Swansea City will have a major say on the Premier League relegation battle this weekend, victory for them would send West Bromwich Albion into the Championship and also all but relegate Stoke City.
The Swans currently sit one point and one place above the drop-zone, with Southampton biting at their heels but a win on the South Coast against Bournemouth would put them on the brink of safety.
If Swansea did win, then they would be four points ahead of Southampton, although they would have three games left – one if which is Saturday’s late kick-off at Everton.
Bottom-of-the-table West Brom know that even a point from Swansea in their final two games would send them down – but caretaker Darren Moore is undefeated in their last four games and will be hopeful of getting something of Tottenham at The Hawthorns.
Second bottom Stoke host Crystal Palace in the opening game of the day, and victory at the bet365 Stadium would send them above Southampton and level on points with Swansea, and surely give Paul Lambert’s side a chance of staying up.
West Ham United are also still not safe from the drop and could very well need something from their final two games, starting with their trip to Leicester – who are already assured a top-half finish.
The final game of the day sees Newcastle travel to Watford with Rafa Benitez’s side still with a chance of finishing ninth. Realistically Watford need a win if they hold out any hope of a top-half finish.
See below for a preview on the games, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and bet365’s Steve Freeth.
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Stoke City 12:30 Crystal Palace
bet365 Stadium
TEAM NEWS: For Stoke, Bruno Martins Indi, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Konstantinos Stafylidis are all ruled out, whilst Jese loan spell has been cut short. Jason Puncheon and Connor Wickham are both hopefully of being involved after returning to training but Bakary Sako and Scott Dann are sidelined.
KEY FACT: Stoke have lost six of the last seven meetings with Palace
MATCH ODDS: Stoke 17/10 Draw 12/5 Palace 9/5
bet365 Pick: Both Teams to Score @7/10
ANDY SAYS: I think Stoke might go down this weekend, with Palace taking the win…1-2
GRAEME SAYS: Stoke need a win more than ever and they might just sneak it here…2-1
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Wilfried Zaha – is in great form and worthy of investment
AFC Bournemouth 15:00 Swansea City
Vitality Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Bournemouth are without injured trio Adam Smith, Harry Arter and Junior Stanislas, but Tyrone Mings could be involved. Swansea are set to welcome back Federico Fernandez and Luciano Narsingh, whilst Tammy Abraham returns after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea last week.
KEY FACT: Bournemouth are unbeaten in the Premier League against Swansea
MATCH ODDS: Bournemouth 23/20 Draw 5/2 Swansea 13/5
bet365 Pick: Over 3.5 goals @2/1
ANDY SAYS: I see Swansea getting the result that they need here…1-2
GRAEME SAYS: I think this has draw written all over it to be honest…0-0
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Josh King – Great talent who could end season in style
Leicester City 15:00 West Ham United
King Power Stadium
TEAM NEWS: Marc Albrighton remains suspended for Leicester, whilst Matty James and Vicente Iborra are sidelined. Kasper Schmeichel, Shinji Okazaki and Wilfred Ndidi are all rated doubtful. Andy Carroll is back in the West Ham squad after his falling out with David Moyes, whilst Joe Hart is also available again after being ineligible to face his parent club Man City last week. Pedro Obiang and James Collins are injured. KEY FACT: Leicester are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with West Ham
MATCH ODDS: Leicester 13/10 Draw 5/2 West Ham 23/10
bet365 Pick: West Ham to win @23/10
ANDY SAYS: Close game but have to go with Leicester just to edge it…2-1
GRAEME SAYS: Another draw for me here, but could be goals…2-2
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Jamie Vardy – Still claiming the goals and one to watch at World Cup
Watford 15:00 Newcastle United
Vicarage Road
TEAM NEWS: Troy Deeney has recovered from an ankle injury for Watford but but Roberto Pereyra remains a doubt with a groin injury. Newcastle are without suspended on-loan striker Islam Slimani, but Mikel Merino could feature.
KEY FACT: Watford have won their last three Premier League meetings with Newcastle
MATCH ODDS: Watford 7/5 Draw 12/5 Newcastle 11/5
bet365 Pick: Watford to win @7/5
ANDY SAYS: I don’t see Newcastle getting anything here, home win…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: Close game but will just give Watford the edge…1-0
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Abdoulaye Doucoure – Has had a great season and worth looking at
West Bromwich Albion 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur
The Hawthorns
TEAM NEWS: Gareth Barry and James Morrison miss out for West Brom but Nacer Chadli could return to face his former club. Mousa Demble and Danny Rose are doubts for Spurs and Harry WInks won’t be involved.
KEY FACT: Spurs are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League visits to The Hawthorns
MATCH ODDS: WBA 7/1 Draw 15/4 Spurs 4/9
bet365 Pick: Under 2.5 goals @11/10
ANDY SAYS: The final nail will be slammed into West Brom’s coffin by Spurs…1-3
GRAEME SAYS: West Brom have been playing well but Spurs will beat them up here…0-4
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Christian Eriksen – Not many better and he is only going one way
Everton 17:30 Southampton
Goodison Park
TEAM NEWS: Dominic Calvert-Lewin won’t play for Everton again this season but Mason Holgate is fit again and could feature. Southampton are without captain Steven Davis and winger Sofiane Boufal is unlikely to be involved following a bust up with manager Mark Hughes.
KEY FACT: Southampton have won just once at Everton in the Premier League
MATCH ODDS: Everton 19/10 Draw 23/10 Southampton 13/8
bet365 Pick: Under2.5 goals @7/10
ANDY SAYS: Tough game but have to go with Everton being at home..2-1
GRAEME SAYS: I think Southampton could get the win they need here…1-2
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Dusan Tadic – Playing well and certainly potential to improve