Football News: Premier League Match Preview Saturday 28th April 2018

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Saturday 28th April 2018

Liverpool v Stoke City 12:30pm kick off

Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee injury) out
Mane (knock) major doubt
Lallana (hamstring injury expected return 13th May) out
Matip (thigh injury expected return 1st July) out
Can (back injury expected return 13th May) out

This is turning out to be a very awkward end of the season for Liverpool, as they have their eyes firmly on the Champions League but still need a few more points to ensure they are in next year's edition. The last thing manager Jurgen Klopp wanted this weekend, with the second leg against Roma looming large, is to face a Stoke side fighting for their lives in the Premier League. With injuries badly affecting his options, Klopp has to find the right balance between trying to save the team for Wednesday and ensuring they do not end up losing their way in the bread and butter of domestic football.
Most important player: Mohamed Salah. If he is picked to start, then he will be looking to clinch the goalscoring record. If he is left out, then Stoke get a huge boost from his ommission.

Johnson (groin strain) late fitness test
Stafylidis (fractured rib) out
Choupo-Moting (groin strain expected return 5th May) out

The Potters are entering last chance saloon now under Paul Lambert, who has done absolutely nothing to turn around the fortunes of the club since he arrived. They still struggle to score goals and are still unable to keep the ball out of their own net. After eleven games without a win, it is difficult to see what Lambert has actually achieved with Stoke. In fact, much as I personally do not rate Mark Hughes as a manager, it is difficult to believe the club would have been any worse off if they had stuck with the Welshman, rather than sacking him and bringing in the Scotsman. It feels like a panic move to just do something, anything, to try and fix the problems. What they ended up doing was putting a sticking plaster on a collapsing dam. They do have a chance, at the very least, to at least go down fighting, after a season where they have completely lacked any fight.
Most important player: Joe Allen. On his return to his previous club this is a chance for him to show he can actually affect a game positively, rather than just constantly flitting around on the periphery.

Defining Battle: nothing less than a win will do for Stoke, with the teams above them having a game in hand, they have to close the gap now to put pressure on. With that in mind, they cannot just drop deep and shut off space, they do not have the pace to break quickly from deep. They have to be up and at em, closing down quickly and denying space via a press, rather than massed ranks at the back, which will allow them to push further up the field and give them a chance to threaten at the other end.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 2-2
Ed003 - 3-0
Ed004 - 2-1
Ed007 - 4-1
Ed018 - 2-1
Ed025 - 2-0
Ed033 - 2-0

Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion 3pm kick off

N'Koudou (hamstring injury) late fitness test
Mee (shin injury expected return 13th May) out
Arfield (calf strain) out
Defour (knee injury) out
Brady (knee injury) out

They have almost confirmed European football for themselves next season, thanks to Southampton going out of the FA Cup. With five wins in their last seven games they are in good form and it looks like it is just a matter of time before they make it definite. Though it does look like 6th is gone, even though they still have Arsenal to face in their final few games. It is now just a matter of finishing off the season in style and giving their home fans some good memories to excite them ready for next season.
Most important player: Jack Cork. He has been a key part of the success all season, but is even more important with Mee out injured.

Brown (ACL injury) out
Sidwell (back injury) out
Propper (suspended) out

Their incredibly tough run in continues with Burnley away, just leaving both Manchester sides and Liverpool to end their season with. They do look to be just a point away from certain survival, which means they have got a very good chance of staying up. The way Southampton and Stoke are going, they might not even need that. There is certainly no need for panic in the AMEX just yet.
Most important player: Pascal Gross. With 8 assists along with his 6 goals, his contribution has been vital to the Seagulls over the course of the season.

