SATURDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL
Palace will be without former red Christian Benteke following his red card against West Ham on Wednesday which surprisingly will be a blow for them because he's started to pick up some form. He scored in that game and was effective on the pitch until he received his second yellow card. Benteke in good form alongside Zaha and Eze in attack make Palace a really good side going forward because Zaha has been back to his best this season with 7 goals and Eze has looked like a really good signing for Palace in recent weeks. Benteke may be out for Palace, but with Eze and Zaha they have two players who can hurt any defence in the league because of their pace and what they offer going forward. They could be a handful for Liverpool.
Liverpool got a big win in midweek as they beat Spurs to go three clear at the top of the Premier League. They started the game well and were arguably the better side throughout despite Spurs' flurry of chances in the second which they should've taken. The win was a real statement from them because it was against a potential challenger and if they're top win the league again they need to win those kind of games which they have done since Klopp's been there. They've coped reasonably well with all the injuries they've picked up and the youngsters they've fielded have been impressive. Curtis Jones has become one of the first names on the team sheet and you can see why with the performances he's been putting in. He's impressed in pretty much every game he's played and looks set to be a key player for the reds in the future.
I think Liverpool will win this one because they tend to grind results out and this will be a game where they will do that. They've not been as good away from home this season, but they should still have enough to win this one.
PREDICTION: 1-2
SOUTHAMPTON V MAN CITY
What a season Southampton are having at the moment. They're 3rd in the league, four points behind leaders Liverpool and above both Manchester clubs and Chelsea. Ralph Hasenhuttl has arguably been the manager of the season so far because of where Southampton are, the way they've been playing and how far they've come as a team. Especially since the 9-0 battering against Leicester over a year ago in which they've recovered from really well. Nathan Redmond will be hoping to start in this one after impressing off the bench in the last two games against Sheffield United and Arsenal. He scored against Sheffield United last weekend and against Arsenal he looked lively the moment he came onto the pitch. If both him and Theo Walcott start out wide, they could both cause City problems with their pace and I can see them doing that with the form both players are in.
Man City's old problem came back to bite them as they didn't take a host of chances against West Brom. Sam Johnstone was excellent in goal for the Baggies, but City will be kicking themselves that they didn't taken them. They've really missed Aguero this season and the amount of chances they didn't take against West Brom proves that. He'll have another cameo role off the bench because he's not fully match fit after returning from injury. City will still hope that he can influence the result of the match because they know how effective he can be and when he has a chance to shoot in the box, he usually takes it. Once Aguero is match fit, City will look like a more dangerous side going forward because of the player he is. Gabriel Jesus is a top player, but he is not Aguero. He is capable of stepping up in place of the Argentine, but he doesn't always take the chances he has whereas Aguero would.
This game will be close because both sides will play the way they play and they both have players who can decide the result of a game. City have struggled to kill teams off this season which is very unlike them and I think that will carry on in this game.
PREDICTION: 1-1
EVERTON V ARSENAL
Everton appear to have fixed their defensive problems after keeping back to back clean sheets in their last two games in wins against Chelsea and Leicester. They'll be boosted by the return of Seamus Coleman who will be back after a couple of months out injured. This will be good news for Everton because they missed him whilst he was out and with him now back the Toffees will look more assured defensively and will have an extra threat going forward to go with the other talented players they have in forward areas. Lucas Digne is still out, but with Coleman back they finally have an attacking threat from full back which they haven't had in recent weeks. The Toffees move up to fifth after winning their last two games and a win in this one could move them into the top four in other results go in their favour. Their poor run between October and November could look like a distant memory if they win this one.
Arsenal you could say stopped the rot as they got a point against Southampton on Wednesday night. The performance wasn't good, but they got a result that they'll hopefully build on if they can get things right on the pitch for once. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang ended his goal drought by scoring in that game and it was Arsenal first goal from open play since the beginning of October. Aubameyang will want to add another one in this game to build some confidence for both himself and Arsenal because he's an important player for them and he's not had his most prolific season so far. If there is one thing Arsenal need to be in this one it is disciplined because they've had a player sent off in their last two games. Granit Xhaka saw red against Burnley for doing something unacceptable and Gabriel was sent off after receiving two yellow cards against Southampton in mid-week. Mikel Arteta will not want any more suspensions as he looks to steer his team up the table.
I think this one will be an Everton win because they look a better team than Arsenal at the moment. They've been defensively solid in their last two games and have players in forward areas who can win them a game. I can see Dominic Calvert Lewin score and cause Arsenal lots of problems with his physicality.
PREDICTION: 2-0
NEWCASTLE V FULHAM
Last week summed Newcastle's season up. Good one game and then poor the next. They were blown away by Leeds in the second half and especially in final 15 minutes where they conceded three goals to lose a game where they took the lead. Their defending was poor and especially for the fourth goal where they were hit on the counter and had hardly any of their players back defending as Leeds flooded forward to score the goal that won them the game. Steve Bruce will hope that they'll be better defensively in this one after describing their defending as "something you see on a park on a Sunday." Allan Saint Maximin is still out for the Magpies which is a blow because of how influential he is on the pitch for them. Ryan Fraser is available for them and with Callum Wilson at the top end of the pitch, we could see the old Bournemouth duo link up like they did on the South Coast.
