SATURDAY:
MAN UNITED V SOUTHAMPTON
Man United missed a big opportunity to cement their top four place in midweek with their draw at Burnley where again they had a lot chances that they didn't take. The same happened in their FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend and its something they need to stamp out if they're to finish in the top four.
United won this fixture 9-0 last season where the Saints had a player sent off early on which set the tone for the game. There could still be a sending off in this game but I can't see it being a one sided game like the one from last season.
Southampton are one of those teams who have gone under the radar this season as they haven't been spoken about as much as some of the other teams. Their recent rise up the table has somewhat gone unnoticed and its about time they got some praise for their recent results.
They were very impressive in their win over Spurs in midweek where they were the better side in every department from start to finish. They forced their opponents into mistakes and caused them problems from wide areas. They'll definitely be looking to do the same in this one.
PREDICTION: 2-2
Southampton have drawn a lot of games this season whilst United have inconsistent for the majority of Ralf Rangnick's reign. With both factors thrown into the mix I can see this one being a draw.
BRENTFORD V CRYSTAL PALACE
Brentford defended well for most of their midweek defeat to Man City but were let down by a couple of mistakes which lead to the goals. They also didn't offer enough going forward which is understandable because of the team they were facing in City and the fact that they were without their two best attacking players in Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney.
The Bees are on a five game losing streak going into this game and the only thing to prevent it extending is their strong home form and Palace's poor away form. Their home form has been crucial to them this season and they'll need to use it in this one because they're only six points above the drop zone.
Crystal Palace are still without a league win in 2022 with their record being 2 draws and 2 defeats from 4 league games. Patrick Vieira won't be concerned by it as his side are having a decent season but he would his side to get off the mark soon to give them more breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.
The Eagles' last away win came back in October at Man City which is the only victory they've picked up away from home all season. With Brentford being a tough place to come to this season, the Eagles could be in for a tough game here.
PREDICTION: 1-1
One side is strong at home whilst the other is not convincing away. I can definitely this is play a part here but with Brentford likely to be without Ivan Toney again, I think Palace should have enough to hold on for a draw.
EVERTON V LEEDS
Everton really are in a relegation battle and the league table tells us why as well as their recent performances. We all knew that Frank Lampard had a tough job on his hands the moment he was appointed and now his task has been made even more challenging because of where Everton are in the table.
They didn't know what to do with the ball against Newcastle in midweek particularly when Newcastle were pressing them. They gave the ball away countless times from their own half in midweek as they were trying to play out from the back. If they carry on like that in this one, they're again going to get punished.
Leeds were involved in one of the games of the season so far against Aston Villa in midweek which was a game that summed them up as a team. Breath-taking going forward but open defensively. It was a Leeds kind of game because of that very reason.
They'll probably be expecting a similar kind of game in this one as Everton are set to be an expansive team under their new manager. Leeds will go for it like they always do but they could also leave spaces in behind for the opposition to take control of like Villa did on Wednesday night.
PREDICTION: 2-2
This one will definitely be an open game as they can both look vulnerable defensively but on their day good going forward. Everton may be low on confidence as a result of their recent form, but I do think they'll get something here with Calvert Lewin back to lead their attack alongside Richarlison. But I can also see Leeds causing them problems with how they play.
WATFORD V BRIGHTON
Watford are looking much more organised under Roy Hodgson as they're looking more solid and tough to beat They may have lost to West Ham during the week but they still looked tough to break down and difficult to beat on the day. The players are definitely showing a reaction under the former England and Crystal Palace boss.
Brighton didn't play during the week as their game with Chelsea was brought forward. This could give them an advantage here as they've had all week to prepare for this game and will therefore be feeling the fresher team as a result of them not playing during the week.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I can see this one being a Watford win because they'll have enough defensively to keep Brighton at bay plus they have players going forward who can win them a game. As Brighton do have a tendency to miss a lot of chances, I think the Hornets will just edge this one.
NORWICH V MAN CITY
Norwich have looked more difficult to beat under Dean Smith in recent weeks which as given them a platform to perform and get results. Their recent results have given them some much needed confidence and with the games they have coming up including this one, their improvement in form has come at a good time.
Man City more or less got the job done against Brentford in midweek even if they weren't at their dominant best. They did dominate possession but they had to work hard for the win because of how organised Brentford were defensively.