Defining Battle: Brighton's strength is their pace in wide areas on the break, though they have not made best use of it this season. Against a team like Burnley, that lacks pace at the back, they might actually be able to put it to good use. All they need is to tempt the fullbacks forward and attack the space in behind.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 1-0
Ed003 - 1-1
Ed004 - 2-0
Ed007 - 2-0
Ed018 - 1-0
Ed025 - 2-0
Ed033 - 2-1

Crystal Palace v Leicester City 3 pm kick off

Wickham (groin strain) late fitness test
Sako (broken ankle expected return 18th August) out
Dann (ACL injury) out
Puncheon (PCL injury expected return 1st June) out

Palace are still just about in danger but their recent form suggests they have enough about them to avoid the drop. That and Zaha's fitness, as they rely almost entirely on him to win them games. Often by falling over in dangerous areas of the pitch. What he gives them though is unpredictability, that ability to do the unexpected, which is very unusual for a Roy Hodgson coached team.
Most important player: Yohan Cabaye. A much more mature Cabaye has emerged over the last couple of seasons, no longer picking up so many silly cards and breaking up arguments before they can turn into something more, rather than instigating the trouble.

Schmeichel (ankle injury expected return 5th May) doubt
Okazaki (ankle injury expected return 5th May) doubt
Iborra (hamstring injury expected return 1st June) out
James (Achilles injury expected return 1st June) out
Amartey (hamstring injury) doubt

There is little really left for the Foxes to play for in reality. They are safe from relegation and have very little chance of catching Burnley in 7th. All they are really competing for is 8th and the very remote possibility that Arsenal win the Europa League and open up another place for English clubs. Though their game in hand does give them a very real opportunity to get 8th and then they will just have to hope the Gunners do their part.
Most important player: Jamie Vardy. He can get a goal out of nowhere if he is on song.

Defining Battle: Leicester just have to avoid leaving too much space in behind and not allowing Zaha to get a run at the defence, as he will throw himself to the ground the first chance he gets.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 1-1
Ed003 - 2-1
Ed004 - 2-2
Ed007 - 1-1
Ed018 - 2-1
Ed025 - 1-1
Ed033 - 1-2

Huddersfield Town v Everton 3pm kick off

Ince (hamstring injury expected return 6th May) major doubt
Kachunga (ankle injury expected return 1st June) out
Williams (broken ankle) out
Hefele (knee injury) out

The win over Watford last time out has put them on the verge of ensuring a survival that looked highly unlikely before the season kicked off. No one expected the Terriers to have a chance of avoiding relegation, let alone have it in their own hands with just 4 games left to play. Whatever happens they have exceeded all expectations, though I doubt that lessens the pressure the players feel in any way.
Most important player: Rajiv van la Parra. Always feels like the winger is playing well within himself and not offering the threat he should. The fact he still has no assists in 30 matches does not say a lot for his performances this season.

Schneiderlin (dead leg) late fitness test
Baines (head injury) late fitness test
Calvert-Lewin (back injury) late fitness test
Holgate (ankle injury expected return 13th May) out
Sigurdsson (knee injury expected return 13th May) out
Mangala (knee injury) out
McCarthy (broken leg) out

I really do not know what Everton have left to play for now, maybe pride, but the players have shown precious little of that this season. With the managerial situation so up in the air, the fans clearly almost totally opposed to the current man in charge, it is a really difficult situation to be in. It does seem odd the club have not done something to clear up matters, instead it has been left in a limbo of what can only be called disgust from the fans.
Most important player: Phil Jagielka. The captain may be 35 but he is still the most capable defender the Toffees have at the moment.

Defining Battle: you would expect Huddersfield to be right up and at it from the kick off, to try and take advantage of any discord in the ranks at Everton. Everton will have to figure out how to break the press early and cause enough danger to force Huddersfield to drop off and leave the press.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 0-1
Ed003 - 1-1
Ed004 - 1-1
Ed007 - 0-2
Ed018 - 1-2
Ed025 - 1-0
Ed033 - 0-2

Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 3pm kick off

Merino (knock) late fitness test
Atsu (knee injury) out

Despite all the disharmony between the owner, Mike Ashley, and the manager, Rafael Benitez, the Toon are closing in on a top half finish in the table. While a huge amount of the credit is down to Benitez, who has invested the little funds he has been given to use wisely, the fans also deserve a lot of credit. Their total devotion and backing to the manager has given him a strong hand and ensured he was able to get a little loosening of the purse strings in the January transfer window to get the signings which have lifted the club.
Most important player: Matt Ritchie. His workrate and pace have been a key part of Newcastle's climb back up the table.