Fulham are looking like a more resolute team than they were at the start of the season. They're not conceding as many goals and look more difficult to beat. They look better than they did two years ago where they were conceding goals everywhere and did not look like a team for pretty much the whole season. Scott Parker has made them more difficult to beat in recent weeks and Fulham look like a team who trust their manager which is vital for any team down there fighting to stay up. With Bobby Decordova Reid likely to be out for this one, I assume that Aleksandar Mitrovic will start up front against his former club. He hasn't started many games since Fulham got promoted and this could be his chance to show that he deserves to start more and show Newcastle why they shouldn't have let him go.
I think this one will be a close game. Newcastle will look to hit Fulham on the counter whilst Fulham will be resolute like they have been in recent weeks. I can see both teams cancel each other and because of that I'm going with a draw.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
BRIGHTON V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Brighton are yet to win at home this season and Graham Potter will be looking to break that duck in this one. The Seagull's main problem this season has been killing teams off despite playing some good stuff at times. They need to put that right because they're only two points off the relegation zone and have won only once in their last 10 games which is a worry for them going forward. It looks like they could be in another relegation battle this season unless they can finish teams off and win more games which they need to start doing so they can push themselves up the table and avoid being in a relegation dogfight for most of the season. They're reasonably solid at the back which they have been since they've been in the Premier League but they need to convert more chances so they can win more games. Especially at home.
Sheffield United showed a bit of character in their defeat to Man United on Thursday night. They even could've equalised after David McGoldrick put them back in the game late on when Dean Henderson kept out Lys Mousset. They weren't good defensively for the goals that Man United scored, but they showed some character towards the end and they'll need to do that more if they're to get some points on the board. Chris Wilder will see this game as a winnable one after a tough run of games and with Brighton yet to win at home this season, I could be a great opportunity for the Blades to get their first points of the season as they only have one point to their name. If they don't win this, the pressure on Wilder will increase and they could end up like Derby from 2007-08.
I think Brighton will win this one because I can't see where Sheffield United are going to get a win from. They're not scoring goals and they're not keeping them out at the other end. Brighton don't always take their chances, but I can see them get the win here because the Blades don't score enough goals.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TOTTENHAM V LEICESTER
Spurs will be wondering how they did not get something against Liverpool in mid-week because of the chances they had in the second half. Steven Bergwijn had the best chance as his shot came off the post whilst Harry Kane's header went over the bar. They will be kicking themselves because of the chances they didn't take because Liverpool went on to win the game. They might see that game as an opportunity missed because if they beat Liverpool on Wednesday night, they would've made a real statement of intent. Any win over a big side shows that you could challenge for the title and Spurs didn't do that which is disappointing for them. They'll look to return to winning ways after dropping five points in their past two games and with Liverpool three clear at the top, they'll need to keep up with them if they're to be challenging them at the end of the season.
I was surprised that Leicester lost to Everton in mid-week because I thought that they would win that game. Jamie Vardy struggled to get in behind Everton's rigid back line and they struggled to get behind their defence throughout the whole game. They've been pretty good on the road this season because they've almost won every game on their travels this season. That will give them some confidence going into this game because of how good they've been away from home this season. They haven't won at Spurs since the season they won the league and with how good they've been on their travels, they might fancy their chances in this one. Jonny Evans will be back for this one after missing the last game through suspension and that is good news for the Foxes because he gives them that solidity and experience at the back. They're still without Carglar Soyuncu, but with Evans back Leicester will look more secure at the back. As they're up against Spurs this weekend and the players they have in forward areas, the foxes will be delighted to have him back for this particular game.
I'm going for a Spurs win here because of their record in this fixture. Leicester have been good on the road this season but as Spurs are reasonably strong at home, I think they'll come away with the win in this one.
PREDICTION: 3-1
MAN UNITED V LEEDS
An old rivalry restored. United's game against Sheffield United in mid-week summed them up. Talented in attack but feeble at the back. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were excellent in that game and caused the blades all kinds of problems throughout the match as they once again came from behind away from home to win. The question ahead of this one will be if they can brings their away form to home games because they've only won once at home all season and they haven't been convincing in all their games at home this season. As they're up against Leeds, they need to start well because of the way Leeds play and if they want to be playing Champions League football next season they need to start games at home better so they have a better chance of winning them. You could say they got a good result in the Manchester Derby last Saturday in a 0-0 draw, but they'll still want to start winning games at home on a consistent basis so they can push themselves into the top four.
