SATURDAY:
ASTON VILLA V ARSENAL
Aston Villa had more of a go in the second half against Man City after being completely outplayed in the first. They needed to react after going 3-0 down and they did that by playing on the front foot. They'll need to play like that in this one if they're to get a result.
It looks like they're going to have to settle for another mid-table finish which is where Villa are and deserve to be. They did have ambitions for Europe at the start of the season but for now Villa have to accept that they're a mid-table side.
Mistakes were what cost Arsenal against Man City on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see how they'll pick themselves up. They'll hopefully learn a lot from that game with ie being against a City side who have been there and done it for so many years.
Some Arsenal fans will probably be thinking that they're blowing it having lost their lead at the top of the Premier League. But they shouldn't see it that way. They're a young team who are going to get better and they haven't been in this position for a number of years. They're new to this experience and they'll hopefully learn a lot from it moving forward.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Arsenal may be going through a blip at the moment but I don't see them losing this one. Villa will make it tough for them as they're a tough side beat. But I can only see them claim a draw as they're not clinical enough in front of goal.
BRENTFORD V CRYSTAL PALACE
Brentford deserved their point at Arsenal last weekend even though they were lucky to get the result as their goal should've been disallowed. Their performance was worthy of a point and they again showed that day that they don't fear anyone no matter which team they're facing.
The Bees are unbeaten in their last 10 league games and are just a point off Europe as things stand. Their strong home form as played a huge part in that and if they stay within touching distance of the European places, Thomas Frank should be nominated for manager of the season.
Crystal Palace are still without a win in 2023 and they might be starting to look over the shoulder with the teams below them beginning to pick up points. They should still be ok because of the quality of squad they have but they need to start winning games otherwise they might get sucked into a scrap.
The fixtures haven't been kind to them as they've had to play Spurs, Chelsea and Man United twice. They've also missed talisman Wilfried Zaha who will again be absent for this one through injury. They need to get him back if they're to start winning games again.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Every game between these two sides has ended in a draw and I can see this one ending the same way. Brentford may be the side in better form but I think Palace will make it difficult for them as they're a tough side to play against.
BRIGHTON V FULHAM
Both sides have surprised everyone this season when you look at where they are in the league compared to where a lot of people thought they would be. Brighton were expected to be in and around mid-table whilst Fulham thought they would be fighting it out near the bottom. Both find themselves pushing for Europe.
Brighton shot themselves in the foot last weekend against Crystal Palace with keeper Robert Sanchez's howler costing them the game. They did have a lot of chances that they should've taken but the error from Sanchez was what cost them.
It was a comfortable win for Fulham last time out against Nottingham Forest with the away side losing both centre backs early on playing a big part. They were the more creative and clinical side on the day and the result was never in doubt.
They went three games without scoring prior to their win over Forest which I found very surprising as they're a team who have goals in them. They'll definitely get chances here with this game expected to be a very open affair.
PREDICTION: 2-2
This should be a great game as both sides like to play on the front foot as they have done for much of the season. They both have a lot of goals in them but as Brighton can occasionally drop points at home, I think Fulham will nick a point here.
CHELSEA V SOUTHAMPTON
Chelsea's lack of a goal scorer cost them again in midweek against Borussia Dortmund as they got into a number of good positions but didn't make the most of them. This is starting to become a problem they can't address.
Their performances under Graham Potter have improved in recent weeks but their lack of goals is still a worry. They've scored just 23 times this season and the reason is why is because they don't have a no.9.
Southampton sacked Nathan Jones last weekend after their defeat to Wolves and it will interesting to see whether they show a reaction here. Ruben Selles will be in charge for this one and he'll be desperate to get something out of these players unlike Jones during his short stint as manager.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm going for a Chelsea win here because they should have more than enough quality to win the game. They might be lacking a goal scorer and Southampton may show a reaction after the sacking of Nathan Jones. But the blues should still have enough in them to win this game.
EVERTON V LEEDS
This relegation six-pointer is a must win for both sides who have similar problems. They're not clinical enough in front of goal.
Everton didn't carry much of a goal threat in the Merseyside Derby on Monday with the absence of Dominic Calvert Lewin playing a huge part. Ellis Simms started up front for that game but didn't make much of an impact on what was his full debut.
Sean Dyche has had a couple of tough fixtures to kick off his reign at Everton and this one wasn't seen as a tough one when he first arrived. Leeds obviously aren't in the same bracket as Arsenal and Liverpool but as they're fighting for the same goal as Everton in Premier League survival, we probably should've had this one down as a tough game for the Toffees.
Leeds are still looking for a new manager and they need to get one in quickly if they're to have any chance of staying up. Michael Skubala is in charge for the time being and might be in charge till the end of the season if the club are unable to find a permanent boss.
They had a number of chances against Man United last weekend but weren't able to take them as per usual. They arguably have better attacking players than Everton as they create a number of chances in games and have more energy. But they just aren't clinical enough in the final third.
