FRIDAY:
EVERTON V WEST HAM
Everton have had a full week to prepare for this one with their midweek game against Man City being postponed due to a number of positive COVID tests among the City staff. They're in some good form at the moment as they're unbeaten in their last 5 games and they've kept clean sheets in three of them. Richarlison will be back for this one after missing the Boxing Day win over Sheffield United due to a head injury and he makes a big difference to Everton when he plays because they missed him when he was suspended earlier in the season. They will be without Allan, Rodriguez and Digne who are all big players for them but with Richarlison back they have a better chance of winning games because his pace is key to the way that Everton play. If Everton win this one they'll be just one point behind leaders Liverpool and could be for the rest of the weekend if the teams around them don't pick up any points. Everton fans would take that all day long at a start of a new year.
David Moyes back at his old club where he spent a good 11 years in the hot seat. He would've love a win on his return to Goodison because he hasn't won there since he left Everton and West Ham have not their last four games. They've gone off the boil in recent weeks and Moyes will want his side to return to winning ways in this one so they can consolidate their place in the top half of the table. Michail Antonio made his comeback in the draw with Southampton in mid-week by coming off the bench and that is a big boost for the Hammers because he's an important player for them and they've missed him whilst he's been out injured. Sebastian Haller has done okay in his absence by scoring some good goals but he hasn't done it consistently like we've all been expecting him to. Antonio is a better fit up top than Haller because he offers more than the Frenchman does. Having Antonio back will make a huge difference to the Hammers in terms of scoring goals.
I think this one will be an Everton win because they're on a good run of form and have a good record in this fixture. West Ham will make it a close game, but Everton will have enough going forward to win this game.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MAN UNITED V ASTON VILLA
Man United are in a good place at the moment as they're second in the table and three points behind leaders Liverpool. The key players are now delivering in Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford who have both either scored or assisted a goal in their last four games. Both of them had a good 2020 and they'll want to make a good start to 2021 because of the year they've both had and the form they're both in for their club. They've both been key in United turning their season around and if they can stay fit between now and the end of the season, United have a strong chance of competing with Liverpool for the title. Edinson Cavani will be suspended for this one after a post he put on social media and he'll be a miss for United because he's been a good signing for them since he's been at the club. His presence in the team will be missed whether he would've started on the pitch or come off the bench.
Aston Villa have been very good away from home this season and got a good point at Chelsea in mid-week. Villa were in the relegation zone this time last season and this season they find themselves 5th and three points off the top four. This shows incredible progression from Dean Smith and his players because of where they were and what he's done behind the scenes to make it all possible. Anwar El Ghazi is in great form with 5 goals in his last 5 games and with that has become one of the first names on Dean Smith's team sheet. He's already got more goals than he did in the whole of last season and with the form he's in, Villa look a dangerous side going forward with him alongside Grealish and Watkins. With the form of those players, Villa could grab something from this one because they've taken 7 points off of three of the big six this season in wins over Liverpool and Arsenal and a draw against Chelsea. Dean Smith will want more of the same from his players because of the results they picked up in those games.
I'm going for a Villa win because I think the players they have in forward areas can hurt United's defence. The United backline lacks pace and with the form of El Ghazi, Grealish and Watkins, I can see them causing United all sorts of problems.
PREDICTION: 1-3
SATURDAY:
TOTTENHAM V LEEDS
Spurs have had a whole week to prepare for this one after their mid-week game with Fulham was called off due to a number of positive COVID tests among the Fulham staff. In terms of this game Jose Mourinho will want his players at it because of the opposition they're up against and the way that Leeds play in particular. This is must win for Spurs because they've not won their last four and are slipping away from the top four. They've relied a lot on Kane and Son this season and if they're to finish near the top this season they need to spread the goals out around the team so they're not constantly relying on the same players every week. Spurs will want to win this one so they can return to winning ways and if they're to do that, they need to spread the goals out around the team because that's what the best teams do and Mourinho has managed sides that have done that.
