Midweek Premier League football is back. So is our man Andrew Corns - this time alone; but he's still here to offer you his usually spot on predictions.
Arsenal v. Cardiff City
Arsenal enter with the momentum firmly in their favour following their emphatic win against London rivals, Chelsea, which put them only three points out of the coveted final Champions League place.
They may be in a similar spot in the table compared to recent years under former manager, Arsene Wenger, but there is a sense that Unai Emery has the collective squad playing more intelligent, pragmatic football and we’re seeing an increase to their mental toughness that’s been lacking recently.
They host Cardiff City who walked away empty handed in their visit to St. James' Park and again find themselves sitting in one of the three relegation spots.
The gulf in talent between these two is immense and while Cardiff will defend resolutely knowing every point is vital from here on out, Arsenal will be equally motivated to claim all three points and do so in convincing fashion.
Look for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s pace to spell trouble for the Cardiff back line as he finds the net for a brace and another important win.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Fulham v. Brighton
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Fulham who outplayed Tottenham and would have earned a deserved point if not for the last-minute heroics of Harry Winks.
It’s clear in watching that they’ve improved tactically under Claudio Ranieri but being seven points from safety this late into January leaves them looking like they’ll have to spend 2019/2020 playing in the Championship to earn Premier League status again.
Brighton travel to Craven Cottage on the back of two straight defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United as they attempt to turn their form around.
Brighton are a scrappy and resilient side, but sit in a sort of limbo state, clearly less talented than other mid-table competition and too good to be troubled with the threat of relegation.
This game will be sloppy, and chances won’t come often, but I think Fulham will understand the must-win nature of the match and use that to see him grab a goal through Mitrovic and hold on for dear life until the last whistle.
Prediction: 1-0 Fulham
Wolverhampton v. West Ham United
Wolves took part in one of the most entertaining matches the league has seen this season fending off Leicester in a chaotic 4-3 victory.
They continue showing on a weekly basis that they’re not your run of the mill promoted side, their team loaded with technical ability in midfield and attack.
They have a real chance to finish seventh in the league this year and set the new benchmark for a promoted club’s first season.
They’ll host West Ham who only sit a point behind Wolverhampton but looked disappointing and lethargic in a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
West Ham are also playing for seventh place as their best possible table position as they look to build a foundation under Manuel Pellegrini.
I expect we’ll see some great football from both sides and the margins will be thin in determining the outcome.
There’s something about the spirt that Wolves’ players have which is hard to bet against when the game is close. They grab another late winner and keep the Molineux rocking.
Prediction: 2-1 Wolves
Bournemouth v. Chelsea
Bournemouth found themselves sliding down the table over the last two months but looked like the team we’re accustomed to under Eddie Howe as they brushed aside West Ham in their last match.
They host Chelsea who are coming off one of their poorest performances in defeat to Arsenal.
Chelsea never really looked like they had much investment in the match and the players were properly dressed down in Maurizio Sarri’s post-match interviews.
Sarri shouldn’t be without criticism himself though because he’s shown that he’s rigid in his approach even when things aren’t going to plan and continues to stubbornly play Jorginho in the holding midfield role with N’Golo Kante pushed out wide in an uncomfortable position.
The arrival of Gonzalo Higuain and departure of Alvaro Morata will be worth watching to see if Chelsea’s deficiencies in front of net are suddenly resolved.
I still have major questions about Chelsea long-term under Sarri, but they’ve got too much quality and moving Eden Hazard out wide again will unlock his best again. They just get by the Cherries on the day.
Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea
Huddersfield Town v. Everton
Huddersfield’s first match following the departure of David Wagner against Manchester City went better than expected even though the final score line read 3-0.
Huddersfield played relatively well overall, but still find themselves ten points behind Newcastle and safety.
It’s almost impossible to envision a scenario where Huddersfield survive like they miraculously did last year.
Everton find themselves traveling for a second consecutive week and will hope for better fortune after their subpar output against Southampton.
