SATURDAY:
WEST HAM V CHELSEA
West Ham have hit a rocky patch of form recently which has taken away the momentum they had earlier in the season. Their confidence has dried up a bit as a result of their recent results as have their performances to some extent.
They had a lot of chances against Brighton in midweek after going a goal ahead but they didn't take and they later felt guilty for it with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. They need to get Michail Antonio back scoring goals again if they're to get back in their rhythm.
Chelsea weren't at their best against Watford in midweek but they still got the job done which is the sign of a team challenging for the title. Teams who have won or challenged for the title in the past have won games when they haven't played well so this result could be an important one for Chelsea come the end of the season.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I might've fancied West Ham to win here a few weeks ago but their recent results have made me change my mind. I'm going for a Chelsea win here because I think they'll be solid enough to deal with West Ham's threat from set pieces plus I can see Lukaku starting with this game being one where you need to play him because of the defenders West Ham have.
NEWCASTLE V BURNLEY
Newcastle are still without a win this season and the signs are not looking good. Only one team has stayed up without winning any of their first 14 games of a season and unless they buy some decent players in January, I really can't see Newcastle staying up based on what I've seen from them this season. They might as well have kept Mike Ashley in charge of the club for a little bit longer because the takeover will not improve things over night.
They did put in a resolute performance after going down to 10 men against Norwich in midweek which will give them confidence going into their next few games. But they didn't get the result they wanted which will hurt them as they held on for most of the game.
Burnley need to start winning games and quickly because they've drawn a lot of games and this is the stage of the season where they need to get results. They are unbeaten in their last 5 and their performances have been ok. But most of those games have ended in draws and they need to start turning those draws into wins if they're to get themselves away from the relegation zone.
I'm still confident that they'll stay up because of the manager they have but they need to start turning those draws into wins ASAP if they're to do that.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Both sides need to win this one so they can burst their seasons into life. But I don't think either them will. Newcastle will play on the front foot but with their frailties in defence and Burnley's long ball approach likely to expose that, I can see this one being a draw.
SOUTHAMPTON V BRIGHTON
Southampton played well in the first half of their draw with Leicester in midweek as they started the game brightly and were the better side. It was a good response following their drubbing at Liverpool the game before and it was a good point for them. Especially as they were on the back of two straight defeats.
Brighton were getting the results their performances deserved at the start of the season but over the last couple of months its been the opposite. They haven't won in 10 games and in most of those games they've played well. But they haven't got the results to go with the performances like they did at the start of the season.
It's quite incredible to see them still in the top 10 and one reason behind that is their team spirit. They've picked up six points from losing positions this season and their team spirit has played a big part in that. They may not be the most clinical team in the league, but they are good at not losing.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Both sides are good to watch but don't score many goals. Southampton haven't had a consistent goal scorer all season whilst Brighton miss a lot of chances despite creating loads. With both factors thrown into the mix along with Saint Mary's being the lowest scoring ground this season, I've got to go with a draw here.
WOLVES V LIVERPOOL
Wolves have looked like the team we saw earlier in the season recently in creating some good chances but not taking them. They failed to score in each of their last two games against Norwich and Burnley with the Burnley game being the main example of them not taking their chances. They might've won that game if Adama Traore had some end product.
Liverpool on the other hand are scoring goals for fun at the moment with four goals scored in each of their last three games. They were ruthless in their derby win over Everton in midweek and I can see them carry that on into this game. With an in form attack and an established midfield, they'll definitely fancy themselves to win this game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
This one has to be a Liverpool win because of the recent form they've been in. They won't win it as comprehensively as their recent games but they should still get the job done. Especially with someone like Mo Salah in your attack.
WATFORD V MAN CITY
Watford put in a good shift against Chelsea in midweek where they deserved at least a point. They pressed them whenever they were in their half and they make it very difficult for them by doing exactly that. Their performance on the night will give them confidence going into their next few games.
The Hornets haven't enjoyed playing City in recent years with their last meeting against them being a 4-0 defeat which all but sealed their fate a couple of seasons ago. They'll need to set themselves a bit different for this one if they're to get something because I can see City punish them if they play like they did against Chelsea.
Man City held on against Aston Villa in midweek with a mostly depleted squad which deserves a lot of credit. I suppose the result was never in doubt due to the quality of players they have but for them to hold on for the win with a depleted squad shows the character they have as well as the quality of squad they have also.
They may still be without Kevin De Bruyne for this one, but they will have Phil Foden back which will be a massive boost. With Jack Grealish back also following his return against Villa in midweek, City should have no problems in winning this game.
PREDICTION: 0-4
I've got to go with a City win here and a comfortable one because of the quality of players they have and the inconsistency of Watford. They won both games against them comprehensively a couple of seasons ago and I can see them win this one in similar fashion.
