Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 19

TUESDAY:

BURNLEY V NEWCASTLE

Burnley come into this game off the back of two straight draws against Bournemouth and Everton which could give them something to build on moving forward.

But they need to start being more clinical in the final third because they have been wasteful in a lot of their games this season including the one against Everton on Saturday.

Newcastle were disappointing in the final third against Man United on Boxing Day despite having most of the possession and most of the shots.

I asked one or two months back if Eddie Howe has taken this team as far as he can and I'm starting to think that he has because I don't see what more he can do with this team.

He's done a wonderful job since he's been there and he led them to arguably the best season in their history by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup.

But I just don't know how he can better that this season as they're struggled for consistency all season both in terms of performances and results.

Burnley have been competitive in a lot of their games this season and especially at home and with Newcastle being as poor as they have been on the road, I have a sneaky feeling that the Clarets might nick this one.

PREDICTION: 1-0

CHELSEA V BOURNEMOUTH

Chelsea have been a team of two halves in their last two games by being good in one half and abject in the other half.

They were in control of the first half against Villa on Saturday before their levels dipped in the second half which Villa capitalised on.

It was around this time last season where they began to slip down the table and fall out of title contention and it's already happened again following one win from their last five games.

I'm starting to worry about Bournemouth with the form they're in which has left them in 15th and only eight points above the relegation zone.

They haven't won any of their last nine games and their fixtures don't get any easier with Arsenal and Spurs coming up after this tough one against Chelsea.

I asked in my key points of the weekend post if Andoni Iraola is under pressure which may sound crazy because of the job he's done since he's been there. But he could be if his side's winless run continues and if the teams below them pick up points and drag them into a potential relegation scrap.

Both teams are not in the best of form at the moment, but I do think Chelsea will come out on top as they should have enough quality to come away with the points.

PREDICTION: 3-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V EVERTON

Forest gave it a good go against Man City on Saturday and Sean Dyche will have taken a lot of encouragement from the performance his side put in.

Everton comfortably beat Forest in the reverse fixture only a few weeks ago but repeating that performance in this one won't be straightforward as Forest are a tough side to play against when they play at home.

Forest have lost just twice at home since Sean Dyche took over and because of that and the performance they put in against City, I can see them nick this one.

I think both teams will miss a lot of chances this season as they have both lacked a consistent goal scorer this season.

But I think Forest will be the more clinical side on front of goal.

PREDICTION: 1-0

WEST HAM V BRIGHTON

I'm starting to worry about West Ham due to the form they're in and the fact that the teams above them are pulling away from the relegation zone.

They were disappointing at the weekend against Fulham and especially in the final third as they failed to make the most of the opportunities they and if there was one thing we could take from that game, it was that they need reinforcements in January and especially a striker.

Brighton have a decent record against West Ham as they've lost just one to them since they've been in the Premier League.

But they haven't beaten them on the road for the last three seasons and I think they'll end that run here because of the Hammers' poor home record.

The Seagulls haven't been brilliant on the road this season, but I still think they'll take the points here because of West Ham's poor home form.

PREDICTION: 0-2

ARSENAL V ASTON VILLA

Arsenal's defeat to Villa in the reverse fixture was arguably the first time they had a wobble this season as it allowed other teams back into the title race including Villa.

But they have won every game since and are still leading the title race despite them not playing at their brilliant best during those games.

Villa's win in the reverse fixture was the result that got people asking if they are in the title race and you have to say that they are because of the form they're in.

Their win at Chelsea on Saturday was their 11th straight win in all competitions and a game where their subs made the difference including Ollie Watkins whose two goals won them the game.

That result will definitely give Villa confidence heading into this one which will arguably be their biggest test of the season because Arsenal have been very strong at home this season.

This game will definitely be close as it was at Villa Park a few weeks ago, but I think Arsenal will just edge it and end Villa's incredible winning run.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MAN UNITED V WOLVES

Ruben Amorim did what pretty much everyone never saw him doing in finally changing his system against Newcastle on Boxing Day and it worked as they got the win.

The performance wasn't perfect from his Man United side but they still got the win and without their talismanic captain in Bruno Fernandes.

Wolves will take a lot of heart from their performance against Liverpool on Saturday as they put up more of a fight than they did against Brentford in their previous game.

But they need to start getting points on the board because they're still on two points for the season and they surely won't want to replace Derby as the worst team in Premier League history.

United won the reverse fixture comfortably a few weeks ago but I don't see them winning this one as comfortably because they're missing a few key players and I can see Wolves put in another spirited performance.

I think United will win as I think they'll have enough quality to do so. But I don't see them playing particularly well.

PREDICTION: 1-0

NEW YEARS DAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V FULHAM

Palace are in the middle of a rough patch at the moment following three straight defeats and they'll be disappointed that they didn't finish Spurs off on Sunday.

They had a lot of chances against Spurs were by far the better team but they weren't able to take their chances and make the most of their dominance.

Fulham are in decent form at the moment following three straight wins which have taken them from being in a potential relegation battle to being possible European contenders.

Marco Silva's have struggled on the road for most of the season but they do come into this game off the back of two straight wins on the road against Burnley and West Ham.

Those wins will definitely give them confidence heading into this game and with Palace not in great form at the moment, I can see them get another rare away win in this one.

PREDICTION: 1-2

LIVERPOOL V LEEDS

Liverpool might be starting to turn a corner following three straight wins which have given them some much needed confidence and got them back into the top four.

It was good to see Florian Wirtz finally get his first goal against Wolves on Saturday which will do his confidence the world of good and I think he’s looking more settled now as he’s more involved in games and influencing them.

All of the reds’ wins have come since the 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture at Elland Road in which they allowed Leeds back into the game by conceding that penalty which was the turning point in the game.

Leeds showed character and resilience to come from behind and nick that draw a few weeks ago for which they deserved a lot of credit for.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in that game and has scored in every game since to help Leeds climb out of and away from the relegation zone.

Daniel Farke’s side will look to make it uncomfortable for the reds like they did at Elland Road a few weeks ago and like Wolves did on Saturday.

But I think Liverpool will find a way have enough to come away with the points and especially as they’re at home.

PREDICTION: 3-1

BRENTFORD V TOTTENHAM

Brentford comes into this game just a few points off the European places following their impressive win over Bournemouth on Saturday which moved them up to 8^th.

Keith Andrews deserves a lot of credit for the job he’s done since taking over from his opposite number and especially after losing some big players in the summer.

His opposite number in Thomas Frank will return to the Gtech for the first time since leaving them in the summer and I’m sure he’ll get a good reception because of the job he did during his seven seasons there.

He’s found it tough at Spurs and he should’ve expected it to be because of the size of the club he’s managing and the standards that Spurs have compared to Brentford.

His team did get an important win over the weekend against Palace, but their performance was anything but convincing as they were second best for most of the game.

Spurs have fared better on the road than they have at home this season, but with Brentford being so strong at home and being in better form, I’ve got to back them here.

PREDICTION: 3-1

SUNDERLAND V MAN CITY

Sunderland have given it a real go when taking on the so-called bigger teams with their game against Arsenal being an example.

They really rattled Arsenal in that game and I can see them do the same to City in this one, especially as they’re at home where they’re yet to lose this season.

Man City were made to work for their win at Forest on Saturday and they’ll surely be expecting another tough game in this one because of how tough a team Sunderland are to play against at the Stadium of Light.

Pep Guardiola’s side will no doubt believe that they can beat them because they’re capable of beating any side on their day and they’re one of the form teams in the league right now.

Sunderland are missing a lot of players due to their participation at AFCON, but I still think they’ll make it difficult for City by being tough to beat and going toe to toe with them.

I can see them nick a draw here because I can see them really unsettle City like they unsettled Arsenal back in November.

PREDICTION: 1-1