Liverpool. 2nd on the ladder. Is that right? The club that somehow fought off teams all over the world to keep Luis Suarez in the summer is now putting their hand up to win the title. I had a conversation with a couple of Liverpool lovers at 5am after they had just smashed by beloved Arsenal 5-1. The commentator said can they now be in the running for the top gong? We laughed and came to the conclusion that it’s probably come a year or two too early to be thinking about winning the title. How we could all be proved wrong?

The biggest reason for this turnaround is not down to their fantastic front line, but due to the gains their midfield has made during the year. At the start of the season Steven Gerrard was a becoming a liability, Jordan Henderson had the consistency of the Warriors and Joe Allan and Raheem Sterling could barely get any game time as they could never put 2 good games back to back. Gerrard has now moved to a more defensive role in front of the back 4 which would have been a tough decision to make after the first few games, but that tough decision looks like it is starting to pay off. Kudos to Brendan Rogers for that ballsy move. Jordan Henderson is having a semi Aaron Ramsey type year where he has gone from a ‘so-so’ footballer to a box to box midfielder who’s sudden bursts forward provide Liverpool with the perfect mix that they have been missing during the last few years. The midfield’s ability to adapt to different formations and be disciplined in knowing their role has allowed the strikers to do what they do best. Will Liverpool go on to win the title? I don’t think they have it in them this year, but hell I’ll be pretty scared of this side over the next couple of years.

Man United vs Man City

We had a few derby’s previewed last week, but there has not been a bigger derby in the last few years than United and City. Who can forget Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick that won the derby in 2011??? As City has grown over the last 5 years, this game has got bigger and bigger. United humiliated 6-1 at Old Trafford, has to be one of the lowest moments in United’s history. You can see how much this game means to both teams. Going into this game City have got to feel confident they can take the 3 points. United lost 3-0 in their last EPL game to Liverpool and they looked unenthused and disinterested. Maybe they had an eye on the midweek Champions League match, but that’s no excuse. They really have to get their attacking element firing once again.

Robin Van Persie needs to pick his chin back up and start working for the team again and Juan Mata needs to stop complaining about where he is playing and do a job for the team. City will have a lot of the possession so the defenders will need to ensure they are disciplined and have a bit of passion about them. Rafael was a right royal mess on the weekend and was reckless throughout. Couple that with Vidic receiving a red card and you can see why they got trounced. Care needs to be taken otherwise this could be 6-1 all over again. City will be sweating of the availability of Sergio Aguero but they still have enough fire power to put this one to bed early. I expect Yaya Toure and David Silva to boss the midfield and control proceedings considering they have been doing it all season. Without a doubt if they win the midfield battle, United won’t stand a chance. Good luck to them.

Prediction:
You can’t go past City, considering the horrendous form that United have been in. This will hopefully be closer than the table resembles, but in the end there is no substitute for class so City should take it out. 3-1.

 Newcastle vs Everton

4 losses in their 6 games has left Newcastle with a bit of a sour taste in their mouths. Ever since they have lost Yohan Cabaye they just haven’t looked the same. Prolific striker Loic Remy has only featured in 2 of the last 6 games, and those were the two games they have won. Looks like a good luck charm to me. Remy is able to bring that poaching ability to the Magpies and is one of the most clinical finishes they have had since Demba Ba’s breakthrough season. Without him they lack a focal point to their attack and they rely on young, inexperienced players to try get them through or older players who are starting to lose their touch.

 Everton on the other hand have been reasonably consistent all year, as they normally are.  Like Newcastle, when they are without their first choice front man they struggle. They have lost 2 out of their last 4 games, and the 2 games they won happened to be when Romelu Lukaku played. With him they have one of the best strikers in the league in my opinion. Best young striker without a doubt. If the likes of Leon Osman and Seamus Coleman can get going off Lukaku then they could have a field day against Everton.

Prediction:
Newcastle have nothing to play for as they are sitting pretty in mid table and are too far out from the top 4. Everton are still in the hunt for the top 4 and therefore should be hungrier at St James Park. Will this eventuate into 3 points? Maybe not. Draw 1-1.

Further predictions:

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