MATCH WEEK 34 PREDICTIONS by Nessi Nesta

Its mid-week football again and with the curtains soon closing on the 25^th EPL season, the title race is somewhat still open and Christian Benteke’s heroics against Liverpool over the weekend left the race for top four finish widely open. Here are the predictions for the mid-week games.

Chelsea v Southampton- Tuesday 9:45pm

The Saints have rested for eleven days and face a  Ngolo Kante(PFA Best Player)  Chelsea side that had to dig deep into the FA Emirates cup final. A win for Chelsea on Tuesday will all but guarantee the London side their 5^th EPL title but must be worry of Claude Puel’s side that has been impressive on the road lately. With Southampton’s talisman Manola Gabbiadini back and helped by Chelsea’s failure to keep a clean sheet in their last ten Premier League matches. We could witness more twists in the title race.

Nessi’s Prediction: 1-1 El Patron’s prediction: 3-0

Manchester City v Manchester United - Thursday 10:00pm

They don’t get bigger than this. It’s the Manchester derby, Pep v Mourinho and battle for a top four finish. There is a lot at stake. Manchester United is riding high after finding their way into the Europa Cup semi-finals and profoundly beating Burnley over the weekend. The two clubs have many important players ruled out through injuries with Paul Pogba and Sergio Aguero also doubts for the Thursday night clash at Etihad Stadium. Jose Mourinho and his men will look to exploit City’s low levels of confidence and frail defence. It will be hard for Kompany and co to cope with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martials pace and directness but also City poses a very deadly threat in form of Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling. If Aguero starts, he will be on the score sheet.

Nessi’s Prediction: 2-1 El Patron’s Prediction: 1-1

Middlesbrough v Sunderland – Wednesday 9:45pm

These two sides are all but sure of relegation due to their current league position and appalling form. Regardless of their positions in the league there is local pride at stake and whoever wins could have an outside chance of not going down come May. Both sides have struggled to put the ball at the back of the net all season and it will be the same on Wednesday night at Riverside Stadium.

Nessi’s Prediction: 0-0 El Patron’s Prediction: 1-1

Arsenal v Leicester City - Wednesday 9:45pm

It’s a match between two teams who finished first and second in last season’s Premier League. Arsenal’s hard-earned win over City in the FA Emirates Cup semi-finals was a timely confidence booster and I think it will get Arsene Wenger a new contract (he was always going to get it anyway).

The Foxes have wobbled in recent weeks but still have enough to take on an Arsenal side that often gets complacent after a big win. It will be a draw with the Gunners doing the chasing all night.

Nessi’s Prediction: 2-2 El Patron’s Prediction: 2-2

Crystal Palace v Tottenham Spurs – Wednesday 10pm

Spurs was dealt a massive psychological blow by their immediate title contenders in though the defeat was in FA Emirates cup semi-finals and I will be surprised if they find their feet quick enough to win at Palace’s Selhurst Park. Being a London derby, there is already a lot at stake in this fixture and Crystal Palace’s resounding win over Liverpool makes it even a different kettle of fish. I see Big Sam getting another one over a top four side.

Nessi’s Prediction: 2-1 El Patron’s Prediction: 1-3