MONDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V LEICESTER
Palace have been very unlike themselves in recent games because they've conceded 10 goals in their last two games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. They're usually defensively solid because of the way they set up and always in games which they haven't been in their last two games as they were beaten fairly easily. Going forward against Villa they didn't have many clear cut chances with all their shots on target being comfortable saves for Emi Martinez in the Villa goal. Their performance in that game overall was poor because their defending was poor and they never looked like coming back into the game. Even after Villa were reduced to ten men. Roy Hodgson will want a response from his players in this one because of the nature they lost their last two games and he'll also want them to put in a bit more effort so they don't get a similar result to the ones they had in their last two games.
Leicester have been pretty strong away from home this season with their only loss coming at Liverpool. They've won all their games on their travels bar from that one. They showed some good character to come from behind twice to get a draw against Man United on Boxing Day and both goals were taken really well. One of goal scorers in Jamie Vardy will be hoping to get on the score sheet in this one because he has a pretty good record against Crystal Palace. He's 5 times against the Eagles with 3 of them coming last season and with the season he's having, he'll fancy himself to add to the 11 goals he's scored this season. He'll be turning 34 next month and he's showing no signs of slowing down with the way he's been playing this season.
I think this one will be a Leicester win because of their form away from home this season. With Palace not being as defensively secure as the normally are, I can see the foxes win this one easily because of the way they play.
PREDICTION: 0-3
CHELSEA V ASTON VILLA
Chelsea did not turn up against Arsenal on Boxing Day because they gave them too much space to cross the ball and they didn't start the game well. That summed up their performance and in the first half in particular. They've missed Hakim Ziyech since he's been injured because they've missed his creativity and that is why Chelsea are a better team when he's in the side because of what he offers. This is a game Chelsea have to win because they're 8th in the Premier League and if drop more points they could fall further behind the sides in the top four. Frank Lampard will want his side to start better than they did against Arsenal if they're to get something from this one.
Aston Villa are in good form going into this one with the club unbeaten in their last four games and playing well. They've won all but one of their away games this season and have done well against the big sides this season by beating both Liverpool and Arsenal. Ollie Watkins scored 5 goals in both of those games combined and he'll be hoping that he can score in this one because he scored in both of those games and he missed plenty of chances against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. He did everything but score against Palace with his work off the ball and link up play with Jack Grealish being the most pleasing aspect of his performance. The only bad news that Villa have in this one is that both Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings will unavailable. Barkley is ineligible to face his parent club and he was key in the wins over Liverpool and Arsenal earlier in the season. Mings is suspended after being sent off against Palace and his presence in the backline makes Villa more solid defensively.
I think Chelsea will win this one because Villa are without Barkley and Mings who have both been important players for them this season. I don't think they'll be the same team defensively without Mings and because of that I can see Chelsea expose them and win the game.
PREDICTION: 2-1
EVERTON V MAN CITY
Everton are in good form going into this one because they've won their last four and are unbeaten in their last five games. They've looked more solid defensively by keeping clean sheets in three of those games and they're 2nd in league. Just two points behind rivals Liverpool. Gylfi Sigurdsson has impressed in recent weeks and after not playing much in the early weeks of the season, his good form has come at a good time because we're in the busiest part of the season and Everton themselves are without James Rodriguez who would normally play instead of Sigurdsson. HIs form also shows the strength in depth that Everton have because he's able to come in and put in a performance when a player in his position is unavailable. Carlo Ancelotti will want him to carry his form into this one because of the opposition they're facing and these are the kind of games Everton need to win if they want to finish in the top six.
Man City are just one point outside the top four going into this one and if they win this one they win this one they could move up to second if other results go in their favour. City are managing Sergio Aguero's game time reasonably well because they don't want to lose him to another injury and especially during the busiest part of the season where the games are coming in thick and fast. Ferran Torres will probably lead the line again after scoring in City's Boxing Day win and with Gabriel Jesus being unavailable due to a positive COVID test along with Kyle Walker. City will see this as a game where they need to take their chances because of the players Everton have in forward areas and the problems they've had this season in killing teams off. Guardiola will want his team at it so they have a chance of winning this game.
I'm going for a City win here because they have all their key players available. Everton are without Richarlison who was a big miss earlier in the season and if you're to beat a team like City you need your best players on the pitch. City will have players like De Bruyne and Sterling available and I think that will be the difference.
PREDICTION: 0-2
TUESDAY:
BRIGHTON V ARSENAL
Brighton look to be in a relegation battle. They haven't won in six games and they're currently two points above the relegation zone. They haven't won at home all season which is a worry because teams in a relegation battle usually rely on their home form to keep them up. Brighton need to start winning games at home and if they're to do that they need to hang on to leads. This is because they always take the lead only to then throw it away like they did twice at West Ham yesterday. Finishing teams off has been their problem all season and that is why they're in the position they find themselves in. They play some good stuff, but they just don't seem to score enough goals to win them a game and that is something that manager Graham Potter needs to sort out if they're to avoid a relegation scrap.
