Manchester City v Chelsea FC

Having come through their first major test to secure UEFA Champions League football, thrashing Brighton 4-1 at St. James Park, Newcastle now face a desperate Leicester side looking for points. The Toon have been one of the most spoken about teams in English football this year for various reasons, but another win more or less seals their return to the top echelons of European football. Can they overcome a Leicester side fighting for their dignity?

Newcastle United News

While the injuries are adding up – Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Matt Ritchie, Sean Longstaff, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krath, and Joe Willock are all out – Newcastle know they are in good enough form to see this out regardless. They have built an exciting team that can go and get the job done; the only question is whether the lack of bench depth might hinder them as the afternoon carries on.

Leicester City News

The Foxes are being hunted, and they are arriving into this game with some major misses from their squad. Kelechi Iheanacho will miss out, as will James Justin and Danny Ward. Other players who look doubtful to get on the pitch include Caglar Soyuncu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Verdict

Newcastle win. Despite Leicester still having some threatening attacking players, they lack the quality needed defensively to win a tight game. And Newcastle have enough goals to overcome a shootout with relative ease. Expect a comfortable home win, and more or less confirmation of UCL football.

Score Prediction: 3-1

 

Everton v Manchester City

As far as games go, this is one of the biggest remaining in the season for both teams. Formerly a bogy team of Man City, the Citizens now regularly hammer the Toffees. Everton need points to try and guarantee survival, but are they likely to get anything at home to the champions elect?

Everton News

Everton come into this one off the back of a roaring 5-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion. It should be enough to help them stay up, but the Blues are only a couple of points off being back in the bottom three. They are going to be without a few important players, too, including Seamus Coleman who is out for the season and Ben Godfrey who is unlikely to get back before the end of the year.

Manchester City News

City are coming into this one after an engrossing draw in Madrid, and will be sure to rest players ahead of the return leg at the Eithad. Only Nathan Ake is ruled out, but expect some rotation given that Guardiola made no substitutions in Madrid. Rotation should see some squad players come in, with the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne almost certain to be rested.

Verdict

A tough one for City, one of their tougher games left given Everton’s need for results, but we cannot see anything other than an away win. City are on a 10-match winning streak in the league, and show no signs of letting down as they push for a historic treble to match that of Manchester United’s 1999 team.

Score Prediction: 1-3