Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 18

SATURDAY:

ASTON VILLA V BURNLEY

Aston Villa kept up their strong start under Steven Gerrard in midweek with their comfortable win over Norwich. They were in control right from the start and they rarely gave Norwich a sniff if their goal because of how dominant they were.

They have an exciting young talent in Jacob Ramsey who is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet with the recent performances he's been putting in. He's been ever present since Gerrard has been in charge and is set to become a key player for the club in years to come. Especially after scoring that goal against Norwich in midweek.

Burnley will have had plenty of time to prepare for this game after their game against Watford in midweek was postponed due to COVID. This could give them the advantage as they'll be feeling the fresher team having not played in midweek which has give them the time to work on the things they need to improve.

PREDICTION: 2-0

Burnley may have had more time off as they didn't play in midweek. But I'm going for a Villa win because they're in better form. They're looking more like the team we expected at the start of the season and with their quality they should win this one.

LEEDS V ARSENAL

Leeds really felt the absence of the majority of their key players against City in midweek as they got completely outplayed. They may have been up against the champions but I have to say that it was probably their worst performance under Marcelo Bielsa.

I really am starting to worry for Leeds at the moment as they have some tough fixtures coming up and are missing a few of their best players. Bamford and Phillips are both set for a spell on the side-lines and without them for the games they have coming up including this one, I can't see them get anything from them.

Arsenal moved into the top four with their midweek win over West Ham and they could extend their stay there with another win here as the teams around them won't be playing. They'll surely be aware of that and Mikel Arteta will want to make sure that his players make the most of this opportunity.

The Gunners have struggled on the road this season having won just two of their eight away games so far this season. They'll want to prove a point in this one because of that and also the fact that they've lost their last three on the road as well.

PREDICTION: 0-3

Despite their struggles on the road, I'm going for an Arsenal win here. They'll have the majority of their best players available unlike Leeds and because of that I can see them win this one without too many problems.

SUNDAY:

WOLVES V CHELSEA

Wolves ended their five game goal drought in midweek with their win at Brighton where they were the better side on the day. They had the better chances and they should've won the game by more because of the amount they had.

They'll have Raul Jimenez back for this one after being suspended for the Brighton game but they'll be without Hwang Hee Chan. Wolves are a better side going forward when both of them are on the pitch because of how well they link up. They're more of a threat when they both play.

Chelsea haven't been themselves over the past few weeks and its had an impact on their potential title challenge. They were looking like strong favourites this time last month but their recent wobble has seen both Liverpool and City climb above them. They need to win this one to keep up the pace.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Wolves don't score a lot of goals but defensively they are tough to beat. Because of that and Chelsea not having a recognised striker available, I'm backing them to get something from this game. But only a draw as they don't score a lot of goals.

NEWCASTLE V MAN CITY

Newcastle weren't that bad against Liverpool last night but they'll still be disappointed that they didn't get anything from the game. They kept themselves in the game for most of the contest which will give them some encouragement but in the end it was another defeat for them.

Eddie Howe doesn't have a great record when it comes to facing Man City as he's lost every time he's faced them conceding 30 goals. With Newcastle's defence not looking at all watertight, it wouldn't surprise me if his side were beaten by a heaving score line in this one.

Man City really showed their class against Leeds in midweek where Kevin De Bruyne really looked back to his best. The rest of the team were of course exceptional but De Bruyne in particular was outstanding like he usually is whenever he walks out onto the pitch.

City have to be the favourites for the title at the moment as they're picked up form at a good time unlike Chelsea who have dropped off in recent weeks. Knowing how good their squad is on paper and the experience they have when it comes to challenging for the title, I can't see them dropping off any time soon. Especially with a manager like Pep in charge.

PREDICTION: 0-4

This one has to be a City win. They looked stronger than Newcastle in all areas and with the poor record that Eddie Howe has against them, I can see this one being a comfortable win for them.

TOTTENHAM V LIVERPOOL

Spurs should be well prepared for this game having not played for the last week or so due to the COVID outbreak they had at their club. This would've given Antonio Conte plenty of time to watch back games to see where his side can improve and also to watch Liverpool games to see where his side can hurt them.

Liverpool are without a doubt one of the in form teams at the moment and they picked up another important victory last night against Newcastle. They showed good character to come from behind and although they were without Van Dijk and Fabinho through COVID, they still put in a good enough performance to win the game.

The reds have won this fixture for the last three seasons which will give them confidence along with their current form. With some tricky games coming up including this one, the reds simply cannot afford to lose here. Especially as City have the ability to pull themselves further clear at the top.