Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 21

TUESDAY:

BRENTFORD V MAN CITY

Brentford have been brilliant at home this season, but they've lost their last three in all competitions at the Gtech including their FA Cup defeat to Plymouth, who they struggled to break down.

I think they can bounce back in this because they'll definitely have chances as City still look vulnerable at the back.

Pep Guardiola's side have got some confidence back recently, but they still have their problems defensively and in midfield.

I can see the Bees exploit those weaknesses with the pace and power they have in their side.

PREDICTION: 2-1

CHELSEA V BOURNEMOUTH

Chelsea hit a bump in the road before their FA Cup win over Morecambe, which will hopefully reinstill the confidence they had before their dip.

They rested a lot of their regulars for that game including Cole Palmer and the players that were rested should come back into the fold for this one.

Bournemouth went on a nine-game unbeaten run before their FA Cup win over West Brom, where they looked very impressive.

They've already taken points of four of the big six teams this season in Arsenal, Man City, Spurs and Man United, all of which they beat.

They'll definitely be feeling confident of pulling off another big team upset in this one because of the form they're in.

But with Chelsea having their big hitters back for this one including Cole Palmer, I think they'll put an end to their slump here.

PREDICTION: 3-1

WEST HAM V FULHAM

I didn't watch West Ham's FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Friday, but I did hear and read that there were positives for them in Graham Potter's first game in charge.

He'll need to turn those positives into winning results because the Hammers needs results and quickly if they're to rise up the table.

Fulham are having by far a more convincing season than the Hammers this season and their performances and league position can back that up.

Marco Silva's side are unbeaten in their last three games against the Hammers and were second away from winning all three in the reverse fixture, until Danny Ings scored in injury time to rescue a point for the then away side.

Graham Potter has a good record in his first league game in charge of a new club after winning his first league games in charge of Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea. I think he'll get his Hammers' tenure off to a winning start here.

PREDICTION: 2-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LIVERPOOL

Nottingham Forest are the only side to beat Liverpool in the league this season and another win over them here will take them to within three points of the reds at the top.

Liverpool looked off it in the final third in the reverse fixture and their sloppiness in front of goal was what cost them that day.

The reds looked off it a bit in their previous two games before beating Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, but they might feel reenergised in this one after resting most of their regulars in the FA Cup on Saturday.

But I have a sneaky feeling that Forest are going to bag another win against them and put themselves in the title race.

PREDICTION: 1-0

WEDNESDAY:

EVERTON V ASTON VILLA

Everton will have David Moyes back in the dugout for this one and I'm not sure about their decision to bring him back.

The team he's taking over are nowhere near the West Ham side he managed or the Everton side he had before, who were well drilled and competitive in every game.

If he is to keep the Toffees in the league, he'll need to buy some players in January, including a striker. If he is backed by the club to do so.

Aston Villa are unbeaten against Everton since they've been in the Premier League, and they had to come from behind to beat them in the reverse fixture back in September.

They'll be without the match winner in Jhon Duran for this one as he's still suspended and his absence will be a blow for Villa. Especially if the game is heading for a draw and they need someone to come off the bench and score the winning goal.

I don't see it coming to that though as I think Villa will win this game and without too many problems.

PREDICTION: 0-2

LEICESTER V CRYSTAL PALACE

Leicester gave themselves a much needed confidence boost with their FA Cup win over QPR, but they did give the ball away in the lead up to both of QPR's goals and they'll need to cut out those mistakes if they're to stay up.

They have some tricky games after this one and winning here will give them more confidence to carry into those tough games.

Crystal Palace weren't at their best against Stockport in the FA Cup, but they still got the job done and made their way into the next round.

The Eagles have improved a lot over the past month and a half both in terms of their results and performances. But I do think Oliver Glasner will go into the market and bring in some reinforcements so his side can push themselves further away from the bottom.

Leicester are in wretched form coming into this game, but I do think they'll get themselves a rare win here off the back of their FA Cup win over QPR.

PREDICTION: 2-1

NEWCASTLE V WOLVES

Newcastle were given an early scare by Bromley in the FA Cup on Sunday, but they did turn the game around and put in a professional performance.

In-form Alexander Isak was rested for that game and will no doubt come back into the team for this one, hoping to continue the red hot form he's been in.

Wolves just about edged past Bristol City in the FA Cup on Saturday, but they did enough to win the game and book their place in the next round.

Vitor Pereira's side have some tricky games coming after getting themselves out of the bottom three over Christmas, they could soon find themselves back in it. Three of their next four are against big six sides in Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

I think Newcastle will put them right back in it here and I'm backing Isak to score yet again.

PREDICTION: 3-0

ARSENAL V TOTTENHAM

Arsenal's need for a centre forward went up another level after missing some crucial chances in their FA Cup clash with Man United, and those missed chances cost them.

I've said for most of the season that they need to sign a striker because that clinical no.9 is what they're lacking the most. But I don't see them getting one in January because those kind of players aren't available at this time of year.

Spurs needed extra-time to beat non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup after looking mostly abject over the course of the 90 minutes.

They received a lot of criticism for their performance on the day and understandably so because Tamworth did have some good chances and were the more spirited side.

I don't see Postecoglou changing his approach for this one and that could benefit Arsenal as they have struggled against sides who defend with a low block, including Man United in the FA Cup.

The Gunners are missing Bukayo Saka, but Leandro Trossard is still capable of stepping up in his place and I think he'll do that in this one along with Martinelli and Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta's side won the reverse fixture with a set piece goal from Gabriel, and I think they'll win this one with a set piece goal as well.

PREDICTION: 2-1

THURSDAY:

IPSWICH V BRIGHTON

I hear some people saying that Ipswich are beginning to turn corner after collecting four points from their last two games.

But I'm buying into none of that as they need to win more games in order to successfully turn a corner. Their performance in each of those were encouraging, and especially the one against Chelsea. But you can't say that a team is turning a corner after two good results.

Brighton gave themselves a confidence boost in their FA Cup win over Norwich, which should give them the confidence to get their season back on track following an eight game winless run.

It was good to see Solly March back and back on the scoresheet in that one after a long time out injured. His return is definitely a welcome boost for the Seagulls.

These two played out a goalless draw earlier in the season in the reverse fixture and I think they'll play out another draw here. But at least this one will have goals in it.

PREDICTION: 1-1

MAN UNITED V SOUTHAMPTON

Man United built on their promising display against Liverpool by putting in another one against Arsenal in the FA Cup, where they did well to stay in the game after going down to 10 men.

They now need to show that kind of performance against the smaller teams and with some winnable games coming up, they'll have the chance to do that. Especially in this one which they should definitely win.

Southampton were handed a much needed confidence boost on Sunday in their FA Cup win over Swansea which will hopefully be the result that kick starts their season.

But I don't see it turning out that way as they still look look doomed and with very little hope of staying up.

I can only see this being a comfortable win for United as they're building confidence and should have more than enough quality to win this game.

PREDICTION: 4-0