Week 31 - preview

Aston Villa vs Chelsea
I expect Chelsea to take the three points in this one.  Aston Villa has been poor all season - especially against the big clubs and are now dealing with the injury to their main striker, Darren Bent.  Gabby Agbonlahor can be a serious threat on his day, but luckily for Chelsea, his days are few and far between.  If Aston Villa are to take anything in this game, both Stiliyan Petrov and Charles N'Zogbia will have to boss the midfield.  This may prove difficult has Chelsea will play three in the middle - in a 4-3-3 formation - likely to be Ramires, Essien and Meireles.  It will be interesting to see how Chelsea's manager, Robert deMatteo will rotate the front three after a successful (but tiresome) excursion midweek in the champions league.  It's likely that Drogba will start with Sturridge making way for Malouda and probably Kalou - after his goal in the aforementioned game.  Torres will certainly play a part - probably off the bench.  This a game that requires a fit John Terry, or else Emile Heskey will boss Luiz/Cahill in the air.  I predict 0-2 win for Chelsea.

City vs Sunderland
Obviously, City are favorites to take all three points here - especially now that Kompany has been declared fit for Saturday's game.  Although City have been struggling up front as of late, I think the presence of Tevez will galvanize the team into putting a couple of goals past Sunderland.  Having said that, Martin O'Neill's side has been performing well with Sessegnon and the-man-who-could-not-hit-the-side-of-a-barn Nicolas Bendtner scoring goals for the mid table side.  If Sunderland are to get anything out of this game, they will have to utilize the width afforded to many teams by City.  City tend to operate through the middle and their three man central midfield is often susceptible to good wing play.  That is, of course, if you can get past Yaya Toure.  I have a feeling Kieran Richardson will have a key role to play in this game and may provide an assist.  I predict a 2-1 win for City.

QPR vs Arsenal
QPR are in trouble - there's no doubt about that.  They are currently in the relegation zone and I honestly believe they are going to stay there.  Arsenal are going to trounce QPR and it may end up being a case of how many can they score.  With Joey barton and Taraabt in the wilderness and Cisse suspended, I cannot see QPR scoring any goals.  The only chance QPR may have is if the Arsenal players take the game for granted.  Van Persie will run riot in this game and I expect at least a goal and an assist from him.  Walcott may also have a good game and be able to utilize the slow wing backs of QPR.  Personally, I would like to see the Ox start.  4-0 to Arsenal.

Newcastle vs Liverpool

Tale of two sets of strikers

Definitely the pick of the games of Round 31.  In august if you had told me that Newcastle would be 8 points above Liverpool and would be equal on points with Chelsea, I would have told you to lay off the peyote.  Let's think about this - Newcastle SOLD all their stand out players from last season - Andy Carroll (in January), Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton.  Meanwhile, Liverpool bought the first two on that list, Downing, Henderson, etc. I cannot state this enough - almost every pundit picked Newcastle for relegation this season and they are currently sitting in sixth place.  If Alan Pardew does not win manager of the year, I will cry.  Liverpool will have to deal with the mercurial brilliance of Cisse and Demba Ba.  I expect ex-united boy Gabby Obertan to have a field day against Martin Kelly and whip in crosses for fun.  Liverpool's away form has been good and I think Downing is starting to find his feet.  Carroll will get a villain's welcome at St. James' Park and it will be interesting to see how he handles the anger directed towards him.  Although newcastle's defense is good in the air, they are fairly leggy, so Suarez may have a big role to play in this game.  His direct running may be the source of Liverpool's goal in the game.  At the other end, I expect big Demba Ba to score.  Game ends 1-1.

Tottenham vs Swansea City
The Spurs train has been somewhat slowed by the Redknapp nonsense and they are also feeling the effects of having been a part of the Fabrice Muamba situation.  They will need all their mental strength to beat my favorite promoted side, Swansea City.  The Swans are a pleasure to watch and are a credit to the premier league.  They are the Athletic Bilbao of the premier league - a side built of small-time players who play the game like it should be played.  I expect Saha to start the game alongside Van derVaart with Bale and Lennon on the wings.  Scotty Parker will play in the middle with the croatian maestro Modric conducting play.  Possession will be controlled by Swansea City and Spurs will win the game from a goal against the run of play.  1-0.

Rovers vs United
Rovers have had a tumultuous season and are currently in the relegation battle.  However, they are the only premier league team (other than City, of course) to beat United at Old Trafford this season.  This sets up a revenge game for the united players and I expect them to be excited to set things right.  United will set up as follows - De gea, Jones /Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Young, Scholes, Carrick, Rooney, Chicharito.  Ferguson will drop Welbeck to the bench after a poor showing in the Fulham game and I expected Chicharito to exploit the slow Rovers defense.  Valencia will be a handful and Rovers will probably (and they would be stupid not to) double-mark him, allowing the United right back to bomb forward on the overlap.  While it often works, both the United right backs are very young (19 years) and are defensively suspect on the counter attack.  Therefore, this game will be decided on United's right (Rovers' left).  I expected United to win 3-1.  Chicharito double and a midfielder's goal