they have not been in the greatest of forms since then and have managed only two victories in the last ten matches and also that Reading have a better head to head record as they have won 2 of the last 3 matches played between these sides in the past 15 years.

Manchester City come into this match after a draw last week while playing at home against a weaker side like Wigan, they would not get into this away tie in the best of forms. A win here could possibly put them in a position where they can rise to the 6^th spot but they need a victory with a big margin. They would be hoping that Blumer and Bianchi can fire and help them get back into the contention for a position for European matches for next year. A loss here could also push them backwards in the race for the European berth.

Reading on the other hand have just managed to help themselves with a timely win against Middlesbrough last week which has kept their chances of survival in the top league alive and if they can repeat the result at home they could also move out of the relegation zone they are currently in. With the crowd behind them they would surely make a valiant attempt to achieve a favourable result.

Prediction: 1-1 draw

Liverpool vs Newcastle

8/3- Liverpool are in the middle of a purple patch they have hit this season, they have registered a victory in all of their last 4 matches which includes a Champions League victory over Inter Milan. The reds are in red hot form and have just a single loss in the last 10 matches and will be taking on Newcastle at home this weekend. While Liverpool is on the 4^th spot, the visiting opponents are on the 13^th spot and have registered no win in their last 10 matches and are just three points above the relegation zone. Liverpool also hold an advantage as they have defeated Newcastle earlier this season while Newcastle were playing on their home ground. Also a factor that would work in favour of the reds is that they have just lost a single game at home while Newcastle have managed just a couple of victories away from home this season. Also in the 29 matches played between the sides in the past 15 years Liverpool have managed to win 16 while Newcastle have just 7 wins to their credit while the remaining 6 have been draws.

Liverpool will be very confident after they were able to beat West Ham United 4-0 at home earlier this week and would be looking to imitate the performance. Torres and Gerrard will be the two players the fans and the side would expect to score goals. Also playing at home they would have a good amount of back up from the crowd and anything less than a victory would be disappointing for them.

Newcastle on the other hand would like to improve on their performances as the same level of performances would see them in the bottom three by the end of the season. Viduka would have to deliver in the absence of Martins and the side desperately need some points and even a draw at this stage would be cheered.

Prediction: 2-0, Liverpool win

Blackburn vs Fulham

8/3- Blackburn are currently placed on the seventh spot and they would want to make it to the top six and get qualified for the European competitions next year. They are currently just 3points behind the sixth placed team and stand a good chance of giving them a run for their spot. They have been in good form almost throughout the season and this week they get ready to play hosts to a struggling Fulham. The visitors are placed on the second last spot and in their current form look set to be relegated this season, they have had a very poor season and only a miracle can help them get out of the position they are into. The home team on the other hand would be hoping to capitalise on this comparatively easier tie and get a big win at home this weekend to pressurize the teams above for a berth in all Europe club competitions. With the home crowd behind them, they would surely like to make the most.

Blackburn enter this match after two back to back victories, in fact they have had a good run in the last 10 matches as they have managed to win 5, draw 4 and have lost just a single match that too in an away tie against league leaders Arsenal. In their last home game that was against Bolton, the side came up with an emphatic 4-1 victory while in their last match which was an away tie against Newcastle the team earned a 0-1 victory. With strikers like Santa Cruz and McCarthy in top form the home side would not have much of worries.

Fulham on the other hand would like to make some points of this match as they have lost their last three matches and having not won a single match away from home all season the best they can hope is for a tie.

Prediction: 3-0, Blackburn win

Everton vs Portsmouth

2/3- Everton are probably the surprise package of the season and with their consistent top class performance they have been able to keep away Liverpool from the top 4 sides of the premiership and also brought in more competition for the other teams to tackle. They get prepared to take on Portsmouth at home this week after having two very successful weeks of premiership matches. Liverpool are just under the nose of Everton and a win could keep them away from the charging team in red. The last match between the sides was a goalless draw earlier this season however with both sides in good form some goals can be expected this time. The overall record between the teams clearly suggests that Everton have been the dominant side by far winning 6 of the 9 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years. Everton also appear to be in better form as they have won 6 of their last 10 matches played while Portsmouth have managed victories in only 4 of their last 10 matches.

Everton will be highly confident about their chances as they go into this home match after two successive wins, the last one being against Manchester City in an away tie. Also with the home crowd behind them it would be difficult to beat them and if Yakubu and Cahill can fire the side will be looking for a full three points off this tie.

Portsmouth on the other hand also come into this match after a good 1-0 home win against Sunderland last week. A win this week could help them climb at least a couple of spots and also bring them in contention for a top 6 finish which can help them qualify for the European stage next season.

Prediction: 2-1, Everton win

Bolton vs Liverpool

2/3- Liverpool are one of the teams that have been fairly consistent for the major part of the season and are currently going through a green phase and would want to take it forward in the match against Bolton, away from home. While Liverpool are in good form with just one loss in the last 10 matches, the home team has lost half of its matches when we look at their last 10 performances. One big advantage for Liverpool is that the last time the two teams clashed Liverpool had thrashed their opponents 4-0, playing at home and being in good away form is an added advantage for the side before going into this tie. Looking at the overall record as well Liverpool hold a distinct advantage over their rivals and have won 10 of the 17 matches played in the last 15 years.

Liverpool would be looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table and ensure that they can get through to the European competitions for the next year and their victory against Middlesbrough in a closely fought home encounter would have raised the confidence and moral of the entire team. With Torres out of action due to injury the fans would be hoping to see some Gerrard magic on the field and anything less than three points from this away encounter will be quite disappointing.

Bolton on the other hand would have the home crowd supporting them and they would like to end the series of losses that has been ongoing for the past two weeks. Bolton players would be down on confidence after they were thrashed 4-1 by Blackburn last week but at the same time they would have to ensure that they keep out of the relegation zone. With players like Anelka and Diouf the side can surely make a strong comeback.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

West Ham United vs Chelsea

1/3- Chelsea have been the silent runners this season, nor have they actively been a part of the rat race at the top of the table and neither they have been fighting for the fourth spot. Chelsea have slowly but steadily ensured that their 3^rd spot is confirmed and now are 6 points behind the second placed Manchester United having played a match less. This suggests that they still do have an outside chance to upset the top two and take away the crown. They travel this week to take on West ham United after they have managed only two draws in the last two EPL matches they have played. Chelsea would hold an upper hand over the home side as the last meeting between the two sides ended 1-0 in favour of Chelsea and the head to head record also favours Chelsea heavily. Looking at the recent form while Chelsea have won 6 and drawn 4 of their last 10 matches, West Ham have won 5 while lost 2 and drawn the remaining three.

A point that would also work in favour of Chelsea is that they have performed amazingly well away from home this season while their opponents have not performed that impressively at home and can be vulnerable. Chelsea get into the match after they drew their Champions League tie against Olympiakos and would want to put up a strong performance here. Chelsea have not been a team dominated by a striker and hence it would be important that their entire team can play as a unit and get the desired result.

West Ham United come a fresh from their victory last week against Fulham, away from home and would like to replicate the performance in front of the home crowd but with opponents as strong as Chelsea it would be quite difficult.

Prediction: 0-1, Chelsea win

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