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Michael Owen: Marcus Rashford to continue Manchester United form, Liverpool and Arsenal to win

Predictions: The former England striker and BetVictor brand ambassador looks ahead to the midweek Premier League games

Monday 18 April 2016 17:23 BST

Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford (Getty)

The four sides who will contest the FA Cup semi-finals are in midweek Premier League action with the highlight on Merseyside where Everton would have wanted any game other than Liverpool at Anfield less than 72 hours before their showdown with Manchester United at Wembley.

Once again, brand ambassador Michael Owen shared his thoughts with BetVictor on the midweek Premier League fixtures.

Newcastle v Manchester City

 Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend (Getty) (2016 Getty Images)

City looked good against a disappointing Chelsea side at the Bridge last weekend, but the Magpies are fighting for their Premier League lives and gained a confidence-boosting win against Swansea at St James’s Park. That said they are likely to find the Champions League semi-finalists a different proposition although I feel the Magpies will, also, find the back of the net.

Michael’s recommendation: Both teams to score at 7/10

West Ham v Watford

You couldn’t blame the Hornets for having one eye on Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Palace and I expect to see the Irons get back to winning ways having played their part in a pulsating game at the King Power on Sunday; hard to see past a comfortable home win.

Michael’s recommendation: West Ham to lead at halftime and fulltime at 31/20

Liverpool v Everton

 Will Daniel Sturridge be on top form during the derby?  (Getty)

Liverpool were comfortable winners on the south coast on Sunday and these are exciting times at Anfield with a number of young players impressing in the wins against Stoke and Bournemouth in the PL over the last week. The Reds will play a strong side in the Merseyside Derby whilst Roberto Martinez has to juggle his troops again to make sure his side are ready for their Wembley date with United on Saturday.

Michael’s recommendation: Liverpool to win at 3/4

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Scott Dann played down concerns that he might miss the Watford semi-final after struggling with injury against Arsenal on Sunday but Alan Pardew is likely to make changes for Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal is also likely to have one eye on Wembley but he has a deeper squad to pick from than the Eagles and that, coupled with home advantage, should see the hosts pick up all three points.

Michael’s recommendation: Marcus Rashford to score at anytime at 5/4

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

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Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Arsenal: Petr Cech: 5 out of 10

In his first match in over a month he looked rather nervy under the high ball, flapping at one corner, but few were expecting the disastrously tame hand he threw out at Bolasie’s equaliser.

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Bellerin: 6 out of 10

Under little pressure from Ledley he was able to get forward and offer plenty to Arsenal’s build-up play but his crossing was largely woeful – though why he expected Welbeck or Iwobi to have the beating of Delaney and Dann in the air is tough to fathom.

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Gabriel: 5 out of 10

Early in the first half Bolasie barged through the centre-back with ease. It’s the sort of bizarre moment that makes you question why Gabriel, a defender with all the raw attributes he needs – is performing so poorly so often.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Koscielny: 7 out of 10

Commanding and composed on the rare occasions Palace counter-attacked, he smartly cut out passes whilst showing real composure on the ball.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Monreal: 6 out of 10

It’s hard to remember an occasion when Palace attacked down the Arsenal left and all in all this was a particularly quiet afternoon for Monreal, who got forward when required but really had little to do.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Elneny: 6 out of 10

As per there was plenty of neat passing from Elneny but today there was little incision, though he was visibly frustrated by the poor movement of Arsenal’s front four.

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Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Coquelin: 7 out of 10

Powered his way past Palace’s midfield on plenty of occasions whilst getting back swiftly to clear when the visitors looked to threaten on the counter.

2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Iwobi: 6 out of 10

For perhaps the first time since his promotion to the starting lineup things didn’t quite work out for Iwobi with his touch deserting him all too often.

2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Ozil: 5 out of 10

A free-kick that curled inches wide typified Ozil’s day, with flashes of excellence but not much end product from the German. Worryingly for Wenger these games are getting all too frequent again. His set-piece delivery was dreadful.

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Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Sanchez: 6 out of 10

Nearly three months on from his return to fitness Sanchez’s first touch is still yet to be found and he wasted a host of half chances and decent positions in the first half. However he did at least take his goal well.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Welbeck: 6 out of 10

45 atrocious minutes void of movement and running from the forward all changed with a gorgeous assist for Sanchez – when Arsenal needed a moment of quality he delivered.

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Crystal Palace: Hennessey: 6 out of 10

Might have been quicker off his line for Sanchez’ opener, denying the space for the Chilean to loft his header, but otherwise was commanding when Arsenal looked to send crosses in.

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Ward: 6 out of 10

On his 100th Premier League appearance for Palace Ward showed why he’s a regular in this side. He was solid in defence, tracking Iwobi well whenever he drifted infield.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Dann: 7 out of 10

Thoroughly impressive from the centre-back, who anticipated Arsenal’s passing well and threw himself in front of their shots on goal.

2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Delaney: 6 out of 10

Whenever Arsenal chose to fire a cross into the area Delaney seemed on hand to get a powerful clearance on it.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Souare: 7 out of 10

Dealt exceptionally with Sanchez, harrying the forward into a string of mistakes the likes of which are rarely seen at the Emirates.

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Cabaye: 6 out of 10

Did his defensive work diligently but was rarely to be found much further forward than the edge of the area, giving him little opportunity to spring counters for Palace.

2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Jedinak: 6 out of 10

Another to contribute impressively when Arsenal looked to get crosses into the area he also offered a solid shield in front of the backline when the hosts kept the ball on the deck.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Ledley: 5 out of 10

Deployed as an auxiliary left midfielder he all too often struggled to keep pace with Bellerin down the right and seemed unable to get forward and support Wickham. He looked little better in the centre of the field and was all too often merely dribbled past.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Bolasie: 7 out of 10

Looked dangerous on the all-too-rare occasions he had a chance to burst at the Arsenal defence, notably barging through Gabriel on an early counter. His 81st minute goal may have been fortuitous but he deserved it for his hard work.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Ledley: 5 out of 10

Deployed as an auxiliary left midfielder he all too often struggled to keep pace with Bellerin down the right and seemed unable to get forward and support Wickham. He looked little better in the centre of the field and was all too often merely dribbled past.

2016 Getty Images

Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1 player ratings

Wickham: 5 out of 10

Utterly starved of service throughout the game he ploughed a lonely furrow bar the odd chance to compete for a free-kick or corner.

2016 Getty Images

The Gunners’ cannot afford any slips up against the Baggies as they try and hang on to that fourth and final Champions’ League spot; they didn’t create many clear-cut chances against the Eagles on Sunday and the Emirates faithful will be looking for a better show and, more importantly, three points.

Michael’s recommendation: Arsenal to win to nil at 19/20

Michael’s midweek treble: Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham at 7/2

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