PREDICTION: 0-0
Leeds will probably look the more likely to score given the amount of chances they create in games. But because of how wasteful they can be and Everton being an organised team under Sean Dyche, I think the Toffees will stand firm and nick a draw. Although I don't see them offering much at the other end.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V MAN CITY
Nottingham Forest lost the reverse fixture 6-0 back in August and have come a long way since. They're looking much stronger defensively and are looking more like a team than they were at that stage of the season. Both have played a big part in their revival since the World Cup break.
Steve Cooper's side lost both centre backs early on in their defeat at Fulham ad it wouldn't surprise me if there was a lack of cohesion in their defence during this game. They've tried many combinations in their defence this season and another one for this game could make their defence less watertight.
Man City showed their class and experience in winning big games against Arsenal in midweek where they moved to the top of the league as a result of their victory. They were the better side in the second half and their performance during that period was what won them the game along with their quality.
I don't like the idea of them playing a back three but I can understand why they're using that system because they haven't got an out and out left back. Nathan Ake has impressed in that position this season and they should keep using him there with Sergio Gomez out of favour.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I'm backing City to win this one because I can see them showing their quality to win the game. Forest are on a good run at home but after losing both their centre halves early on against Fulham, I think they'll struggle defensively here. Especially when as they're facing Erling Haaland who scored a hat trick against them in the reverse fixture.
WOLVES V BOURNEMOUTH
This might've been seen as a relegation six pointer a few weeks ago. But since then both teams have gone in different directions.
Wolves have been on the up since Julen Lopetegui arrived winning 4 of his 7 league games in charge. They were rock bottom when he walked in and now they're 15th and 5 points clear of the relegation zone.
Bournemouth have gone in the opposite direction since the World Cup break where they've claimed just two points since Gary O'Neil was appointed on a permanent basis. Their recent performances have improved but they haven't had the results to go with them.
PREDICTION: 1-0
Both sides haven't scored many goals this season and it's why they're both near the foot of the table. I think Wolves will win this one though as they have more confidence on board. Bournemouth will give it a good go after a couple of improved performances but I think Wolves will have enough quality to win the game.
NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL
Newcastle's only defeat this season came against Liverpool in the reverse fixture back in August and the run they've been on since has been incredible. But recent performances do suggest that a second defeat is not that far away.
Bruno Guimaraes has obviously been a big miss in midfield as they've missed that player who can sit in front of the defence and control the game in the middle of the park. He might've made a made a difference had he played against Bournemouth last week because of how sloppy they were. But the difference wouldn't have been huge as they looked sloppy in other areas as well.
Liverpool were very much like their old selves in the Merseyside Derby on Monday with their work rate on and off the ball being much improved. They will have gained a lot of confidence from both the performance and result but whether they'll follow both up here remains to be seen given how inconsistent they've been this season.
The reds will have Virgil Van Dijk back for this one which will be a massive boost because of how much they've struggled without him defensively. He hasn't had his best season by his own high standards but having him back in the backline will surely restore some much needed organisation in the defence.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I think Newcastle will win this one because they have much more energy in their side than Liverpool do. The reds were much improved against Everton but I don't see them following that up with another good performance here as they've struggled away from home in recent weeks. Newcastle are missing Guimaraes but I still think they'll put in more effort than Liverpool and win this game.
SUNDAY:
MAN UNITED V LEICESTER
Man United are five points off the top heading into this one and some people are saying that they're in the title race. They can definitely put themselves in contention but I don't think they're contenders as they don't have the strength in depth like City do.
They're again missing Casemiro through suspension for this one and I can again see them struggle without him. Their midfield is broken through so easily without him in the side as seen in both games against Leeds last week. Leicester will be another side looking to do exactly that due to the attacking players they have.
Leicester are beginning to turn a corner again after back to back wins over Aston Villa and Spurs which have moved them six points clear of the relegation zone. James Maddison was crucial in both games and having him back has made such a difference.
PREDICTION: 2-2
I can definitely see Leicester go at United as the home side as they have a number of attacking players who are capable of causing the United defence problems. Especially with Casemiro unavailable for them. But the FOxes have shot themselves in the foot at times this season and I can see them to the same here.
TOTTENHAM V WEST HAM
Spurs were guilty of another slow start against AC Milan in midweek where they conceded a scruffy goal early on. The only positive they took from that game was the midfield duo and Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr who both impressed in the absence of Hojbjerg and Bentancur.
Hojbjerg will be back for this game having been suspended in midweek and either Skipp or Sarr will most likely partner him with Bentancur out for the rest of the season.
West Ham are slowly moving themselves away from trouble after a win and two draws from their last three games. They've gone back to basics by being more solid defensively and they're showing the kind of fighting spirit you need to get yourselves out of trouble.
Their battle to stay in the league could get tougher soon as they'll be back in Europa Conference League action soon. Their chances of staying up could depend on how far they go in that competition.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm going for a Spurs win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. West Ham will make it difficult for them but with the quality that Spurs have in forward areas especially, I think they'll edge this London Derby.
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