THURSDAY
CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON
Crystal Palace did well to stay in the game against Man City last weekend and they showed character to come from behind a nick a draw.
Eberechi Eze returned off the bench against City and his return is a massive boost for the Eagles who have sorely missed him. With more tough games coming up, having Eze back gives the Eagles a chance of getting some results on board.
Brighton can't use the Europa League as an excuse anymore now that they won't have any European football to play till February. They have some winnable fixtures coming up between now and then which will give them the opportunity to get some positive results.
This fixture has ended in 1-1 for the last four seasons and I think this one will head in the same direction.
Brighton will have a lot of the ball and will try and create a load of chances, but I think Palace will frustrate them as they're a tough side to beat.
PREDICTION: 1-1
FRIDAY:
ASTON VILLA V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Aston Villa could be top at Christmas if they win here depending on what happens in the big game between Liverpool and Arsenal on Saturday.
If they were to be top at Christmas, you simply have to involve them in the title race.
Villa have the best home record in the league this season whilst Sheffield United have the worst away record. I don't see either of those changing here.
The Blades have been more solid since Chris Wilder returned, but I still think Villa will have too much for them. Especially with the form they're in.
PREDICTION: 3-0
SATURDAY:
WEST HAM V MAN UNITED
West Ham were awful against Liverpool last night and it probably their worst performance under David Moyes. There was no intensity in their performance and they rarely lay a glove on Liverpool.
I think they'll show a reaction in this one as they're at home plus David Moyes' side rarely have two terrible performances back to back.
Man United did well to get a draw at Anfield last weekend by being tough to beat and defensively well organised. But whether that performance will be a turning point in their season remains to be seen.
They spent a lot of that game inside their own half looking to contain Liverpool and in this one they'll want to have more of a go.
But I just don't see it as they haven't been convincing enough in the final third all season.
West Ham will make it tough for them as they're a tough side to play against and I think they'll go up the other end and nick it.
PREDICTION: 1-0
FULHAM V BURNLEY
Fulham's last two home games both ended in 5-0 victories over Nottingham Forest and West Ham respectively. This one could head in a similar direction as they're up against a Burnley side that are very open and vulnerable defensively.
Burnley have recently shown signs that they're adapting to the Premier League with their win over Sheffield United and draw with Brighton being examples. But they still have mistakes in them defensively and especially when trying to play out from the back.
The Cottagers will be without Raul Jimenez following his dangerous red card in their defeat at Newcastle last weekend.
But this game should still be a routine win for them. Especially with the goal scoring form they were in prior to their defeat at Newcastle.
PREDICTION: 4-0
LUTON V NEWCASTLE
3 of Luton's last 4 home games were against sides in the top six and they competed well in all of them. But they only came away with just one point which is very unfortunate considering their performances.
It's been a tough week for the Hatters after seeing captain Tom Lockyer suffer another cardiac arrest on Saturday in their game against Bournemouth, which was later abandoned.
They'll want to get something out of this game for their captain who will be wishing them luck from his hospital bed.
Newcastle's injury list has increased further with Fabian Schar going off last weekend against Fulham and Anthony Gordon going off against Chelsea in midweek.
Injuries have had a huge effect on the Magpies this season solely because of them being in Europe and being unable to change their team.
Eddie Howe's side have also struggled away from home and with Luton being a tough side to beat at home lately, I can see them make it a tough afternoon for the injury ravaged magpies. But I think they'll again fall short like they did against the other top six sides.
PREDICTION: 1-1
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V BOURNEMOUTH
Nottingham Forest have Nuno Espirito Santo in charge now after sacking Steve Cooper which I felt was the wrong decision. Yes, results didn't go their way but they were still outside the relegation zone and their objective at the start of the season realistically was survival. Especially after staying up last season.
Nuno's appointment has been received as mixed among the Forest fans but I think he could do well as he'll make them tougher to beat defensively. Especially if they play a back three which is a system that Forest used a lot under Cooper and one that he had a lot of success with at Wolves.
Bournemouth came from 2-0 down to win this fixture 3-2 last season and in what was one of their first games under then-boss Gary O'Neil back in September of last year.
Andoni Iraola is in charge now and he had got his team playing some good football and scoring goals after a slow start to his tenure.
The Cherries come into this one unbeaten in their last five league games and I can see them carry that form into this one.
Forest will be determined to get off to a good start under Nuno, but I think the Cherries will keep up the good form they're in.
PREDICTION: 1-3
TOTTENHAM V EVERTON
Spurs will climb into the top four and above Man City if they win here as City are not playing due to their participation at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
But winning this game won't be as straightforward as their last two games which were against an injury ravaged and fatigued Newcastle side and an out of form Nottingham Forest team.
Everton will no doubt make it difficult for Spurs as they're a tough side to beat and a team in good form following four consecutive wins from their last four games.
Spurs will obviously have a lot of the ball and create a lot of chances, but as they can look suspect defensively due to their high line, I can see the Toffees exploit that on the counter attack.
PREDICTION: 2-2
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
Liverpool were maybe slightly overconfident heading into their game against Man United last weekend as they like most people weren't expecting United to put in a performance.
I think they'll show up in this one with it being a bigger game and the reds knowing the kind of threat that Arsenal can pose.
Whoever wins this game could go on to win the title and I think Arsenal Arsenal are the best equipped as they're better defensively and have a good balance to their team. Especially with Declan Rice in there who has been the difference for them this season.
But I think Liverpool will be the team that wins here as this game is at Anfield where Arsenal haven't won for over a decade.
PREDICTION: 3-2
CHRISTMAS EVE:
WOLVES V CHELSEA
Wolves were very open against West Ham on Sunday and they got punished for it with all the goals being poorly defended.
Gary O'Neil's side are unbeaten in this fixture for the last three seasons and they won here last season thanks to an incredible Matheus Nunes volley.
Chelsea will look to open them up like West Ham did last weekend as they create a lot of chances. But I don't see them being clinical enough as has often been the case for them this season.
Scoring goals used to be a problem for Wolves and it's now a problem that has disappeared as they've been more clinical this season. I can see them nick it here.
PREDICTION: 1-0
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