MANCHESTER CITY V LEICESTER
Few people would have given this fixture a fraction of the time we have all been forced to devote to analyze this fixture a couple of seasons ago. Indeed, it is difficult to believe that Leicester were the same team that battled relegation last season. Leicester's fortunes have so much increased in leaps and bounds that people are now beginning to pay attention to their title credentials. We have all waited to see that poor run of form from Leicester to no avail. The reverse fixture of this tie at the King Power stadium earlier in the season ended in a 1-1 draw. But that was when Leicester were considered to be developing a blip in form. Not only do they have their highest goal scorer and indeed the league's highest goal scorer back and firing again, the team is a in a rich vein of form. Having blown Liverpool away in midweek 2-0 with Vardy scoring a cracker of a goal, it is safe to say that of all the teams in the top four, Leicester have been the most consistent. They have not lost any of their last six games. Having won three and drawn three. They are not under any sort of pressure whatsoever. Leicester would certainly not be disappointed if they fail to win the league because nobody expected them to in the first place. Their hosts have shown an improved form since the return of their talismanic Argentine striker Kun Aguero who has been rewarded with a player of the month award. David Silva is back but yet to hit the sort of form that makes them blow away opposition teams. The dodgy Centre back partnership of Mangala and Otamendi has cost City and they would be hoping their captain, Vincent Kompany would be fit enough to play. Kolarov is back and would provide creativity from the flanks when he overlaps with his swinging crosses which Aguero can benefit from. City are formidable at home but it would be interesting to see how their defenders can cope with the pace of Vardy and co.The potency of the foxes' lethal attack would be dependent in large part on how Ngolo Kante and Danny Drinkwater cope with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho in central midfield. A win for Leicester would certainly put the Foxes firmly in the driving seat for the title. While a win for City would see them gazzump Leicester at the top and provide an intriguing run-in to the title.
LIVERPOOL V SUNDERLAND
The Reds have won just two of their last six games and would quickly want to bounce back from the set back they suffered at Leicester in midweek. They have endured mixed fortunes in games they ought to have won this season. The loss at home to United and a dour draw with West ham in the FA Cup is certainly not the kind of form you would want to show if you have a European ambition. Klopp's men are 8th on the log but are embarrassingly 11 points adrift of the top four.Sunderland are second from bottom and have lost 3 games out of their last 6 and would be fighting to stay alive. A tricky tie for Liverpool. i expect a hard fought victory for the Reds.
NEWCASTLE UNITED V WESTBROM
Newcastle have endured a torrid season under Steve Mclaren. A busy January transfer window has seen them add the likes of Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea City and Seidou Doumbia but these have done very little to change their fortunes so far. They are 18th position on the log and look in dire need of points to survive. The pressure would grow for Mclaren and his boys should they lose this one. The 3-0 demolition from Everton in midweek is something they would be looking to banish immediately from their memory with a win. Westbrom are unbeaten in 6 games but having won only two out of the lot shows the ambition of the team who are 14th on the log and would want to remain safe.
STOKE V EVERTON
Roberto Martinez's men triumphed 3-0 in midweek and would want to build a momentum going forward. An ouster in the league cup semis against City was a dent in their confidence . But the victory in the FA CUP as well as the win over Newcastle in midweek should build the much needed confidence. Stoke on the other hand , were destroyed by Manchester united at Old trafford and would like to bounce back. They are formidable at home and would be hoping to exploit the indifferent form of the Everton backline. Both teams are in 11th and 10th place respectively and it shows what a win in this tie would mean for both teams.
SWANSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE
Swansea are reveling in their new found form since the arrival of their new coach. They must have felt disappointed giving away their lead against West brom in midweek and would like to make the most of their home advantage. Crystal palace on the other hand, would be looking to get out of their atrocious form of late that has seen them lose five games in a row in six. It is unbelievable that in spite of this slump in form, Palace are still 12th on the log. They have added Emmanuel Adebayo to their ranks to solve their goalscoring problems. it would be interesting to see how they respond after the latest defeat.
SOUTHAMPTON V WESTHAM
Ronald Koeman capped up a fine run of form by winning the managerial gong for the month of January and that shows the form the team are in at the moment. They have won 3 out of their last four and drew their last game with Arsenal keeping four clean sheets in the process and would look to consolidate on their new found form which has seen them climb up to 7th on the log. West ham have show how difficult they are to beat especially in their game against City which they were unlucky to draw and are firmly in 6th place. Dimitry Payet and co would want to go one step forward in their European ambition by leapfrogging Man united into 5th place if they win and United lose.
BOURNEMOUTH V ARSENAL
The Gunners are currently showing the mental fragility that has denied them the title for years. Playing out a draw in midweek against Southampton now means they have been win-less in their last 6 games and just 5points ahead of United in 6th. Bournemouth are 15th and would be aware of the dangers of relegation. Arsenal though would be boosted by the return to fitness of key players and would want to keep in touch of with the title chasing-pack.
CHELSEA V MANCHESTER UNITED
This match would have been more meaningful had the two clubs been more ambitious. The pressure is on Louis Van Gaal who is expected to leave by the end of the season. With the Jose Mourinho rumours to United gathering pace, United would want to overcome their hoodoo at Stamford bridge with a win. The victory against Stoke has bought the manager some time but it is left to be seen if they can build some momentum. Chelsea's disappointing draw with Watford is a set back they would want to deal with immediately with a win over united. An interesting Super sunday i guess.
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