Title is City’s to lose now

Watching Chelsea is a little like open surgery — you know it’s highly-skilled but it’s still unpleasant to watch.

Their defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek will no doubt have lifted some of the gloom on the red half of Merseyside following the Blues’ defensively exquisite — some may say ‘anti-football’ — 2-0 win at Anfield last weekend.

Style is always up for debate, of course, but winning, as Jose Mourinho himself will lecture, is all that ultimately matters.

That league result has left Man City in pole position in the title race and Liverpool feeling like they have been severely winded.

This weekend is arguably City’s toughest game left — and that’s against Everton, who are unlikely to rush to help Liverpool win the league, surely.

It’s tempting to think it’s now all sewn up and City will plough on and rack up the remaining wins they need. But, as is so often the case, the finish line can do funny things to people. 

All 11am unless stated

TOMORROW

West Ham v Tottenham

8:45am

Big Sam is about as welcome as a Cup Match hangover right now at Upton Park after four straight defeats and a style of play that does not sit well  with the Hammers’ purists.

Tim Sherwood has issues of his own — with his job seemingly being touted around Europe behind his back.

Prediction: 1-2

Aston Villa v Hull

Villa have spiralled into an horrendous rut, which has already undermined any good work that took place earlier in the season, which wasn’t a great deal anyway.

Hull can be forgiven for thinking of the Cup final, though.

Prediction: 1-1

Man Utd v Sunderland 

While David Moyes displays his best sad face in Miami, Ryan Giggs has definitely put a little spring back into Old Trafford, albeit when the season is all but over for them.

Sunderland will put up a much tougher test than Norwich did, that’s for sure, but United’s players have a point to prove. 

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle v Cardiff

The fact Newcastle are still ninth is a reflection on the teams below them and testament to the great start to the season Alan Pardew oversaw.

Of course, he’s now widely hated and most fans want him out. Despite all this, they are STILL not playing as badly as Cardiff.

Prediction: 2-1

Stoke v Fulham

Fulham were in such a good position last week until the late goals, you wonder how much that will have knocked them back.

They should be the team with most to play for but you have to fear it’s too little, too late.

Prediction: 1-1

Swansea v Southampton

Two teams safe and basking in midtable bliss. It can only mean a widely-entertaining draw.

Prediction: 2-2

Everton v Man City

1:30pm

Yaya Toure is City’s best player and leading scorer — a remarkable feat given the other stars in the squad. The title favourites usually struggle at Goodison Park but now fourth place looks out of reach and a result could hand the league to city rivals Liverpool, this looks an away banker.

Prediction: 0-1

SUNDAY

Arsenal v West Brom

9:30am

The return of the likes of Ramsey and Ozil to the Gunners’ starting XI has perked them up at the tailend of the season and while West Brom are still battling for safety, the home side can book their all-important spot in next season’s Champions League with a victory. 

Prediction:  3-0

Chelsea v Norwich

12pm

The Canaries have plummeted this season and the joint-lowest scorers in the division don’t appear to have much left. This is as comfortable a home win as you dare predict in the Premier League. 

Prediction:  3-0

MONDAY

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

4pm

A big one for the Reds after they were nullified by Chelsea — Palace boss Tony Pulis will have been taking notes, for sure.

Can a previously rampant Reds unlock another tight defence? They’ll likely need to, to stay in the title hunt and keep the pressure on City.

Prediction:  3-0