After the shocking victory by Chelsea at Manchester City, the title picture could not be any hotter, with four genuine contenders emerging.
However, it is at the other end of the Premier League where the bottom ten clubs are separated by just six points, per BBC Sport.
Fulham sit at the bottom of the table on 19 points for the season, with 11th placed Stoke City on just 26 points. There is zero room to breath.
So, which teams will take the opportunity to pull away from the pack in Week 25 and take one small step closer to safety?
Swansea City vs. Cardiff City
After last season's heroics, many felt Michael Laudrup would carry his team to greater things and build on their League Cup-winning exploits at Wembley.
But this year has been anything but simple for the Dane, as his side sits just three points above fierce local rivals Cardiff, who are rooted in the relegation zone.
In such derby matches, the form book goes out of the window, and anything can and usually does happen.
However, Swansea will feel that a victory over Cardiff would be more than just acquiring the bragging of South Wales and would see them thankfully propelled further away from the danger zone.
Even though they are the home side, I think Swansea would be pleased with a point in such a volatile fixture given their form.
But on this occasion, I think they will edge out their most hated of opponents and snatch a narrow victory.
Prediction: 2-1
Crystal Palace vs. West Bromwich Albion
The transformation at Crystal Palace in recent weeks has been nothing short of spectacular.
The team most tipped for relegation has a new manager in Tony Pulis, and the veteran manager has dragged his team out of the relegation zone and only four points off 10th placed Aston Villa.
Pulis has added the fighting spirit his Stoke teams used to show in abundance every week to his new club, and they now have a genuine chance of survival as others falter around them.
They have only conceded two goals in their last three games, winning two of those matches with accompanying clean sheets, per Squawka.
West Brom themselves have a new manager in Pepe Mel and currently sit equal on points with Palace in 16th place.
Mel's team came away with a credible draw against Liverpool and Luis Suarez this past weekend, but they desperately need to start winning matches.
But with Palace at home and Selhurst Park becoming "Fortress Pulis," it is not difficult to envisage yet another win for the Eagles.
Prediction: 1-0
Sunderland vs. Hull City
After the shambolic departure of Paolo Di Canio, Sunderland have more than stabilised under the stewardship of Gus Poyet.
Poyet has slowly climbed the table with his team, and in the process, he's taken his club to a Wembley final, with opponents Manchester City waiting for them in the League Cup.
In Adam Johnson, the Black Cats have the form winger in the Premier League.
He has now scored seven times in 22 appearances, per Squawka, and he is a possible candidate for PFA Player of the Year should his electric form continue until the end of the season.
Hull City have been a stable ship under Steve Bruce but still only lie two points above the relegation zone.
But his team is like two different sides at home and away, showing incredible steel and collecting points at the KC Stadium but consistency failing at opposition grounds.
With Sunderland's amazing recent form, it is very hard to see anything but a victory for Poyet and his team.
A victory for either side could see them climb to as high as 10th place.
Prediction: 3-1
No comments:
Post a Comment