Where did that win against Chelsea come from. I gave Arsenal no chance in that game and they went on won 3-1. The players showed that they were playing for the manager by starting well and maintaining it for most of the game. The youngsters impressed in that game and they could be the ones who keep Arteta in the job because of how they performed by being eager and fearless. They made a statement with the performances they put in and as we're in the busiest part of the season, Arteta has to play them in the next few games because they'll be feeling confident by their performances and the result plus they want to continue to show the manager why they deserve to be in the team ahead of the underperforming players. If Arteta plays the youngsters who impressed in Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli, the Gunners have a strong chance of getting a result in this one.
I think this game will be a dead rubber. This is because I can see Arsenal play poorly like they have done against weak opposition and I can see Brighton miss a host of chances like they have done all season. Because of this I'm going for a draw.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BURNLEY V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Burnley were very unlucky against Leeds yesterday. They were denied a penalty that should've been a penalty and the penalty decision that went against should not have been a penalty. They put in a good performance in the second half and they could've got something from the game if decisions went their way. They were in good form going into that game as they were unbeaten in their four games prior to the defeat at Leeds and they looked more like the Burnley we knew in being hard to beat and well organised defensively which is what they've always been since Sean Dyche has been there. This is a game that they can win because they're up against the team who are bottom of the league and that makes this a winnable game as well as a must win one as the Clarets are just one place outside the bottom three. Sean Dyche will want his side to be at it for this one.
It would be a miracle if Sheffield United were to stay up because of the position they're currently in. Chris Wilder said after their defeat to Everton that they lack quality and it was present throughout that defeat on Boxing Day. When a manager says that about his own team, you instantly think that they're going down because a lack of quality is what sends a team down to the league below. The Blades are still without a win and it looks like they could well end up like Derby from the 2007-08 season in that they could end up with the lowest points tally in Premier League history. If they want to avoid that they need to start winning games because at the moment they don't look like doing that and they don't look like scoring goals as well and goals are what win you football matches.
I think this one will be a Burnley win because they're strong at home and I can't see Sheffield United win a game. Burnley look a stronger team than the Blades and that is why they'll win this game comfortably.
PREDICTION: 2-0
SOUTHAMPTON V WEST HAM
Southampton appear to have come to a halt after not winning their last three games. They missed quite a few chances against Fulham on Boxing Day with Che Adams firing missing from close range and Jamex Ward Prowse had his free kick tipped onto the crossbar by Areola in the Fulham goal. They did have two goals ruled out by VAR but with the other chances they had during the game, they feel that they should've taken them. They were without Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond for that one and they might've made a difference if they were both available because of what they offers in terms of their pace and movement in the final third as well as goals. Both of them look to be out for this one which will be a blow for them because they're up against a good West Ham side.
West Ham were not at their best in their last two games as they lost to Chelsea and had to come from behind twice to draw with Brighton. They were not the same defensively in those games because the marking has been poor from set pieces which is very unlike them and they were not focused which they need to be at this level. Michail Antonio could be back for this one but I feel that they won't risk him because he's been out about two months and David Moyes will want to ease him back him so he can get himself to full sharpness. The Hammers have missed Antonio whilst he's been out because they've missed his pace and strength at the top end of the pitch. Sebastian Haller has done okay in his absence, but Antonio offers more as a striker than Haller does.
Both sides' seasons are stuttering at the moment after their last few results and they both have key players missing. Because of this I think it will be a draw because they're both missing players that would make a difference for them when they're available.
PREDICTION: 1-1
WEST BROM V LEEDS
Despite the slow start, West Brom got a good result against Liverpool as they came from behind to grab a draw and stayed disciplined and well organised defensively. Sam Allardyce appears to have got his style of play instilled into his players because of the way they played against Liverpool and in particular the second half. Now that he's got his message across to his players, he'll now want some wins to get West Brom out of the relegation zone and up the table because he lay down a marker with that performance at Anfield. He'll know how Leeds play and he'll know how to set his team up for this one because he knows how to get results against teams who love to attack by getting his team to be well positioned defensively and then hitting them on the counter when they win the back. If they do this West Brom have a strong chance of getting a result in this one.
