Four Matches To Watch: Simy to lead Crotone to safety

Just a point will cement Liverpool in the top four while Antonio Conte’s Chelsea needs to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park and hope for a Brighton miracle. “I think we’ve still got to win the game,” revealed Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson on the Liverpool website. “Obviously the draw would probably be enough but we definitely won’t be going in with that mindset,” he added. Because of the Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp might make some changes to the starting 11 with players like Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno and Danny Ings starting in place of Loris Karius, Andrew Robertson, and Roberto Firmino. Whatever lineup Klopp sets out against the already-safe Brighton side should get the job done.

Current Form: Liverpool [L-L-D-W-D]; Brighton [L-W-D-D-L]

Head to head

02/12/17 PRL Brighton 1 – 5 Liverpool

19/02/12 FAC Liverpool 6 – 1 Brighton

21/09/11 LEC Brighton 1 – 2 Liverpool

22/03/83 PRL Brighton 2 – 2 Liverpool

30/10/82 PRL Liverpool 3 – 1 Brighton

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Brighton

Kano Pillars v Katsina United @Sani Abacha Stadium @4pm on May 13

Pillars are itching to move closer to league leaders, Lobi Stars and three points against Katsina United would enable that. But it is not a foregone conclusion even though Katsina’s record on the road is not good. Two draws and a loss is the record Abdullahi Biffo and his wards take to Kano, where Pillars have won eight times out of 10 and have scored 19 goals with just three conceded. They also have to face red-hot Junior Lokosa, who is aiming to obliterate the scoring record in the Nigeria Professional Football League. Lokosa will be aiming to add to the 16-goal haul he already possesses.

Current Form: Pillars [D-W-W-L-D]; Katsina [W-L-W-D-W]

Head to head

13/01/18 NPF Katsina United 2 – 2 Kano Pillars

19/07/17 NPF Katsina United 1 – 0 Kano Pillars

26/02/17 NPF Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Katsina United

Prediction: Kano Pillars 3-1 Katsina United

Crotone v Lazio @Stadio Ezio Scida @2pm on May 13

Crotone are just a point above the relegation line while Lazio are two points from ensuring Champions League football next season.

Six weeks ago, Crotone seemed dead and buried but the scoring form of Simeon [Simy] Nwankwo has brought renewed hope. The 26-year-old has scored five in his last six games to drag his side up the table. And they have history on their side as it was a positive result against Lazio last season that Crotone cemented their Serie A status. Lazio are further immobilized by the absences of Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto, absences that should stand Crotone in good stead.

Current Form: Crotone [L-W-W-D-L]; Lazio [D-W-W-W-D]

Head to head

23/12/17 SEA Lazio 4 – 0 Crotone

28/05/17 SEA Crotone 3 – 1 Lazio

08/01/17 SEA Lazio 1 – 0 Crotone

Prediction: Crotone 1-1 Lazio