Teams are beginning to match City’s rhythm, United are not relenting in their race for the title, and the managerial merry-go-round…the EPL, over the week was interesting! This weekend, Arsenal host Man Utd as they both try to keep pace with City in the race for the title.
So who is coming out on top this weekend? My thoughts and predictions….
CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE
Chelsea have started to enjoy some decent runs (especially in November) and they will be looking to continue in that rich vein of form against struggling Newcastle on Saturday. Newcastle levelled things up from two goals down at West Brom on Tuesday and should take some positives from that game into this clash. But it’s a win for Chelsea in this one.
MY PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle
BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL
Brighton is one side that have impressed me so far in this campaign, and I think they are going to make life difficult for Liverpool here. It took a deflected shot for United at Old Trafford to get past them last weekend. Nevertheless, Liverpool should win.
MY Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Liverpool
EVERTON V HUDDERSFIELD
Sam Allardyce agreed to Everton’s terms and conditions over the week, signing a £6m-a-year contract with the football club. Everyone knows the ‘Big Sam’ is a specialist in getting clubs out of shallow situations, which should form part of the agreement he made and signed with the Everton board on Tuesday.
Huddersfield almost held City to a draw the other day, but got beat mercilessly the following match day at Arsenal. Meanwhile, Everton smashed four past David Moyes’ West Ham on Wednesday and should build on that exciting performance here.
MY PREDICTION: Everton 2-1 Huddersfield
LEICESTER V BURNLEY
It would take the darkest of magic to predict Burnley’s current placement on the log going into December at the start of the season. But, they are not above Spurs heading into week 15 of the Premier League season for nothing, they have performed excellently well. And I really see them going to Leicester and causing the host team trouble. Leicester would take lots of motivation from their 2-1 triumph over Spurs in midweek, but Burnley also triumphed by the same margin at Bournemouth on Wednesday. I fancy this to end in stalemate.
MY PREDICTION: Leicester 1-1 Burnley
STOKE V SWANSEA
Both sides are really struggling at the moment and will be looking at fixtures like this to remedy their grody conditions. Swansea put in a decent shift to relegate Chelsea to a slim 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge and I think they will build on that against Stoke.
MY PREDICTION: Stoke 0-0 Swansea
WATFORD V SPURS
Watford still managed two goals against United back three last time out; despite the defeat, and came into that game against José Mourinho’s men on the back of two straight wins. Spurs’ form dipped since their 2-1 win at Dortmund, but I think they know how dangerous it is to go into December with such form. So am going for a slim Spurs win in this one.
MY PREDICTION: Watford 1-2 Spurs
WEST BROM V CRYSTAL PALACE
Caretaker boss, Gary Megson, was disappointed with the manner in which his side ‘gave two goals away’ to allow Newcastle snatch one point on Tuesday. And it’s easy to spot why he was hugely disappointed with West Brom gifting eight points away from winning positions to opponents with that draw against The Magpies.
Meanwhile, new manager Alan Pardew would try to help his side register what will be their first win since August against his former club on Saturday. I think West Brom will win this by the skin of their teeth.
MY PREDICTION: West Brom 2-1 Crystal Palace
ARSENAL V MANUTD
With City playing host to struggling Hammers, this game looks a must-win for both sides. And Arsenal have won every single league match they played at the Emirates so far. But I really don’t like how José Mourinho set his side out against the big teams, as he is always happy to sacrifice his team’s attack for a defensive showing.
Would have loved to see both sides attack each other and see what comes of it. Still, think José will be very cautious in his approach at Arsenal and come out with an ugly draw.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 0-0 Manutd
BOURNEMOUTH V SOUTHAMPTON
Have to give credits again to Burnley for getting all three points at Bournemouth last time out, given The Cherries’ recent form.
Meanwhile, Southampton were unlucky not to leave the Etihad with something on Wednesday. I think both sides will match each other in all facets here and settle for a draw.
MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2-2 Southampton
MAN CITY V WEST HAM
West Ham’s game against City on Sunday will be the first of their consecutive games against three of Premier League’s juggernauts in December, with games against Chelsea (h) and Arsenal (h) to follow this one. Never saw David Moyes as the right man to revive West Ham when they sacked Slaven Bilić, and it’s panning out to be so. City will feast on them here with ease.
MY PREDICTION: Man City 3-0 West Ham
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