Leeds had only one win at home prior to their game with Newcastle in mid-week and they went on to put five past them. They've been inconsistent this season which is what you probably expect from a newly promoted side. But as they're up against a big side in Man United, they'll surely give them a game because they took points off of City and Arsenal and pushed Liverpool close on the opening day of the season. They'll play how they played in those games in this one because they always start games on the front foot which has been a theme for them throughout the season. They're probably the most exciting team to watch because of how they play. They won last time they came to Old Trafford which was an FA Cup tie back in 2010 when Jermaine Beckford scored the winning goal to put Leeds in the next round. They'll want a similar result this time round because of how they play and the history both sides have.
I'm going for a Leeds win in this one because United haven't been as good at home this season. With the way Leeds play and United being inconsistent, I can see Marcelo Bielsa's side really hurt United in the final third of the pitch because United are not the best defensively.
PREDICTION: 1-2
WEST BROM V ASTON VILLA
Will the big Sam bounce start here? New Baggies boss Sam Allardyce has lost his first game at a new club only once and West Brom will hope that record remains as they look to get a win in his first game in charge. This is a game for them that they have to win because their next three games are tough with Liverpool, Leeds and Arsenal in those games. Allardyce will want to get something in this one because of the games they have coming up and also he'll want to get off to a good start so they have something to buid on going into those games. I think it will take him time to get a run of results together with this team because of the current squad he has and the games he's got coming up. Once we hit January, we'll hopefully see his West Brom side take place because he'll add players to his squad and they'll hopefully improve his team as they look to avoid relegation.
Villa had a lot of chances against Burnley on Thursday but didn't take any of them. They had 27 shots in that match and only 7 were on target as they were kept out by Nick Pope and Burnley's defence. They've been good away from home this season with 4 wins from 5 on the road whereas at home they haven't won their last four including the goalless draw with Burnley in mid-week. As they're away from home in this one they'll fancy their chances because of how good they've been on the road this season. Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz will be a miss for them in this one because they're both suspended and they've both been key players for them this season by helping the team be more solid defensively. They'll have the likes of Grealish and Watkins available but Cash and Luiz will still be a miss because of what they've given the team this season.
I think this one will be a Villa win because they've been good on the road this season. West Brom will restrict them to few opportunities because of having Big Sam in charge but with Jack Grealish in the side, they have a player who can open teams up. I can see him be the difference in this one.
PREDICTION: 0-1
MONDAY:
BURNLEY V WOLVES
Burnley have been picking up some important results in their last few games with draws against Everton and Aston Villa and a win against Arsenal. Now is the time where they need to turn those draws into wins so they can push themselves up the table and away from the relegation zone so they don't find themselves in a relegation battle towards the end of the season. They've looked more like themselves in recent weeks by being defensively well organised and hard to beat which has helped them get those results in their last three games. But they need to start scoring goals because goals win you football matches and if they can start scoring goals again, they'll see an upturn in results. It could happen in their next two games because they're up against Leeds and Sheffield United and both of those games are winnable fixtures for them.
I thought Wolves would struggle without Raul Jimenez and they proved me wrong by beating Chelsea. Pedro Neto impressed in that one with his goal and is beginning to step up in the absence of the Mexican striker. They have other good attacking options like Traore and Podence but Neto for me is the one whose beginning to step up because of the amount of goals he's scored for Wolves this season. Nuno will still be looking for a striker when the January transfer window opens but for the time being, Neto is delivering the goods and is doing it at a good time of the season. This is a game that Wolves will want to win because their next two are tough as they face Spurs at home and Man United away.
I think this game will be really close. Wolves will play the way they play whilst Burnley will play the way they play by being organised and hard to beat at the back. Because of that I think this game will be a draw as they're both strong defensively.
PREDICTION: 1-1
CHELSEA V WEST HAM
Chelsea need to pick themselves up after losing back to back games against Everton and Wolves. Hakim Ziyech was a miss in both of those games and may be back for this one which would be a big boost for Frank Lampard. Timo Werner is lacking a bit of confidence at the moment as he hasn't scored since October and that is a worry for Chelsea because of the calibre of player he is. Kai Havertz is another player who is struggling at the moment whether that's to do with playing in a new league or the effect COVID-19 had on him. Chelsea paid a lot of money for Havertz and they'll want him to start showing why they spent so much on him by putting in good performances which we know he's capable of. If Chelsea can get a tune out of Werner and Havertz in the next few games including this one, we'll hopefully see Chelsea up there challenging because of how talented both players are.
West Ham did the double over Chelsea last season and they'll be looking to do the same. They took points off of Spurs and Man City earlier in the season and because of that they'll see this game as one where they can get something from. Sebastian Haller scored a brilliant goal against Crystal Palace in mid-week and that will give him confidence because goals give players confidence. Especially strikers. The Hammers are 8th in the Premier League which looks like a good season for them so far because many people people thought that they would be in a relegation battle this season because of where they finished last season. David Moyes deserves a lot of credit and is arguably an early contender for manager of the season because of the job he's done with West Ham this season.
I think this game will be a draw because Chelsea may be without Ziyech again and with the way West Ham set up, the blues may struggle to get the ball behind their defence. As West Ham took points off of Spurs and City, I can see them doing it again in this one.
PREDICTION: 1-1
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