English Premier League: By Martin Downer, Special To Gulf News

Match to catch

Manchester’s top two clubs would have been hoping there was far more at stake in the final derby of this season than just local pride and a potential boost in both City and United’s hopes of finishing in the top four. The blue half may have won the League Cup and are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but their domestic form has been disappointing and they are 12 points off leaders Leicester. United, meanwhile, seem to be going backwards under Louis van Gaal and Thursday’s Europa League exit against Liverpool summed up how tepid they have become. Prediction: Man City 2 Man Utd 0.

Keep an eye on

The Tyne-Wear derby has been a fruitful fixture for newly appointed Sunderland managers in recent years, but this time it is Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez who needs a victory to kickstart his tenure. The last four Black Cats coaches have all beaten their team’s near neighbours in their second match in charge, so it is fitting that Sunderland will visit St James’ Park for Benitez’s first home match following his defeat on debut at Leicester last week. The Spaniard is not used to relegation battles following his time with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Valencia and he has taken over a team desperately low on confidence, but Newcastle’s situation is far from catastrophic as they are only one point from safety and still have to play both of their chief relegation rivals. But Sam Allardyce and Sunderland are a bit further along in their recovery and they should be able to avoid defeat on Sunday. Prediction: Newcastle 2 Sunderland 2.

For the purists

Watford may be in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in nine years and enjoying a fine return to the Premier League, but the goals have dried up recently and they have only scored in one of their last six league games. The prospect of their Wembley date with Crystal Palace on April 23 will surely take away some of the Hornets’ focus, but at least Quique Sanchez Flores’ side can afford to freewheel to the end of the EPL campaign thanks to their excellent form of late last year. Prediction: Watford 1 Stoke 1.

Showing form

West Ham are unlikely to get a better opportunity to end their run of 10 games without a win at Stamford Bridge than on Saturday, when they face Chelsea on the back of a long unbeaten run and with one of the players of the season, Dimitri Payet, in top form. The Blues now have no chance of winning any trophies this season after losing their last two matches and the Hammers are capable of getting at least a draw. Prediction: Chelsea 1 West Ham 1.

Need a win

Five defeats in seven and one win in the last eight are the damning statistics that sum up yet another season of under-achievement for Arsenal. Just as the top sides should be grinding out results to ensure they stay in contention for silverware, the Gunners have dropped 11 points off the pace in the title race (they haven’t won in the league since beating Leicester on Valentine’s Day), been knocked out of the FA Cup by misfiring Watford, and proved no match for the Barcelona winning machine in the Champions League. Their final nine games of the season - starting at free-scoring Everton on Saturday - will be a painful anti-climax for long-suffering Arsenal fans, especially if local rivals Tottenham go on and win the league. Prediction: Everton 2 Arsenal 1.

Get involved

Think I’m way off the mark? Tweet me your English Premier League predictions via @MartinDownerUK.

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