Leeds kept back to back clean sheets for the first time this season which is a strange thing to say about them. They looked reasonably solid defensively against Burnley and West Brom and I didn't expect them to get anything from those fixtures because of the kind of opposition they were up against and they way their opponents play. They were breath-taking to watch against West Brom because of the way they strolled through the game which enabled them to score the five goals they scored. They were gifted the first goal and the other goals they scored that day were just brilliant because of the way they were scored and the way they played in the lead up to the goals. They've been an entertaining team to watch this season because of how Bielsa wants them to play, but they may need to sacrifice the entertainment in this one as they're up against a good Spurs side.
I think this one will be a Spurs win because they'll feel more fresh than Leeds having not played in mid-week. Leeds will play how they have played all season, but I think Spurs will hit them on the counter when they win the ball back because of the amount of players Leeds commit going forward.
PREDICTION: 3-1
CRYSTAL PALACE V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Crystal Palace will want to return to winning ways in this one having not won any of their last 5 games which has seen them drop down to 15th place in the table. The Eagles have one clean sheet in the league this season which came in the opening day win over Southampton and they've always been a side who keep clean sheets over the last few seasons because of the way they set up. One reason for their lack of clean sheets could be down to injuries they've had in defence this season. They've had at least two of their centre backs missing per week due to injury and that is the position that makes defences look solid because their job is to stay there and protect the goal. They picked up a vital point against Leicester during the week and is was vital because they conceded 10 goals in their two games combined leading up to that match and they went back to basics against Leicester by remaining solid in defence for most of the match.
I can't see Sheffield United win a game. I really can't. They got into good positions against Burnley, but they couldn't find the right man in the box to put the chance away and that has been their problem all season. They look good as gone because they only have two points and are 11 points from safety making avoiding relegation from where they are a big ask. Chris Wilder needs to sign players in January if the Blades are to have a fighting chance of staying up because they need new players to inject some confidence into the team and to give them team itself some hope. That has been lacking from the team all season and its something they need if they're to have any chance of staying up come the end of the season. Lets hope they can start 2021 with a much needed win.
I'm going for a Crystal Palace win because I can't see Sheffield United win any games at the moment. In Zaha and Eze, Palace have two players who can make a difference for them by scoring a goal or creating a chance. I can see those two cause the Blades all kinds of problems.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BRIGHTON V WOLVES
Brighton picked up only one win at home in 2020 which came against Arsenal back in June when football returned after lockdown. Their only wins this season have come away from home with victories coming against Newcastle and Aston Villa. Their home form was a catalyst for them in their first years in the Premier League and now its something they need to improve on in order to stay in the league. Graham Potter will want to get his side back to winning ways in this one by starting 2021 with a win at home which has been very hard to come by for the Seagulls this season. One reason for it could be not finishing their chances which has been their problem all season and its why they're in a relegation battle. There's still a long way to go. But Brighton need wins and especially at home if they're to avoid relegation. In order for them to do that they need to score more goals.
Wolves have been inconsistent this season which is very unlike them. They haven't been the same team they were in the last two seasons because they're playing on the counter as much and they're playing different formations every week. One week they play a back four and then the next they play a back three which can unsettling for a team who are looking for consistency in their performances. Raul Jimenez has been a big blow because they haven't been scoring as many goals and part of that has been down to the absence of their Mexican talisman. With the January transfer window now open, Nuno Espirito Santo will surely be looking to bring some players in because he wants his team to finish higher up the table. Wolves are currently 12th in the Premier League and if they can sign a striker to replace Jimenez plus other payers for squad depth, they could push for a place in Europe again because they have the manager and players to do that.
I can't see much in this game and because of that I'm going for a draw. Wolves haven't beaten Brighton since they've been in the Premier League and both sides aren't scoring many goals at the moment. I can see them both cancel each other out.
