Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 17

SATURDAY:

NEWCASTLE V CHELSEA

Newcastle needed that win against Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek following their poor performance in the derby last weekend which they wanted to put behind them.

Eddie Howe's side will be glad to be back at home for this one as they've fared a lot better at home than they have on the road this season.

They've also won this fixture in each of the last three seasons which will give them a good deal of confidence.

Chelsea got a much needed win against Everton last weekend and it was good to see Cole Palmer back on the scoresheet after several weeks out injured.

That result was however overshadowed by what Enzo Maresca said in his post-match press conference where he spoke about the lack of support and my guess is that he was talking about the people above him.

He has been backed to bring in players during the transfer windows he's had, but he probably hasn't been given the players he's wanted which is why he spoke out the way he did.

How board will react to his comments will be interesting because a lot of manager do get sacked when they speak out against the people higher up, including Nuno Espirito Santo who was sacked aby Forest following comments about his relationship with the owner.

Because of the recent record Newcastle have in this fixture and the fact that they've been strong at home this season, I'm backing them to win the points here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

BOURNEMOUTH V BURNLEY

Bournemouth showed resilience to come from behind twice in their 4-4 draw with Man United on Monday which was one crazy game.

The Cherries are still without a win since the middle of October and so are Burnley who have lost all seven of their games since.

Scott Parker surely has to be under pressure because no manager can lose seven games in a row and not be under pressure.

The Clarets have looked competitive in a lot of their games this season including some of the games they've lost during their seven game losing streak.

But they need to get results and quickly otherwise they'll be in deep trouble and Parker could lose his job which he well could do if they lose here.

I cans see that happening as I'm backing Bournemouth to return to winning ways with a comfortable performance.

PREDICTION: 2-0

BRIGHTON V SUNDERLAND

Brighton have been reasonably strong at home this season as they've lost just once at home all season with that defeat coming at the beginning of the month against Villa.

The Seagulls have had a fairly solid season so far as they currently sit in 10th. But I do feel that they're a tough team to work out as their results this season have been patchy at best along with their performances.

Sunderland were brilliant from start to finish in the Tyne Wear Derby last weekend and their season is now about to be put to the test as they're going to be without a number of players over the next few weeks due to their involvement at AFCON.

They've had an incredible season so far as everyone knows, but they may be about to hit their first bump in the road because of the amount of players they're going to be without because of them being at AFCON.

I can see both teams going for it here as they both like to play on the front foot and both have goals in them.

But I do see them cancelling each other out so I'm going to go for a draw.

PREDICTION: 2-2

MAN CITY V WEST HAM

Man City appear to have their mojo back as they're winning games in a similar way to how we've been used to seeing them win games over the last few years.

I do still have my doubts about them defensively though as teams can still get at them like Palace did last weekend only for them to waste some very good chances.

But they did still win that game rather comfortably and are starting to look like the City we've known for the last few years.

West Ham appeared to be turning a corner under Nuno a few weeks back but have gone five games without a win since those back-to-back wins at the beginning of November.

They will have been kicking themselves for letting that lead slip away against Villa last weekend which showed that they still have their fragilities defensively.

I can only see City expose those fragilities yet again here because of the firepower they have up top and the form they're currently in.

The Hammers will score as they have players who can score goals. But I think City will win this one fairly comfortably.

PREDICTION: 3-1

WOLVES V BRENTFORD

Wolves showed a lot of heart against Arsenal by being disciplined and tough to beat defensively and Rob Edwards will need his side to carry that performance into this game.

They need to get a result from somewhere and this game might be the best chance they have of getting some points on the board because of Brentford's poor form away from home.

Brentford have won just once on the road all season with that win coming at West Ham who were struggling and lacking confidence at the time just like Wolves are now.

I thought they would beat Leeds last weekend because of them being at home where they've fared much better.

But they weren't able to build on the opening goal they scored and ended up dropping points.

Wolves' confidence may be very low at the moment, but I can see them nick an unlikely draw here as I can see them carry the performance they showed against Arsenal into this game.

