FRIDAY:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V TOTTENHAM
Nottingham Forest got a much needed result last weekend against Wolves where their performance was much improved.
The pressure will have been eased on Steve Cooper after that result but it will still remain until they can get some more results.
Spurs looked back to their early season best against Newcastle and it was important that they won that game after going five games without a win. Their pressing game was well and truly back and their attacking players were a threat all game.
I cans see them repeat that performance in this one as they will have gained a lot of confidence from that result.
Forest may be a decent side at home, but I still think Spurs will have more than enogh to wi nthis one.
PREDICTION: 1-3
SATURDAY:
BOURNEMOUTH V LUTON
I had both of these sides to go down at the start of the season and now I think one of them will stay up.
Bournemouth are the side I think will stay up as they're looking like a very good side to watch under Andoni Iraola.
They were excellent from start to finish against Man United last weekend which was arguably their greatest ever result in their history.
Luton have performed a lot better than most people thought they would as they've been resilient and togh to beat. Their performances against Arsenal and Man City will remind the rest of the league that they're no pushovers.
But they need to start scoring more goals if they're to win more games and I can see goals being their main problem this season.
The Hatters will give a good account of themselves here, but I think the Cherries will have enough to come away with the points.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CHELSEA V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Chelsea's defeat at Everton on Sunday was the story of their season so far. A lot of posession but not clinical enough in the final third.
They're desperately in need of a striker and have been for a number of years now. They will have Christopher Nkunku back soon but he's going to need time to get himself up to speed after a long time out injured.
Sheffield United have shown signs of improvement since Chris Wilder returned and their win over Brentford last weekend could be the result that kick starts their season.
They will have gained a lot of confidence from that result, but I don't see them carry it into this one.
Chelsea have struggled at home this season, but I think they'll put their poor form behind them and get the win here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
MAN CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE
Man City made a number of changes in midweek against Red Star and I could understand why as they had top spot in their group and their place in the Champions League last 16 secured.
They'll again be without Erling Haaland for this one, but I don't think they'll miss him here as Julian Alvarez is more than capable of stepping up, and Palace are out of form.
I felt Crystal Palace were unlucky not to come away with anything against Liverpool last weekend as they did well to keep them at bay for most of the match.
The Eagles are definitely missing Eberechi Eze who they need to get back quickly because they need to get results. They're winless in their last five and are struggling to score goals.
City may be missing players through injury including Haaland, but they'll still have more than enough quality to come away with the points here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
NEWCASTLE V FULHAM
Newcastle are looking absolutely shattered at the moment and it's because they've had to play the same team for consecutive games in a short period.
They definitely looked tired against AC Milan in midweek and especially towards the end where Milan were the better side and took the game from them.
Going out of Europe all together could benefit them in the second half of the season in that they won't have to play as many games and pick up more injuries.
Fulham are scoring goals for fun at the moment and they come into this game off the back of two consecutive 5-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
Scoring goals was their main problem in the early part of the season after losing talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic. But now it appears that they've moved on from his departure.
With Newcastle looking fstigued as a result of the amount of games they've had to play recently, I think the Cottagers could make the most of this. Especialy with the goal scoring form they're in.
PREDICTION: 1-3
BURNLEY V EVERTON
Burnley defended well in their draw at Brighton last weekend where their keeper James Trafford made a number of crucial saves.
They've been criticized a lot for their defending this season and their defensive showing against Brighton could be a sign that they're turning a corner defensively.
Everton boss Sean Dyche returns to Burnley for the first time since in this one and he'll hopefully get a good reception from the home fans. He did an outstanding job during his 10 seasons at Turf Moor and the fans surely haven't forgotten that.
Dyche's Everton side have been pretty good on the road this season and I fancy them to bag another win here. Especially with Burnley having such a terrible record at home.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SUNDAY:
ARSENAL V BRIGHTON
Arsenal made a lot of changes against PSV in midweek which I could understand as Mikel Arteta probably wanted to rest his big names players ahead of the busy Christmas schedule.
Brighton dismantled Arseal 3-0 in this fixture last season which pushed them closer towards European qualification.
I don't see a repeat of that here as the Seagulls come into this one off the back of playing in Europe, which is something they've struggled to deal with this season.
Because of that and Arsenal having rested players in midweek, I think the Gunners will come out on top here. I think both teams will score, I think the Gunners will be the fresher side.
PREDICTION: 3-1
BRENTFORD V ASTON VILLA
Brentford have a good record when playing at home, but they're missing a number of players through injury including Bryan Mbeumo who was missed in their defeat at Sheffield Unted last weekend.
Aston Villa are already being talked about as potential title contenders and especially after beating Man City and Arsenal. They'll definitely fight for a top four finish, but I'm not sure if they'll fight for the title as a lack of squad depth could catch up with them later in the season.
They're not as good away as they are at home, but with the form they're in and the confidence they have on board, I think they'll bag another victory here.
PREDICTION: 1-3
WEST HAM V WOLVES
West Ham were nowhere near it against Fulham and again there are questions over David Moyes' future. It was a bad performance from the Hammers against Fulham, but they're still 9th in the table which is where they probably deserve to be.
Wolves have had some good results against West Ham since they've been in the Premier League, but most of them have come at home.
They'll make it a tough afternoon for the Hammers as they're tough to beat and a well drilled side.
West Ham might feel a bit tired as a result of them playing in Europe during the week, but I still think they'll have enough to come away with the points. Especially as they're at home.
PREDICTION: 2-1
LIVERPOOL V MAN UNITED
A lot of people including myself didn't see Liverpool's 7-0 win in this fixture last season coming. With the current state Man United are in, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar happened again.
Liverpool are back challenging for the title this season and also have their pressing style of play back thanks to their midfield recruits.
They're the complete opposite to what United are at the moment in that they have a clear identity and a group of players who are all willing to pull in the right direction.
Man United went out of the Champions League in midweek and they went out with a limp display against Bayern Munich. They hardly offered any threat as Rasmus Hojlund was left isolated up top.
A lot of their displays this season have been limp and I can only see another one here as Liverpool are better without the ball.
United have been pathetic when facing teams that are good both in and out of possession with their games against Man City and Newcastle being prime examples. Liverpool are another one of those teams.
With Liverpool being a relentless team when they press and this game being at Anfield, I can only see a comfortable win for the reds here.
PREDICTION: 3-0
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