PREDICTION: 1-1
WEST BROM V ARSENAL
West Brom shot themselves in the foot against Leeds in mid-week with Romaine Sawyers' own goal early on setting Leeds on their way to a 5-0 win at the Hawthorns. They were not the team they were against Liverpool because their defensive shape was poor and they were not organised as team like they were against Liverpool. The result against Leeds showed us how tough a job Sam Allardyce has on his hands in terms of keeping West Brom in the Premier League. It is similar to the job he had to do at Crystal Palace because they conceded a lot of goals when he arrived and that continued into the first month of his reign there. It's pretty much the same at West Brom because they were conceding a lot goals before his appointment and it appears they still are within the first few weeks of his reign. Big Sam knows what needs to be done because he's been in this position many times and he has the experience of keeping teams in the Premier League.
Arsenal are starting to turn their season around after back to back wins over Chelsea and Brighton. The young players have played a huge part in that and in particular Bukayo Saka. The 19 year old has been on of the few shining lights for the Gunners this season and is showing what a prospect he is by putting in good performances. He scored against Chelsea and assisted Alexandre Lacazette against Brighton plus he's already won 4 England caps. If he keeps playing like he is, he has every chance of making the squad for the Euros whether he's used as a winger or a wing back. He's one of the best young English talents around at the moment and he's only going to get better. With the January transfer window now open, manager Mikel Arteta will now be looking to offload some players as he starts to trim down the Arsenal squad. If he can buy a creative midfielder which is what Arsenal have lacked this season, things could well be on the up for the gunners.
I think this one will be a draw because I can see Allardyce set his team up in a similar way he did against Liverpool. Arsenal don't have any creativity in midfield and that will play into West Brom's hands because they'll be happy to just sit back and defend before winning the ball back and attempting to hit the Gunners on the counter.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
BURNLEY V FULHAM
Burnley are on the up with 3 wins from 5 and are five points clear of the drop which is a nice cushion to have. I knew they would get some points on the board at some stage and they're doing it now. They're looking more like themselves by being well organised and hard to beat defensively which is what Burnley have been since they've been in the Premier League. Having Ben Mee back has been huge because he was a miss at the start of the season and his partnership with James Tarkowski makes Burnley a better team defensively. With the January transfer window now open and the takeover completed, Sean Dyche will hopefully get the funds he needs to bring in new players to help his side move further up the table. He wasn't give the finds he wanted in the summer but with the takeover all sorted, lets hope he gets the players he wants to bring in during January.
Now is the time that Fulham start turning draws into wins. They've drawn their last four games and only scored twice in four four games. They've been reasonably solid defensively unlike they were at the start of the season, but they need to start scoring more goals because goals keep you in the league. They've got into good positions like they did against Southampton on Boxing Day, but they haven't had the killer instinct to finish teams off. Scott Parker must be after a striker in January because Bobby Decordova Reid is not scoring enough and Aleksandar Mitrovic who was so important to them last season isn't favoured. If Fulham get a striker in January, they'll have a better chance of staying up because strikers often win you games.
I think Burnley will win this one because they're in good form and are better in all areas than Fulham. The Clarets may be the second lowest goal scorers in the league this season, but they still have strikers in Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes who can win them a game. I can see one them do that in this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
NEWCASTLE V LEICESTER
Newcastle should be proud of the performance they put in against Liverpool on Wednesday night. Karl Darlow was excellent between the sticks by making lots of important saves to keep Liverpool at bay whilst the defenders were excellent throughout. They caused Liverpool problems going forward with Callum Wilson going close a few times and they put pressure on the Liverpool defence whenever they were in possession. We haven't enough of this from Newcastle and the fans in particular will be delighted with the performance they put in as well as the result. The big question for them going into this one is whether they can do the same because Newcastle this season have often played well one game and then not turn up for the next. That's been the story of their season so far and manager Steve Bruce will want another performance like the one against Liverpool.
