How the hell is Chelsea running away with the title?!!? Sure they have played more games, but still it’s impressive the way they have ground out results and got that champions mentality back. Jose Mourinho’s mind games are starting to come to the fore as well. He has said all season they aren’t going to win jack and it’s like people were starting to believe it... Well now everyone looks like fools because they are looking down at everyone else at the moment with a huge grin on their face. I’d rather be ahead with more games played than playing catch up knowing the pressure is on. They still have a tough game away this week to Villa, but they can sit in comfort knowing 4 of the other top teams are playing each other and thus will quite clearly take points off each other. We preview these big big derby games below.

Man United vs Liverpool

The old rivalry is back on. These guys have hated each other since ageesssssssssss ago. Wayne Rooney has come out earlier in the week basically saying it sucks that both City and Liverpool are doing better than them this year. He should’ve said a hell of a lot better than United to be honest. If Liverpool want to sustain a challenge for a title they will need to put in a big away performance at Old Trafford. United have a tough decision to make defensively this weekend. With the old timers Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, they have a steady but often slow off the mark central duo. They more than make up for it with how they read the game, but against Luis Suarez and co this won’t be enough. I’m sure David Moyes will look to Phil Jones and even possibly Chris Smalling to man the fort with the ever present Patrice Evra and Rafeal De Silva on the flanks. Who will Mr Moyes play up front you say? I hope he goes with Rooney and Juan Mata behind him in the no 10 role. Robin Van Persie has been a sook for the last few weeks, blaming his own team mates and just being an all round dick. He is still scoring goals but definitely not as frequently! Sub him and teach him a lesson I say.

Bit of a muppet, but hey he's a reasonable defender

Liverpool will again bank on their strong attacking quartet if they are going to take the 3 points, because their back 4 sure ain’t stopping much at the moment. Their midfield mix will be interesting to see and whether Steve Gerrard keeps his deep lying role with either Lucas Leiva back or the box to box fox Jordan Henderson. I would love to see them play Lucas because I believe he will provide cover for the back 4 like they’ve been lacking for a few weeks. He’s unlikely to get forward much, but with Suarez and Daniel Sturridge he probably doesn’t have to, to be fair!
Prediction:
I can see this being quite a feisty game with Suarez making a few dives here and there just to piss off the Man Utd supporters some more. 1-1 I am thinking here. Everyone loves a draw.

Tottenham vs Arsenal

Ahh one of my favourite games of the year. Who can forget the 5-2 Arsenal win in the derby last season or all the great battles over the years. As an Arsenal die hard, there is nothing better than a derby victory. This game actually quite a lot riding on it because if Arsenal lose this brings Spurs right back into the top 4 race as they will be only 3 points behind Arsenal. Unimaginable I know but it could happen. Spurs got a verbal bashing from their coach after last week’s comedy of errors against Chelsea. They had a players only meeting mid week to discuss where to go from here and you never know it could turn their season around. Emmanuel Adebayor is the key once again as he always saves his best for Arsenal. Once a likeable character at Arsenal, he left for City and became hated straight away for his length of the field celebration in front of the Arsenal fans. He has scored a lot of goals recently and he will need to be on the score sheet again if they are going to win.

Arsenal had a rough game mid week drawing 1 all with Bayern Munich. The game was played like Arsenal knew they were never going to go through and from my point of view that was fair enough. No point wasting your energy on a tie you were never going to progress from let alone with 2-0. Mesut Ozil picked up a hamstring strain which is a downer but Arsenal might get Aaron Ramsey back which would be a huge boost considering his speed off the mark and ability to get Arsenal’s team going forward most of the time. Hopefully Kieran Gibbs is also fit because he is very underrated in my books. Defends like a king and can also get going down the left and provide some problems for the opposition. Arsenal need to switch on because it’s very easy to just think ahead to their FA Cup semi final in a month’s time, but before then there are some big games coming up such as Chelsea and City which the Gunners need to aim up for otherwise it could go from bad to worse!
Prediction:
She’s going to be a beaut of a game and I’m hoping for goals a plenty and of course an Arsenal win. They say don’t bet with your heart, but I’m going to. Arsenal 3-1.

Other fixtures:

Hull City vs Man City – Draw
Everton vs Cardiff – Everton
Fulham vs Newcastle – Draw
Southampton vs Norwich – Southampton
Stoke City vs West Ham – Stoke City
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace – Sunderland
Swansea vs West Brom – Swansea
Aston Villa vs Chelsea - Draw