Premier League predictions: Can Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City?
Charlie Nicholas, Mark Lawrenson and Michael Owen predict the outcomes of the weekend's Premier League fixtures with Chelsea and Liverpool in action on Sunday.
Fulham vs Liverpool
A fantastic result in Munich could come at a cost. Yes, you're in the draw and you deserve to be there, but it wasn't a good performance. Bayern were terrible, Liverpool were just a shade better. Sadio Mane is the man, not Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino.
Virgil van Dijk and Mane are the two getting them through this situation and I'm not convinced with their midfield either but I think Fulham are gone also [with Huddersfield]. There's a bit of pride to be left, but I don't know what Scott Parker can do to keep anything going. I'm expecting Salah to get back on the scoresheet this weekend.
It eases the burden of the pressure [City not playing in the league this weekend] because they don't look really nervous. They do get agitated and frustrated, because when the front three are playing that well they need someone else to get them through. It has been Jurgen Klopp who has been getting caught up in the pressure of the situation but good coaches can ease the burden. I think it will be a fairly comfortable statement [by Liverpool] and it will be a statement of intent to say to Man City 'we're not going away'.
Charlie's prediction: 0:3
I was in Munich to see Liverpool beat Bayern on Wednesday and the Reds were excellent in the second half. That was as good as they have been all season, in the way they managed the game.
This is the last game before the international break and, if Liverpool win, they go back to the top of the table.
That is a great incentive if they are tired from their efforts in Germany, and the message from the manager will be along the lines of 'I want one last hit from you'.
I just cannot see Fulham getting anything against them, because they are not good enough defensively to keep them out.
Lawro's prediction: 0:2
Fulham have lost nine of their last ten league games and it is hard to see them denting Liverpool’s title hopes and giving themselves a shot in the arm with regard to their slim chance of beating the drop.
Sadio Mane has scored eight times in his last eight PL games for the Reds and I will be surprised and disappointed if Liverpool were not back at the top of the table come Sunday night.
Michael’s prediction: 1:3
Everton v Chelsea
Chelsea are playing catch-up now after being held at home to Wolves. They've got a real chance of the top four. Am I convinced? I'm not.
I honestly don't know what Everton are about. They're just trying to get to the summer and see if they can keep their fans onside. I've gone for a few draws this week and I don't see this being any different.
Everton will double up on Eden Hazard and try to suffocate the game. Gylfi Sigurdsson might get a goal. They're not expected to win, but if they keep their organisation and get something from it the crowd will go away fairly content.
Charlie's prediction: 1:1
Everton boss Marco Silva needs a response from his side here after they made a mess of things against Newcastle, losing 3-2 after being 2-0 up.
What Silva needs is a performance a bit like the one his side put in against Liverpool at the start of March, and he could definitely do with the sort of atmosphere the crowd created at that game.
Chelsea have been in Europa League action this week, which won't help their energy levels but they will be full of confidence after thrashing Dynamo Kiev and I don't see them leaving Goodison Park empty handed.
Lawro's prediction: 1:1
Everton have failed to score in their last five league games against Chelsea and I feel the West London side will return to the capital with all three points from a low-scoring game at Goodison.
Marco Silva has yet to beat a “big six” side since he took over the reins at Goodison and I feel the wait will continue despite Chelsea having a Europa League tie in Kiev on Thursday evening.
Michael’s prediction: 0:1
Source: Sky Sports, BBC, Daily Post