West Ham 0-1 Forest
Wow, a massive game. Forget a six-pointer, this might be a relegation nine-pointer! This is just massive for West Ham and for Nuno, I really worry about them. The performance at Wolves was just a disaster.
All of a sudden, there’s a little bit of pressure on Forest. They looked like they’d turned a corner under Dyche but it’s been a poor few weeks and they’ll be looking over their shoulders again, particularly if they lose this.
I just think Forest have a better team, better players than West Ham. 1-0.
One to watch – In this sort of game, Gibbs-White could be the difference.
Palace 1-2 Villa
Palace have obviously had such a great season, but they’ll be a little worried about their results over the last few weeks. The squad obviously needs additions, and they’ve started with the arrival of Johnson from Spurs.
Villa bounced back from that defeat at Arsenal with that comfortable win over Forest. This won’t be an easy away trip for them, but three points here would strengthen their top four credentials.
Palace give everyone a game at home, but I think Villa just edge it.
One to watch – When Rogers is at his best, Villa are virtually a one-man team.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
What a point that was for Fulham at home to Liverpool, and what a hit from Harrison Reed! I think they deserved that point, they’ve been on a great run of form of late.
It’s all change at Chelsea and I’ll be very intrigued to see how Rosenior gets on. I thought Maresca did a pretty good job there, so I was a little surprised by the timing.
Fulham are always so up for it when they play their rivals, particularly at home. I can see a point.
One to watch – Cole Palmer has had a very quiet season and I wonder if a change of manager could see him get back to his best.
Brentford 2-1 Sunderland
Brentford are flying, what a season they’re having! Keith Andrews deserves so much credit; people were writing him and this team off before they’d even kicked a ball. At this rate, they might be in the European race.
Speaking of amazing seasons, Sunderland are full of confidence and momentum. They’ve lost a couple of lads to AFCON, but it’s not really slowed them down, I’m so impressed by them.
I think Brentford will win this, just.
One to watch – It has be Igor Thiago, the big man can’t stop scoring!
Bournemouth 2-1 Spurs
Bournemouth played alright against Arsenal and gave them a real scare. Unfortunately, it summed up their season, just too many mistakes at the back.
It’s all going a bit wrong for Frank at Spurs at the minute. I just feel like they need a bit of spark, a bit of energy in their play. They just don’t look like scoring.
I think Bournemouth can win this. I’m saying 2-1.
One to watch – It looks like Semenyo will go, but I think Kroupi can step up. This lad showed against Arsenal what a fantastic finisher he is.
Man City 2-0 Brighton
Pep was so frustrated to drop points at home to Chelsea and I understand why, they should have had that game won earlier in the match. They can’t afford many more dropped points now.
As for Brighton, they took care of business at home to Burnley and got a needed win. They beat City at home, but City are a different animal at the Etihad.
I can only see a routine home win here.
One to watch – All of a sudden, Haaland can’t buy a goal! His mini drought could end here.
Everton 2-1 Wolves
Everton are a strange team this season, they have some really confusing results. I didn’t see that defeat at home to Brentford coming, let alone by that amount of goals.
Is this the start of the greatest of escapes for Wolves? I think they’ll need a heck of a lot more than Steve McQueen, but it was nice to see them get a win. They actually haven’t been playing that badly of late, they were due one.
Wolves don’t ever lose by much; it always seems to be by the odd goal. I’m going for 2-1 here.
One to watch – He had a very difficult start to his Everton career, but Barry’s now got a couple of goals and I’m happy for the lad.
Burnley 1-2 Man Utd
Burnley are going through a difficult spell, and they just don’t look like winning a game. I don’t think the players have downed tools or anything like that, they just lack that little bit of attacking quality.
It’s all change at United, goodbye Amorim, hello Darren Fletcher. I’ve got to say, I was a little surprised by the timing of it but nothing should surprise me in football now! What an opportunity for Fletcher though and you never know, he might just make the job his own.
I think we’ll see a little bit of a new-manager bounce and United get all three points.
One to watch – Sesko is another lad that really needs a goal. I think the big price-tag is weighing on his mind but there’s glimpses of quality here, he just needs to show it more often. A fresh start could help.
Newcastle 2-1 Leeds
That’s now two wins in a row for Newcastle and I know Eddie won’t be happy with the season so far, but they’re still well in the hunt for those Champions League places. They remain a very hard team to beat at home.
It’s been such a great few weeks for Leeds, every credit to Daniel Farke. I’ll be honest, it looked like he might be in a bit of trouble but he’s tweaked the system and it’s clearly working.
That being said, I’m going for the home win.
One to watch – Bruno’s such an important player for Newcastle. When he plays well and dictates the game, Newcastle usually win.
Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
The big one. Arsenal had a tricky period, but they look right back to their best and have extended their lead at the top. I think they’ll take some stopping this season, they just don’t look like dropping points, particularly at home.
More dropped points for Liverpool and I don’t really think they deserved much more than a point at Fulham. They just seem to lack a dynamism in attack, which is surprising to me given how much quality they have. This feels like a big game for their season. Could they spark into life and blow the title race wide open? I’m not sure.
We’ve seen better teams than Liverpool go to Arsenal this season and really struggle. 3-1.
One to watch – Declan Rice has been in such great form yet again for his club and he was the difference at the weekend against Bournemouth. In these big games I always think that midfield battle is so important, and I think he could dominate it.
