Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 14

TUESDAY:

IPSWICH V CRYSTAL PALACE

This early relegation six pointer is a must win game for both sides who have found wins hard to come by this season.

Ipswich have definitely been in games this season and have shown signs that they're adjusting to the Premier League.

Crystal Palace have also shown encouraging signs in some of their games this season, but like Ipswich, they haven't been able to turn them into winning results.

They looked encouraging in their last two games against Villa and Newcastle and their performances from both games will give them a degree of confidence.

Both teams will show a lot of effort in this one like they have done for most of the season, but I think the points will be shared as it's a close game to call.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LEICESTER V WEST HAM

Leicester will have Ruud Van Nistelrooy in charge for the first time here, and he will have learnt how big a job he has on his hands after watching his new side's defeat to Brentford on Saturday.

It could take time for the Foxes to adapt to his style of play as the players may feel unfamiliar with it. But they'll need to buy into it straight away because the Foxes need results as they're only a point above the drop zone.

The pressure is back on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui after his side's heavy defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. They did respond well after going 4-0 down, but their showing in the opening 20 minutes was shambolic.

They need another response here to ease the pressure on Lopetegui and I think they'll get one. Especially with Leicester adjusting to a new style of play under a new manager.

PREDICTION: 1-2

WEDNESDAY:

EVERTON V WOLVES

This is a must win game for Everton simply because of the fixtures they have coming up. They face Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City in their next four games and a win in this one will give them the confidence to help them through those games.

But if they're to win this one, they need to start scoring goals because they haven't scored in any of their last four league games. Goals have been their problem for the last 2-3 seasons and it is proving to be their problem once again.

I thought Wolves were turning a corner a week ago after back to back wins over Southampton and Fulham. Only for them to get well beaten by Bournemouth on Saturday and move back into the bottom three.

That makes this game a must win for Gary O'Neil's side as well and I think they'll get it as they have more goals in them.

They do have the worst defence in the league, but I fancy them to keep a clean sheet as well due to Everton's inability to score goals.

PREDICTION: 0-1

MAN CITY V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Some people are saying that Man City are out of the title race as they're now 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. I wouldn't rule them out just yet as we all know what they're capable of doing in the second half of a season. But they do need to start winning games if they're to avoid that gap getting bigger.

They were second best throughout against Liverpool as they were never really in the game. Haaland was well marshalled by Van Dijk and they never really threatened the Liverpool goal.

They have to respond in this game because the pressure is really on them to get results after losing their last four in the league.

Nottingham Forest will very much fancy their chances in this one with the form City are in and season they're having.

Their attacking players will definitely cause problems as City do look fragile at back. Chris Wood will ruffle some feathers in defence, whilst Elanga and Hudson-Odoi will look to cause some damage out wide with their pace and runs in behind.

They'll definitely score here because of the quality they have in the final third, and City's defence not looking particularly watertight.

But I also think City will score as the have Kevin De Bruyne back and his return could help Erling Haaland get back to his best.

Forest are the better team defensively, but I think City will still get something past them. Especially with De Bruyne back.

PREDICTION: 2-2

NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL

Newcastle were disappointing in the final third against Palace and especially after Alexander Isak went off with an injury.

I was surprised that Callum Wilson didn't come on for him when he went off, but I could somewhat understand why as Wilson is gradually being eased back in after a long time out.

Liverpool have been Newcastle's bogey team in recent years with Liverpool having done the double over them for the last three seasons. Magpies haven't beaten the reds for nearly a decade with their last win against them coming back in 2015.

Arne Slot's side appear to be the favourites for the title now they're 9 points clear, and their win against City will give them a lot of belief that they can go on and win it.

They were in complete control from start to finish against City as they barely gave them a sniff in front of goal, and were better in every single department.

I can only see them put in another dominant display in this one due to the form they're in, and the fact that Newcastle will be without Isak.

PREDICTION: 0-2

SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA

Southampton were hard done by against Brighton Friday because their winning goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. Adam Armstrong was in an offside position in the build up, but he didn't touch the ball and wasn't interfering with play.

Chelsea were again impressive against Aston Villa on Sunday, after which they were again talked about as title contenders.

Cole Palmer was asked about this in his post match interview and he responded by saying that it was "too early". His facial expression when asked that question was quite funny and it tells me that he didn't like being asked about Chelsea's title credentials. He must be one of the most humble footballers ever.

The questions about their title credentials will carry on being asked over the next few weeks if they keep winning, and I can see that being the case as they have some winnable fixtures coming up.

This one should be a straight forward three points for them as I can see them punish Southampton for playing out from the back with the quality they have in the final third.

PREDICTION: 0-5

ARSENAL V MAN UNITED

Arsenal are looking very much back to their best following back-to-back five-goal results against Sporting and West Ham.

Martin Odegaard's return has played a big part in their recent upturn in results and it has got them back in the title race. They'll definitely be up there if they keep him fit.

Man United looked impressive against Everton on Sunday and whilst their fans will be excited and feeling optimistic, they shouldn't get carried away too much because it was only one game.

This game will be Ruben Amorim's first big test as United manager and he's probably going to learn more about his side as well.

They'll be feeling confident after their win over Everton, but I don't think we'll see performances like that on a consistent basis as Amorim is still working out what his best team is, and United are still a long way off from where they want to be.

I mentioned earlier that he's going to learn more about his side in this game, and I think he will because I think Arsenal will win this one convincingly. Especially with the recent form the Gunners have been in.

PREDICTION: 3-1

ASTON VILLA V BRENTFORD

Aston Villa look like a team who are tired because of all the games they've had to play this season due to them being in the Champions League.

Alan Shearer compared them to Newcastle last season on Match of the Day 2 as they too struggled with the amount of games. But the only difference between them and Villa this season is that Newcastle had a lot more injuries. Villa have also had a number of players out injured, but their squad is stronger than the one Newcastle had last season.

Unai Emery's side have a winnable run of games coming up which will no doubt give them the chance to get their season back on track. But with some Champions League games thrown into the mix, it might be more of the same.

Brentford are a different team at home than they are away, but they did collect their first point on the road in their last away game against Everton.

There will definitely be goals here because both teams play open and expansive football.

Villa may be out of form at the moment, but I think they'll return to winning ways here because of Brentford's poor away form.

PREDICTION: 3-2

THURSDAY:

FULHAM V BRIGHTON

Fulham must've been kicking themselves for the chances they missed against Spurs on Sunday and there were plenty of them. They will of course take the point, but they still could've won the game with the amount of chances they had.

Brighton also missed a lot of chances in their draw with Southampton on Friday and like Fulham, they would've been kicking themselves.

The Seagulls' season has gone somewhat under the radar as no one is praising them for being 4th in the league. Fabian Hurzeler deserves credit for the job he's doing and especially as he's the youngest ever manager in Premier League history.

Fulham have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons and I think they'll make it a third in this one. They have a good record at home and have the pace out wide to get in behind Brighton's high line.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BOURNEMOUTH V TOTTENHAM

Bournemouth have already got the better of two big six sides at home this season in Arsenal and Man City, and they'll fancy themselves to cause another big six scalp in this one.

Spurs' inconsistency came back to bite them against Fulham, who were the better side with all the chances they had. They had back up keeper Fraser Forster to thank for keeping them in the game and his performance was the best I'd seen from him in a long time.

Spurs are still missing some key players heading into this game including Micky Van De Ven, who makes Spurs a better team defensively when he's available.

Because of the injuries that Spurs have and how open they can be defensively, I fancy Bournemouth to pull off another shock against a big six side as they have players in their attack who can hurt Spurs' open defence.

PREDICTION: 2-1