SATURDAY:
TOTTENHAM V NEWCASTLE
Spurs must've been kicking themselves for not seeing out the game against Wolves on Sunday as they had enough chances to finish the game off. But they didn't take them.
It's been a frustrating season for Ange Postecoglou's side so far and he needs a win in this one because of the pressure he is under.
Newcastle are on fire at the moment following three straight wins and I fancy them to bag another one here. Especially with an in-form striker like Alexander Isak up top.
It wasn't that long ago when I thought that this season was going to be a reality check for them after they lost at Brentford. Their form since then has been brilliant and it has them up in 5th.
PREDICTION: 1-3
BOURNEMOUTH V EVERTON
Bournemouth have a good record against Everton in the league and especially when they play them at home. They've never most to the Toffees at home in the top flight and have also won this fixture for the last four seasons.
Everton are without a win in any of their last last four league games and in al fairness to them, they were all against tough opposition in Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Forest.
They're only two points above the relegation zone and need to start winning games to pull themselves away from danger.
I don't think they'll make a start here though as I think Bournemouth will be the side that come away with the points. Especially as they have a good home record against the Toffees.
PREDICTION: 2-0
ASTON VILLA V LEICESTER
Aston Villa had Ollie Watkins back on the scoresheet against Brighton on Monday in his first start in three games. Having him back among goals was a big boost for Unai Emery's side.
But despite having Watkins among the goals, Villa will however be without Morgan Rogers for this game after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Brighton.
Leicester had some good opportunities against Man City and with the amount they had, they deserved to get something from the game.
They still have their issues defensively though and I think Villa will more than exploit them here. Especially with the pace of Ollie Watkins back in their attack.
PREDICTION: 3-1
CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA
Crystal Palace have been slowly climbing the table over the past month where they have seen both their results and performances improve.
They had a strong end to last season and Oliver Glasner will want his side to repeat that this season. A few new faces in January could help with that.
Chelsea have hit a bump in the road recently as they're on a run of three games without a win, which included back to back defeats to Fulham and Ipswich.
Their potential title challenge has taken a hit as a result of this, but I think Enzo Maresca will see this more as a reality check as he never saw his side as title contenders.
Palace won't make it easy for them here and I can see them nick another point against them.
PREDICTION: 1-1
MAN CITY V WEST HAM
Man City finally ended their slump with victory over Leicester on Sunday, but that result doesn't mean they're back.
They got exposed defensively time and time again against Leicester, who should've got something from the game with the chances they had.
With the January transfer window open, Pep will be looking to dip into the market to sign some reinforcements. One of them being a defensive midfielder as they've sorely missed Rodri sitting in that hole.
West Ham didn't turn up at all against Liverpool on Sunday and I wonder if the questions surrounding Julen Lopetegui's will return.
The Hammers have no clear playing style under him and since he's taken over, they've only gone backwards.
To makes things worse, they're set to be without Jarrod Bowen for a while after he fractured his foot against Liverpool. This is a massive blow for the Hammers because he's been by far their best player this season.
City may be a long way off to returning to their best, but I think they'll build on the confidence gained from their Leicester win by winning this one.
PREDICTION: 3-0
SOUTHAMPTON V BRENTFORD
Southampton went into the new year with just six points to their name and it lead me to asking one question: Could they be worse than the Derby team that got 11 points in 2007-08?
That Derby side had one more point at this stage of the season and with the way things are going for the Saints this season, they could potentially break that record.
Brentford have the worst away record in the league this season along with Southampton with both sides having picked up just two points on the road all season.
This has to be their best chance of getting their first win on the road because they're facing the side who are bottom of the league and low on confidence.
The Saints aren't as easy to play against under Ivan Juric as they were under Russell Martin in that they're not as open.
I've barely backed Southampton to get any points this season, but I think this one might be one of the very few games they get something from. Especially with Brentford being so bad away from home.
PREDICTION: 2-1
BRIGHTON V ARSENAL
Brighton went the whole of December without winning a game, drawing four and losing two of their six games throughout the month.
It's still been a good season for the Seagulls in Fabian Hurzeler's first season in charge as they're currently in 10th place. But they need to start winning games soon if they're to remain in the top 10.
Arsenal kept their title hopes well and truly alive last night with their win at Brentford, and they'll have the chance in this one to cut the gap between themselves and Liverpool to three points.
The AMEX has been a difficult place to go to for Arsenal in the past as they've failed to win five of their seven games against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
Brighton have played reasonably well against the big teams this season and I'm backing them to get another result against Arsenal in this one.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
FULHAM V IPSWICH
Fulham are having a good season so far and I'm beginning to wonder if their current squad is the best they've ever had.
They're a side who are well drilled, resilient and have a group of players who are all willing to pull in the right direction. All this is down to the manager and the job he has done.
Ipswich finally got off the mark at home with their win over Chelsea on Monday which will no doubt have given them a lot of confidence.
But I don't see them building on it here as Fulham have a strong record at home and are in good form.
PREDICTION: 2-0
LIVERPOOL V MAN UNITED
These two sides are the two biggest clubs in England but this season, the gap between them is absolutely huge. I don't think it's ever been bigger.
Liverpool have to be the team to beat at the moment with the form they're in and I have to make them title favourites because of it.
The reds tore United apart in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford and I'm expecting them to do the same again in this one. This is because of how far the gap is between the two sides.
Ruben Amorim said that Man United could be in a relegation battle after his side's loss to Newcastle, and he has a point as they currently sit seven points above the drop zone.
His team are in such a mess at the moment, but it's not all down to him as he's only just arrived and has inherited a team made up of players bought by different managers.
I can only see a Liverpool win here and comfortable one because United are such a long way off the level Liverpool are on. It could be a long while till they're back there.
PREDICTION: 4-0
MONDAY:
WOLVES V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Wolves will be without Matheus Cunha for this one as he's suspended following the incident he was involved in after the defeat to Ipswich. This is a massive blow for Wolves because he's been by far their best player this season.
Nottingham Forest are on fire at the moment and it'll be interesting to see how long they'll be able to keep their form up.
They'll definitely keep it up in this one because of the form they're in and the fact that Wolves will be without Cunha.
PREDICTION: 0-2
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