Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 18

MONDAY:

BRENTFORD V LIVERPOOL

Brentford moved two points within the European places with their Friday night victory at West Ham but their evening ended on a sour note with Ivan Toney picking up an injury. That moment ruined any chance they had of potentially challenging for Europe.

He'll probably be out for while as he's likely to be suspended for a number of games due to the betting charges he's facing. If this gets confirmed and his injury is as bad as first feared, Thomas Frank will surely be in the market to bring in a temporary replacement.

Liverpool go into the new year with a lot of confidence as they've won their last four league games. They were lucky to beat Leicester on Friday night with their goals both being own goals by Wout Faes. But they got the win and they'll go into this one with a lot of confidence on board.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Liverpool to win here because they've got a lot of confidence on board with the recent results they've had and Brentford will of course be without Ivan Toney. The reds do have a number of injury concerns but with the form they're in and Brentford being without talisman Toney, they should have enough to win here.

TUESDAY:

ARSENAL V NEWCASTLE

I'm starting to think that Arsenal might actually go on and win the title. They're seven points clear at the top and have shown many times this season that they are the real deal.

Their credentials will however be put to the test this month as they have some tough games coming up starting with this one. Their next two in the league after this game are against Spurs and Man United where they will be tested.

This will be Newcastle's biggest test of the season so far and arguably their first big one. They have faced the other big six already this season but this one will be seen as their biggest with it being at a crucial stage of the season and against a side who are in great form and leading the way.

They were wasteful in the final against Leeds on New Years Eve which is something we haven't said about them. Eddie Howe will see it as a rare off day for his side given how far they've come over the past year but the players will still kicking themselves for not taking their chances.

PREDICTION: 2-0

This should be a very close game with the form both sides are in and how far they've both come this season. With Arsenal passing every test they've faced this season, I'm backing them to do the same here. Newcastle will make it a tough game for them but with Arsenal having much stronger mentality this time round, I think they'll come out on top.

EVERTON V BRIGHTON

Everton picked up a crucial and much needed point on New Years Eve against Man City with their performance on the day being one they can definitely build on. They were tough to beat defensively by being organised and well drilled and they need to in more performances like that if they're to push up the league.

Having Dominic Calvert Lewin back will give them a massive boost as they've struggled badly for goals. He's someone they'll need to keep fit if they're to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.

Brighton showed character to get back into the game against Arsenal on New Years Eve and they deserve a lot of credit for doing so. Arsenal did switch off at that stage of the game but the Seagulls still deserve credit for making the most of it with e character they showed.

Roberto De Zerbi has done a pretty decent job since taking over from Graham Potter and maybe it's about time we give him credit. He's got the Seagulls playing a great brand of football and has kept them inside the top 10. The Seagulls are on course for their best ever season they keep up the good season they're having.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Brighton may have more goals in them than Everton do at the moment but they have been known for missing a load of chances over the past few seasons. Everton will feel encouraged after their performance at Man City and I can see them put in a similar kind of performance here. With this and Brighton likely to be wasteful in the final third, I'm going for a draw.

LEICESTER V FULHAM

Leicester were fortunate to lose to Liverpool on Friday night and fortunate was the word I used to describe both of Wout Faes' own goals. The first one was certainly that word as it skimmed off his foot and into the back of the net and the second one was also the same as he just happened to be in the wrong place when the ball bounced off the post.

Despite being 13th in the league, the foxes are only four points off the relegation places and could find themselves looking over their shoulders if they don't get something from this game. They'll need and want to win this game so they can pull themselves away from danger.

If you told any Fulham fan that they would go into 2023 in 7th they would've snapped your hand off. Yet that there is they find themselves. It's been a well managed first season back in the Premier League for Marco Silva's side with one of the main behind it being their strong recruitment.

They've signed the right players that suit the system they play and players who are proven at the top level. Their recruitment was poor the last couple of times they got promoted as they were relegated both times. But this season it has been much improved as they're faring much better.

The Cottagers have won both of their games since the World Cup break against Crystal Palace and Southampton which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game.

PREDICTION: 1-1

This one could be a close one. Leicester are missing some key players including James Maddison who has been a miss whilst Fulham haven't won three games in a row this season. The Cottagers will give it a good go like they have done in most of their games this season. But I think The Foxes will respond after two straight defeats.

MAN UNITED V BOURNEMOUTH

Man United head into 2023 inside the Champions League places which will surely give them something to build on going into this game. It was rocky 2022 for United when you look at their year as a whole and they'll to start 2023 with a positive result.

Marcus Rashford responded well to being dropped against Wolves with his goal and performance making a difference. It was very unlike him to be dropped due to an internal disciplinary issue but Rashford himself will no doubt learn from this and move on.

Bournemouth's current form is a worry with only one win from their last eight games. Their performances since the World Cup break have been poor and especially their showing against Crystal Palace on New Years Eve which Gary O'Neil described as the worst performance of his tenure.

It's quite incredible that they're not in the relegation zone as they've conceded the most goals in the league. Their main defensive worries have been from set pieces where they've conceded more than any other side. They'll need to address this if their form is to improve.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Man United to win this one because I think they'll have more that enough quality to win the game. They've found some form at a good time and I can see them carry that form into this game against an out of form Bournemouth.

