As the football season enters its final stretch, Europe’s top clubs will already be preparing their transfer plans for this summer. While there will undoubtedly be fierce bidding wars for the continent’s top talent, some of the biggest signings could well be free transfers.
Leicester can enhance their Premier League top-four prospects by seeing off bottom club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Foxes have been hit by injury problems of late but have the strength in depth to secure a fourth straight head-to-head victory over the relegation-bound Blades.
Crystal Palace will hope to have Wilfried Zaha back up to full speed for Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Brom at Selhurst Park. The Eagles’ talismanic front man returned from injury as a half-time substitute at Tottenham last weekend and should be all the better for that blow-out.
Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle between West Brom and Newcastle has all the makings of a tight tussle, with goals sure to be at a premium. Only one team has scored fewer times on home turf than Albion this term, while the Magpies have the third-lowest tally in away matches.
Southampton have struggled to pick up points during a tough run of fixtures but we feel they have a big performance in them at Sheffield United. Saints have tumbled down the table during a nine-match winless run in Premier League matches, but they have impressed in the FA Cup.
Everton can climb into the top four, even if only briefly, by winning at West Brom on Thursday evening and get our vote to achieve that feat. Albion are stubbornly clinging onto their Premier League survival hopes but may lack the quality to match in-form opponents on such a mission.
Huddersfield and Cardiff could both be involved in exciting ends to the season but for very different reasons ahead of Friday night’s Championship clash. The Terriers have been sucked into the relegation battle after a dismal run of results, while Cardiff have surged up the table under Mick McCarthy.
Aston Villa are one of several Premier League teams who have almost looked more comfortable on the road this season and they get the nod to prevail at Sheffield United. The Blades have badly missed having the backing of their supporters at Bramall Lane, suffering 10 home defeats.
Tottenham have enjoyed a couple of welcome Europa League wins of late and can now get their Premier League campaign back on track when hosting Burnley. The Clarets are on a four-match unbeaten run in this competition which has eased them away from the drop zone, but that was during a kind schedule.
There will be important points at stake as well as the Brian Clough Trophy when Nottingham Forest make the short trip to Derby. Unfortunately for neutrals, the bitter rivalry between these teams often means it is a scrappy affair and seven league meetings in the last four seasons have produced just eight goals.
Liverpool will be looking to give their top-four prospects a much-needed boost when visiting Premier League basement dwellers Sheffield United. However, the Blades have netted in six straight home games in all competitions and should be fired up for facing the Reds’ injury-ravaged defence.
Brighton must still be wondering how they lost to Crystal Palace on Monday night but cannot afford to dwell on that disappointment for too long. The Seagulls dominated against their bitter rivals but lost 2-1 after conceding in injury time, meaning they are only four points clear of the relegation zone.
Fulham’s improved performances have not quite turned into the points they would have liked but they have the chance to put that right against rock-bottom Sheffield United. The Cottagers have only lost one of their last six games but four draws in that time mean they start the weekend still six points from safety.
Burnley have been held to a draw against two of the teams below them in their last two home games and will hope it is third time lucky when West Brom arrive at Turf Moor. This looks a must-win fixture for West Brom, though, given they start the weekend 12 points from safety, so this could be a more open game than might usually be expected.