TUESDAY:
BURNLEY V WATFORD
Burnley should be well prepared for this game as they've had more time on the training ground to prepare for it as a result of their weekend game against Leicester being postponed. This could give them an advantage in this game as they'll be feeling the fresher of the two sides having not played at the weekend.
The Clarets go into this one at the foot of the table and they really need to win it if they're to stay up. It's a must win game for them as it's against a team who are in and around them in the league plus they have some tough games coming up with Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United in their next three games.
Watford picked up a valuable point against Newcastle at the weekend which they'll be looking to build on in this game. The only thing stopping them from doing that is their lack of consistency as they've struggled to put a run of results together which is another reason why they're in the position they're currently in.
The Hornets are still without a clean sheet this season and this could be the game where their luck could change as they're up against a Burnley side who don't score a lot of goals. But given their poor defensive record their bad run could extend here.
PREDICTION: 1-0
It's a must win game for both sides in their quest for Premier League survival and I'm going for Burnley to take the points here. Watford may have more goals in them, but Burnley have the better defence which is why I'm backing them to win this game.
BRIGHTON V CHELSEA
Brighton's draw with Crystal Palace on Friday night was them summed up under Graham Potter. They created a lot of chances but didn't take them all. They're still having a great season but they still need to improve in the final third of the pitch. Maybe a new striker in January could help with it that.
They are however good at rescuing points like they did on Friday night and in the reverse fixture last month. They have a good togetherness and team spirit which has served them well and I can see them it in this game like they did the last time they met Chelsea.
Chelsea saw their title chances come to an end following their weekend defeat to City where they lacked that bite in attack. They did get into some good positions on the day but they didn't have the killer instinct in front of goal with Lukaku having a frustrating afternoon.
Their chances of having a successful season will be down to the cup competitions as they're still in all the competitions available to them. They'll still try and get themselves back in the title race but with City running away with it, winning a cup is their most likely chance of ending the season successfully.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Chelsea have been inconsistent recently and I can see that being carried into this game. With Brighton having a strong team spirit and a decent home record, I can see the Seagulls nick a point here.
WEDNESDAY:
LEICESTER V TOTTENHAM
Both sides had their games called off at the weekend due to their opponents having injury and COVID issues. This would've given them plenty of time to prepare for this game and they'll both be feeling refreshed as a result of it.
Leicester will be without some key players for this one but they will have some players coming back which will be a massive boost for them. James Justin could make his return after almost a year out which will be great to see plus they'll have an actual centre forward to lead in their attack in Patson Daka with Jamie Vardy injured and Kelechi Iheanacho at AFCON.
Spurs won this fixture on the final day of last season in an edge of your seat contest where we all thought that it would be Harry Kane's final game for the club. But it didn't turn out that way as Kane is still at Spurs and is finally hitting form after a rocky start to the season. He netted in this fixture last season will be looking to do so again.
Spurs are still unbeaten in the league under Antonio Conte but there is still work to be done if they're to finish in the top four. Their Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea showed that and if they are to finish in the top four come the end of the season, they need to bring in some players before the window closes.
PREDICTION: 2-2
I can see some goals in this game despite both sides missing some key attacking players. Spurs are without Son but they will have Kane and Moura available whilst Leicester will have the rapid Patson Daka stepping in for the injured Jamie Vardy. With both teams missing key defensive players as well, I can see this one being a score draw.
BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED
Brentford will feel that they can give United a game here as they've given some of the big teams a good game this season. They beat Arsenal, drew with Liverpool and pushed both City and Chelsea close which will give them some belief going into this game. With United not exactly firing at the moment, they'll definitely fancy themselves here.
They were in the game against Liverpool on Sunday as they created some decent enough chances before and after they went behind. But they'll be disappointed that they didn't take them as they later got punished which happens whenever you face the top teams. They'll need to take them here or the same will happen again.
Man United still haven't convinced me under Ralf Rangnick and although they started brightly against Aston Villa on Saturday, they couldn't see the game out. When you go 2-0 up you're expected to see the game through and United couldn't do that which is a worrying sign for them going forward.
They're still getting used to Rangnick's methods which performances have shown and I'm not sure that they'll ever adapt to them. The system doesn't suit the players they have and it looks like that its going to take them a little longer to get used to it.
PREDICTION: 2-1
As Brentford have given some of the big teams a good game this season, I'm backing them to take the win here. With their style of play and United yet to convince under Ralf Rangnick, I can see them take the points here.
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