What is the score going to be when Leicester City welcome Crystal Palace to the King Power Stadium in a crucial game in the battle for Premier League survival?
That's the question we are asking Mercury sports writer James Sharpe, who gives his prediction and also casts his eye over the weekend's action.
It's 3pts for getting the correct score and just 1pt for only getting the right result.
Every week, we are inviting a guest to go up against him. This week, the challenger is Leicestershire CCC fast bowler Alex Wyatt.
Wyatt, currently enduring the rigours of pre-season at Grace Road, is confident Nigel Pearson's men will get that much-needed victory tomorrow.
Last week, Sharpe narrowly came out on top against Leicester City club historian John Hutchinson. The results are at the bottom of the page.
Premier League | Score | Sharpe | Wyatt |
SATURDAY | | | |
Tottenham v Arsenal | x-x | 1-2 | 2-2 |
Aston Villa v Chelsea | x-x | 0-2 | 0-3 |
Leicester v C Palace | x-x | 2-1 | 1-0 |
Man City v Hull | x-x | 3-0 | 3-0 |
QPR v Southampton | x-x | 1-2 | 1-1 |
Swansea v Sunderland | x-x | 1-1 | 2-0 |
Everton v Liverpool | x-x | 1-2 | 1-0 |
SUNDAY | | | |
Burnley v West Brom | x-x | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Newcastle v Stoke | x-x | 2-1 | 2-0 |
West Ham v Man Utd | x-x | 1-1 | 2-1 |
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Leicester City v Crystal Palace King Power Stadium, Saturday, 3pm
Verdict: This is a game Leicester City simply have to win. Nigel Pearson's men only sit three points adrift of safety, and victory could see them actually move out of the bottom three. But with the sheer brutality of City's surrounding fixtures – Arsenal, Everton, Man City away; Chelsea at home – this is a chance they have to take.
This is also Andrej Kramaric's big chance. He has not really been able to show his capabilities in a dead last 30 minutes against Stoke and an hour at Old Trafford where he spent most of it camped in his own half. With Riyad Mahrez also back from international duty, and Marc Albrighton pushing for a start after impressing greatly with his last few substitute appearances, Kramaric and Leonardo Ulloa should receive the service they need. I'm feeling confident. We've got to, haven't we?
Sharpe's prediction: 2-1
Wyatt says: "This is a huge game for the Foxes" 1-0
Tottenham v Arsenal White Hart Lane, Saturday, 12.45pm
Verdict: Arsenal were incredible against Villa last time out. Granted, Villa offered little – sorry, nothing – in the way of opposition but the way the Gunners cast them aside was severely impressive. And that was even without Alexis Sanchez, who will also miss this clash. But in Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud firing, they boast an array of attacking talents. A trip to Spurs, though, will be a much tougher test. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen continue to inspire and tore apart what had been a very resilient West Brom side. But, if Arsenal can show the grit they had when they went to the Etihad and won, I fancy them to edge it. But only just.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-2
Wyatt says: 2-2
Aston Villa v Chelsea Villa Park, Saturday, 3pm
Verdict: As good as Arsenal were (see above), Aston Villa were equally dismal. Paul Lambert's side are being dragged well into the relegation battle now. Any side that fails to score in six Premier League games – 612 minutes and counting – surely has to be a candidate for the drop.
New signings Carles Gill and Scott Sinclair will aid Villa up top but, with Christian Benteke not firing either – it's a huge, huge concern. Even more concerning is that they are welcoming Chelsea tomorrow. They simply won't get anything from this game. Villa are too poor. Chelsea, too good.
Sharpe's prediction: 0-2
Wyatt says: 0-3
Man City v Hull Etihad Stadium, Saturday, 3pm
Verdict: This game highlights another reason why City's game against Palace is so crucial. Their fellow relegation rivals have it tough this weekend. Villa first, now Hull. Man City have not been their usual selves recently – showing how much they miss Yaya Toure's influence in the middle of the park – but, even so, they should simply be too strong for a dismal Hull. City were actually the better side in the draw with Chelsea. While Sergio Aguero has not scored in four games, his longest run without a goal, he showed glimpses in that game to suggest he could well be set to enjoy himself tomorrow. Leicester fans will hope so, too.
Sharpe's prediction: 3-0
Wyatt says: 3-0
QPR v Southampton Loftus Road, Saturday, 3pm
Verdict: 'Arry's gone. Citing knee injuries, not results, Redknapp resigned just a handful of hours after the transfer deadline passed. A deadline which saw QPR do very little.
