WEDNESDAY:
BURNLEY V TOTTENHAM
Burnley picked up a much needed victory last time out against Brighton which will give them confidence going into this game. Wout Weghorst finally got off the mark in that game where he put in an all round good performance as he lead the line well by scoring the first and assisting the second. He's brought the goal threat the Clarets have lacked for most of the season.
Spurs surprised pretty much everyone with their win over Man City on Saturday where they really proved a point. It was a much better showing than the one they put in against Wolves the week before as they started on the front foot and looked a lot more disciplined and solid than they had been in recent weeks.
They could find themselves right back in the mix if they win this one as a win would see them moved within four points of 4th placed Man United. With top four rivals Arsenal and Wolves playing each other on Thursday, Spurs will need to win this one to keep up the pressure on the teams above them.
PREDICTION: 0-1
Both sides will be full of confidence going into this game following their results at the weekend. But I think Spurs will edge this one as they'll have enough quality to win the game. They look a lot more solid with Dier and Hojbjerg back in the team and with the likes of Kane and Son in their attack, they'll definitely have enough to win this one.
WATFORD V CRYSTAL PALACE
Watford got their first goal and points under Roy Hodgson with their win at Aston Villa on Saturday which they'll see as a platform to build on. The result will give them confidence as they scored and kept a clean sheet which are two of the most important things for a team fighting relegation.
Roy Hodgson will hopefully get a good reception from the Palace fans with this being his first game against them since leaving the club at the end of the last season. He did a good job during his time and was adored among the fans so they should give him a good reception when he walks out of the tunnel.
Crystal Palace are on their worst run of form this season as they're without a win in their last six league games. They should still have enough to stay out of a relegation scrap but their form will still be a concern for Patrick Vieira.
They didn't have a shot on target in their defeat to Chelsea on Saturday which will be another concern for the manager going into this game. They have some good options in forward areas and Vieira will be hoping that they have their shooting boots on for this one after drawing a blank for two straight games.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I can see this one being a close game as they're both reasonably solid defensively with some good players going forward. Watford will have enough defensively to get a result as Palace have drawn a blank in their last two games but I do think Palace will have enough in other positions to get something as well. Because of those reasons I'm going for a draw here.
LIVERPOOL V LEEDS
This is a game that Liverpool need to win as victory would put them right back in the title race. They're 6 points behind City going into this game and with this one being a game in hand for them, they'll want to win it so they can really put the pressure on the league leaders.
The only thing that will stop them from winning this game will be the amount of changes they'll make with the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea coming up on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp may want to rest some players ahead of that final in this game so they can stay fresh and fit for the big game on Sunday.
This fixture last season was Leeds' first game back in the Premier League where they really gave Liverpool a good game. They showed how they were going to approach games by being on the front foot and it set them up for the season ahead. But I can't see this one being as entertaining as Leeds are missing a few key players through injury.
Leeds are not out of the relegation mix by any means following the weekend results involving the teams in the relegation battle. The teams that won will have gained some much needed confidence that they'll take into their coming games and if Leeds don't pick up points while the teams below them do, they could find themselves right back in it.
PREDICTION: 3-1
Liverpool may rest some players ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. But with their improved strength in depth, I think they'll win this one. Leeds will try and unsettle them but the reds should still have enough to win this game.
THURSDAY:
ARSENAL V WOLVES
These two sides met just two weeks ago at Molineux in the reverse fixture with Arsenal winning 1-0. The two sides meet again in the rescheduled game which was postponed back in December due to a COVID outbreak at one of the clubs.
Arsenal have put their top four bid back on track in recent weeks following back to back wins their last two games including their win over Wolves a couple of weeks ago. Another win here would definitely put them right back in it as it would move them to within two points of 4th placed Man United. They may not be playing this weekend but a win in this game will still put them in a great position. Especially if the teams above them drop points this weekend.
The Gunners had Gabriel Martinelli sent off in the reverse fixture and will have him back for this one after completing a one game suspension for the red card itself. They did cope without him against Brentford but having available for this one will still be a big boost for Mikel Arteta.
This fixture last season was one Wolves won't want to remember as it was the game where Raul Jimenez fractured his skull. It was a horrific experience for everyone who was involved and Jimenez himself will be looking to banish those memories so he can put in a good performance for his team.
Wolves will be right in the mix for Champions League football if they win this one as a win would take them to within 3 points of Man United who currently occupy that all important 4th spot. They'll definitely want to win this one having lost the reverse fixture a couple of weeks ago and they'll believe that they can because of the form they're in.
PREDICTION: 1-0
As Arsenal have been pretty strong at home this season I'm backing them to beat Wolves again and do the double over them. Wolves will be feeling confident as a result of their recent form but as they miss a lot of chances during games, I think the Gunners will edge this one.
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