WEDNESDAY:

SOUTHAMPTON V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

This is a must win game for both sides in what will be seen as a relegation six pointer despite the game being in January.

Southampton have had problems at both ends of the pitch this season. Defensively they look vulnerable whenever they're under pressure whilst going forward they never look like scoring goals. That is why they're bottom of the league and they'll need to address both issues in January if they're to stay up.

Nottingham Forest will have taken a lot of positives out of their draw with Chelsea with their second half performance being an encouraging sign. They gave it a good go during that period of the game and their performance will give them some confidence.

But their away form this season has been awful. No wins and only two draws on the road this season with only one goal scored. This is a massive concern for them moving forward and will need addressing if they're to climb out of the relegation zone.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for a rare Southampton win here mainly because of Forest's poor away form. The Saints may be low on confidence but with Forest being so poor away from home, I can see Nathan Jones get his first league win in charge of the Saints.

LEEDS V WEST HAM

Leeds have looked better defensively since the World Cup break with Jesse Marsch stating that his side have worked on their defending during the World Cup break. They've always looked suspect defensively since they've been in the Premier League and their last two games have shown that they're looking much improved in that department.

The only worry I would have with Leeds is going forward and their lack of a clinical no.9. Their work rate is second to none but their lack of an out an out no.9 is a concern. Marsch will surely look to bring on in during January with Patrick Bamford having another injury disrupted season.

West Ham have also had problems with scoring goals this season with David Moyes struggling to find the right attacking line up. He needs to find it soon because his side desperately needs points with the position they're in.

The pressure is on Moyes after 5 straight defeats leaving the club just a point above the relegation zone. He will have some credit in the bank due to the job he's done since he's been in charge but he needs to get some results if he is to keep his job.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for a Leeds win here as they're more likely to pose a threat going forward with the players they have. They haven't scored many goals this season but with West Ham not having a settled attack, I think Jesse Marsch's side should run out winners here with the attacking players they have.

ASTON VILLA V WOLVES

Aston Villa returned to winning ways with their win at Spurs on New Years Day where they were better in every single department. They won all their battles in midfield, were solid defensively and made the most of some poor Spurs defending.

A win for Vila here would see them move into the top half but only if other results go their way. They've made a decent start under Unai Emery and for them to be in the top 10 at this stage of his reign would represent a decent job done so far.

Wolves did the double over Villa last season including their 3-2 win in this fixture where they came from 2-0 down to win the game in the final few minutes. Getting another victory here this time round will be more challenging given the struggles they've faced this season.

Goals are unsurprisingly still their main problem under Julen Lopetegui after missing a number of good chances against Man United on New Years Eve. Lopetegui has to dig into the transfer market and buy a striker if his side are to stay up.

PREDICTION: 1-0

Both sides have struggled for goals this season with Wolves suffering the most in that department. I'm going to back Villa for the points here as I think they're more likely to take their chances unlike Wolves. Wolves can be tough to beat defensively but I still think Villa will edge as they've been slightly better going forward.

CRYSTAL PALACE V TOTTENHAM

Crystal Palace were more like themselves against Bournemouth on New Years Eve with their all round performance being much improved after their poor showing against Fulham on Boxing Day. They were their usual solid selves defensively whilst going forward they finally had a shot on target after not having one in their previous two games before.

The Eagles won this fixture 3-0 last season and will believe that they can do so again. With Spurs being slow starters to games, the Eagles will look to make the most of that with the pace they have in their attack.

Spurs were guilty of another slow start against Aston Villa on New Years Day which was an all around poor performance. They were poor defensively as Villa were able to get in behind their backline on a number of occasions. Particularly for the goals they conceded.

Antonio Conte's comments after that game would've raised some eyebrows as he questioned Spurs' expectations for the season. This could be a sign that he needs to be backed in January if he is to get Spurs to live up to those "crazy" expectations as he called it. It could also be a sign that he's unhappy there and it's not the first time we've seen that from him.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for a Palace win here because I can see them make the most of another sloppy performance from Spurs. They've not the most clinical in front of goal but they still have the players to cause Spurs a number of problems. With the pace they have in attack, I can see them make it a tough game for Spurs and repeat their victory against them last season.

THURSDAY:

CHELSEA V MAN CITY

Chelsea looked rather flat in their draw with Nottingham Forest and their current form does not look convincing. They have just one win in their last seven league games and their performances during that time haven't looked convincing. They'll need to produce a better showing here if they're to stand any chance of getting something from this game.

Part of me feels that the job is too big for Graham Potter and that he should've taken a job at a side with lower expectations. I do hope that he gets the time to build his own team as he's a good manager. but you don't always get that time at a big club like Chelsea.

Man City struggled to break Everton down on New Years Eve where thy dropped two crucial points. They usually find a way to win those kind of games through the quality of players they have yet for some reason they couldn't find a way past the rigid Everton defence.

The pressure will now be on them to win games with Arsenal leading the way by seven points and this one will no doubt be a must win game for them. Especially with it being against a team like Chelsea which is always a massive game for them.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing City to win here and comfortably as Chelsea are not looking at all convincing at the moment. With Haaand in top form and the calibre of players around him, this should be a straight forward win for the champions.