Leicester have been pretty good away from home this season despite dropping points at Crystal Palace on Monday. Jamie Vardy was a miss them against Palace because he would've taken the chances they missed if he was on the pitch. Including the penalty that Kelechi Iheanacho failed to score. Harvey Barnes is becoming a key player for the Foxes this season with a goal in each of his last two games increasing his tally to 5 for the season in the league. He's having a good season so far and if he can continue to chip in more goals between now and the end of the season, he could make the England squad for the Euros. He got his first call up and cap earlier in the season and with the form he's been in, he'll be wanting more before the tournament gets underway in the summer.
I think this one will be a Leicester win because they'll have most of their big guns back and I can see Newcastle put in an abject display. With Vardy back in the team I can see his pace causing Newcastle all kinds of problems at the back.
PREDICTION: 0-3
CHELSEA V MAN CITY
Chelsea have lost their way a bit in terms of their form with just one win in five games. Hakim Ziyech has been a huge blow because they've missed his creativity. He crucial for Chelsea during that unbeaten run of games and have one once since he's been out injured. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are lacking confidence and you can see that in their performances. Werner can't score a goal at the minute and that could be down to him not playing in his best position. He can play out wide but for me his best position is through the middle which is where he played at RB Leipzig and where he plays with Germany. He's missed a lot of good chances recently and if he can score in this one it will give him the confidence he's been lacking for the last few games. Havertz was hit hard by COVID and that could be the reason why he hasn't been playing well recently. All he needs to do is overcome that and if he can, we'll hopefully see the Havertz we all expected.
Man City have lost this fixture for the last two seasons and have won this fixture once in their last four meetings at Stamford Bridge. They'll be eager to put that record to one side and focus on getting the three points they need in order to push themselves towards the top four. They'll be without three players for this one because of COVID in Ederson, Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus. Ederson will be the biggest miss for them because his distribution is key to the way that City play and because of this his defenders trust him to get them out of trouble. Sergio Aguero will be hoping for start because he has a good record against Chelsea and will want to add to it if he features in this game. I won't be surprised if he doesn't start because of Pep Guardiola managing his game time after missing a chunk of the season due to injury. He'll definitely see some action because he's an important player for City and will take any chance whenever he's in the box.
I think City will win this one because Chelsea aren't in the best of form and City will have their big guns available. With players like De Bruyne, Sterling and Aguero on the pitch, I can see City win this game for sure.
PREDICTION: 0-2
MONDAY:
SOUTHAMPTON V LIVERPOOL
Southampton had a pretty good 2020 as they ended last season reasonably well and started this season really well. They'll be happy to have Danny Ings back after making his return in the draw with West Ham in mid-week. Ings will want to show how much the Saints have missed him and show Liverpool how good he's been since leaving them back in 2018. Ings had injury problems during his time at Anfield and he's put those to bed since he's been at Southampton by scoring a bagful of goals. Players like Che Adams and Theo Walcott have stepped up for him whenever he's not been in the team but when Danny Ings is on the pitch, Southampton have a better chance of winning games because he's a clinical finisher and he proved that throughout 2020. Southampton are winless in 4 games and will hope to end that run in this one. But it will be tough.
Liverpool have gone off the gas recently with draws against West Brom and Newcastle. They took their foot off the pedal against West Brom after taking the lead whereas against Newcastle they did not have their shooting boots on as Karl Darlow made some top saves to keep the reds at bay. Having Thiago back is a big boost for the reds because he showed what kind of player he is against Newcastle by playing some good long passes to pick out the forwards. He was doing this the moment he stepped onto the pitch and he really showed what he can bring to this Liverpool team by always looking to play a pass into the forwards. He's a player that Liverpool have been crying out and if he can stay fit, he'll be a big player for the reds for sure as they look to keep hold of their title.
I'm going for a Liverpool win in this one because they usually get results against attacking teams. Both sides play a similar way as they both press from the front, but I think Liverpool will win this game comfortably because of the players they have.
PREDICTION: 1-3
Comments