Picture from: ruffiangames.com
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Manchester City v huddersfield town Starts at 1:30 pm
Walker (groin injury) slightly questionable
Kompany (muscle injury) slightly questionable
Aguero (knee injury expected to return on June 1) is out
Stone (Adductor Strain) Post-Physical Fitness Test
The walk to the finish line continues with another team to battle relegation. With the luck they’ve had this season I wouldn’t be surprised if they faced Huddersfield Reserves as they prepare for their last two games. It’s strange that when the Premier League is said to be so competitive, they often come up against teams that have already lost before kick-off. What’s even weirder is when you see that aside from Manchester United and Liverpool, the teams from the lower leagues in both cups are the only ones to actually win the game. These are the games they find most difficult, but no one seems to notice that and just follow the same old failure system and sit back and let them play. This must have been particularly difficult for Guardiola, who wanted to silence all his critics by winning in style, rather than winning a game where other players made way for him to pass.
Most important players: Yaya Toure. This is his last day as a Manchester City player and he will want to go out happy and have his cake and eat it too.
Ince (hamstring injury) late fitness test
Kachunga (ankle injury expected to return June 1) out
Williams (broken ankle) out
Hoeffler (knee injury) is doubtful
The Terriers still have a relegation fear to banish, but they have two games left to avoid relegation after this game. Will David Wagner want to save something for the final two games, or will he decide to go for the points now? On paper at least, the Chelsea-Arsenal games are easier, but leaving everything until the last week of the season is a big risk when the pressure is already on and team morale is likely to drop.
Most important players: Steve Mooney. He is still the top scorer and they can’t survive without scoring goals.
Define the battle: It all depends on how Huddersfield perform. If a high-pressure, high-energy team were promoted from the Championship, they would cause major problems for Manchester City. If this is the Huddersfield team this season, lacking energy, fatigue and pressure, then they will be torn to pieces by the City people.
Editor’s predictions:
Ed002-6-2
Ed 003 – 4-0
Ed 004 – 4-0
Ed007-4-1
Ed018-3-1
Ed025-5-0
Ed033-2-0
arsenal v burnley Starts at 4:30 p.m.
Koscielny (Achilles tendon injury) is out
Elneny (ankle injury expected to return on May 13) is absent
Cazorla (plantaris injury) is out
It’s a battle for sixth place following their Europa League defeat. It wasn’t exactly the way Wenger wanted to end his reign with a fight for sixth place, but this was his last home Premier League game in charge of Arsenal and that’s exactly what he faced. A lot will depend on how Thursday night affects them, not just physically but emotionally, as losing them in a manner that could be demoralizing. Can they put on a good show for their coach?
Most important players: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. At least his legs are fresh, so there’s no reason not to perform.
Wood (foot injury) questionable
Mee (tibia injury expected to return on May 13) slightly questionable
Arfield (calf strain) out
DeFoor (knee injury) out
Brady (knee injury) out
The Clarets have achieved something special to qualify for next season’s Europa League and they still have a chance to go one step further and overtake Arsenal. Everything depends on this game, win and they have a chance to surpass the Gunners. For most clubs in the Premier League, you’d say there’s not much difference in the table. The (roughly) £2m difference in prize money between each place is huge for Burnley, though, after all just a few years ago Sean Dyche had to sell to keep the lights on there. They are a club where every penny counts so this is important.
Most important players: Jack Cork. He is the unsung hero of the Premier League this season.
Define the battle: If any team can beat Arsenal, it’s Burnley. It’s almost a perfect collision of silk and steel. If the Gunners’ fragile mentality does rear its ugly head, they could find themselves in serious trouble. The key to this game is that Burnley are not the most clinical team and they struggle to score even when they are leading, whereas Arsenal always score. Burnley just need to be careful to avoid getting bogged down at half-time and make the most of their chances.
Editor’s predictions:
Ed002-3-1
Ed003-1-1
Ed004-2-1
Ed007 – 1-0
Ed018-1-1
Ed025-1-0
Ed033-1-0
chelsea v liverpool Starts at 4:30 p.m.
Drink water (calf strain)
Luiz (knee injury expected to return on May 13) is absent
Ampadu (broken ankle) out
A top four finish is still possible, although difficult due to goal difference, but they must win. Nothing is good enough than a win. The last thing you want to play against a team like Liverpool is to have to commit to attacking them because that leaves gaps at the back that they can absolutely exploit. This is a position that a manager like Antonio Conte particularly hates because he wants opponents to attack him so he has something to grab onto. Then there’s his tactics, which he has followed to the letter since his move to a back three. Liverpool have destroyed teams who use a back three against them time and time again, will he make a change and use a back four? Has he recently had to switch to a back four to catch up?
Most important players: N’Golo Kante. The French midfielder has a lot of work to do to protect the defense behind him.
Gomez (ankle injury) is out
Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee injury) out
Lallana (hamstring injury expected to return on May 13) slightly doubtful
Matip (thigh injury expected to return on July 1) is out
Can (back injury expected to return on May 26) is absent
Jurgen Klopp is trying to focus his players’ attention on this upcoming Champions League final. Especially since his side only need one point to secure a top-four finish and guarantee another return to the Champions League next season. That score doesn’t even have to be reached today, there’s still a game to win it. It is also possible that Klopp will decide to rest some players after the drama of the Champions League semi-finals in midweek. This has disrupted their recent performances as they have looked disjointed and lacked the attacking threat they have had for much of the season.
Most important players: Mohamed Salah. If he can get a rest, it will be a huge boost for Chelsea. If he starts, I’m sure he will want to prove himself and seal the Golden Boot.
Define the battle: A lot will depend on whether Chelsea stick with a back three and whether Liverpool go all out. If Chelsea go with a back three, they will need cover from the centre-backs as they are no longer the strong side they were last season. They have looked fragile this season, lacking the clinical edge to control games. Kante did his best, but he often found himself overwhelmed as changes to the forward system sometimes left him isolated in midfield.
Editor’s predictions:
Ed002-3-1
Ed003-1-1
Ed004-2-2
Ed007-1-1
Ed018-2-1
Ed025-1-1
Ed033-1-1
Edit forecast table
1. Ed002 – 242 points
2.Ed033 – 236 points
3.Ed018 – 234 points
4.Ed007 – 232 points
5. Ed025 – 220 points
6. Ed004 – 219 points
7. Ed003 – 208 points
*Correct results are worth 1 point, correct scores are worth 3 points.
**Updated on May 4, 2018 (excluding today’s results)
Written by Tris Burke May 6, 2018 05:06:57