FRIDAY:
WATFORD V NORWICH
Watford picked up a crucial point last time out against Newcastle and they'll be looking to follow it up with another good result here. With Norwich beating Everton and Burnley not playing, it was a result they needed so they could keep themselves above the bottom three. Especially as they were on a losing run of 7 games in all competitions.
The Hornets did the double over Norwich in the Championship last season and beat them earlier in the season at Carrow Road. Their recent record in this fixture will makes them favourites and give them confidence despite the poor form they've been in.
Norwich will be feeling confident going into this game following their win over Everton last weekend where they started on the front foot and held on for the win. It was a big result for them as they were on a bad run of form going into the game and a result like that can give them the belief they need to stay up.
PREDICTION: 2-1
Because of their recent record in this fixture, I'm going for a Watford win here. They may not be in great form at the moment but I think they'll have enough to win this relegation six pointer.
SATURDAY:
EVERTON V ASTON VILLA
Everton will need to show a reaction in this one following the sacking of Rafa Benitez and with Duncan Ferguson back as the caretaker again they'll hopefully get one. Ferguson impressed last time he was caretaker manager and I think he should be given the job till at least the end of the season because he knows the club and will bring the team together like he did last time.
Aston Villa showed some character to comes from behind and grab a draw against Man United last weekend with Philippe Coutinho making an instant impact off the bench on his debut. The former Liverpool player made the difference for Villa as he changed the outcome of the game the moment he stepped out onto the pitch by going at players and causing United problems.
This will be Steven Gerrard's first game against Everton as a manager and will know all about facing them from his playing days. He had many duels against the Toffees from his time at Liverpool and he'll be expecting another one here but this time in the dugout.
PREDICTION: 1-1
With Everton likely to show a reaction and Villa looking to put in another decent performance, I'm going for a draw here. I can see it being a very close game and both teams cancelling each other out.
BRENTFORD V WOLVES
Brentford are in some sticky form at the moment after losing their last three games including their midweek defeat to Man United. They should have enough to be safe as they're 10 points above the relegation zone but they still need to get back to winning ways or they could find themselves in that relegation battle.
Wolves on the other hand are in some decent form with 3 wins from their last 5 games which will give them plenty of confidence going into this game. They've also put in some decent performances which will also give them the belief that they can win again here.
Bruno Lage's side were set for a tough season when they lost to Brentford in the reverse fixture due to their difficult start to the season. They have had their struggles in front of goal at times but since that defeat they've been much improved and are looking to push for a European place.
PREDICTION: 0-2
With Wolves in the better form going into this game, I'm backing them to carry it on with a another win here. Brentford have been decent at home this season but I still think Wolves will win this one.
LEEDS V NEWCASTLE
Leeds are beginning to pick up some form following back to back wins over Burnley and West Ham which have given them some much needed confidence going into this game. To get those wins without two of their best players in Phillips and Bamford deserves a lot of credit because they've struggled without the pair at times during the season.
Their youngsters have really stepped up for them in recent weeks for which Bielsa deserves a lot of credit for. They could've asked for their games to be called off because of the amount of injuries and COVID issues they've had but Bielsa wanted the games to go ahead because he wanted to give the kids a chance and they've taken it.
I was feeling fairly optimistic about Newcastle last week after they signed Chris Wood which I thought was a signing that could change their season. But their draw with Watford told me that they still have work to do if they're to stay up after conceding a late equaliser.
They've dropped more points from winning positions than any other team this season and the only way they're going to address that is by signing a defender or two in the transfer window. The defence is their main area of concern and they need to fix it or they'll be going down.
PREDICTION: 2-0
With Leeds beginning to pick up some form, I'm backing them to pick up another win here. They may be without some key players through injury but with their youngsters stepping up I can see them win this one.
MAN UNITED V WEST HAM
Man United showed a strong reaction in the second half of their midweek win over Brentford after a disappointing showing in the first half. They moved the ball quicker and looked more of a threat in the second half which is something they didn't do in the first as they had to rely on David De Gea to keep them in the game.
They'll now need to follow up that result with another good one here so they can build some consistency which is something they've struggled with this season. If there is one thing that will stop them finishing in the top four it is definitely going to be consistency.
West Ham were poor defensively against Leeds last weekend which was unlike them as they're usually well organised and solid in that area. They also looked tired and were lacking in energy with the amount of games they played during the week potentially playing a part. David Moyes said something similar to that after the game.
The Hammers beat United in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season which will give them confidence because they'll believe that they can beat them again having beaten them before. Especially with the season they're having so far along with the form of some of their players.
PREDICTION: 1-1
West Ham don't have a great record at Old Trafford but I do think they'll get something from this game. With United being inconsistent, I can see the Hammers get a draw here.
SOUTHAMPTON V MAN CITY
Southampton's draw with City in the reverse fixture was a result a lot of people didn't see coming yet they pulled it off. They limited City to very few shots on target and were unlucky not to come away with all three points on the day. They'll need to do the same in this one if they're to get a result and be clinical in front of goal as they'll be up against a much stronger City side than they were back in September.
