Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 20

TUESDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V NORWICH

Crystal Palace will be without Wilfried Zaha for this one following his ridiculous red card in their defeat to Spurs on Boxing Day. For your best player to get himself sent off like that was just unacceptable as there was absolutely no need for it. Especially with your team 2-0 down at the time of the incident.

The Eagles also have a number of players out through COVID which makes their squad look a little light going into this game. With Zaha suspended along with the COVID absentees, Palace could struggle here.

Norwich looked like their old selves against Arsenal on Boxing Day in the way they defended throughout the game. They may have felt a bit rusty after not playing for a couple of weeks and they did have a number of players unavailable through injury and COVID, but they still could've defended better as a team.

Their main problem in scoring goals still exists as they haven't scored in any of their last four games. They have had their troubles defensively but going forward is where their problems lie with just 8 goals scored all season. That is a damning reading for them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

With Palace without their talisman and various others, I think Norwich might get something here despite their lack of firepower. The Eagles have struggled without Zaha in the past as they're a better side going forward with him in it and with that along with Norwich's struggles going forward, I'm going for a draw.

SOUTHAMPTON V TOTTENHAM

Southampton ended their long winless run with their win at West Ham on Boxing Day where they finally held on to a lead. Seeing games out has been a struggle for the Saints all season and that result will give them the confidence they need to carry it on so they can build some momentum to get them up the table.

The Saints haven't really got going this season unlike last year where at this stage they were in and around the European places before collapsing after new year. If they can get some players in during Janury, it hopefully won't happen again.

Spurs are looking really good under Antonio Conte and they looked really impressive in their win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. There is a more solid look about the team defensively and in midfield plus they look dangerous whenever they go forward. Harry Kane is finally beginning to find some form after a tough start to the season and Lucas Moura is beginning to step up.

PREDICTION: 0-2

With how strong Spurs are looking at the moment, I'm backing them to again in this one. They've come together as a team since Conte has been in charge and with the quality they have they should have enough to win this one.

WATFORD V WEST HAM

This will be Watford's first game in about three weeks after their last three were all postponed through COVID. They may be feeling a bit rusty as a result of that as they haven't played in a while but it could also play to their advantage as they would've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of those games being called off.

The Hornets are the only team yet to keep a clean sheet this season and they somehow have the fifth worst defence in the league. They're decent going forward with the likes of Dennis and King in their attack but defensively they look vulnerable. I can't see that changing in this one unless they've worked on it in training during their time off.

West Ham are losing their way a bit at the moment with the form they're in and the season really has caught up with them. They've played a lot of games as a result of them being in Europe and they've lost key players to injury which has halted their progress.

I was listening to Michail Antonio's post match interview on Match of the Day after their defeat to Southampton on Boxing Day where he said that they're tired both physically and mentally which I could understand because of the amount of games they've been involved with this season. Some new faces in January could help them overcome that as their squad is not the biggest.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Both sides are out of form going into this one plus they're also missing key players through injury. Watford are without Sarr whose been a miss for them whilst West Ham are without Cresswell, Zouma and Ogbonna who have all been losses for them. With all those factors being thrown into the mix, I can't see their being a winner here.

LEICESTER V LIVERPOOL

Leicester showed some character to come back against City on Boxing Day by coming out the block as soon as the second half began. But it wasn't enough for them as they were once again let down by some poor defending and especially from set pieces.

Set pieces have been a problem for the Foxes all season as they've conceded the most goals from set plays this season. As Liverpool can be a threat from set pieces with the presence of Virgil Van Dijk, it wouldn't surprise me if the Foxes were again punished like they have been all season.

Liverpool should be feeling the fresher team going into this one as they've had plenty of time to recover as a result of their Boxing Day clash with Leeds being called off because of COVID. This could give them an advantage here because they've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of their last game being postponed. They'll be flying out the blocks the moment the game kicks off.

With City winning on Boxing Day during the reds' absence, this one is a must win for Jurgen Klopp's side if they're to stay in touch with City at the top of the league. With a tough game at Chelsea coming up after this one, they'll be desperate for a win here so they can go into that game with some confidence and belief.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I've got to go for a Liverpool win here because they're in better form and are a threat from set pieces. With a big centre half in Virgil Van Dijk available for them, I can see him cause Leicester all kinds of problems from set plays.

