SATURDAY:
ARSENAL V EVERTON
Arsenal showed their class and quality against Monaco in midweek which was a fairly straightforward win for them.
They looked dangerous down the left hand side in that one after their right side was nullified against Fulham at the weekend. It will be interesting to see which side they use the most in this one.
Everton didn't play last weekend due to their game with Liverpool being called off due to bad weather. That could give Sean Dyche's side the advantage here as they will have had more time to prepare for this game than Arsenal, who obviously played in midweek.
Their last game was their 4-0 win over Wolves last week which was a massive result for them due to the fixtures they have coming up. They face Chelsea and Man City after this one.
They'll look to make it difficult for Arsenal as they're tough to play against, but they haven't been as tight defensively as they were last season.
Arsenal did find it difficult to break down a tough-to-break-down Fulham side last weekend, but I think they'll have the quality to break down Everton and win this game.
PREDICTION: 4-0
LIVERPOOL V FULHAM
Liverpool were not at their best against Girona in midweek and I was surprised by that because of them having not played at the weekend, due to their clash with Everton being called off.
Fulham have competed well against the big teams this season and were only a few minutes away from winning this fixture last season, only for Liverpool to score two late goals to win the game.
Marco Silva's side were resilient a tough to break down against Arsenal last weekend and they'll need to be exactly that in this one if they're to get something from this game.
But with Liverpool being at home where their fans are always behind them due to the atmosphere they generate, I think they'll come out on top here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
NEWCASTLE V LEICESTER
It's been a frustrating and inconsistent season so far for Newcastle when you look at both their results and their performances.
I asked after their defeat at Brentford if this season is going to be a reality check for them because they might've thought that they're now a top six or seven team.
They did well in each of the last two seasons, but those seasons might be seen as ones they overperformed in.
Leicester have made a solid start under Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and they showed last weekend against Brighton that they still have the character they had a few years ago.
I had them to go down at the start of the season, but now I think they might stay up because they have a lot of experience in their squad and a good enough manager at this level.
Their decent start under the Dutchman will give them confidence, but I think Newcastle will bounce back here because they're at home and will have the crowd behind them to push them all the way.
PREDICTION: 3-1
WOLVES V IPSWICH
The next two games a crucial for Wolves and for Gary O'Neil, who the club are still behind and willing to back in the January transfer window.
For the latter to happen, he needs to win this game and the next one against Leicester because their next after that are against Man United and Spurs.
Ipswich hearts were broken once again last weekend against Bournemouth, where they were only a few minutes away from a first win at home.
I said either last week or the week before that they're the unluckiest team in the league this season because they've been in a lot of games but haven't been able to match the performances with the results. Their defeat last weekend proved it.
They might actually get something here though as Wolves are low on confidence following three straight defeats.
They're also low on confidence but they have players in attack who can hurt Wolves' feeble defence with Rory Delap being one of them. He's been one of their few shining lights this season and I can see him nick a goal in this one and Ipswich pick up a rare win.
Wolves do have players who can score goals as well, but I don't trust them defensively as they have the worst defence in the league.
PREDICTION: 1-2
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V ASTON VILLA
Nottingham Forest deserved their win against Man United last weekend and I was glad that I predicted them to win that one, unlike Chris Sutton who I challenge when doing these predictions.
Nuno's side have taken points off Villa in this fixture in each of the last two seasons and I can see them do it again in this one as Villa's record after playing in Europe in poor.
Aston Villa have however found some form in the league following back to back wins against Brentford and Southampton, which put them back in the European places.
They do have players back from injury, but because they have a poor record in games after playing in Europe, I think they'll drop points here.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
BRIGHTON V CRYSTAL PALACE
Brighton have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons including their 4-1 win here last season, where they went 3-0 up inside the first half.
They've been an enjoyable team to watch under Fabian Hurzeler this season and have been one of the surprise packages as they currently sit in 7th. No one saw them being in that position at the start of the season.
Crystal Palace have arguably been one of the disappointments of the season considering how strong they ended last season.
But they have shown signs recently that they're beginning to rediscover the form they were in at the back end of lasts season. Their performances have looked encouraging and they're unbeaten since the international break.
This game will definitely be open as both teams like to play on the front foot. Brighton will probably have more of the ball, but I think Palace can exploit the spaces they leave in behind their high line.
PREDICTION: 2-2
MAN CITY V MAN UNITED
Man City couldn't get past a stubborn Juventus side in midweek where they once again looked very open in midfield and were punished for it.
They've won these game comfortably in the past but this one may not seem very straightforward because of them being without Rodri, who would of course have made a big difference had he been available.
Ruben Amorim's Sporting Lisbon side crushed City 4-1 in the Champions League last month days after Amorim was appointed Man United manager. The fans would have felt encouraged by this when watching that game hoping to repeat that performance in this one.
I don't see anything like it happening though as Amorim is still working out his best team, United's midfield doesn't look balanced enough and they don't have a clinical striker up top like Viktor Gyokeres, who scored a hat trick in that game.
City had a lot of injuries that day and most of the players who were unavailable will be back for this game including Mateo Kovacic. Kovacic may not be a like for like replacement for Rodri, but he did ok when he played in the no.6 position at the start of the season and I think he can give the team the balance it's been lacking.
United will have chances, but I think City will dominate them in midfield with Kevin De Bruyne back in the side pulling the strings.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CHELSEA V BRENTFORD
A lot of people have been saying that Chelsea are now title contenders, but I'm still not sure about that.
Their win over Spurs did send out a message to the teams around them and the character they showed to come form behind was a sign of them being title contenders. But I think we should wait another few months to see if they really are capable of challenging.
The blues don't have a brilliant record against Brentford and especially in this fixture as they've lost all three of their home games against the Bees in the Premier League.
But that is going to change in this game because Brentford have the worst record away from home this season.
With the form Enzo Maresca's side are in, this should be a straightforward win for them.
PREDICTION: 4-1
SOUTHAMPTON V TOTTENHAM
The last time these two sides met was in this fixture two seasons ago where Southampton pulled off an unlikely comeback, and then-Spurs boss Antonio Conte gave that famous rant in his post-match press conference criticizing his players and the club.
Southampton were all but gone back then and you could say the same about them now despite there being more games to play.
Russell Martin's side only have five points to their name so far and if they don't pick up any between now and Christmas, Martin's position could be seriously under threat.
Ange Postecoglou could also find his position under threat if Spurs' results don't improve anytime soon. He's a man under pressure and questions are beginning to be asked of him and the way his team are playing.
They've arguably been the most inconsistent team in the league this season and knowing how inconsistent they are, they might actually win this game and I think they will.
Southampton will again look to play out from the back and with the energy and pace that Spurs play at, they're more than likely going to catch the Saints out like so many teams have done.
PREDICTION: 1-4
MONDAY:
BOURNEMOUTH V WEST HAM
Bournemouth come into this game a place outside the European places, and I even asked the question about them pushing for Europe in my key points of the weekend post.
They're definitely a team in form following three straight wins but whether they can keep up that form is another question entirely.
West Ham gave Julen Lopetegui another lifeline with their win over Wolves on Monday which was a massive result for them and their manager.
I don't see them following it up in this one because they haven't done that all season. They've been inconsistent all season and until that changes, Lopetegui's position will always be under pressure.
Because of the Hammers' inconsistent form, I have to give the win to Bournemouth who are in better form and play with a clear identity.
PREDICTION: 3-1
Comments