SUNDAY:
LEEDS V BRENTFORD
Leeds picked up a much needed win against Crystal Palace in midweek which could turn out to be a turning point in their season. I was worried about them going into that game as I couldn't see where they were going to get some wins from but that result could give them a massive lift in terms of pushing themselves up the league.
Brentford were never in the game against Spurs in midweek as they had very few clear cut chances on the night. They never looked like scoring because of how dominant Spurs were and they'll want to bounce back in this one by putting in a better performance.
PREDICTION: 2-1
This one should be a good game as both sides are good to watch and play a similar brand of football. In the end I'm going for a Leeds win as they could have Patrick Bamford back which will be huge for them as he's been such a big miss for them this season. With him on the pitch Leeds have the focal point they've lacked all season.
MAN UNITED V CRYSTAL PALACE
Man United will have Ralf Rangnick in charge for the first time in this game following the approval of his work permit and he'll be taking over a team with some much needed confidence on board following their over Arsenal in midweek. There are still some flaws in the team which he'll need to address but United's performances since Ole left have looked much better than they were.
Michael Carrick did a decent job as caretaker manager with two wins and a draw from his three games in charge. He leaves the club with his head held high and in good hands following Rangnick's appointment.
Crystal Palace won the last time they were in Manchester back in October when they won 2-0 at Man City which will give them some belief going into this one. But at the same time it will more difficult as United have a new manager in charge who will want to get off to a good start.
They had some good chances in the second half against Leeds in midweek but they didn't take them and those missed opportunities eventually came back to bite them. If they get chances here they need to take them because if they don't, they will get punished.
PREDICTION: 3-1
With a new manager in charge wanting to make an immediate impact, I'm going for United to win this one. Palace will score as United can't keep clean sheets at home but with the quality they have, I can't see anything other than a United win.
TOTTENHAM V NORWICH
Spurs have made a pretty good start under Antonio Conte with two wins from his opening three games in charge. Performances are improving game by games and results are also which is a good sign for them going forward.
They put in a good and dominant display against Brentford in midweek with Heung Min Son having his best game for a number of weeks. The Korean looked bright throughout and will be backing himself to get on the score sheet again.
Norwich are unbeaten in their last four games where they have looked more resolute than they have been all season. They're not conceding as many goals and they're also being a bit more competitive which is a good sign for them. But I still worry about them going forward as they haven't scored enough goals.
Teemu Pukki is in decent form with 3 goals from his last 4 but other than that I still can't see where Norwich will get their goals from. They need other players to start chipping in if they're to stay up.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Norwich have looked more resolute under Dean Smith, but I'm going for Spurs to take the win here. They've made a good start under Conte and with performances looking better than they were a couple of months ago, they should win this one comfortably with the quality they have.
ASTON VILLA V LEICESTER
Aston Villa's 100% start under Steven Gerrard was ended by Man City in midweek but they did play well in the second half. They may not have got anything from the game but their performance in the second half was encouraging and will give them confidence going into this one.
Leicester have been very inconsistent this season. One week they're brilliant the next they're a completely different team. Their last two games have backed that up as they were more like themselves against Watford but unlike themselves against Southampton in midweek.
They started their game against Southampton slowly like they have done in other games this season and although they had chances late on, they still didn't take them. Their slow start cost them and they need to get that out of their system quickly if they're to finish in and around the European places.
PREDICTION: 2-1
With Leicester being inconsistent and Villa looking decent under Steven Gerrard, I have to give Villa the win here. Gerrard will know how Brendan Rodgers likes to set his teams up having played under him at Liverpool and with the Foxes being indifferent this season, Villa will believe that they can win here.
MONDAY:
EVERTON V ARSENAL
I really can't see where Everton are going to get their next from. They're low on confidence as a result of their poor form and they have a manager already under a lot of pressure. It's got so bad that the fans are now turning on the board and rightly so because they're not fulfilling the ambitions they set themselves a few seasons ago.
They did look in the game for a brief spell against Liverpool in midweek but the writing was already on the wall for them after 20 minutes or so when they went 2-0 down. They were poor at both ends all game and it's hard to see any signs of improvement from them.
Arsenal's struggles against the big teams continued in midweek with their defeat to Man United where they'll of course be disappointed. They were in the game like I thought they would be but considering the United team they were up against, they'll feel that they missed a big opportunity.
The Gunners haven't won any of their last 3 games at Goodison Park with their last victory there coming back in 2017 where they won 5-2. Despite their poor recent record there, they'll still go into this one as favourites because they're in better form and will have the majority of their key players available.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I've got to hand Arsenal the win here as Everton are low on confidence and without key individuals through injury. I was saying this kind of stuff to Arsenal at the start of the season until they turned their fortunes around. With the Gunners much improved since then, they one should be a win for them.
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