WEDNESDAY:

CHELSEA V BRIGHTON

Chelsea picked up a much needed win on Boxing Day against Aston Villa with Romelu Lukaku making a massive difference for them. The Blues have lacked that focal point up top at times this season and Lukaku really showed what they were missing with the performance he put in. If Chelsea can keep him fit, they'll definitely be in with a shout for the title.

This is a must win game for the blues because of the games they have coming up after this one in Liverpool, City and Spurs. Their title credentials will be put to the test in those games so its important that they win this one so they have some confidence to carry into those games. Their season could well be decided within the next few weeks.

Brighton ended their 11 game winless run on Boxing Day with their win at Brentford which must've been a relief for them after going so long without a win. They were strong in both departments throughout the game and now they need to build on that win so they don't go on another run like the one they were on.

They should be ok now following that important win on Boxing Day but I still think they should get a striker in January. They've missed a lot of chances over the course of the season like they did last season and getting a striker in January could help them massively.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for a Chelsea win here because they've got Lukaku back to lead their attack which is a massive bonus for them going forward. They're a much better side when he's in it and with him now back they'll definitely win this one.

BRENTFORD V MAN CITY

Brentford didn't offer enough in the first half of their defeat to Brighton on Boxing Day with Brighton seeing more of the ball and having the better chances. Their performance did improve in the second half as they created more chances but overall they didn't do enough to get a result.

The Bees haven't been as solid defensively as they were earlier in the season with the injuries to David Raya and Kristoffer Ajer being the main reason for that. Those two have been big losses for Brentford over the last couple of months because they're a much better team defensively when they're both available.

Man City really showed their class against Leicester on Boxing Day and in particular the first half when they went 4-0 up. They were pegged back in the second half but they were always going to go on and win the game because of the quality they have.

The champions are on a nine game winning run going into this one and they'll definitely be looking to extend that run win another win in this one. They have the ability to go on any kind of run which they have done over the years and I can't see anybody stopping them with the form they're in.

PREDICTION: 0-4

I've got to go for a City win here because I think they'll be too strong for Brentford. With the form they're in and the quality of players they have in all areas of the pitch, I can see them winning this one rather comfortably.

THURSDAY:

EVERTON V NEWCASTLE

Everton will be delighted to have Dominic Calvert Lewin back for this one because of how much they've missed him during his absence. The Toffees have suffered a lot over the last few months as a result of him being out injured and with him now back they'll hopefully push themselves up the table.

Rafa Benitez will be up against Newcastle for the first time since leaving them in 2019 and it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he'll get from their fans. I hope he gets a good one because of the job he it up there and it wouldn't surprise me if the Newcastle fans give him a better reception than the Everton fans.

Newcastle will be disappointed that they didn't come away with all three points against Man United on Monday night as they had enough chances to win the game. It was a very good performance from them as they started on the front foot and they played that way throughout the contest. But they'll still feel disappointed that they didn't see the game out.

The Magpies have been dealt a double blow ahead of this game with both Allan Saint Maximin and Callum Wilson ruled out through injury. I really can't see them getting anything here without those two because they're the best attacking players they have and they solely rely on the pair to get them out of trouble.

PREDICTION: 2-0

With Dominic Calvert Lewin back for Everton, I've got to back them to take the three points. I don't think he'll start the game as he's just come back but I think he'll come on and make a difference for them at some point during the game.

MAN UNITED V BURNLEY

Man United were flat in their draw at Newcastle on Monday night and they were lucky to come away with a point. Their performance lacked energy and desire when tracking back and they looked sloppy in possession. I'm not sure they suit Ralf Rangnick's 4-2-2-2 formation.

It's still going to take time for them to get used to Rangnick's methods which is something we don't really say about an interim manager. He's had some decent results so far but the performances will still need time which the Newcastle game showed.

This will be Burnley's first game in about three weeks after their last three were all called off because of COVID. Those postponements would've given them plenty of time to prepare for this game as Sean Dyche has surely used the time to watch back his sides' performances plus the players will be feeling refreshed as a result of their games being postponed.

If they're going to stay up, they need to start winning games now as this is the stage of the season where they need to pick up points. I still think they'll stay up but for them to stay up they need to win football matches and quickly because at the moment they only have one win to their name.

PREDICTION: 1-1

With United still getting used to Rangnick's methods and Burnley being a tough side to break down, I can see the Clarets getting a result from this game. United have relied on Ronaldo to save them at times this season but I can see Tarkowski and Mee keep him at bay.