BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTION:Week 18

Manchester United are still at the summit with a 6point lead over neighbors Manchester City.Sir Alex Ferguson ruled out any January purchase while Mancini is looking to strengthen with one or two players.The title race is looking like a two horse race at the moment but January can change everything.


Saturday
WIGAN v ARSENAL 12:45PM
The latics have 15 points on the board & are looking primed for their annual relegation fight.With Arsenal's emphatic win over Reading,they are now 2points off third place & can usurp Chelsea if they beat Wigan.That's enough motivation.1-3

MAN CITY v READING. 3PM
Reading are a bit rubbish & I suspect they will get a hiding from the champions.This match could be over by half time.5-0

NEWCASTLE v QPR 3PM
Newcastle have won just one of their last six matches,losing the remaining five.They sit only 2 points above relegation places & anything less than a win here could see them sucked into the relegation places.QPR got their first win last week & will be encouraged.2-1

SOUTHAMPTON v SUNDERLAND. 3PM
Southampton are well rested having played their last game 2 weeks ago.The will always be in & around relegation places throughout the season but a win against the troubled black cats will help their cause.Both teams need the points desperately & could go either way.2-2

SPURS v STOKE 3PM
Stoke City are unbeaten in 9 premier league games,keeping 8 clean sheets this season(the highest in the league) & conceding only 13 goals so far(also the best defensive record).
The stats point to the fact that they will be a formidable opponent for Spurs(& indeed for any team).2-1

WEST BROM v NORWICH 3PM
The Baggies face a difficult test against a Norwich City unbeaten in 8 games.They need to get back on track as they are on a winless run stretching to 4games.3-1

WEST HAM v EVERTON 3PM
West Ham are looking comfortable in mid table but the table is closely pack in what some pundits have called 'an odd season'.Hammers are 11th with 23points.A run of bad results could see them get mired in the relegation dogfight.They need to keep their feet on the ground.2-1

LIVERPOOL v FULHAM 5:30PM
Liverpool suffered a bad loss last time out against Aston Villa,so much for Rodgers' talk if finishing second.Fulham are struggling abit but they can't be overawed by Liverpool.1-2

Sunday
SWANSEA v MAN UTD 1:30PM
This is a stern away test for United.By the time this match commences,their lead at the top could be down to just 3points.Swansea are a good footballing side & they are always unfazed especially at the liberty stadium.Fergie could rotate the front four a bit but whoever he chooses to go with must deliver.1-2

CHELSEA v VILLA 4PM
Chelsea got away from their Club World Cup hangover with an emphatic 5-1 win over Leeds in the Capital One Cup.They have more than it takes to beat Villa but beware of a certain Benteke.3-0