English Premier League match week 24 fixtures, preview and where to watch

A preview of all this weeks English Premier League fixtures.

This week’s Premier League fixtures have offered up some great games, with both the North London and Merseyside derby on display. Top of the table Chelsea and second place Man City are expected to continue their push for the title, where as it is bound to be another telling weekend in the fight for survival.

This has the makings of a great game due to the massive rivalry between the teams. This will be the 160th time the pair have played one another in the league, with Arsenal winning more than Tottenham. (66-49 and 44 draws) Tottenham shocked the league in their last derby game against Chelsea on New Year’s Day, they trounced the league leaders 5-3 in an incredible game.

Enough about the past, this game should be a close encounter and I see Arsenal having enough in their ranks to beat Tottenham. Arsenal are missing top scorer Alexis Sanchez through injury and even though they are playing away, I feel they should get the result. The Gunners are coming in to the game off the back of a huge 5-0 win over Aston Villa and have won five of their last six games.

My final prediction: 2-1 to Arsenal.

Swansea are coming in to this game off the back of a surprise win against 4th place Southampton. Sunderland travel to Wales after a strong 2-0 win over relegation rivals Burnley in the league last weekend, and an impressive 3-1 performance in the FA cup against Fulham midweek. It’s definitely a good run for Gus Poyet’s men.

Having said that, their record away from home has been pretty poor with only one win in their last six. Swansea have only lost two in their last seven league games, and I think they could be good money for this fixture. I can’t see either team running away with it, but in my opinion both teams will hit the score sheet.

My final prediction: 2-1 to Swansea

Leicester really need to start picking up points, it’s coming up to the business end of the season and relegation is biting at their heels. They currently sit dead last in the league, three points off safety. They’ll be doing everything in their power to avoid another loss which would make it three in a row.

Crystal Palace have been in good form after the arrival of Alan Pardew, despite a 1-0 loss to Everton last week. This game could go either way, and if Palace get the win it will send them a long way from the relegation fight… for now. I’m predicting a scrappy game with lots of bookings, I’m going for a score draw here.

My final prediction: 1-1

QPR are another team that need to kick start their season, though I can’t see it happening this weekend. Couple the fact that their manager Harry Redknapp resigned this week with the fact that they have four losses and two draws in their last six games, and you have a recipe for disaster.

In addition to QPR’s bad omens, Southampton will be looking to bounce back after a shock loss to Swansea. I don’t see the home team getting any joy this weekend, and I fear the Saints will run out as comfortable winners. Southampton are the surprise package of the season, currently sitting pretty in fourth place. Despite their blip against Swansea last week, they have been going strong of late. They have five wins in their last seven games, with one draw. I think they will bounce back this week, using QPR as a stepping stone to regain their confidence.

My final prediction: 3-1 to Southampton

Jul 30, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Manchester City FC fans cheer before a game between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Hull City travel to current champions Man City off the back of four losses in their last five games, not ideal. Even worse than that is the fact that they haven’t managed a single goal in their last three games. The home team haven’t won any of their last three games either, losing one and drawing two. In saying that, I can’t see anything other than a comfortable win for the Manchester club this weekend.

If they are to mount a title challenge this season, these are the games they have to be winning. Chelsea are currently five points clear of Man City and even though there is still a bit to go in the league, you would fear for Man City if the gap stretched to eight points. Fortunately for them they are playing a weak Hull side on a poor run, so I can’t see them slipping up at home.

My final prediction: 5-0 to Manchester City.

Aston Villa currently sit three points off the relegation zone and I’m sure their fans are still thanking the man above for their great start to the season, because their recent run has been disastrous. They have won no games in their last eight, scoring one goal along the way. Lionel Messi’s bad foot has more league goals this season than Aston Villa do (12-11).

Villa will have their work cut out for them again this weekend with the horrible run set to continue. They face a league leader with two losses in their last 10, and who are never short on goals. Chelsea will be expected to run over Villa, and I am siding with the majority of the footballing world when I say that it will be an easy victory for the London club. Villa have been known to upset Chelsea on occasion, but I don’t predict it happening again this weekend. Especially after a wretched 5-0 loss to Arsenal last week.

My final prediction: 3-0 to Chelsea.

Jul 27, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Liverpool FC fans prior to the game against Olympiacos at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The second derby of the day is set to be a fiery one. Their stadiums are less than a mile away from one another, their fans live side by side, but the footballing hatred is still there. Since the beginning of the Premier League the Merseyside derby has had more red cards than any other game.

Their last encounter finished 1-1 thanks to a late cracker from Everton’s Phil Jagielka, and it is expected to be another tight affair. Liverpool head in to the game with a better run, which means little to nothing going in to a derby. Both sets of players and fans will be up for it, and it should have a few goals for us to enjoy.

My final prediction: 2-2.

Burnley are one point above the relegation zone and a win would be huge considering the teams around them have tough opposition this weekend. They have one win in their last seven, which is coincidentally the same record as their opponents. They are coming off the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss to Sunderland, and they will be desperate to pick up points as they are one of the favorites for the drop.

A win could see the home side leap frog West Brom, who sit two points ahead in 15th spot. Scoring has been an issue for the visitors, with only two goals in their last five games. Goals haven’t been an issue for Burnley as they have nine goals in their last five, but as you might have guessed; their defense is shocking.

My final prediction: 2-1 to Burnley.

Stoke travel to St. James Park looking for a third consecutive win. They currently sit in 10th spot, a long ways off the struggle of relegation. Newcastle had an impressive day out last week against Hull, winning by a 3 goal margin. This will be a test to see if the Toon Army have turned a corner following the departure of Alan Pardew as their last game was the first win in eight. (Some of that record includes games managed by Pardew).

Newcastle are two points behind Stoke so a win would change their league positions, but I don’t see a win for the Magpies. Stoke are in good form and playing impressive football, in saying that they are away from home and Newcastle should be buoyant following their last win.

My final prediction: 2-2.

Aug 4, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney (10) celebrates his goal against Liverpool in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

I have this one marked as my betting slip buster. If you’re backing Man United this weekend, don’t. Manchester fans will be in good form after winning in the cup earlier this week, forgetting that they were playing lowly Cambridge United who they couldn’t beat first time around.

West Ham come in to the game following a disappointing result and performance against Liverpool. West Ham have shocked a lot of people by how well they have performed in the league this season and I think that another good performance is in the cards. The London club haven’t lost two games in a row since December and I think that run will continue against a United side who have been inconsistent and unpredictable. United have won two league games in a row, and if they win this weekend I’ll finally be convinced that they’ve turned a corner. I really don’t think that will be the case.

My final prediction: 1-1

EPL fixtures from premierleague.com

H/T Premierleague.com and BBC Sports

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