It’s your weekend form guide and top flight predictions with SunSport’s Jim Munro – always a safe bet
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N’GOLO KANTE has good reason to look forward to Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.
In his 34 swashbuckling appearances for Chelsea this season Kante has managed to score twice – both goals coming against Man United.
The £30million summer signing from Leicester has enjoyed a standout first season patrolling Chelsea’s midfield and has impressed his fellow professionals so much that he is one of the six nominations for PFA Player of the Year.
His first goal against Man United came at Stamford Bridge in October, as he skipped past a motionless defence to put the seal on a 4-0 victory.
At the Bridge again in March it was Kante’s crisply hit low drive that clinched a 1-0 win to knock Man United out of the FA Cup Sixth Round.
That took Chelsea’s unbeaten run against the Old Trafford outfit to 12 games in all competitions.
So for a good outside bet you could look at Kante to get on the scoresheet but I can’t see Man United breaking that Blues stranglehold on their recent clashes.
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Tottenham v Bournemouth (12.30pm)
Spurs kick off the fixtures for a second weekend running, chasing down a seventh win in a row and a 12th straight home win in the Premier League. Harry Kane will return to the starting line-up after appearing as a sub in last week's 4-0 win over Watford. Heung-min Son has seven goals in his last five games for Tottenham while Dele Alli has six from his last seven appearances. Bournemouth's five-game unbeaten run ended with a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea last weekend, but Josh King scored again to bring his total to 10 goals in his past 11 matches. Jim's prediction: Has to be Tottenham all the way.
Crystal Palace v Leicester (3pm)
The Sam Allardyce revolution has converted Palace from dead certs for the drop to a team on the march. It’s been five wins from six for Big Sam’s men who will be on a high after winning at League leaders Chelsea then crushing Arsenal 3-0 last time out, with Andros Townsend looking particularly impressive during this revival period. Leicester have also benefitted from a new face in charge, winning the first six games under Craig Shakespeare with a new found purpose. But a first defeat at Everton last weekend, followed by a controversial 1-0 loss at Atletico Madrid may have raised a few nagging doubts. Jim’s prediction: Hopefully an entertaining score draw.
Everton v Burnley (3pm)
On the face of it this is lambs to the slaughter. Everton have won all of their last seven home games in the Premier League, scoring 23 goals in the process. Striker Romelu Lukaku has been nominated for both PFA Player and PFA Young Player of the Year awards and is on a run of 11 goals from 10 games for the Toffees. Burnley haven’t won any of their 16 away games this season but gained a fourth draw in last weekend’s goal-less encounter at Middlesbrough. Jim’s prediction: Everton charge on with a win.
Stoke v Hull (3pm)
Four straight defeats have sounded alarm bells at Stoke whose only two goals in that period have been scored by Jonathan Walters. Hull have become beasts at home but are still very timid on their travels, with four away defeats on the trot since holding Manchester United to a goal-less draw at the start of February. Jim’s prediction: Stoke to edge a nervy match.
Sunderland v West Ham (3pm)
Only a mathematician would give Sunderland any chance of avoiding relegation this season. Since winning 4-0 at Crystal Palace in February they’ve not won or even scored a single goal in any of the seven matches that have followed. At least they have a star in the making in keeper Jordan Pickford, nominated this week as one of the contenders for PFA Young Player of the year. West Ham halted their slump of five straight defeats by beating Swansea 1-0 at home last weekend. Jim’s prediction: Sunderland to score but not enough to win. Draw.
Watford v Swansea (3pm)
Watford have reached the relative safety of 37 points and have won their last two home games. Swansea’s mini revival under Paul Clement is over, the 1-0 defeat at West Ham last weekend making it five games without a win. Jim’s prediction: Watford to take the three points.
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Southampton v Manchester City (5.30pm)
It has been an encouraging first season for Claude Puel, with Southampton reaching the League Cup final and striding towards a top 10 finish in the Premier League. They’ve managed to pick up seven points from the three games played since losing exciting new striker Manolo Gabbiadini to injury. Man City’s 3-1 win over Hull last weekend was their first in five games but it included another goal for Sergio Aguero, who has netted in each of the last four games. Jim’s prediction: Southampton to deliver the shock treatment with a home win.
Sunday, April 16
West Brom v Liverpool (1.30pm)
The Baggies have looked a little saggy in recent weeks, winning just one of the last six games, although that was against Arsenal. They’ve also failed to score in each of their last three matches, with striker Salomon Rondon suffering a 17-game dry patch since bagging a hat-trick against Swansea in December. Liverpool have reignited their season with four wins and two draws in their past six games. That’s coincided with Philippe Coutinho’s return to form and he’s netted in each of the last three matches. Jim’s prediction: Liverpool’s march continues with a win.
