ARSENAL v CHELSEA 12:45, Emirates Stadium

A hugely important game for both teams, with Arsenal looking to claim rightful ownership of third place and Chelsea looking to keep themselves in the hunt for the final Champions League spot. Failure for either to qualify for next season’s competition will be seen as a huge blow and, as a result, this game ought to be highly competitive.

Chelsea arrive on a high after victory over Barcelona in which they demonstrated their resolution and fortitude, refusing to concede to the constant probing of the Catalan side. Arsenal perhaps present the closest the English game has to offer to the Spanish giants, and a similar approach by the Blues may reap similar rewards.

What to watch out for:

Fernando Torres. Didier Drogba is injured and Torres will be determined to show he’s just as effective as the Ivorian.

Possible line-ups:

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Song, Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Rosicky, van Persie

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard, Sturridge, Mata; Kalou, Torres

Recent form: Arsenal – WWLWWL; Chelsea – WLDWWD

Prediction: 1-1

 

ASTON VILLA v SUNDERLAND 15:00, Villa Park

Aston Villa have been hugely disappointing this season and have struggled to score following the injury to Darren Bent. In contrast, Sunderland have been impressive and have found goals round the pitch. That said, neither team has been impressive recently, and, with little left to play for, this may not be too exciting a match.

What to watch out for:

Villa are still not absolutely guaranteed of safety from relegation, and may provide a rare attacking display in a bid to avoid the drop.

Possible line-ups:

Villa: Given; Lichaj, Collins, Baker, Warnock; Gardner, Herd, Agbonlahor, Ireland, Bannon; Weimann

Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, Turner, Kilgallon, Colback; Larsson, Gardner, Cattermole, McClean; Sessegnon, Bendtner

Recent form: Aston Villa – WLLDDL; Sunderland – LWDDLD

Prediction: 1-0

 

BLACKBURN v NORWICH 15:00, Ewood Park

It’s getting to the point of the season where it’s win or bust for Blackburn. They were unfortunate to lose against Liverpool, when it appeared they had done enough to secure a draw. That game was a fairly accurate reflection on Rovers’ season, however – decent performances without taking any points.

Norwich themselves have been impressive, but this game simply does not mean as much to them as it does to Blackburn. They will be as resolute as ever, but Blackburn should want this enough to force a victory.

What to watch out for:

Yakubu still provides a huge goal threat and with Blackburn needing goals to stay afloat, the Nigerian should see a lot of the ball.

Possible line-ups:

Blackburn: Robinson; Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Olsson; Orr, Pedersen, N’Zonzi, Olsson; Hoilet, Yakubu

Norwich: Ruddy; Ward, Whitbread, Bennett, Martin; Naughton, Fox, Surman, Hoolahan; Morison

Recent form: Blackburn – WLLLLL; Norwich – LWLDWL

Prediction: 2-1

 

BOLTON v SWANSEA 15:00, Reebok Stadium

Until recently, Bolton had been on a decent run and looked likely to pull clear of the relegation zone. Their last few results, however, belied this run of form and the Trotters find themselves hosting Swansea desperate for a win.

The Swans are safe and can consider this season a great success, and should see no reason to change an aggressive style of play which has seen them excite the Premier League. Such a style does, however, provide chances for Bolton to hit them on the counter, and, with their place in the league at stake, the Trotters must make sure they take full advantage.

What to watch out for:

Bolton are in the best position of the teams scrapping for survival and can afford to play without too much desperation.

Possible line-ups:

Bolton: Bogdan; Ricketts, Ream, Wheater, Alonso; Miyaichi, Davies, Reo-Coker, Petrov; Klasnic, Ngog

Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Monk, Williams, Taylor; Routledge, Britton, Sigurdsson, Allen, Sinclair; Graham

Recent form: Bolton – LWWWLL; Swansea – WLLLLW

Prediction: 2-1

 

FULHAM v WIGAN 15:00, Craven Cottage

Wigan have been hugely impressive of late, claiming full points at Anfield and beating both Manchester United and Arsenal. It is imperative to their survival chances that they continue such bullish form at Fulham and do not take their foot off the accelerator.

Roberto Martinez has been here before and will know exactly what to do and say to give his team the best possible chance of pulling off a great escape. Year after year they have looked like the team most likely to go down but come the end of the season they remain in the top flight.

What to watch out for:

Franco di Santo has been imperative to Wigan’s recent run of form, and he will be looking to add to his goals tally here

Possible line-ups:

Fulham: Schwarzer; Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise; Murphy, Dembele, Ruiz, Dempsey, Duff; Pogrebnyak

Wigan: Al Habsi; Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce; McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour, Moses; Di Santo, Maloney

Recent form: Fulham – LLLWWD; Wigan – DWWLWW

Prediction: 0-2

 

NEWCASTLE v STOKE 15:00, Sports Direct Arena

Along with Swansea and Norwich’s relative smooth passage to safety, Alan Pardew’s Newcastle have been the success story of the season. Few would have expected the Magpies to be challenging for a Champions League place but they are top of the form table and look dangerous every time out.

