SATURDAY:
BRENTFORD V LIVERPOOL
Brentford picked up a much needed win last weekend against Wolves which could give them something to build on for the rest of the season.
The Bees have never lost at home to Liverpool in the Premier League and it's at home where they've been strong in the past.
Liverpool bounced back well against Burnley last weekend and the pressure will be on them to win this one with both City and Arsenal playing later, and the gap at the top being just two points.
Because of Brentford having taken points off them at home for the last two seasons, I think they'll do the same again here as they're a tough side to beat at home.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BURNLEY V ARSENAL
Burnley put in a decent effort against Liverpool last weekend and especially in the first half where they were in the game. Vincent Kompany will want his side to show that effort in this one against another title challenger.
The Clarets chances of doing that though are very slim because of how poor they've been at home all season. They've picked up just five points at home all season and no side has picked up fewer points.
Arsenal have looked more clinical in front of goal since the winter break and their improvement at that end has put them back in the title race. But I still think they're lacking that 20+ goal a season striker and having that player would make them serious contenders.
They swept West Ham aside last weekend and I think they'll do the same to Burnley here. Especially with the Clarets being open defensively and having a poor record at home.
PREDICTION: 0-4
FULHAM V ASTON VILLA
Fulham have been strong at home this season and their good form at home gives them a good chance of getting something from this game.
Aston Villa have hit a dip in form and I'm starting to think that the pressure beginning to get to them after dropping out of the top four. I asked that question in my key points of the weekend post after their defeat at Man United where they did everything but take their chances.
This one will be a tough game for Villa as Fulham are a resilient side who stay in games. Because of this I can see them make it difficult for Villa and nick a point.
PREDICTION: 1-1
NEWCASTLE V BOURNEMOUTH
Newcastle are beginning to find some form following two wins from their last three games which have put them back in the European places. Eddie Howe will need his side to keep up this kind of form and not being in Europe will certainly help with that.
The Magpies haven't been as defensively as they were last season and especially at home where also haven't been as strong. But I think they'll still be able to rebuild that fortress and a win here would be a good start to that.
Bournemouth won the reverse fixture back in November and it was a result that kickstarted their season after a slow start to the season. Their form massively improved and pushed them away from the relegation zone after that win.
The Cherries are still waiting for their first win of 2024 and I think they're going to have to wait longer for it. They'll definitely have a go at Newcastle, but with the Magpies beginning to find some form I think they'll just edge this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V WEST HAM
I'm starting to fear for Nottingham Forest who are just two points above the relegation zone and without a win in five games. They could soon find themselves in the bottom three as they have a points deduction looming over them.
Forest haven't been as strong at home as they were last season where their home form pretty much kept them up. With their away form still poor, they need to rebuild that home fortress they once had.
West Ham were shambolic against Arsenal last weekend and David Moyes will no doubt demand a reaction from his out of form team.
The Hammers are still waiting for their first win in 2024 and I think the absence of Lucas Paqueta has played a part as they're missing his creativity and flair in the midfield.
Both sides definitely need a win here but with both missing key personnel, I think the points will be shared here.
PREDICTION: 1-1
TOTTENHAM V WOLVES
Spurs welcomed back Heung Min Son in their win over Brighton last weekend and he made an instant impact off the bench in setting up Brennan Johnson for the winner. Having him back along with the other players returning from injury is a big boost for Spurs.
Wolves on the other hand have been dealt a major blow as they're set to be without in-form forward Matheus Cunha after he picked up a hamstring injury against Brentford, which Gary O'Neil described as significant.
Wolves won the reverse fixture back in November where they scored two late goals in injury time to win the match.
Spurs were in the early days of their injury crisis back then and with the majority of those injured players now back, I think they'll take the points here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
MAN CITY V CHELSEA
These two sides played out an entertain goal fest back in November with both sides going for it from the start. The neutral will this one to be the same.
It was a professional performance from Man City against Copenhagen in midweek where they were their usual dominant selves.
They lost both Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva to injury in midweek but I don't see this as a big blow for City as have a players who are more than capable of stepping in.
Chelsea needed two late goals to beat Crystal Palace on Monday where their second half performance was much better than the first.
The blues have been pretty dreadful on the road this season and I don't see their fortunes getting any better in this one.
City are on a incredible run of form and with their two best players in Haaland and De Bruyne back, I can only see this being a comfortable win for the champions.
PREDICTION: 3-0
SUNDAY:
SHEFFIELD UNITED V BRIGHTON
Sheffield United picked up a crucial win last time out against Luton which was a good response to their drubbing against Aston Villa the week before.
Chris Wilder will be hoping that result will be the start of a slim revival because his side desperately need points to get themselves off the foot of the table.
Brighton haven't been as good away from home this season and there have been a number of teams who have had that problem this season.
The Seagulls beat the Blades 5-2 in the FA Cup a few weeks ago and I think they'll dish out another beating on them here.
They might not be as good away as they are at home, but they'll still have more than enough quality to win this one rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 1-3
LUTON V MAN UNITED
Luton looked surprisingly off it against Sheffield United after being in such good form going into the game which they'll see as a big opportunity missed.
Rob Edwards' side have played well against the big teams this season despite not getting the results their performances deserve. Especially at home.
Man United have looked more together as a team since the turn of the year and they appear to have found some form following three straight wins.
It's good to see Rasmus Hojlund finally delivering after a slow start and his recent form has been key to United's improvement in results.
I can see him bag another here but I don't think United will win as Luton will put in a resilient and dogged display to earn themselves a point.
PREDICTION: 1-1
MONDAY:
EVERTON V CRYSTAL PALACE
This is a must win game for both sides who are out of form and in need of points.
Everton are without a win in 7 games and are also back in the bottom three. With another potential points deduction looming over them, they need to get as many points as they can so they're not put in further trouble.
Roy Hodgson might not be in charge for Crystal Palace for this game after hearing reports that he is set to be sacked. I was hoping that he'd see out the rest of the season due to the connection he has with the club and the fact being that he knows how to get his side out of a sticky situation.
His side put in a decent display against Chelsea on Monday and without their two best players no less in Eze and Olise. If Hodgson is still charge by the time this game comes round, he'll want his side to show the same spirit they showed on Monday.
I don't see many goals here as both sides don't score that many. But with Everton being at home and having the Goodison crowd on their side, I think they'll edge this one.
PREDICTION: 1-0
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