City do have a history of beating Norwich by a big score line like they did at the Etihad earlier in the season. They may not have won here for a few years but you'd still expect them to run riot again because of the quality of squad they have and their recent success of beating the Canaries by a big score line.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I'm backing City to win this one comfortably because I think they'll be too strong for Norwich. The Canaries will be feeling confident after their recent results but I still think City will win this one with ease because of the quality they have.
SUNDAY:
BURNLEY V LIVERPOOL
Burnley have been one of the draw specialists this season with 11 draws so far this season. They need to start turning those draws into wins and quickly because they need wins to get them out of trouble and for that to happen they need to start scoring goals.
Their lack of goals are why they're in the position they find themselves in. They have been tough to beat defensively like they usually are but haven't posed enough of a threat going forward. Sean Dyche will be hoping that his new striker in Weghorst will help with that.
Liverpool will have Sadio Mane back for this one following his success with AFCON which is a massive boost for the reds going into this game. With Salah also back following his return against Leicester in midweek, the reds should have their strongest 11 out there for this game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
This one should be a straightforward win for Liverpool because they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. Burnley will make it difficult for them but with both Salah and Mane back from AFCON, the reds should win this one without too many problems.
NEWCASTLE V ASTON VILLA
Newcastle will be hoping that their win over Everton in midweek will give them the momentum they need to pull themselves away from the relegation zone. It was a big result for them and it will hopefully give them the belief and confidence that they can stay up.
I wrote them off a couple of months ago as I couldn't see them pick up many points. But after the window they've had and their result against Everton, I think they're in with a very good chance of beating the drop.
Aston Villa are looking like a really good side going forward thanks to the addition of Philippe Coutinho who has been excellent since he arrived on loan from Barcelona. He's been given the freedom to express himself and the players around him have allowed that to happen.
He was outstanding against Leeds in midweek alongside Jacob Ramsey who has also been in great form since he's come into the team. The pair of them linked up very well in that game and their partnership will be a big plus for them moving forward.
PREDICTION: 1-1
Both sides have played well in recent games and will be going into this game with a lot of confidence. But I can't see either side winning it as I think it will be a very close game plus both sides are missing one or two key players.
TOTTENHAM V WOLVES
Spurs were let down by defensive mistakes in their midweek defeat to Southampton of which Antonio Conte will be disappointed with. He's a coach known to make sides defensively solid and his current sides' defeat shows that he needs players in that area if they're to compete with the best teams in the league.
Bar from their forward line, I still think Conte is trying to find his best team. He's changed his midfield quite a bit since he's been there rotating between Skipp and Winks and he's done the same to his defence as well. He needs to find the right balance soon if Spurs are to finish anywhere near the top four.
Wolves' goal scoring problems came back to bite them against Arsenal during the week as they had enough chances but didn't take them. They're still having a good season but if they're to finish in the European places, they need to finish their chances on a regular basis.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Spurs to win this one because they have more goals in them than Wolves. Wolves will make it difficult for them because of their defensive record but Spurs should still have enough going forward to win the game.
LEICESTER V WEST HAM
Leicester looked a bit more resolute against Liverpool than they were in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest.
Their set piece issues continued in that game and they'll need to do better from those scenarios in this one as they're up against one of the best teams from those positions in West Ham.
The Foxes don't really have anything to play for between now and the end of the season as they're out of all the cup competitions and unlikely to challenge for anything in the league. They may be in the Europa Conference League but given the season they're having I can't see them winning that competition.
West Ham have won their last three meetings against Leicester including their 3-0 success in this fixture last season. Their recent record against them will give them confidence going into this game as they'll believe that they can beat them again. Especially with the season they're currently having.
A lot of people were surprised that Kurt Zouma played in their win over Watford in midweek following the incident involving his cat and it's even more surprising to hear that he'll be available for this one. He shouldn't have played against Watford and he really shouldn't play in this one as he's bound to get more stick from the crowd because of what he did.
PREDICTION: 1-3
With Leicester being poor at defending from set pieces and West Ham being very good at scoring from them, I've got to give the Hammers the win here. As the Foxes have been poor defensively all season in general, I can also see the Hammers hurt them from open play as they have the players going forward to do so.
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