Despite having to endure their longest injury list in recent times Manchester United gave one of their more rousing performances on Thursday night. For some of the fans it was a case of ‘Welcome back United, you have been sorely missed.’
And in Marcus Rashford Manchester United seem to have unearthed a gem. He’s a big man for just 18 but he’s also quick and the ball sticks to him more often than not. In light of current injuries we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him start against Arsenal.
As for The Gunners they were handed yet another lesson in ruthlessness from a superb Barcelona side at The Emirates in The Champions League, in what must feel like Groundhog Day for the fans.
So it’s a crucial weekend for both sides as they meet at Old Trafford on Sunday. Defeat for Arsenal and the age-old criticisms of Arsene Wenger may return with interest. If Manchester United lose then some onlookers will assume that the midweek improvement was a random performance from a team managed by a coach whose tactics are obsolete, or at least out of kilter with modern Premier League football.
As for Leicester they would now be fully expected to beat Norwich at home on Saturday but these types of games bring a unique pressure which can generate anxiety and unusual results at the business end of the season.
So here are our predictions.
SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2016
West Ham v Sunderland 12:45
West Ham on fire. Sunderland improving.
Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Sunderland
Leicester v Norwich 15:00
Leicester seem to have found the winning formula in the league.
Leicester 2-0 Norwich
Southampton v Chelsea 15:00
Tough game for Chelsea with Southampton on the charge.
Southampton 1 – 1 Chelsea
Stoke v Aston Villa 15:00
Stoke will see of Aston Villa.
Stoke 2-1 Aston Villa
Watford v Bournemouth 15:00
Tough to call but Watford are hard to beat at home.
Watford 1-0 Bournemouth
West Brom v Crystal Palace 17:30
Could just as easily be a football feast or famine.
West Brom 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
SUNDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2016
Manchester United v Arsenal 14:05
Game of the weekend in the league. A hard fought draw on the cards?
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Tottenham v Swansea 14:05
Tottenham are white hot right now and will be desperate to maintain their title challenge.
Tottenham 1-0 Swansea
CAPITAL ONE CUP FINAL
Liverpool v Man City 16:30
Late kick off will surely see Wembley in full, booze-fuelled chorus. This one is going all the way.
Prediction: Liverpool to take it – eventually