Leeds have been the most entertaining team to watch this season because of the way they play in starting games on the front foot and playing at a high intensity throughout. They saw their game against Burnley out pretty well yesterday as they were organised and remained disciplined. This helped them hold on for the 1-0 win and they changed they system slightly by playing Kalvin Phillips in a back three. He was crucial in the win over Burnley and Bielsa may use him in that role again because West Brom set themselves up in a similar way to Burnley. Bielsa probably learned a few lessons from the defeat at Man United last time they were on the road and he may get his side to play like they did against Burnley if they're to get a result.
I think West Brom will win this one because I can see them restrict Leeds to few chances and I can see them go on the counter and nick a goal. Leeds have been inconsistent recently and I can see that trend carry on into this game.
PREDICTION: 1-0
MAN UNITED V WOLVES
Man United had a lot of chances against Leicester on Boxing Day with Marcus Rashford missing some big opportunities. He was a threat throughout that game where he got his 50th Premier League which really amazed me because of young he still is at 23 years of age. United have some exciting options in attack with the pace of Martial, Rashford and Greenwood and the creativity of Fernandes along with the experienced Edinson Cavani. These options make United a dangerous side going forward which will please Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with whom the pressure appears to be off after a good run of results and Mauricio Pochettino rumoured to be off to PSG. They still need to improve defensively but going forward they are an exciting team watch because of the exciting options they have.
Wolves haven't lost to Man United since they've been in the Premier League with just one win and 3 draws in their last four meetings in the Premier League. Wolves at the moment will be looking forward to the January transfer window because Nuno without a doubt will be looking for a striker with Raul Jimenez still out. Wolves have missed their Mexican talisman because they have no one like him in their team and they don't have many strikers in their squad to cover for him. The likes of Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence have stepped up at times during his absence but neither of them are no.9's like Jimenez. They got a decent result last night against Spurs and that game showed why they're missing Jimenez because they lacked a centre forward who can hold the ball up and hassle defenders.
I think this one will be a Man United win because they're looking really good going forward. After getting a good result in their last home game against Leeds, I can see them get one similar in this one.
PREDICTION: 3-1
WEDNESDAY:
TOTTENHAM V FULHAM
Spurs have hit a wall after dropping 10 points in their last 4 games which could be a blip or it could be Spurs being Spursy again. Jose Mourinho will want to arrest this slide so he can get his side back into the top four and maybe get themselves back in contention for a possible title challenge. They started their game against Wolves well as they took the lead inside the first minute before conceding late on and dropping points yet again. They need to spread the goals out around the team because they can't rely on Kane and Son to win them games every week and if they do that, results won't improve. Spurs have some top players in their squad and they need to contribute a bit more so the team can arrest the slide they're on and push themselves towards the top again.
Fulham have been tough to beat over the last two months but appear to be struggling at the other end. They had some good opportunities against Southampton on Boxing Day but didn't take and that is something they'll need to sort out if they're to stay up. The Cottagers have drawn their last four games and if they're to turn those draws into wins, the strikers need to start scoring more.Their top scorer is Bobby Decordova Reid with 4 goals whilst last seasons top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic can't get in the team. I'm surprised he's not playing more because he was so influential for them last season and with the amount of goals he got, he should be playing every week. Whether he's suffering from a lack of confidence or the manager doesn't trust him, Mitrovic should play more because of what he can offer Fulham in terms of scoring goals.
I think this one will be a win for Spurs because I think they'll be too strong for Fulham. Spurs are not in the best form at the moment, but I think they'll still have enough to win this one and get their season back on track.
PREDICTION: 2-0
NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL
Newcastle never really looked like scoring against Man City on Boxing Day with Ederson only making one save throughout the entire match. In these kind of games Newcastle tend to sit back and wait for the opposition to come at them instead of putting pressure on their opponents so they can win the ball back and break away. That was what they did against Man City and it probably didn't please their fans because they want to see their team compete and show a bit more fight. That is one reason why they don't approve of Steve Bruce because they don't always start games on the front foot like their opponents Liverpool do. The fans don't see the good job that Steve Bruce has done in terms of results because they want to see their team on the front foot more.
Liverpool switched off in their draw against West Brom yesterday after making a bright start. They struggled to create clear cut chances for most of the second half as they failed to add to their1-0 lead. Their need to buy a centre back in January increased as Joel Matip picked up another injury during the West Brom game as he injured his groin. With Gomez and Van Dijk out long term, Klopp will be thinking about the January transfer window once this game is over because they need a centre back. Fabinho has done well in Van Dijk's absence and Phillips and Williams have been decent when given opportunities, but the reds can't rely on inexperienced young players to help them challenge for the title because they're going to make mistakes which is what Liverpool don't want.
I'm going for a Liverpool win in this one because they'll have too much going forward for Newcastle. Newcastle tend to be good in some games and poor in some and this will be a game where they'll fail to deliver.
PREDICTION: 0-3
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