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Football News: Premier League Match Preview Saturday 21st April 2018

Premier League Match Preview Saturday 21st April 2018
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Saturday 21st April 2018

 


West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool 12:30pm kick off

 

Chadli (fitness) late fitness test
Evans (knee injury) slight doubt
Robson-Kanu (concussion) slight doubt
Barry (knee injury expected return 1st June) out
Morrison (Achilles injury expected return 1st June) out
Sturridge (cannot face parent club) out

Caretaker coach Darren Moore has broken their terrible run of ten games without a win by beating Man Utd at Old Trafford, of all things. It might just have delayed the inevitable, but it has given them a glimmer of hope of survival. They know it has to be a win, a draw is not going to help them any more. Teams have done it before, gone on a big running win to rescue the situation under a caretaker who they respect and like. First they have to win this game and then they can really start believing they can do it.
Most important player: Jay Rodriguez. He is starting to look like the player he was before his injuries.

 

Lovren (muscle fatigue) slight doubt
Clyne (muscle strain expected return 28th April) out
Lallana (hamstring injury expected return 13th May) out
Matip (thigh injury expected return 1st July) out
Gomez (ankle injury) slight doubt
Can (back injury expected return 13th May) out

While this game may not be seen as important compared to the Champions League semi-final coming up on Tuesday to most, it is a chance to put a little more distance between the Reds and Chelsea in 5th. A win would not just almost certainly guarantee a top 4 finish, it would also put a little bit of pressure back on Man Utd for second. However most Liverpool fans will not be thinking about that at all, they will be just praying no one gets injured and ruled out of Tuesday night's game!
Most important player: Loris Karius. He has made a huge difference to the defence just by being competent unlike his predecessor.

 

Defining Battle: while WBA desperately need a win, it is hard to imagine the Baggies will come out and go at Liverpool from the off. They just do not have the players to take the game to their opponent. What they will do is look to get the ball to their wide men and cross it in at every opportunity. It is up to Liverpool to stop the crosses.

 

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

 


Watford v Crystal Palace 3pm kick off

 

Prodl (illness) slight doubt
Holebas (back injury) slight doubt
Carillo (knock) slight doubt
Deulofeu (fractured foot expected return 5th May) out
Cleverley (hamstring injury expected return 1st June) out
Kaboul (fractured metatarsal expected return 5th May) out
Chalobah (knee injury expected return 13th May) out
Hoban (ACL injury) out

The usual season ending slide seems to have begun, the Hornets are without a win in five and have lost four of those games. They do look to have enough points to ensure safety already, which does seem to be the trigger for the slide each season. The poor results can no longer be blamed on Marco Silva, there is a recurring problem at Watford, each season they fall off badly as the season goes on. It looks like a fitness issue judging by the ridiculous number of injuries they suffer from each season. They just do not seem to be fit enough to last out the season. Judging by Troy Deeney's waistband, they do not seem fit enough to last out the game.
Most important player: Abdoulaye Doucoure. His influence on games has waned in recent weeks, though he is not the only one.

 

Wickham (groin strain expected return 5th May) out
Schlupp (ankle injury expected return 28th April) out
Sako (broken ankle expected return 18th August) out
Dann (ACL injury) out
Puncheon (PCL tear expected return 1st June) out

Once again they have put themselves in the driving seat to avoid relegation, just when it looked like they had blown their chances. A win moves them to almost certain safety and level on points with their opponents. They just need to show some of the intensity they showed last weekend against bitter rivals Brighton and they will soon be safe. With four games left and only looking like needing one win to reach the 37 points required, Palace have it all in their own hands.
Most important player: Luke Milivojevic. The Serbian midfielder has been their key player, with his delivery from setpieces as well as his work in open play. Probably only Zaha has been more important to Palace's hopes of surviving.

 

Defining Battle: Palace will use pace and movement to attack Watford, two things their defence is hopeless against. Unless Watford can magically discover organisation by the time the game kicks off, they will be in serious danger against a Palace side that can really attack the box at pace and win penalties.

 

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

 



Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed002 - 225 points
2. Ed018 - 220 points
3. Ed033 - 217 points
4. Ed007 - 214 points
5. Ed025 - 213 points
6. Ed004 - 210 points
7. Ed003 - 198 points

 

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 20th April 2018 (not including results for that day)

Written by Tris Burke April 21 2018 08:27:56