SATURDAY:
EVERTON V TOTTENHAM
Everton are back in the bottom three and again struggling for goals after drawing a blank in each of their last two games. Both strikers in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto are out of form and need to find their shooting boots soon if the Toffees are to stay up.
Spurs were much better in the second half against Brentford in midweek as they moved the ball a lot quicker and had more width to their game.
I do think they could struggle here though as Everton are a tough team to play against and Spurs are obviously without Son who has been missed since he's been at the Asian Cup.
His energy and runs in behind have been missed since he's been away and because of this, I think the Toffees could nick a point here.
PREDICTION: 0-0
BRIGHTON V CRYSTAL PALACE
Brighton got hammered by Luton in midweek which was a result that not many people saw coming. It was incredible to see how open they were defensively.
Their style of play is brilliant to watch on the eye, but it does have it flaws and those flaws have been evident on a number of occasions this season.
Crystal Palace needed that win against Sheffield United in midweek, especially with the form they were in and after what happened against Arsenal two weeks before.
Roy Hodgson will have been delighted to have seen Eze and Olise on the pitch together and both them showed what a difference they make. If Palace can keep them fit, they should be ok.
I think this one could be an open game due to the attacking players both sides have. Brighton will obviously go for it as that is their philosophy, but I think Palace could catch them on the counter, especially with eze and Olise available.
Palace haven't scored many goals this season but with Eze and Olise on the pitch, they should definitely get on the score sheet here.
PREDICTION: 2-2
BURNLEY V FULHAM
Burnley have the worst home record in the league this season picking up just four points at Turf Moor all season.
The Clarets did win the reverse fixture 2-0 before Christmas but Fulham on the day didn't have Raul Jimenez who was suspended and at the time in god form.
Marco Silva's side will again be without the Mexican for this one due to injury but they could hand a debut to new signing Armando Broja, who they got on loan from Chelsea on deadline day.
The Cottagers are not in good form coming into this one with just one win from their last seven games. But they do have players who can hurt Burnley and with the Clarets being so poor at home, I think the Cottagers' will come out on top here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
NEWCASTLE V LUTON
Newcastle picked up a much needed against Villa in midweek and especially as it was away from home, where they have struggled a lot this season.
They're back at home for this game and they were strong at home for the whole of last season. They'll need to rebuild that fortress they once had after losing their last three at St James' Park.
Luton were outstanding against Brighton in midweek and both the result and performance will give them a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season. They moved out of the bottom three as a result of that win and if they do end up staying up, Rob Edwards is surely a contender for manager of the season.
The Hatters won the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road before Christmas and their result against Brighton will give them the belief to beat the Magpies again.
The Magpies do still have a lot of injuries like they have done for the last few months, but I think they'll build on their win against Villa with another victory here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SHEFFIELD UNITED V ASTON VILLA
Sheffield United performance wise have improved under Chris Wilder and they need to turn these performances into results if they're to get themselves out of trouble.
Their main issue this season has undoubtedly been scoring goals but they might've found a solution to that in Ben Brereton Diaz who has scored in both of his Premier League games so far. The Blades will need him to build on this decent start.
Aston Villa finally saw their long unbeaten run at home come to an end in midweek against Newcastle where they didn't look themselves. They were sloppy in possession and their high line got exposed on a number of occasions.
Unai Emery's side have hit a dip in form with just one win from their last five games with one of them being the draw in the reverse fixture before Christmas.
They're still having an incredible season though and I think they'll bounce back here.
PREDICTION: 1-2
SUNDAY:
BOURNEMOUTH V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Bournemouth were probably the better side in the first half against West Ham last night with the amount of chances they had and they'll probably be kicking themselves for not taking them.
Nottingham Forest are beginning to look over their shoulders now they're only just two points above the relegation zone and things could get even worse for them, especially with the financial charges they're facing.
They had a real go during the final moments of the game against Arsenal in midweek after not offering much for most of the contest. Their performance during those closing stages will give Nuno's side a lot of encouragement heading into this one.
I still worry about Forest away from home though and with Bournemouth being in decent form, I think the Cherries will do the double over them.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CHELSEA V WOLVES
Chelsea were poor against Liverpool in midweek and the game showed how far apart the two sides are. They did have some controversial decisions go against them but their performance was still poor.
The blues have been in good form at home recently and they come into this one on a four game winning streak at home.
Wolves gave a Man United a good game last night and I think Gary O'Neil will take a lot of positives from his sides' performance. Especially in the final quarter of the match.
Wolves beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture on Christmas Eve and they'll more than back themselves to do the same here, especially after their performance last night.
But with Chelsea being on a good run of form at home, I think they might just edge this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MAN UNITED V WEST HAM
I'm starting to think that Man United are beginning to turn their season round as performances are starting to improve and players are coming back from injury. I might however be wrong about that given how inconsistent they've been this season both from a performance and results point of view.
Marcus Rashford appears to be back in Erik ten hag's good books after scoring against Wolves last night where his all round performance was good. This was probably a reminder that the manager still has faith in him despite his off-pitch troubles.
West Ham don't have a good record at Old Trafford and are still missing players through injury. But they do have Mohammed Kudus back after making his return last night against Bournemouth.
Because of them not having a good record at Old Trafford, I have a feeling that United might just edge this one.
PREDICTION: 1-0
ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL
Arsenal were wasteful when the two sides met in the FA Cup last month and they were later punished for it as Liverpool went on to win the game 2-0.
The Gunners have been more clinical in their games since their FA Cup exit, but the questions about them needing a consistent goal scorer still remain.
The one question facing Liverpool ahead of this game is whether Conor Bradley will keep his place at right back with Trent Alexander-Arnold now back from injury. Bradley has stepped up brilliantly whilst Trent has been out and his form will give Jurgen Klopp a tough decision to make.
Had I predicted this game a couple of months ago, I might've gone for an Arsenal win as they were the side who had the better chance of winning the title.
But with Liverpool being in the form they're in and being more clinical in the final third, I think they'll claim the points here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
MONDAY:
BRENTFORD V MAN CITY
Brentford did the double over Man City last season and their record against the big sides is generally good. But I don't see them repeating that here as City are in such good form at the moment.
Having Ivan Toney back will give them a chance and it was his double that won them the game at the Etihad last season. But he's still working his way back to full sharpness.
Man City have both Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland back from their respective injuries and will both be on the pitch together for the first time since the opening game of the season.
I don't see both of them playing the whole 90 minutes as they've just come back from injury lay offs. But I do think they'll decide the outcome of this game.
PREDICTION: 1-2
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