FRIDAY:
BRIGHTON V CHELSEA
These two sides met in the FA Cup last weekend and they meet again nearly a week later.
Brighton came from behind to win that game and a good response was what they needed after getting hammered 7-0 by Nottingham Forest the week before.
Their league form hasn't been great over the last couple of months with just two wins to their name during that time.
But their record against the so-called big teams has been pretty good this season. They've done the double over Man United, beaten both Spurs and Man City, and took points off Arsenal both home and away.
Chelsea may be in the top four as things stand, but their form since Christmas has fallen off a cliff after winning just twice since the turn of the year.
It wasn't that long ago when they were being talked about as possible title contenders because of the form they were in at the time. Enzo Maresca immediately ruled them out of it and he's been proven right with their recent form.
Brighton do have a lot of injuries, but after beating Chelsea in the cup last weekend, I fancy them to do the same again because of the confidence they gained form that win, and the current form Chelsea are in.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SATURDAY:
LEICESTER V ARSENAL
Leicester won their last game against a London-based club when they won away at Spurs three weeks ago, which was arguably their best performance of the season so far.
The Foxes nearly took a point off Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in September after coming from 2-0 down to level the score, only for the Gunners to score two late goals in injury time.
Arsenal's injury woes have increased even further recently with Kai Havertz set to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
This leaves Mikel Arteta's side very short on options in attack as they also have Martinelli, Saka and Jesus out.
Despite the injuries they have, I still think they'll find a way to win like they have done on a number of occasions this season.
I think they'll win this one by scoring their goals from set pieces once again.
PREDICTION: 1-2
ASTON VILLA V IPSWICH
Aston Villa were outstanding against Spurs in the FA Cup last weekend from start to finish and especially in the midfield.
They dominated Spurs in that area of pitch with their work rate and their ability to win loose balls, most of which they won.
Ipswich were handed a much needed confidence boost with their FA Cup win over Coventry where they looked very good.
They now need to carry that confidence and performance into the Premier League because they need to start winning games.
They've lost their last four in the league and their run of games isn't getting any easier with Spurs, Man United and Forest in their next three.
Villa also have some tough games coming up with Liverpool and Chelsea in their next two. But I think they'll carry some confidence into those games by winning this one.
Ipswich will make a good go of it, but Unai Emery's side should still have enough here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
FULHAM V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Fulham's last league game was against an in-form side in Newcastle, and they're facing another in-form side this weekend in Forest.
The Cottagers have been a bit inconsistent this season, but the season they're having so far has been genuinely good as they currently sit in 9th and are just three points off Europe.
Nottingham Forest were given a good game by Exeter in the FA Cup in midweek which went all the way to penalties.
They made a lot of changes for that one but they did bring a few of their big hitters off the bench at various stages during the game.
The next few months of the season will definitely test Forest and their aspirations for Champions League as we're approaching the stage of the season where the pressure begins to increase.
This will not be a straightforward game for them as Fulham are a tough team to play against, and have a decent record at home.
Both teams will go for it here, but I think the points will be shared.
PREDICTION: 2-2
MAN CITY V NEWCASTLE
Man City have had a number of problems this season one of them has been holding onto leads.
They let another lead slip against Real Madrid in midweek after going ahead twice through Erling Haaland's two goals.
We all know they've been vulnerable defensively this season, and one reason for that is because they haven't been able to hold onto leads. Pep will need his side to snap out of this if they're to end the season strongly.
Newcastle were given a good game by Birmingham in the FA Cup last weekend and especially in the first half where they went behind within the first minute, and were pegged back after going ahead.
It was good to see Callum Wilson back and back among the goals in that game and his return will be a big boost for the Magpies, even though he won't be expected to start many games due to the form of Isak.
The Magpies have a poor record at the Etihad and this game might be their best chance of ending that hoodoo because of how vulnerable City are at the back.
They will definitely score here because of the attacking players they have in their team including Isak.
City also have some quality players in their attack and although most of them aren't having their best season, I still think they'll contribute and hand them the win here, no matter how they play.
PREDICTION: 3-2
SOUTHAMPTON V BOURNEMOUTH
Southampton's last league game saw them get their first league win under Ivan Juric against Ipswich, which will either be a turning point in their season, or give them something to cheer about.