Man City pretty much have the title in the bag with the big gap they have over the rest of the league and it's hard to see anyone else catch them. They may have one or two stumbles along the way but they'll still win more than enough games to win the league.
It was an off day for them the last time they met Southampton earlier in the season as they didn't look their usual selves in attack. But with the form they're in going into this one and the way they've played throughout the season, I can see them put in a much better showing this time round.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I've got to go for a City win here because of the form they're in. They were frustrated by the Saints earlier in the season but this time round they'll have a much stronger team which is capable of winning any kind of game.
SUNDAY:
ARSENAL V BURNLEY
Arsenal will be without a recognised defensive midfielder for this game with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka both suspended and Mohamed Elneny at AFCON. Sambi Lokonga will probably step in as he's the only all round central midfielder they have available but I think he may struggle against a physical team like Burnley.
The Gunners' only hope of a successful season is a top four finish as they're now out of both cup competitions. The missed a big opportunity against Liverpool in midweek as they were at home and had a promising performance to build on which they weren't able to do. They didn't' create too many clear cut chances and the defending for their goals could've been better.
Burnley have had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of their last two games being postponed. This could give them an advantage here because they'll be feeling the fresher of the two teams plus they've had more than enough time on the training ground to work on things that they need to improve on.
PREDICTION: 1-1
With Burnley having enough to time to prepare for this game and Arsenal not having a recognised defensive midfielder, I can see the Clarets get a result here. They won't offer a lot going forward but defensively they should have enough to frustrate Arsenal.
CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL
Crystal Palace lost this fixture 7-0 last season which was a score line not many people expected because of how organised they were defensively under then manager Roy Hodgson. They may play a different style of play under Patrick Vieira but I still don't think they'll get as easily beaten as they were last time. They're a more competitive side this season and I can see them be exactly that in this game.
The Eagles haven't lost too many games convincingly this season which is a big plus for them going into this game. They've looked reasonably solid at the back like they have done for the past few seasons and with that defensive solidity, I can see them frustrate a weakened Liverpool attack.
Liverpool have a cup final to look forward to following their Carabao Cup semi final win over Arsenal in midweek but for the time being they should focus on cementing their top four place with the title beyond their reach.
They've done reasonably well without Salah and Mane with their last two results against Brentford in the league and Arsenal in the cup backing that up. They won those games fairly convincingly with the performances they put in but I think they might struggle here because of the lack of recovery time between their last game and this one. With their high pressing game it could be a tough one for them.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Palace may be without talisman Zaha for this one, but I still think they'll have enough to earn a point here. Liverpool will feel a bit tired having played on a Thursday and without their two best players in Salah and Mane, I can see Palace frustrate them here.
LEICESTER V BRIGHTON
Leicester saw victory snatched from their hands against Spurs in midweek and it's possible that it could happen again as Brighton have a habit of snatching late results. Spurs did deserve to win the game but the Foxes will still be disappointed that they weren't able to see the game out.
The Foxes have had an up and down season so far and the team itself doesn't look very balanced. They have goals in them going forward even without the injured Jamie Vardy but defensively they look vulnerable and especially without midfield anchor Wilfried N'Didi. I can see this play a part in this game.
Brighton will be kicking themselves that they didn't come away with all three points against Crystal Palace last Friday as they had more than enough chances to win the game. They did get their usual last gasp equaliser but with the amount of chances they had they should've won the game.
The Seagulls beat the Foxes earlier in the season and will feel that they can go at them again. They do miss a lot of chances but with Leicester missing key players in defensive areas, Brighton will feel that they can get something here.
PREDICTION: 2-2
I can see this one being a good game as they're both good teams to watch when they're at it. With Leicester missing key players defensively and Brighton being experts at grabbing late results, I'm going for a draw here.
CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM
Chelsea were dominant in both games against Spurs in the Carabao Cup earlier this month and they'll be looking to do the same in this league clash. Their league form at the moment may not be the best but they'll still believe that they can put in another convincing performance like they did a few weeks ago.
Their draw with Brighton in midweek pretty much ended their title hopes with the gap between themselves and City now being 12 points. Some will say that their hopes were over following their defeat to City last weekend but for me their draw with Brighton basically ended them for good.
Spurs are still unbeaten under Antonio Conte and their run continued with their midweek win over Leicester. They did have to bring Steven Bergwijn off the bench to rescue the game for them but overall a win was what they deserved because of the chances they had on the night.
Spurs don't have a great record at Stamford Bridge and I can't really see it being improved in this one. They're still without Son who will be a massive for them and although Harry Kane has hit a bit of form, I can still see them struggling here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
With how dominant Chelsea were a few weeks ago, I'm backing them to put in another good performance in this one. They may not be in the best of form but as Spurs are without Son, the blues should win this one comfortably.
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