PREDICTION: 1-1

TOTTENHAM V LIVERPOOL

This fixture last season was an absolute goal fest with Liverpool running out 6-3 winners and it was around this stage of the season as well.

Spurs were poor last time out against Nottingham Forest and I'm starting to think that Thomas Frank is one borrowed time.

I hope he gets time to turn things around because he's a good manager as he showed at Brentford, but another poor performance from his side here could put more pressure on him.

Liverpool may come into this game on a five games unbeaten run in all competitions, but I don't think they've necessarily turned a corner.

Brighton had some decent chances against them last weekend which again highlighted that the reds can still be got at defensively.

Hugo Ekitike stepped up though and he simply has to start on a regular basis because he's been one of their better performers this season and easily their best signing.

The next few weeks could tells us what Liverpool's future without Mohamed Salah looks like with the Egyptian now at AFCON and I'm not sure the entire situation surrounding him has been solved despite him coming off the bench and playing well against Brighton last weekend.

Both teams are having far from ideal seasons this season, but I think Liverpool will get the win because of Spurs' poor home record.

It won't be as entertaining as this fixture was last season, but there will still be goals.

PREDICTION: 1-2

EVERTON V ARSENAL

Everton could be without some key players for this one including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish who are both injury doubts.

But I still expect David Moyes' side to make it difficult for Arsenal here by being difficult to beat and competitive and especially as they're at home where they have a decent record.

Arsenal were fortunate against Wolves last weekend as they were far from their best but they still got the job done which is the sign of champions.

Mikel Arteta's side have won games in different ways this season and doing so and has helped them evolve as a team.

I don't see them playing well in this one because I think Everton will make it difficult for them as I mentioned earlier.

But I do think they'll get the job done and head into Christmas at the top of the tree.

PREDICTION: 0-1

LEEDS V CRYSTAL PALACE

Leeds have been a competitive side at home this season and their last two games at Elland Road saw them take points off Chelsea and Liverpool.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in both of those games as well as their draw at Brentford last weekend and it's good to see him back in form after a tough few seasons with injuries.

I asked on my key points of the weekend post if he's the man to fire Leeds to safety and that will depend on whether he can stay fit.

He has featured in most of Leeds' games this season and is in good form at the moment, but there will still be questions around whether he can stay fit because of his injury record.

Palace were outplayed by Man City last weekend but they did have a number of good chances that they unfortunately weren't able to take.

Oliver Glasner's side come into this game off the back of playing in Europe during the week and being in Europe has stretched their squad.

They did however make wholesale changes in their game against KuPS on Thursday which may help them in that they may not feel as tired as they have done in previous games after playing in Europe.

But I still see it being a factor here as they did bring on a few of their regulars later in the game to help them nick a result.

Because of that and Leeds being a tough team to play against at home, I think the points will be shared here as I can see both teams cancel each other out.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V MAN UNITED

Villa are still the form team in the league with their win at West Ham extending their winning run in all competitions to ten games.

Their recent record against Man United is surprisingly poor given that they've finished above them in each of the last two seasons but failed to win against United in both campaigns.

Their last win against them came back in 2022 in Unai Emery's first game in charge and have four and drawn one of their games against them since.

Man United's draw with Bournemouth on summed them up as a team in that they had some good moments but also moments where they shoot themselves in the foot.

That's the kind of team they are and have been for the last couple of seasons and Amorim needs to stamp this out if his side are to progress this season.

I know United have had to better record in this fixture in recent seasons, but I have to back Villa here because of the brilliant run they're on and the fact that they're at home.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MONDAY:

FULHAM V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Fulham have been strong at home this season as the majority of their good results this season have come at home.

Forest were excellent all over against Spurs last weekend as they dominated them all over the pitch and made them look very average.

Sean Dyche has turned them into a well-drilled machine since he took over and they're once again looking like a side who the fans can get behind.

Their away form has not been great this season as they've won just twice on the road all season and were well beaten in their last away game against Everton.

Fulham have lost some important to AFCON including Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze, all of who have been brilliant this season.

But because of their strong home record and Forest's poor away record, I'm backing Marco Silva's side to come out on top here with in-form Harry Wilson being among the goals.

PREDICTION: 2-1