jonjoward1998

Dec 31, 20217 min read

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 21

SATURDAY:

ARSENAL V MAN CITY

Arsenal were at a low point when they met City back in August with their manager under a lot of pressure and the club at the foot of the table following three straight defeats including their 5-0 drubbing in the reverse fixture. They've improved a lot since then with the team having a more solid backbone and the club now in the top four. The manager deserves a lot of credit for this because he was arguably the favourite for the sack the last time these two sides met.

Mikel Arteta won't be in the dugout for this one after he tested positive for COVID which I'm sure he'll be disappointed with as he would've wanted to go up against his mentor again in this game. Without his presence on the touchline and the calibre of team his side are facing, it could be another difficult afternoon for the Gunners.

Man City look set for another convincing title win with the form they're currently in along with Liverpool and Chelsea dropping points. They're 8 points clear at the top going into this game and with Liverpool losing players to AFCON and Chelsea heading off to the World Club Cup in the UAE in February, the champions could be miles ahead by March.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I've got to back City to win this one because I can't see them losing a game anytime soon. It won't be as convincing as their win earlier in the season but they'll still have more than enough to win the game.

WATFORD V TOTTENHAM

Watford are a team who look decent in attack but leaky at the back. They're still without a clean sheet this season and their defeat to West Ham in midweek showed why. They defended poorly all game like they have done for much of the season and if they don't improve at the back, they're going to go down.

Spurs are still unbeaten under Antonio Conte with 5 wins and 3 draws from his first 8 league games which is their best start under any new manager. They were left frustrated after their draw with Southampton during the week as they didn't make the most of having the extra man on the pitch. But they've still made a good start under the Italian.

Harry Kane has finally hit some form with 3 goals from his last 3 games which has give him some much needed confidence going into the new year. He'll fancy himself to get another one here as he'll be up against one of the worst defences in league. If he gets a chance to score, he's going to take it.

PREDICTION: 0-3

I've got to give Spurs the win here because I think they'll be too strong for Watford. With Harry Kane in good form and Watford being all over the place defensively, they should win this one comfortably.

CRYSTAL PALACE V WEST HAM

Crystal Palace have become a good all round team this season and they showed why in their win over Norwich in midweek. They always relied on Wilfried Zaha in the past but now they have more attacking options who are more than capable of stepping up when the Ivorian isn't available. They're not missing Zaha as much as they used to.

West Ham picked up a much needed win against Watford in midweek where they looked more like the team we saw earlier in the season. They looked dangerous whenever they went forward and were reasonably tight at the back unlike their opponents.

They'll now need to follow that win up with another one here if they're to stay in the race for the top four because consistency will be key for them if they're to finish there at the end of the season. Now would be the time for them to build some consistency.

PREDICTION: 2-2

Both sides were involved in a good game when they met earlier in the season and I can see them involved in another one here. Both teams will go for it, but I think they'll cancel each other out.

SUNDAY:

BRENTFORD V ASTON VILLA

Brentford put in a good shift against Man City during the week but didn't get the result they wanted. They caused City problems early on with the start they made but were later punished like most teams are whenever they don't take their chances against the top teams.

The Bees are in a comfortable league position at the moment as they're currently 14th and 9 points clear of the drop. It's been a good season for them so far and if they can keep it up they should finish roughly where they are now.

Aston Villa will probably be feeling the fresher of the two teams going into this one as their midweek game with Leeds was called off through COVID. They've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of that and it could give them an advantage here.

PREDICTION: 1-2

With Villa having their midweek game postponed, I'm backing them to take the points in this game. They've won all their games against teams outside the top four since Steven Gerrard has been in charge and I can see them get another one here against another winnable opponent.

EVERTON V BRIGHTON

Everton could have Dominic Calvert Lewin back for this one which will be massive news for them because of how much they've missed him during his absence. The Toffees have missed that target man up top during his absence and with him now back, they'll hopefully start moving up the table.

The Toffees have a 100% record in this fixture and they'll want to keep up that record with another win in this game. They did win the reverse fixture back in August which will give them some confidence but given that they haven't played for three weeks, winning this game may not be as straightforward as they think. Especially with the way that their season has gone.

Brighton got a deserved point at Chelsea in midweek which was a good result to follow up their Boxing Day win over Brentford. It's been a year of progress for the Seagulls as they're 10th in table which shows huge signs of improvement from last season. But the goal scoring issues are still there which Graham Potter will want to address in the second half of the season.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Everton will feel a bit rusty having not played for three weeks plus they could have some key players unavailable through injury and illness. Because of that I can see them dropping more points here. Especially against a Brighton side who are good at grabbing late results.

LEEDS V BURNLEY

I can't see much hope for Leeds at the moment with the injuries they have which have played a key part in their struggling season. I still think they'll stay up but for the time being I can't see them pick up any results. They need to buy players in January to fill in for their injured key players.

Burnley are in a spot of bother in terms of their league position but I still think they'll get themselves out of it. They know what it takes to stay in the league thanks to their manager and they have a good squad of players to get themselves out of the trouble they're already in.

PREDICTION: 0-2

With Leeds missing some key players through injury, I'm backing Burnley to take the points in this one. They'll have more than enough defensively to keep out a blunt Leeds attack and they have players going forward who can nick them a goal.

CHELSEA V LIVERPOOL

This game is a must win for both clubs if they're to stand a chance of catching up with City. They've had a few results go them recently and they'll both want to bounce here so they can get their seasons back on track.

Chelsea dropped 9 points during December which saw them lose ground in the title race and end a promising year on a drab note. They were looking like the favourites at the start of the month but inconsistent form and injuries to key players has seen them drift away from the top.

The Blues will be without Reece James for this one after going off with a hamstring injury in their midweek draw with Brighton which will be a big loss for them. They do have Lukaku back among the goals but losing James is a big blow for them.

Liverpool were dealt a major blow in their midweek defeat to Leicester where Mohamed Salah's penalty turned out to be the turning point. They did have plenty of chances to score throughout the game but Salah's missed penalty for me was the moment that changed the game.

This will be Liverpool's last game with Salah and Mane before they go to AFCON which could in turn see their season unravel. They'll want to win this one so they have some confidence to take into the games without them.

PREDICTION: 2-1

Chelsea may be in some inconsistent form at the moment, but I think they'll take the points in this one. They be without Reece James but with Lukaku back among the goals, they should win this one.

MONDAY:

MAN UNITED V WOLVES

Man United put in a much improved performance against Burnley in midweek and it was probably their best so far under Ralf Rangnick. They were more of a threat going forward unlike their previous games and their work rate off the ball was much better than it was against Newcastle.

It's still going to take them time to get used to Rangnick's system and style of play but their result and performance in midweek will give them the confidence they need to execute it on a regular basis. Consistency will be key for them if they're to finish in the top four.

Wolves haven't played since their goalless draw with Chelsea before Christmas with their last two games against Burnley and Arsenal being called off because of COVID. They might be feeling a bit rusty as a result of that but at the same time they could be better prepared as they've had plenty of time to prepare for this game.

They're having a decent season under Bruno Lage as they're currently 8th in the league which is a reasonable position for them to be in at this stage of the season. But they have struggled when it comes to scoring goals which has been a problem of theirs for most of the season. They have looked solid defensively but going forward they can do better.