THE PREDICTOR: It's the champagne moment

The battle for survival. The Canneries will have only four games and a lot to reflect on their survival chances after this game regardless of the result.

Friday, April 15, 2016

SATURDAYNORWICH 1-2 SUNDERLAND 1.45pmThe battle for survival. The Canneries will have only four games and a lot to reflect on their survival chances after this game regardless of the result. But woe unto them if the Black Cats, on 27 points with a game to spare, return home with all three points. Sunderland are specialists in survival while Norwich have more scents of Championship about them. I go with Sunderland win.

NEWCASTLE 1-2 SWANSEA 4pmRafael Benitez probably took up the job a little too late. The ship had already lost its ballast. Now the Magpies must win this game to gain confidence and survival instincts. The Swans are already clear of relegation and welcome back Andre Ayew which should give Newcastle more food for thought. The pressure is on the Magpies to win this game or prepare for Championship.

CHELSEA 1-3 MAN CITY 6.30pmThere was a time this would have been a massive fixture. It’s in the past now. What we have today is a Chelsea side that goes down to Swansea. Manchester City are buoyed by their Champions League progress and will have more impetus coming into this game knowing they must keep winning to guarantee a top four finish against chasing rivals United. With Kevin de Bruyne in his current form, Chelsea are going to be chasing the win and defending a lot.

SUNDAYLEICESTER 2-0 WEST HAM 3pmIt’s time we stopped asking if they can still slip. It’s time we started running the season’s post-mortem. The Foxes are champions and regardless of the mettle West Ham bring to King Power Stadium. West Ham are on a slump at the moment. Their gas is done for. This fixture can only be one way in my booking: home win.

Arsenal 1-1 PAlACE 6pmThis should be a straight forward home win except that I feel Palace can have some funny tricks to show. I see them take Arsenal through the nerves for a late draw.

MONDAYSTOKE 2-2 SPURS 9pmOne of the worst things for a top side is to play Monday night against a ‘small team’. Tottenham Hotspur just got their luck in the sewers here and they will be in tatters at the hands of the Potters.

OTHER FIXTURESEVERTON 1-1 SAINTSWEST BROM 1-3 WATFORDMAN UTD 3-1 A. VILLAB’mouth 1-3 LIVERPOOLNEWCASTLE 1-5 MAN CITYWEST HAM 2-1 WatfordMAN UTD 1-1 PALACELIVERPOOL 2-1 EVERTON

jacobs.seaman@newtimes.co.rw