Chadli (fitness) late fitness test
Barry (knee injury expected return 1st June) out
Morrison (Achilles injury expected return 1st June) out

They still have the remotest, tiniest possibility of survival. It would take a miracle as caretaker manager Darren Moore just does not have the quality of player at his disposal he needs to win every game. The dross he has inherited fully deserve relegation for their lack of effort throughout the season, though it would be harsh on Moore as he has produced 3 results way beyond the previous manager.
Most important player: Chris Brunt. His setpiece delivery is probably their only real quality within the squad.

Defining Battle: both teams play with a player in behind the main striker who will float here, there and everywhere. If they are not carefully monitored they will cause havoc.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 3-0
Ed003 - 4-1
Ed004 - 3-1
Ed007 - 3-1
Ed018 - 1-0
Ed025 - 1-1
Ed033 - 2-1

Southampton v Bournemouth 3pm kick off

Davis (Achilles injury expected return 13th May) out

Their form is shocking, eight games without a win now, despite the managerial change. They still have every chance of surviving as they get to face the team above them, Swansea, before the season ends. However, they have to make sure they are in position to take advantage if they can win that one, starting with a result against the Cherries.
Most important player: Charlie Austin. They desperately need him to refind his scoring touch.

Arter (Achilles injury) out
Mings (fitness expected return 5th May) doubt
Stanislas (knee injury expected return 1st August) out
A Smith (MCL injury expected return 5th May) major doubt

Safety is assured now, so there is little for Bournemouth to play for, except for a top half finish. Is that enough motivation to beat a team battling for its life at the bottom though?
Most important player: Simon Francis. It is time for a captain to stand up and be counted. He can inspire his team-mates to a good result.

Defining Battle: will Bournemouth be able to muster up any genuine enthusiasm for a battle with nothing really left for them to play for? With it being a local derby, maybe there will be enough pride in the team for them to be able to make it a proper match. If Eddie Howe is unable to get them up for it, with most of them already planning their summer holidays, it could end up being a bad day for him.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 2-1
Ed003 - 2-2
Ed004 - 1-2
Ed007 - 2-1
Ed018 - 2-0
Ed025 - 2-1
Ed033 - 1-1

Swansea City v Chelsea 5:30pm kick off

Fernandez (knee injury) late fitness test
Bartley (knee injury) late fitness test
Narsingh (ankle injury) doubt
Fer (Achilles injury) out
Bony (ACL injury) out
Sanches (hamstring injury expected return 13th May) out
Abraham (unable to face parent club) out

After the initial bright start under Carlos Carvalhal, things have returned pretty much to how they were before his appointment and Swansea have now gone five games without a win, just at the time they needed to be coming into good form. This is when we find out just how good he actually is and whether it was just a new manager bounce or if he genuinely can get players playing for him.
Most important player: Alfie Mawson. With Fernandez potentially out, a lot of responsibility will be resting on Mawson's shoulders.

Drinkwater (calf strain) out
Luiz (knee injury expected return 13th May) out
Ampadu (broken ankle) out
Alonso (suspended) out

Chelsea are still in with a shout of a top three finish, if they can sort out their form and Antonio Conte can stop moaning about the transfer windows long enough to concentrate on the games. At least there is now an easy motivational tool for him to use, as every player is playing for their place in the FA Cup final next month.
Most important player: Emerson. The Brazilian has stepped in and looked an upgrade on Marcus Alonso in the left wing back berth.

Defining Battle: you have to stop the delivery from wide that Chelsea have. Their forwards are excellent in the air and giving them time and space to put good crosses in is asking for trouble. The Swans will have to be particularly careful not to get pushed right back allowing the wide centre backs all day to saunter forward and pick out a cross.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 0-2
Ed003 - 0-3
Ed004 - 1-2
Ed007 - 0-4
Ed018 - 0-2
Ed025 - 1-2
Ed033 - 0-1

Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed002 - 234 points
2. Ed018 - 226 points
3. Ed033 - 223 points
4. Ed007 - 220 points
5. Ed004 - 215 points
6. Ed025 - 213 points
7. Ed003 - 200 points

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 26th April 2018 (not including results for that day)

Written by Tris Burke April 28 2018 05:29:42