I was pleasantly surprised by Huddersfield’s energy against Manchester City and think they’re due for a result going their way.
Everton have struggled to impress me with consistency this season and will drop points a club of their size shouldn’t here.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Newcastle United v. Manchester City
Newcastle came up big at home against Cardiff City and will feel a renewed sense of life in their quest for security for another season.
They host Manchester City who have an opportunity to close the gap to one point and put immense pressure on Liverpool to also win on Wednesday.
City may have beaten Huddersfield 3-0 in their last match however it wasn’t the most dominant of performances and I better, hungrier side might have gotten something from the match.
I think Newcastle are that side. They have a manager, Rafa Benitez, who usually gets the tactics right and has a history of frustrating sides that look to play expansive football.
Couple that with Manchester City potentially having one eye on Sunday’s fixture against Arsenal and we could be in store for a shock result.
I can’t go all the way and commit to Newcastle pulling off the upset but do favour their chances to steal a point and put City in a precarious position in the title race.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Manchester United v. Burnley
Burnley have only conceded two goals in their last four matches and may have found their way again with their traditionally tough to penetrate defence.
At the other end of the pitch, it’s still hard to see where many goals come from as they’re too reliant on keeping games at 0-0 and hoping for one or two counter attacking moments over the course of ninety minutes.
They travel to Old Trafford to battle the most in form club in the league who have renewed belief following Jose Mourinho’s sacking in December.
Look for Burnley to “ugly” the game up and sit deep in a low block to prevent United from getting space and using their pace out wide.
This game will be frustrating for United and it may take them until around halftime to break the deadlock.
I expect Paul Pogba to have a massive influence on the game and provide the creative spark to see United win and creep closer to what would be a remarkable achievement finishing in the final Champions League place.
Prediction: 2-0 United
Southampton v. Crystal Palace
Both sides sit on twenty-two points and only one or two bad results away from relegation danger.
Southampton are gradually improving by the week and claimed a nice win at home to Everton in their last match.
Crystal Palace battled bravely in their trip to Anfield against top of the table Liverpool and will feel they let at least one-point slip through their grasp.
Palace should still feel optimistic about their overall team performance and know that an away trip to Southampton doesn’t present the challenges Anfield offers.
It won’t be the most exciting ninety minutes of football but will have a handful of chances at either end.
Palace will get out to the lead and shut up shop while relying heavily on their counterattacking speed to keep Southampton off balance to grab all three points.
Liverpool v. Leicester City
Both clubs engaged in high drama 4-3 matches in the last round of fixtures with Liverpool muscling past Crystal Palace and Leicester seeing a point snatched away from them in stoppage time against Wolves.
Liverpool could enter the match with as little as a single point keeping them ahead of Manchester City so it’s important that they continue handling their business and hope that City drop points when they come up against Arsenal and Chelsea in the weeks ahead.
Leicester present a challenge with their ability to weather what will be an early Liverpool storm and catch the fullbacks high up the pitch with space behind on the break.
The difference though with this Liverpool side compared to years past is their continued habit of winning games they would have dropped points in from mental mistakes previously.
This game will follow a similar pattern of recent Liverpool games where they must work hard to get through a team set up to defend deep, but their supreme quality in the final third and a ruthless ability to score in crucial situations sees them remain focused and gather another big win.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
Tottenham v. Watford
Tottenham’s lack of acquisitions in the transfer market last summer felt like it would eventually come back to haunt them.
With Harry Kane out for significant time, Son away with his country on international duty and a growing list injured first team players, Mauricio Pochettino will have limited options to choose from.
They face off against seventh placed Watford who are defying all expectations pundits had for them when the season began.
They have shown a willingness to go after the big six clubs this season and will look at this Spurs team as a chance to claim a memorable away victory.
It’s a challenge finding reasons to convince myself that Spurs will be able to score with any regularity until Kane’s return, so I predict Watford go up early, flirt with the upset win and concede in the final ten minutes after Pochettino pushes the right buttons with substitutions and tactical changes to keep his side in third place for at least one more week.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw