Midweek Premier League action now and Andrew Corns offers you his predictions once again. Get your bets on!
Huddersfield Town v. Wolverhampton
Andrew
Huddersfield have reached the point where I’m comfortable saying they are the worst Premier League side ever and will be lucky to muster anything more than a few points in their remaining eleven matches.
They’ll be no match for Wolves who will dominate the game in every facet and cruise to victory.
Prediction: 2-0 Wolves
Dan
Short week, so let’s keep them short. The Wolves are by far a better team. They should easily control this game as Huddersfield really has no way of climbing out of the cellar.
Prediction: Wolves 3-1
Cardiff City v. Everton
Andrew
Cardiff were torn to shreds on Friday by Watford and their goal differential compared to Southampton might well come into play when all is said and done.
Everton had the luxury of sitting on the sidelines over the weekend and have had adequate time to prepare in full for this one.
They won’t find it easy but have enough quality in attack to earn the three points.
Prediction: 2-1 Everton
Dan
Cardiff is coming off of a big loss and Everton will be well rested and ready to dominate but the Bluebirds need these points to stay alive.
Hard fought game that could easily end in a draw. But I’m going with Everton.
Prediction: Everton 2-1
Leicester City v. Brighton
Andrew
Brighton were another team that got to take the weekend off and should have a strong game plan in place to try and get a result at Leicester.
Leicester will be very disappointed in their effort over the weekend, getting outclassed at home against a good Crystal Palace.
This is a close one to call because Brighton should have the legs to steal the victory in a fashion similar to Palace, but I think Leicester will play well now that Claude Puel is out, and the game will end level.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Dan
Leicester City is sitting pretty in their minds. They can’t finish top six, but top 10 is obtainable.
Their front line will be enough to handle Brighton easily. Although when Brighton are clicking, they can play some good ball. They could end in a draw but I will say…
Prediction: Leicester City 3-2
Newcastle United v. Burnley
Andrew
If Burnley didn’t have to contend with the Europa League early in the season, there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t be sitting closer to Wolves and Watford in the table.
They seem to have found themselves again and made a statement over the weekend, outmuscling and beating Tottenham.
Newcastle are looking equally revitalised at the moment and their home form has been the key to their success.
This game should be intriguing from a tactical standpoint and more entertaining than their defensive managers will want it to be.
I see it being back and fourth until the end when Newcastle score a winner from a set-piece.
Prediction: 2-1 Newcastle
Dan
Burnley is coming off of a HUGE win this weekend, so they will hope to keep that form going.
They will face a Newcastle team that will be ready for them especially being at home, but this will end up in a draw.
Prediction: Draw 1-1
Arsenal v. Bournemouth
Andrew
Arsenal currently sit 4th in the table and have significantly more to play for than Bournemouth who are comfortable mid-table and will remain there the rest of the way.
Bournemouth’s willingness to play their style of football regardless of the opponent leaves them open far too often against the elite clubs and Arsenal will exploit the space available time and again.
This one won’t be much of a contest with Arsenal putting a couple in the back of the net inside 30 minutes.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Dan
Arsenal was able to take care of business this weekend and they are home again Wednesday.
Continuing that form should be enough to get the three points over Bournemouth.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1
Crystal Palace v. Manchester United
Andrew
United exerted tremendous amounts of energy in a well-deserved draw at home against Liverpool on Sunday and Ole Gunnar will have his hands tied in his team selection given all the injuries that have piled up.
They’ll travel to an always difficult Selhurst Park and battle a Crystal Palace team that hasn’t lost in their last four matches.
Short weeks tend to bring with them surprising results and this game has all the markings of a shock victory for the hosts.
Prediction: 2-1 Palace
Dan
Manchester United proved on Sunday that they are the best during this 2nd half of the season.
They should easily roll over Crystal Palace.
Prediction: Man Utd 3-0
Southampton v. Fulham
Andrew
This game has huge stakes as it’s probably Fulham’s last chance to turn the tide and find a recipe for avoiding relegation.
Looking at their upcoming schedule, it’s not easy seeing where they get any points in their next seven matches so anything but three points here and they can kiss their season goodbye.
Unless you’re a supporter of either club, this one won’t do much on the eyes and could be an ugly game.
Both teams will waste their scoring chances as a goalless draw ensues. It also signals the end for Fulham’s chances of survival.
Prediction: 0-0 Draw
Dan
With only four wins on the books this season, I don’t think Fulham have enough even against 18th in the standing Southampton.
Southampton need the points badly, so I would think they would press for most of the game.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1
Chelsea v. Tottenham
Andrew
This London derby promises to draw headlines in part because of the two managers and the drama they both created over the weekend.
Spurs’ title aspirations vanished after losing to Burnley and Chelsea’s opportunity for silverware slipped through their fingers against Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
Chelsea are in shambles on and off the pitch and Spurs will have one eye on their trip to Dortmund in the Champions League.
Those factors coupled with the atmosphere of the derby disrupting the flow of the game will lead to a less than spectacular on field display and have focus on the touchline as they split a point each.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Dan
Tottenham is coming off of a big loss to Burnley, they need to turn it around and come out flying against Chelsea.
Chelsea lost this weekend also, but bigger than the loss was Arrizabalaga refusing to sub off of the field.
I don’t see him starting in net for this one or for a few weeks.
Prediction: Spurs 3-1
Liverpool v. Watford
Andrew
11 matches remain and Liverpool have a one-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
Most Liverpool supporters would have taken that scenario in exchange for a limb back in August, but it’s hard to look at it through that lens now with the Reds wasting several chances to distance themselves from the reigning champions.
They will have their work cut out for them battling Watford, who have a dogged resilience that matches their ability to create scoring opportunities with regularity.
It’s possible Liverpool players will take this game for granted with it being sandwiched between rivalry games at Manchester United and Everton.
Every week we expect Liverpool’s front three to kick into gear and return to the scintillating football they played last season however they might find life difficult if Roberto Firmino’s injury keeps him out of the lineup for any period.
This game will have those inside Anfield nervous throughout, but Liverpool do just enough to grab a lead and hold on for dear life as they preserve their slim lead until at least the weekend.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
Dan
Liverpool are not playing their best football right now and it is catching up to them.
Watford have been steady if not strong in this same span of time as the Reds, but this is do-or-die for Liverpool.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1
Manchester City v. West Ham United
Andrew
Manchester City’s first piece of silverware, the Carabao Cup, could be the shot of adrenaline the squad needs to keep the players razor sharp in putting pressure on Liverpool as they attempt to do the unthinkable and win the quadruple.
Lost in their victory on Sunday was damaging injury news for both Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte.
The injury to Fernandinho specifically has the potential to tilt the tile race back in Liverpool’s favour.
He’s been City’s unsung hero this season and has passed N’Golo Kante as the consensus best holding midfielder in England with his brilliant play.
What Pep does to fill that void is something to remember when we look back on the season come May.
Manuel Pellegrini will be in a unique role looking to get all three point for his current West Ham side even though it would do potentially irreparable damage to City’s title chances.
I’m always one for a good-natured conspiracy theory and expect West Ham’s team selection and strategy to raise more than a few eyebrows.
They don’t turn up for this one and let City run rampant from the opening whistle.
Prediction: 3-1 City
Dan
In my heart I would like to see West Ham win this one by a large margin, but alas I don’t see it happening.
City Is gaining players off the injury list and has talent to field 2 different teams at this level.
Prediction: City 3-1