Premier League match predictions

As the curtain is drawn on the Premiership season, Mark McClay takes the PTS Hotseat to guide you through Round 38?s set of fixtures and once more invites you all to join in with the fun.

Scoring System: A for home win, B for away win, C for draw.

Round 38 includes fixtures such as Man City v QPR and Sunderland v Man Utd – The Title Deciders. And also Stoke v Bolton which along with that Etihad Stadium tussle for QPR, will settle the last relegation spot.

Sunday’s Matches

Chelsea (6th) v Blackburn (19th)

Di Matteo has rested key players prior to next week’s Champions League Final against Bayern Munich against both Liverpool and Newcastle in the league recently and I don’t see any change in that for their final home tie. Rovers will be deflated following their relegation to the Championship being confirmed in their home defeat to Wigan in the week, and despite Steve Kean’s determined and resolute front – I can see the Blues second string being too strong for the Rovers. Pred. A

Everton (7th) v Newcastle (5th)

David Moyes will be looking to extend Everton’s unbeaten league run to ten games at Goodison with Newcastle United aiming to clinch that Champions League spot. Toffees star striker Nikica Jelavic bagged three braces in April and he will be looking to leave the Everton faithful with another example of his lethal striking ability before the summer.

Depending on results at White Hart Line and The Hawthorns, the Magpies could finish 3rd, 4th or their current position of fifth – and I believe that Alan Pardew’s diligent side will overcome a resurgent Everton side due to their own firepower in Ba and Cisse. Pred. B

Stoke (14th) v Bolton (18th)

The Potters have been playing on empty in the final few weeks of the season after an enduring Europa League run which began back in July – but their recent home form is impressive, picking up a point against Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City, and all three against a desperate Wolves outfit.

Bolton need the win to stay in the league, and they will go into the game fairly positive of QPR going down to Man City. Owen Coyle’s side have six away wins this season and bar Everton, they have come against sides languishing in the lower half of the table. Can they complete the great escape? Pred. B

Manchester City (1st) v Queens Park Rangers (17th)

QPR require only a draw realistically with a superior goal difference over Bolton, but I can’t see Mark Hughes men being able to stop Man City’s title charge. City know a win and they are champions, and after coming back from what was thought to be an unassailable lead – captain Vincent Kompany will be demanding eleven pumped up troops give their all and don’t disappoint Roberto Mancini, or the Sky Blue fans on their home turf. Pred. A

Norwich (13th) v Aston Villa (16th)

The Canaries had a run-in to forget picking up only one point out of a possible fifteen before fighting back impressively to take a point at the Emirates last Saturday. Paul Lambert has worked wonders since taking over at Carrow Road, and he deserves enormous credit for steering them clear of relegation trouble at any point this season.

Aston Villa have been closer to the drop then they would have wished, and it has been a tough honeymoon period for former Birmingham City boss, Alex McLeish as he had to deal with fans demanding his head and the loss of captain Stan Petrov, as he battles back from serious illness.

With both clubs now safe and no real incentive other than a higher placing with a win, this should be a fairly tame affair, but I think Norwich will just edge it over the disappointingly low-scoring Villans through Hoolahan and Morison. Pred. A

Sunderland (11th) v Manchester United (2nd)

United are hoping for any type of slip of from their greatest rivals in order to pounce and grab another Premiership trophy from the jaws of despair. What they must also do is beat a Sunderland side who will not relish a Red Devils title party on their home turf.

The fans will be the best gauge of events taking place at the Etihad, and a couple of early goals could dent the confidence of Ferguson’s side. Last week’s second half against Swansea was subdued, and the players knew that Newcastle taking something from City at St. James Park, was their final chance to sneak back to the top of the pile. Pred. C

Swansea (12th) v Liverpool (8th)

Brendan Rodgers’ band have been a total footballing revelation since their promotion last season, and their approach of playing the beautiful game has bore fruit as Swansea sit nicely just below mid-table.

Liverpool’s form is as unpredictable as Kenny Dalglish’s post-match press conferences and with the FA Cup final out of the way, their season has finished on a sub-standard note. The Swans can protect their nest with a flourishing victory. Pred. A

Tottenham (4th) v Fulham (9th)

Spurs are back in the groove after a rather erratic spell brought on by the managerial cloud which hung over Harry Redknapp’s head regarding the vacant England post. Now with Roy Hodgson at the helm for the Euro’s, The Tottenham hotseat seems a lot more comfortable and reassuring and all cylinders are firing for the Champions League place which will be sealed with a win.

It’s a London derby though and Fulham have been in inspired form this season with Duff, Dempsey and Pogrebnyak et al aiding Martin Jol’s offensive and flowing style. There will be goals, but perhaps more to pick out for Mark Schwarzer. Pred. A

West Brom (10th) v Arsenal (3rd)

The Baggies will be looking to give their manager a great send off following his impressive tenure as boss which has breathed life and confidence into the Midlands side. Arsenal know that with Tottenham and Newcastle breathing down their necks, they can afford no further slip ups.

As impossible as it may sound, Arsenal could drop down as low as fifth if results don’t go their way and West Brom get a win. The home side’s form away from the Hawthorns is more impressive and Premiership Flavour’s Player of the Season, Robin van Persie, can help ease the pressure of the ever anxious Arsene Wenger in the dugout. Pred. B

Wigan (15th) v Wolves (20th)

Wolves, following their relegation, have had something of a mini resurgence with the pressure of the drop relieved. A quite remarkable comeback away to Swansea and a home draw with Everton in their last match, Terry Connor will be confident his side can finish with another point at the DW.

Wigan, who spectacularly pulled clear of relegation with wins against Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United and captain and Latics player of the year, Gary Caldwell has high hopes for the coming season. I expect Roberto Martinez’ side to shade this. Pred. A

And don’t forget the site will be, as usual, providing match reports for all of the matches so be sure to look out for them.

Now you can have a go at guessing the scores by copying and pasting the fixtures below into the comment box. Good luck everyone!

Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers

Everton v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers

Norwich City v Aston Villa

Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham

Sunderland v Manchester United

Swansea City v Liverpool

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers