Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 19

FRIDAY:

ASTON VILLA V LEEDS

Aston Villa were poor in their FA Cup defeat to Stevenage which will be seen as a big opportunity missed for Unai Emery's side. They didn't do enough to get something from the game as they rarely offered a threat despite having a lot of possession.

Their main focus now will be a top 10 finish in the Premier League which they're more than capable of doing. But they'll need to put in good performances on a consistent basis if they're to do so.

Leeds took their FA Cup tie against Cardiff to a replay last weekend thanks to their substitutes changing the game. The sending off might've played a part but the changes in the second half are what changed the game for them.

This is a must win for Jesse Marsch's side as they're without a win in 5 and are just two points above the relegation zone. Another game without a win here could put the pressure back on Marsch.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Both sides have had problems when it's come to scoring goals this season and I can see that coming to the fore here. I think they'll both in this game but I also think they'll be wasteful like they have been all season.

SATURDAY:

MAN UNITED V MAN CITY

Man United are a side in form at the moment after winning their last 8 games in all competitions and the progress they've made under Erik Ten Hag will be put to the test here. They'll be feeling confident going into this game with the form they're in but this game won't be as straightforward as their previous ones.

They got walloped 6-3 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad and Erik Ten Hag will be desperate to avoid another mauling in this one. They've improved a lot since that game and this one could tell us how far away they are from competing with City.

Man City were sloppy in midweek against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and sloppy isn't usually a word we associate with them. They haven't been at their brilliant best since the World Cup break and Pep Guardiola will demand a reaction from his side in this one.

They'll certainly need one with this game being a derby against their closest rivals who are in great form. Having Erling Haaland in from the start will be crucial but City still need to show a reaction as a team.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I fancy United to win this one as they're in great form and are looking a much improved side compared to the one from the reverse fixture. City haven't been at their best since the World Cup break and because of that I can see United catch them off guard.

BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL

Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge of Brighton was against Liverpool in the reverse fixture at Anfield where his side put in a breath-taking display and showed what kind they'll be under De Zerbi. They only came away with a point from that one but their overall performance was promising.

De Zerbi has done an incredible job since taking over from Graham Potter and his team have been very good to watch. They're a well drilled side who know what they're doing and they're on course for their best ever season as they're currently 8th and a point outside the European places.

Liverpool were fortunate to come away with a draw against Wolves in the FA Cup with some saying that Mo Salah's goal should've been ruled out for offside. It was good to see Darwin Nunez finally score though and his goal will surely restore his confidence after many missed chances in previous games.

Defensively is arguably Liverpool's area of concern unlike previous seasons where they've been reasonably solid. They haven't been helped by their midfield which is ageing and looking a shadow of it's former selves. But defensively they need to improve.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I'm going for a Brighton win here as I can see them cause Liverpool a number of problems with the pace and energy they have in their side. With reds looking leggy in midfield, I can see the Seagulls over power them in that area.

EVERTON V SOUTHAMPTON

This relegation six pointer is a must win for both sides and whoever wins arguably has the better chances of staying up.

Everton showed some encouraging signs in their FA Cup defeat at Man United in the way they got themselves back into the game after a poor start. They might've lost the game but Frank Lampard will still have seen some encouraging signs from his team on the day.

The Toffees should stick with the three at the back system for the rest of the season as they look solid defensively whenever they play that system. They played that system at the back end of last season and it worked and Frank Lampard should do the same again this season if his side are to beat the drop.

It's been a good week for Southampton following two crucial wins in the cup competitions against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and Man City in the Carabao Cup. Those wins will surely give them a lot of confidence and especially the won against City where they showed up and put in a performance. But the main question going into this game will be whether that can carry that performance into this one.

It's been a tough start for Nathan Jones at Southampton after losing his opening four league games in charge. He proved his critics wrong in the cup games during the week and he'll be hoping that those wins will give his side the belief that they can turn their season around. Winning this one would be a good start.

PREDICTION: 1-0

It's a must win game for both sides and I think Everton will be the side that comes out on top. The Toffees have a good record against Southampton at home and because of that I think they'll just edge this one. Especially if they can put in a dogged performance defensively.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LEICESTER

Nottingham Forest won this fixture 4-1 in the FA Cup last season and will be hoping for a similar kind of result here. There will be more pressure on them here with it being a league game but with the form they've been in at home they'll be feeling confident of another win against the Foxes.

They made wholesale changes for their FA Cup game against Blackpool and it backfired as they went crashing out. But they made up for it in midweek against Wolves in the Carabao Cup where they fielded a stronger team and saw themselves through on penalties.

Leicester's win over Forest in the reverse fixture was what kick-started their season with it being their first win of the campaign. They could certainly do with another win to kick start their season here having lost all three of their league games since the World Cup break leaving just two points above the drop.

James Maddison has been a huge miss in those games and his performance in the game at the King Power got Leicester the win that day. He's carried the Foxes for much of the season and they need to get him back if they're to pull themselves further away from the drop.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm backing Forest to win here because they're strong at home and I can see them keep up their strong home form in this one. With the Foxes still without James Maddison, this should be a win for Steve Cooper's side.

WOLVES V WEST HAM

Wolves have made a steady start under Julen Lopetegui with their performances being much improved. Their draw with Liverpool in the FA Cup was certainly one of them as they caused the reds a number of problems and were unlucky not to come away with the win.

Scoring goals are still an issue though as they have scored the fewest in the league this season. But if they can play like they did against Liverpool on a regular basis, the goals might start flowing in.

West Ham were handed a confidence booster in their FA Cup win over Brentford last weekend and David Moyes will surely be hoping that it will be a result to kick-start their season. They're only outside the bottom three on goal difference and could do with another confidence boosting win here.

The Hammers don't have a good record at Wolves in recent seasons with just one win since Wolves got promoted. David Moyes beat Julen Lopetegui last season in the Europa League when Lopetegui was at Sevilla and he'll be feeling confident of doing the same again having done so before.

PREDICTION: 1-0

Both sides have found goals hard to come by this season and particularly Wolves. But I think Julen Lopetegui's side will win this one as they have a good record against West Ham at home and also the quality of players to cause the Hammers a number of problems.

BRENTFORD V BOURNEMOUTH

Brentford were knocked out of the FA Cup by West Ham last weekend but their current league form form has been very good. Unbeaten in their last six games and currently sitting inside the top 10 in 9th. Their last league game was a memorable one against Liverpool.

The Bees could have Ivan Toney back for this one after missing the previous two games through injury. They did well without him against Liverpool but having him back for this one would be a massive boost.

Bournemouth have lost all of their games since Gary O'Neil was appointed on a permanent basis and I'm not really surprised. Results can go the other way for a manager who has been appointed on a permanent basis after impressing as a caretaker and it's definitely happening with O'Neil.

They'll be looking over their shoulders when looking at the league table as they're just a point above the relegation zone. They really need to win this one so they can push themselves away from trouble.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Brentford to win here because they have more confidence on board and should have enough quality to win the game. They might have Ivan Toney back and even if he doesn't play, the Bees should still win this one.

SUNDAY:

CHELSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE

Chelsea are a right mess at the moment both on and off the pitch. Their recruitment this season has been poor, they have no identity in the way they play and there are no characters in their team.

I wasn't sure about them signing Joao Felix who had a mixed debit against Fulham last night. He looked bright on a some occasions during the game but was sent off later on. He's now suspended for the blues' next three games and the decision to sign him could turn out to be another disaster for them in the transfer market.

Crystal Palace went out of the FA Cup to Southampton last weekend which was disappointing as I was very much hoping that they would give that competition a good shot. But as they're out of the cup they can now set their sights on a top 10 finish which is their season objective.

The Eagles have lost their last nine games against Chelsea going back to the 2017/18 season. They're yet to beat a side in the top 10 this season and with the current form Chelsea are in, they might have a chance of ending that drought.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I fancy Palace to win this one mainly because of the mess Chelsea are in. The Eagles don't win many games away from home but with the talented attacking players they have, they can see them cause an out of sorts Chelsea all kinds of problems with the pace they have in Zaha, Eze and Olise..

NEWCASTLE V FULHAM

Newcastle bounced back from their FA Cup exit in midweek to beat Leicester in the Carabao Cup which was a more encouraging showing. It was a reasonably straight forward win for them with the amount of chances they had and they could've won by more.

The Magpies drew their two league games goalless against Leeds and Arsenal but they didn't affect their position in the league. Other clubs who have been in their position in the past might've seen those draws as crucial points dropped but with Newcastle being new to this challenge, they might see them as two points gained.

Fulham are on a roll at the moment and they deserve a lot of credit for beating Chelsea last night. The sending off of Joao Felix did play a part in the result but the Cottagers still deserve credit for achieving result. Especially as they were without talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic who was suspended for the game.

Mitrovic will back for this game which happens to be against his former club. He didn't have a great time during his spell at St James Park and he'll go into this one with a point to prove as he'll want to show the Newcastle fans how much he's improved since he left the club five years ago.

PREDICTION: 2-0

Both sides go into this one in great form. Fulham may be on a four game winning streak going into this game but I think Newcastle will be the side that come out on top. They have a bit more quality in their side than Fulham do and I can see that seeing them through here.

TOTTENHAM V ARSENAL

I'm not convinced by Spurs at the moment mainly because of their slow starts to games. They're going to need a fast start here otherwise they're going to get punished as they're up against an in-form Arsenal side who will punish any side making a slow start.

Harry Kane moved to within one goal of Jimmy Greaves' record with his strike against Portsmouth in the FA Cup and he'll surely be looking to break record in this one due to his record against Arsenal. He's the record goal scorer in North London Derbies and because of that and the form he's in at the moment, he'll be hungry for more goals in this one.

Arsenal were flat in the first half against Oxford in the FA Cup on Monday but they did up the tempo in the second half. It was good to see Emile Smith Rowe return to action in that one after so long out and he'll surely have a major role to play once he's up and running fitness wise.

This is the Gunners' first big test of the season as to whether they can seriously challenge for the title. Spurs might be several points behind them but Mikel Arteta's side will still be expecting a tough game. Especially as they haven't won away to Spurs since 2014.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I can't se either side winning here with Spurs not looking at all convincing and Arsenal themselves not having a good recent record away at Spurs. Arsenal will be the more confident side going into this game but I think Conte will set his Spurs side up to frustrate their North London rivals.