Stoke are another team who have done exactly what was required with a solid mid-placed position. It is easy to forget they are relatively new to the Premier League themselves, such is their resolve, but Newcastle’s strike force should just have too much for them.

What to watch out for:

Denba Ba and Papiss Cisse. It takes real skill to break down Stoke’s defence, but these two have it in abundance.

Possible line-ups:

Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Gutierrez; Guthrie, Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa; Cisse, Ba

Stoke: Begovic; Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Pennant, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington; Crouch, Walters

Recent form: Newcastle – LWWWWW; Stoke – LDDLWD

Prediction: 2-0

 

QPR v TOTTENHAM 15:00, Loftus Road

QPR must be concerned for their safety when throwing a glance to their run-in. After this match they still have Chelsea and Manchester City to play, and so a game against an underperforming Spurs will be viewed as one they absolutely must come away from with all three points.

Spurs arrive on the back of a humiliating FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea, and it may come down to who wants it more – QPR fighting for their lives, or Spurs battling for their pride not to mention fourth place.

What to watch out for:

Emmanuel Adebayor has been somewhat lacklustre recently but will need to show some late season form to persuade Spurs to buy him outright.

Possible line-ups:

QPR: Kenny; Onuoha, Ferdinand, Hill, Young; Barton, Diakite, Derry, Taarabt; Cisse, Zamora

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Sandro, Modric, Parker, van der Vaart, Bale; Adebayor

Recent form: QPR – WLWLWL; Tottenham – LDDWDL

Prediction: 0-2

 

MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON 12:30, Old Trafford (Sunday) 

This is the point of the season where Manchester United just do not drop points. Sir Alex Ferguson has been in this position numerous times and has the experience to make sure his ship stays steady.

Everton have performed very well recently, and, if they were travelling anywhere else but Old Trafford at this stage, may fancy their chances. United, however, possess the experience and quality to ensure that the Toffees leave with nothing.

What to watch out for:

A goal scored between the 80^th and 90^th minute. Sir Alex has already acknowledged that one of the many virtues of his side is that they know never to give up.

Possible line-ups:

Man Utd: Da Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Scholes, Jones, Valencia; Welbeck, Rooney

Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines; Osman, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar; Cahill, Jelavic

Recent form: Man Utd – WWWWLW; Everton – LLWWDW

Prediction: 1-0

 

LIVERPOOL v WEST BROM 16:00, Anfield

Liverpool have not performed any better recently than they have for the rest of the season, but have finally begun to convert some of the myriad of chances they have been creating. Andy Carroll seems to finally be reaping the rewards of his undeniable effort, and if he and Suarez can gel Liverpool may enjoy a strong end to their season.

West Brom fans have seen much the same from their side, but Hodgson has them playing decent football, and they have managed to avoid involvement in the relegation battle below them.

What to watch out for:

The return of Ray Hodgson to Anfield. The former boss would love to cause an upset on Sunday.

Possible line-ups:

Liverpool: Reina; Flanagan, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique; Spearing, Gerrard, Downing, Bellamy; Suarez, Carroll

West Brom: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Brunt, Andrews, Scharner, Tchoyi; Long, Odemwingie

Recent form: Liverpool – WLLLDW; West Brom – DLLWLW

Prediction: 2-0

 

WOLVES v MAN CITY 16.00, Molineux

Many bookmakers’ have stopped taking bets on Wolves’ survival, and there is a very real danger that this sentiment is shared by the players and manager of the club. There will be many announcements to the contrary, but it will be difficult for the players to raise their game sufficiently given what has come before and what is facing them at Molineux on Sunday.

Manchester City possess one of, if not the, most dangerous attacking repertoire’s in the entire league. Ominously, Sergio Aguero and the returning Carlos Tevez forged an immediate and deadly understanding last time out. A weakened, demoralised Wolves team, one foot already in the Championship, will surely be easy meat.

What to watch out for:

City toying with their opponents. If Wolves do not win, they are down, and will be desperate for goals. City have the quality to keep the ball away from the opposition, and could hit them on the break. A big scoreline is on the cards.

Possible line-ups:

Wolves: De Vries; Stearman, Johnson, Bassong, Ward; Kightly, Davis, Edwards, Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher

Man City: Hart; Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Clichy; Barry, Milner, Yaya Toure, Silva; Balotelli, Dzeko

Recent form: Wolves – LLLLLD; Man City – WDDLWW

Prediction: 0-4

 

 

Tags: arsenal, Barclays Premier League, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Champion's League, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Manchester City, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers