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As we enter week 25 of the 2012-13 season – which has all the ingredients of high octane clashes – this might just be the week, which eventually shapes up the destiny of the 20 sides concerned. Here we take a look at the clashes and contemplate our predictions:
Queens Park Rangers vs Norwich City: QPR might have gone berserk in the January transfer window but manager Harry Redknapp is too experienced to know that further slip ups could eventually spell relegation. With Norwich coming to Loftus Road after drawing with Spurs, a tight match in the offering. It remains to be seen whether QPR’s January buys can give them a win.
Predcition: QPR 1-1 Norwich City
Reading vs Sunderland: 2 goals from Adam Le Fondre were enough to secure a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, who fought their way from two down. Sunderland come to the Madjeski at the back a draw and a close contest is on the cards. It just might be one of those matches, which might eventually be decided by some individual brilliance.
Predcition: Reading 1-0 Sunderland
Arsenal vs Stoke: Arsene Wenger’s side know they have to win this clash to keep their top 4 ambitions alive. No nonsense Stoke will be up for it though even though they haven’t been in the best of form recently. Theo Walcott and Oliver Giroud might be needed again to roll past yet another win at the Emirates.
Predcition: Arsenal 2-1 Stoke City
Wigan Athletic vs Southampton: The Saints are in an impressive run of form are lie in 15th place. Wigan on the other hand lie two places below in 17th. This match certainly looks like a six pointer.
Predcition: Wigan 0-1 Southampton
West Ham vs Swansea City: Both teams come into the match playing out draws they should have really won. Sam Allardyce’s men certainly cannot afford another slip up after an impressive start to the season whereas Micheal Laudrup allowing Danny Graham to shift loyalties on transfer deadline day might be a huge gamble as look short up front.
Predictions: West Ham 1-2 Swansea
Everton vs Aston Villa: It’s sad to see the Villans lose back to back cup matches. Confidence seems to be an all time low whereas Everton would like to keep up the pressure on 4th placed Spurs. This should be a cakewalk for the Blues from Merseyside.
Predcition: Everton 3-0 Aston Villa
Newacstle United vs Chelsea: The French Revolution will take time to get started but has it already begun? Rafa Benitez would we wondering what to tell his boys after blew off a two goal cushion against Reading in midweek. A tough match for either side. It might take a managerial masterstroke to pull off a scrappy win. Who will step up, Rafa or Pardew?
Predcition: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea
Fulham vs Manchester United: A 4-1 win over the Cottagers in the cup and Wayne Rooney back to form sees United go into the match as favourites. Dimitar Bervatov might have wanted to prove a point or two to his previous employers but will miss most likely miss the game through injury. Overall Fulham just don’t look like they would challenge United in this game at Craven Cottage. Expect Rooney and RVP to blow Fulham’s shroddy defence away.
Predcition: Fulham 1-3 Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs would look to put behind their disappointing draw at Carrow Road and tighten their grip on the 4th position for a final Champions League spot. West Brom on the other hand haven’t been able to continue their fine start to the season. This might just be the match for them to prove their critics wrong. Expect a high octance clash at the Hawthorns where they will be a fight for every inch on the park.
Predcition: West Brom 1-1 Spurs
Manchester City vs Liverpool: A mouth watering clash this. Both teams have to win to keep charge of their respective ambitions. Mancini’s men know anything less than 3 points and they will surely have to bid goodbye to their hopes of retaining the tag of Champions whereas the Reds from Merseyside just have to win to keep afloat their Champions League dreams. Can Liverpool take advantage of City’s missing men? A match where desire rather than football will decide the outcome.
Predcition: Man City 2-1 Liverpool