With Rangers pointless on the road – in more than one sense – that puts incredible pressure on their home games. The problem is, though, they have all the top sides to play at Loftus Road. Saints slipped up last week against Swansea, despite having had plenty of chances to be ahead at half-time. Southampton have shown already this season that they can bounce back after disappointment. I see that happening again here.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-2
Wyatt says: 1-1
Swansea v Sunderland Liberty Stadium, Saturday, 3pm
Verdict: As mentioned above, Swansea somehow came away with all three points against Southampton last weekend, courtesy of Jonjo Shelvey's thunderstrike. Even though, on paper, a home clash with Sunderland should seem like an easier prospect, I don't think it is. The Black Cats are in decent form, with victories over Burnley and Fulham. They have become pretty resilient at the back and, in Jermain Defoe, have a proven goalscorer up front. I think this will be a tight one.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-1
Wyatt says: 2-0
Everton v Liverpool Goodison Park, Saturday, 5.30pm
Verdict: If this game is anything like the last Merseyside derby, we will be in for a treat. That one finished 3-3, although I doubt we will be in for the same excitement this time around. Daniel Sturridge showed just how much Liverpool have missed him, scoring just a few minutes into his return from a long-term layoff in the victory over West Ham. Everton finally ended their eight-game winless run with a triumph, albeit a narrow one, at Crystal Palace. That upturn in form is much-needed but not, I fear, as profound enough to keep out a Liverpool side who seem to be finding their stride.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-2
Wyatt says: 1-0
Burnley v West Brom Turf Moor, Sunday, 12noon
Verdict: This game provides a battle of short-term versus long-term wills for Leicester City fans. A defeat for Burnley would allow City to move outside the relegation zone this weekend, if other results also go their way. But it would also mean West Brom pull further away from the mire. A draw, though, would mean City would have to spend longer in the drop zone but would keep both Burnley and West Brom within in touching distance. The more clubs in the scrap, the more chance City have of survival. If West Brom's trip to Everton is anything to go by, Tony Pulis will have his side set up not to concede, at any cost, not even at the expense of the fans' ability or desire to stay awake. I can see this being a tight one.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-1
Wyatt says: 1-2
Newcastle v Stoke St James' Park, Sunday, 2.05pm
Verdict: Mid-table mediocrity beckons for both these sides, who sit just two points apart and in no real danger or hope of going to Europe or the Championship. John Carver picked up his first victory in full charge with a superb 3-0 win over Hull. Stoke are in pretty good form and, despite the injury to Bojan, beat QPR 3-1, thanks to a John Walters hat-trick. Not much to play for in this one but I'm going for a home win.
Sharpe's prediction: 2-1
Wyatt says: 2-0
West Ham v Man Utd Boleyn Ground, 4.15pm
Verdict: United may have cast Leicester aside last week but I still didn't think they were all that convincing. A lot of it came down to City's failings. They have plenty of flair and pace and skill in their side but no one who can really match the physicality that West Ham will bring them. If fit, I can see Andy Carroll giving United lots of problems up top. United will find this tough.
Sharpe's prediction: 1-1
Wyatt says: 2-1
Last week, Sharpe went up against Leicester City historian John Hutchinson.
Hutch picked up four correct results but, crucially, Sharpe picked up one of only three perfect scores - Man City's 1-1 draw at Chelsea - to go with his two other right results.
That gave the Mercury man a narrow 5-4 victory over Hutch.
But it was Mercury reader iancarn who came out on top, with a perfect score (again the Chelsea/Man City draw) to go with another four results.
- iancarn: 7 (1S, 4R)
- DaveOakham: 7 (7R)
- Luxpaul: 7 (7R)
- blueboy08: 6 (1S, 3R)
- Sharpe: 5 (1S, 2R)
- foxmanlondon: 5 (5R)
- raoa4x: 5 (5R)
- foxeerod 4 (4R)
- Hutch: 4 (4R)
- LCFCMike: 4 (4R)
- Valefox1: 4 (4R)
- USA_Mark: 3 (3R)
DaveOakham's relentless consistency sees him retain his place at the top of the league table, despite having played two weeks fewer than the chasing pack.
LEAGUE TABLE:Pundit | Weeks | Scores | Results | Score |
DaveOakham | 17 | 18 | 71 | 125 |
Luxpaul | 19 | 18 | 69 | 123 |
foxmanlondon | 19 | 17 | 68 | 119 |
Valefox1 | 18 | 17 | 65 | 116 |
USA_Mark | 18 | 18 | 61 | 115 |
Sharpe | 19 | 16 | 65 | 113 |
LCFCMike | 19 | 12 | 71 | 107 |
Krueger22 | 16 | 14 | 60 | 102 |
Guests | 19 | 10 | 70 | 100 |
Stuart_Young | 15 | 14 | 49 | 91 |
foxeerod | 17 | 12 | 50 | 86 |
blueboy08 | 13 | 10 | 43 | 73 |
raoa4x | 8 | 9 | 34 | 61 |
AlexMay14 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 40 |
Rachel_Leics | 7 | 2 | 31 | 37 |
OutfoxedYa2 | 7 | 3 | 25 | 34 |
heath34uk | 6 | 3 | 21 | 30 |
iancarn | 4 | 5 | 13 | 28 |
Bobdobfred | 3 | 4 | 11 | 23 |
carlnicol1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 22 |
Fox94 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 22 |
bluegatelane | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
bobbyboyLCFC | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Scotty2Hotty | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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