It's almost time for the 18th round of the Premier League 2018/19 season. With the week being dominated by the managerial situation at Manchester United... Andrew Corns predicts how they'll get on, as well as all of the other sides.
Wolverhampton v. Liverpool
Liverpool’s trip to Wolverhampton on Friday gives them the chance to go four points clear at the top and put pressure on Manchester City to win in their match against Crystal Palace.
Wolves have also been in fine form over the last four matches, picking up maximum points and claiming a huge scalp by beating Chelsea in that span.
They’re exceptionally coached and built with a solid spine in the middle of the pitch which has them only a point behind Manchester United in the table.
This should be a hugely entertaining evening match with Wolves supporters in full voice trying to lift their team.
They can keep the score close, but Liverpool’s depth and ability to change the game late give them the edge to claim all three points.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
Arsenal v. Burnley
Arsenal’s unbeaten run came to an end in sensational fashion in Southampton on Sunday and they’ll need to rebound in order to stay tight against Chelsea and Spurs in the battle for Champions League positioning.
They’ll be delighted to see a floundering Burnley come to the Emirates who with a loss might find themselves sitting level on points at the rock bottom alongside Fulham.
I think Unai Emery will have his guys highly motivated and hungry to put the game to bed inside the first half hour.
They’ll create a myriad of chances against a Burnley defence that’s unrecognisable to the foundationally sound effort Sean Dyche’s men had become known for.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Chelsea v. Leicester City
Chelsea made life more difficult on themselves than it should have been away to Brighton Sunday.
There are question marks regarding whether Sarri has the managerial savvy to rotate his squad wisely given it’s not something he’s had to do in Serie A previously.
Leicester played well and might feel unlucky with a few breaks not going their way in their loss to Crystal Palace.
Expect them to up their game considerably knowing the quality of their opponents.
Eden Hazard’s form is red hot currently and I think he’ll grab another goal to add to his tally. Leicester will also be haunted by their former talisman, N’Golo Kante, who will boss the midfield along with Jorginho in a tough, but controlled victory.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
Manchester City v. Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace will be happy with their performance and the result at home to Leicester.
They’ll need to turn in a perfect game from front to back in order to even keep this match competitive beyond the opening ten minutes.
There’s a reasonable chance City enter the match four points behind Liverpool at the top of the table and it will be telling to see how their players respond to the pressure of chasing someone else for a change.
There are too many weapons at Pep’s disposal and the return of Kevin De Bruyne is exactly what City need during this busy period to rejuvenate the locker room.
It won’t take long for Place to bunker in deep and City to use their intricate passing to devastating effect.
Palace will be lucky to leave Manchester taking any positives away from a game they’ll try just not to get embarrassed in.
Prediction: 4-0 City
Huddersfield v. Southampton
Southampton will be in good spirits after beating Arsenal and getting their first victory under new manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl.
That win moved them out of the relegation zone and allows them the chance to start building momentum in their climb to safety.
Huddersfield stand to gain a lot from this match as well. They’re only a point above Fulham at the bottom and a win would see them swap places with Southampton and get a chance to breathe outside the relegation zone, even if briefly.
My gut tells me Southampton find a way to win again, but I like the way Huddersfield play at home and think they’ll do enough to see out a draw and keep the bottom of the table interesting.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
West Ham United v. Watford
A tale of two sides who started in opposite runs of form, West Ham struggling mightily in the early stages and Watford punching above their weight during the first month.
Things have changed for both clubs as the season’s wore on and when this match kicks off, it will be the Hammers sitting higher in the table, level on points but with a superior goal differential.
These two teams are evenly balanced across the pitch and will both believe they can control the pace of the game.
I expect an open, end to end match where neither side can net a winner. This one ends in a draw and will leave neutrals entertained throughout.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Newcastle United v. Fulham
The most interesting aspect of Fulham’s trip to Newcastle will be the strategies of the two managers.
Both are top level coaches at clubs below their reputation who are looking to make a statement.
Fulham continue being the most disappointing team in the league given the money they spent in the summer and the way another promoted side, Wolves, have been playing and earning points.
Newcastle seem to be on a knife’s edge between complete disaster, on and off the pitch, and a side talented enough to comfortably slot into the mid-table. This is almost a flip of the coin for me.
When it’s that close and I genuinely don’t see a match winner up top, I must go with the draw.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Bournemouth v. Brighton
Bournemouth have run hot and cold this year struggling to beat sides above them in the table but coached well enough and play a style capable of bewildering inferior opposition.
They welcome a Brighton team who continually turn in good performances even in defeat.
Bournemouth are at home and a better team at most positions. They play too open though which will give Brighton plenty of opportunities to fight their way back into the match.
Ultimately, a Callum Wilson goal sees Bournemouth come out on top and collect all three points.
Prediction: 3-2 Bournemouth
Cardiff City v. Manchester United
When I started to think about this game on Monday, United’s sound defeat at Anfield was still fresh in my mind.
They were still being led by Jose Mourinho who seemed to have completely lost the dressing room and was closing up shop, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
I was ready to predict a boring, drab 1-1 draw until news broke Tuesday morning that United finally had the gumption to sack Mourinho.
It’s still up for debate who will be the long-term successor, but we do know Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be on the touchline in charge this weekend.
I expect him to go with the most talented XI possible and give the players the chance to just play for a chance.
This sense of freedom will give Paul Pogba and others the platform to prove they’re much better than their form has shown this season.
Cardiff are a difficult proposition because they’ll look to make game ugly and limit United’s chances.
The game will be closer than you might expect, but United will push hard for a winner to remind people how talented they are when given the right opportunity to play.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Everton v. Tottenham
Everton tend to play expansive football and are comfortably one of the seven or eight best sides in England.
Their problem as of late has been taking any points off top six opposition. Tottenham didn’t find it easy at home against Burnley last week but will find more space in behind Everton’s full backs who will look to push up the pitch at every opportunity.
This will leave chances for Son, Kane and co. to create on the counter and be in enough high danger situations to get the breakthrough.
Prediction: 2-1 Spurs