BOXING DAY:
MAN CITY V LEICESTER
Man City are in pole position for the title as things stand and it'll probably stay that way as most teams go on to win the title after being top at Christmas. It's possible that they could be miles ahead by this time next month with Liverpool losing two of their best players to AFCON and Chelsea playing in the Club World Cup. January could be a massive month for the champions.
Leicester could be without a few key players for this one through injury with Jamie Vardy, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu being the more notable absentees. Injuries have had a big effect on their season this year and without those three for this one, I can see them struggle here.
PREDICTION: 3-0
With City hitting form at a good time, I've got to give them the win here. They look the stronger of the two and with Leicester being inconsistent and missing a few through injury, I can see this being a comfortable afternoon for the champions.
NORWICH V ARSENAL
Norwich have looked more difficult to play against under Dean Smith but they still have problems when it comes to scoring goals. They've scored just 8 times this season and unless they sign someone in January to ease the burden on Teemu Pukki, I can't see that problem disappearing anytime soon.
Only three sides have stayed up having been bottom at Christmas in West Brom during the 2003/04 season, Sunderland in 2013/14 and Leicester in 2014/15. Norwich find themselves in that position this season and are in for a tough task in achieving what those three sides did.
Arsenal got their first win of the season in the reverse fixture back in September which gave them a platform to build on. It gave them the confidence they needed to get their season up and running and they've used that confidence to get themselves into the top four. They'll be feeling more confident going into this one because of the form they're in.
The Gunners put in a professional performance against Sunderland in midweek and one player hoping for a start in this game will without a doubt be Eddie Nketiah. He'll be full of confidence after his hat trick in that game and with Aubameyang possibly heading out the door, the England U21 international could well replace him as Arsenal's main striker.
PREDICTION: 1-3
Arsenal have struggled away from home this season. But I still think they'll get the three points in this one. They're in some decent form following their recent results and I can see them being too strong for Norwich.
TOTTENHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE
Spurs remain unbeaten in the league under Antonio Conte under whom they're looking a much better side. With the January transfer window just around the corner, Spurs could well be in contention for a top four finish if they can bring some players in along with keeping hold of Harry Kane.
It was good to see Dele Alli and Harry Winks get an opportunity in their draw with Liverpool last weekend and it was also good to see them both play well. Their performances would've given Antonio Conte something to think about and they'll be hoping for another opportunity in this game.
Crystal Palace's win in the reverse fixture back in September was the beginning of their development under Patrick Vieira and they've looked impressive ever since. They have picked up a lot of draws but they've still played some good stuff as the season has progressed.
The Eagles have only won once on their travels this season and with win coming at Man City a couple of months ago. As they'll be up against a better Spurs side than the one they faced earlier in the season, their away struggles could continue here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
With Spurs looking decent under Conte, I'm backing them to continue their good start under him with another win in this one. Palace will try and cause them problems but I think Spurs will have enough to win the game.
WEST HAM V SOUTHAMPTON
West Ham have stuttered a bit over the last couple of months which was probably expected given that they've been playing in Europe and haven't got the biggest squad. Injuries have coincided with that and it's arguably been the reason for their stuttering form.
The Hammers have won this fixture for the last four seasons which should give them some confidence going into this one. Their form may not be great at this moment in time, but their recent record against the Saints could give them the confidence they need to win this game.
Southampton haven't won any of their last six games and in four of those games they were leading. They've struggled to hold on to leads all season as they've dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the league. They do have some winnable games coming up but at the moment I don't trust them when it comes to seeing games out.
PREDICTION: 2-1
West Ham may have stuttered recently, but I still think they'll win this game. They may have players out injured but with their set piece threat, I can see them cause Southampton problems with their deliveries into the box.
ASTON VILLA V CHELSEA
Aston Villa have looked competitive under Steven Gerrard and especially against the big boys even though the results didn't go in their favour. The games and City and Liverpool are the only games that Gerrard has lost since he's been in the Villa hot seat and his side were in those games despite the results. I expect they'll be competitive in this game as well.
Chelsea have wobbled a bit over the last month or two but the good news for them is that they have players coming back from injury and COVID. N'Golo Kante returned against Wolves last weekend after a month or so out and Romelu Lukaku could be back for this one after recovering from COVID.
Their recent dip in form has seen them drift away from the top as they now find themselves six points behind leaders City. With some tough games coming up including the big one against Liverpool, they need to start winning games again so they can get themselves back in the mix and build some confidence to take into those tough games.
PREDICTION: 1-1
With the recent wobble that Chelsea have had, I'm backing Villa to get something here. They've looked competitive in every game they've played under Steven Gerrard and I can see them put in another competitive performance in this one against an out of form Chelsea.
BRIGHTON V BRENTFORD
Brighton are without a win in 12 league games which is a worry for them because they could be dragged further down the table the longer it goes on. They should have enough to stay in the league as they're nine points clear of the drop but they need to start winning games again so they can keep their distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
Brentford have been a good team to watch since they've been in the Premier League and they'll 100% be satisfied with the season they've had so far. They've looked competitive in most of the games they've played and they've shown that they can hold their own at this level.
The Bees will have Ivan Toney back for this one which will be a massive boost for them as he's their go to player for goals. They did ok without him in their previous games against Leeds and Watford but having him back for this one will be massive.
PREDICTION: 1-0
Brighton may not have won in a while, but I can see that run ending in this game. They won the reverse fixture back in September and I can see them complete the double in this one.
MONDAY:
NEWCASTLE V MAN UNITED
Newcastle already have very little hope of staying up and we're only halfway through the season. They may be three points from safety and they have been playing more on the front foot since Eddie Howe has been in charge. But the same problems are still there defensively.
They were all over the place defensively against Man City and unless they make some additions in that area in January, I can't see them improving in that department anytime soon. The job Eddie Howe has been given is looking tougher than it was when he first arrived.
The reverse fixture was Cristiano Ronaldo's first game back at the club where he scored twice and there was a lot of optimism around the place following his arrival. But since then that optimism has disappeared and United's objective has changed from challenging for the title to finishing in the top four.
United will have been straight down to work this week with their training ground reopening after it was closed due to the COVID outbreak which saw their last two games postponed. They may feel a bit rusty going into this one but at the same time they should also be feeling refreshed and reenergised after a week back on the training field and having plenty of recovery time from their last game.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I can't see anything other than a Man United win. Newcastle look all over the place defensively and low on confidence plus with the forward players United have, it should be a straight forward win for them. Especially after having a weeks training and a couple of weeks to recover from their last game.
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