PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS: MATCHDAY 15

Andrew Corns
Dec 3, 2018
4 min read

As we have now entered December; the festive month brings us more football! The first midweek games of the Premier League season is almost upon us. Andrew Corns is here yet again with his gameweek predictions...

Bournemouth v. Huddersfield

Bournemouth are just another side that fell victim to a rampant Manchester City and host an improving, but still below average Huddersfield.

Huddersfield are fighting harder lately than at the start of the season, but their squad is thinner than Eddie Howe’s options and with the festive period leaving less time between matches it’s hard to see Huddersfield moving any further up the table.

This will be the perfect chance for Bournemouth to rebound with a victory and restore a bit of confidence.

Prediction: 2-1 Bournemouth

West Ham United v. Cardiff City

The Hammers handily defeated a resurgent Newcastle over the weekend and look to keep the momentum building against a Cardiff team who earned their most impressive victory last Friday at home against Wolves.

I didn’t expect these sides to only be separated by four points entering this match. Cardiff, while improving, still lack top end talent and because of that West Ham will grab a goal and hold on in a close, potentially ugly game.

Prediction: 1-0 West Ham

Brighton v. Crystal Palace

Both clubs look for consecutive wins in an evenly matched contest. I give Brighton the slightest of edges especially playing at home.

Neither side creates enough scoring chances to think this will end up with more than a couple goals so I’m picking a single goal by Brighton, probably late to earn the win.

Prediction: 1-0 Brighton

Watford v. Manchester City

This is the time of year that Pep’s work in building such a deep squad could see them open the gap at the top of the table if Liverpool and Chelsea aren’t careful.

City have the luxury of being able to rotate at almost any position and not see a drop-in quality which their rivals can’t claim.

Pep will make a few changes, but the result will be the same as it’s been week after week. They set the toner early by scoring and push on from there.

Prediction: 3-0 City

Fulham v. Leicester City

Fulham turned up visiting Stamford Bridge on Sunday and even though they lost, you can see Ranieri is building the foundation for what his team will play like.

His old club, Leicester, played well against Watford and have too many weapons up top for Fulham to think they’ll get a favourable result. Look for Vardy to have a party with a game winner in the final quarter hour.

Prediction: 2-1 Leicester

Wolverhampton v. Chelsea

The continued slide in form for Wolves will worry their fans and Chelsea aren’t the kind of side they’ll welcome with only a few days to prepare.

Chelsea bounced back from their defeat in London against Spurs with a sound victory at home over Fulham and can expect a similar performance here. Jorginho pulls the strings and Kante outplays Neves in the middle of the park which makes the difference.

Prediction: 3-1 Chelsea

Burnley v. Liverpool

Burnley fans might not want to hear it, but relegation is looking more and more likely with each passing week.

They welcome a Liverpool side that will be hoping their emotional last-minute derby victory over Everton didn’t drain them of energy.

I expect Klopp to rotate the side some and even though rotation options aren’t as extensive as City’s they should still get a comfortable and controlled win and another clean sheet.

Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool

Everton v. Newcastle

How in the world do Everton recover mentally after playing their hearts out in the Merseyside derby only to walk away without a point?

They’ve got a talented group of players and a great manager, so I expect they’ll bounce back and come out strong at home battling a Newcastle side reeling from their how loss on Saturday against Newcastle.

Prediction: 2-1 Everton

Manchester United v. Arsenal

For the first time in longer than I can remember, the Gunners are favorites away at Old Trafford against a United side not up to par with teams they’ve fielded in the past.

Word came out on Sunday that Jose Mourinho called out Paul Pogba after the team’s poor display at Southampton.

This can’t be good for the collective group and those expecting Mourinho out by Christmas have more ammunition at their disposal.

Arsenal’s form is the opposite of United entering on a nineteen-match unbeaten run and a rousing derby victory over Spurs.

They’ll inevitably come down some after the emotional highs from Sunday which might affect their start, but they’re really coming together as a team.

This is the perfect opportunity for them to make another statement and show they’re ready to hang with the top tier clubs again.

It also might signal the beginning of the end for Mourinho if United walk away without any points.

Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal

Tottenham v. Southampton

Spurs were full of confidence entering the derby Sunday after a convincing win over Chelsea the week prior.

They carried that with them until halftime at the Emirates but couldn’t handle Arsenal’s improved play in the second half and fell to pieces by the end.

Southampton’s draw at home to United will give them belief they can do the same here even though they’re away and Spurs offer stronger opposition.

I think they’ll give Spurs fits during large stretches of the match keeping it close, but Spurs will score something off a corner or set piece to claim the win.

Prediction: 1-0 Spurs