It will more likely be something to cheer about as they're pretty much gone. If there is something for them to play for, it is getting more points than 11 points, the lowest number of points in a season set by Derby from the 2007-08 season.
Bournemouth could be in for their best ever season as they're still in the FA Cup, and could potentially qualify for Europe.
They've replaced Southampton as one of the best teams on the south coast in recent years and they actually might be the best because of where they are in the league.
I think they'll show it here with a convincing win and performance.
PREDICTION: 1-3
WEST HAM V BRENTFORD
West Ham have made a mixed start under Graham Potter with the results they've had, but there have been some encouraging signs from them in one or two of the games they've had under him.
He'll be glad to have Jarrod Bowen back after marking his return a couple of weeks ago against Chelsea with a goal.
The Hammers skipper got a hat trick in this fixture last season, which has been their only win over Brentford in the Premier League.
Brentford haven't lost any of their last three away from home which is somewhat an improvement as they had the worst away record in the league earlier in the season.
Their last two games in the league have been against teams from London in Crystal Palace and Spurs with the results from both games being completely different. They beat Palace but lost to Spurs.
Although their away form has improved, I think West Ham will take the points here as they have Bowen back and I fancy him to bag another goal here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CRYSTAL PALACE V EVERTON
Crystal Palace have been the most improved team in the Premier League over the last few months as they've gone from being potential relegation candidates to now a side pushing for the top 10.
I've mentioned quite a few times that they've looked more together as a team over the last few months and that is because they didn't really look like a team earlier in the season.
They brought in a lot of new players during the summer who all needed time to settle in, and the majority of those new signings are now fully bedded in.
Speaking of most improved teams over the last few months, I would like to put Everton in that conversation because they've been a different side since David Moyes returned.
They are still a tough team to beat like they were under Sean Dyche, but they're playing with a bit more freedom and more on the front foot.
Their point against Liverpool in midweek will be seen as a good point as it was one step towards survival. A few more points over the next few weeks could guarantee their safety.
This game should be a close one because of how much both sides have improved recently. They'll both want the win, but I don't see either side getting it.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
LIVERPOOL V WOLVES
Liverpool might see their draw with Everton in midweek as two points dropped after conceding an equaliser very late on.
It will feel like a missed opportunity as they could've extended the gap between themselves and Arsenal to nine points. But I don't see it that way as they're still a good distance ahead of Arsenal.
They do have a lot of games coming up over the next few weeks and tough ones too, but I don't see them dropping many points from those games.
Wolves had to deal with some Blackburn pressure in their FA Cup tie last weekend, but they did enough to see themselves through to the next round.
They got a much needed win against Villa last time out in the league as it was a result that lifted them out of the bottom three.
I don't see them building on that win here though as I think Liverpool will be the side that comes out on top and comfortably.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TOTTENHAM V MAN UNITED
I'm calling this game the battle of the biggest underperformers of the season because of the dreadful season both sides are having.
Spurs looked passive against Villa in the FA Cup after which Ange Postecoglou said that his players are tired and understandably so.
A lot of clubs would've sacked their manager if they were in the kind of form Spurs are in, yet Spurs still have Postecoglou in charge even after they've been knocked out of both cup competitions.
They are still in the Europa League though and that could be the reason why he's still in charge. Especially as he said that he usually wins things in his second season.
Ruben Amorim isn't under as much pressure at Man United as Postecoglou is at Spurs as he hasn't been in the job very long.
But he is under pressure to get results and with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to reveal more redundancies behind the scenes, he needs to deliver results and quickly.
They were lucky to beat Leicester in the FA Cup last weekend as Harry Maguire was offside when he scored the winning goal. Their performance was flat also and especially in the first half where they barely offered anything.
United have actually turned up when taking on the so-called big teams this season and because of that, I think they might win this one.
Spurs did beat United comfortably in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, but they still have a lot of players out injured and are still in terrible form.
United have struggled to score goals this season, but I do think they'll exploit the spaces Spurs leave in behind and punish them.
PREDICTION: 1-2
Bình luận