The games are really coming in thick-and-fast now; another round of Premier League fixtures and that means another Premier League Predictions ready for you.
The two sides enter the match separated by a point and are both comfortably in mid-table position.
Neither side looked good during the weekend, each losing 1-0. I like Leicester to rebound and catch Everton sleeping early to grab a goal and hold on for dear life to get the win.
Prediction: 1-0 Leicester
This will be the first true test for Arsenal under Unai Emery in terms of their ability to bounce back from a soul crushing defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
They host a Fulham side desperate to get maximum points and claw their way out of the relegation zone.
Fulham’s defence has been suspect for most of the season and Arsenal offer too much in attack for the game to stay competitive long.
It may take the Gunners twenty to thirty minutes to get the breakthrough, but they’ll control the game in large stretches and the result will never be in doubt.
Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal
Cardiff deserve massive credit for getting the win at Leicester and putting three points between them and the drop zone.
Tottenham, on the other hand, were embarrassed by Wolves and saw any realistic title chances slip through their fingers.
This has the makings of a grinding game that Cardiff make ugly. Spurs are the clearly better side with more match winners to call upon. Kane grabs another here to earn Spurs the win.
Prediction: 2-1 Spurs
What Nuno and his Wolves side have done this year is incredible. I’m comfortable saying this is the best team I’ve ever seen in a first year after being promoted.
They have a legitimate chance to finish seventh in the league which is even better than their most optimistic supporters probably thought.
Palace played well in defeat against Chelsea, but still lurk dangerously close to relegation if results don’t go in their favour the next month or so.
It’s going to be close, but Wolves earn another three point through hard work and their midfield superiority.
Prediction: 1-0 Wolves
Southampton were in the unenviable position of playing an angry Manchester City side and suffered the result we all saw coming.
They now travel to Stamford Bridge and attempt to get something against another top four team.
I hate to burst their bubble, but they won’t return home with anything other than misery. Eden Hazard puts on a show and steals the headlines with a dominant performance.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
Bournemouth got battered at Old Trafford on Sunday, but it’s part of what comes with playing the way they do.
Top six clubs often find it easy to put up goals on them, but their style of play is unwavering and usually gives them the chance to beat sides with less talent.
Watford are about level on talent and will make this game end to end and highly entertaining for neutrals. The lead will change hands a couple times, but end level.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
West Ham put in their worst performance losing to Burnley on Sunday and now host a good Brighton who picked up a nice away win against Everton in their most recent game.
I think West Ham can only play better here and will use their home crowd to boost their energy level.
Brighton have proved consistently difficult to beat even by the strongest teams in the league and I expect the same tenacity in this one. A good game ends in a stalemate.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Huddersfield enter the game dead last in the league and find themselves four points behind Fulham who are one spot above them.
This game could determine if they get relegated or position themselves to fight their way to safety like last year.
Burnley will come in feeling good after unexpectedly beating West Ham and have an opportunity to move into safety themselves if other results go their way.
Because Huddersfield will be so desperate for points, I think they come in highly motivated and win to keep the relegation battle compact and interesting.
Prediction: 2-1 Huddersfield
Manchester United’s board couldn’t have picked a better time to fire Jose Mourinho when you look at their run of matches, they had in December.
It’s allowed their interim manager and players to not focus heavily on tactics and just play freely and with joy again which they’ve sorely lacked this season.
They travel to a typically tough Newcastle but are soaring now and should provide another dominant, effervescent display that allows Paul Pogba to keep building back his reputation.
Prediction: 3-1 United
Here it is: the biggest match of the season hands down. Most fans have had this match circled for months knowing it had the potential to go a long way in determining who lifts the trophy at the end.
Given the points disparity between the two, the pressure is firmly on Manchester City to win or else risk being in a hole probably too deep to dig out of.
If Liverpool were to win outright, they would open a ten-point gap, probably force Manchester City to focus exclusively on Champions League aspirations and propel the Reds to their first ever Premier League crown.
Based on the four meetings between the two sides last season, it’s safe to say we’re in store for fireworks early and often.
During City’s visit to Anfield earlier in the season, Pep surprised most by switching his tactics and putting his fullbacks on leashes to prevent Liverpool’s devastating forwards from exploiting the space they found the season prior.
Pep will have to play more aggressively being the home side and with the impetus on them to win the game.
This will play into Liverpool’s hands perfectly. I have no doubt whatsoever that this game lives up to expectations and in the end, Liverpool produce their definitive win of the season and allow their supporters to start dreaming a little harder that this is their time to claim that elusive trophy. You won’t want to miss this one!
Prediction: 3-2 Liverpool
