Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 22

SATURDAY:

MAN UNITED V MAN CITY

Man United appointed Michael Carrick during the week and will have him in charge for the first time of his second spell in this game.

The appointment is a decent one as Carrick is someone who knows the club and its values and will hopefully give them an identity in how they play. Something they haven't had in a long time.

But he couldn't have had a tougher start to his second spell as his side face Arsenal after this one against City.

Man City drew their last three league games before winning both their cup games against Exeter and Newcastle respectively which makes this one a must win for them.

They won the reverse fixture very comfortably back in September and I think they'll win this one fairly comfortably as well.

United may show a reaction with it being their first game under Michael Carrick, but I think City will dominate the game and win it comfortably.

PREDICTION: 0-2

CHELSEA V BRENTFORD

Chelsea don't have a great record against Brentford in the Premier League as they've won just two of their nine meetings with them including their success in this fixture last season.

Brentford come into this game above Chelsea in the table with the Bees currently 5th and the blues sitting two points behind them in 8th.

Keith Andrews' side have struggled on the road this season but they have won their last two away from home against Wolves and Everton respectively which should give them more confidence.

With Chelsea missing a few key players through injury and especially in attack, I'm backing the Bees to pick up another win on the road.

PREDICTION: 0-2

LEEDS V FULHAM

Leeds have been strong and competitive at home this season by being difficult to beat and picking up some crucial points.

But I do feel that they need to win more games because they've won just two of their last eight games and although they picked up some crucial draws during that run, they need to win more games so they can increase the gap between themselves and the bottom three further.

Fulham are in good form at the moment and come into this game on a six game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Their away form has improved during that time as well as they're unbeaten in their last four league games on the road.

But I still doubt them when they play away from home and with Leeds being a tough team to beat at Elland Road, I think the points will be shared here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LIVERPOOL V BURNLEY

Liverpool were not as convincing against Barnsley as the score line suggested as Barnsley did have some decent chances on the night.

The reds did still get the job done though which was all that mattered. But it was a far from convincing win for them as Barnsley did at times make it uncomfortable for them.

Burnley got a much needed win against Millwall in the FA Cup which should give them some much needed confidence in their battle to avoid relegation.

But I don't see them building on it here as I think Liverpool will have enough quality to seal the points.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SUNDERLAND V CRYSTAL PALACE

Sunderland are amazingly still unbeaten at home this season and I don't any newly promoted side has had as good a record at home at this stage of a season.

Palace are not in great form at the moment as they're without a win in any of their last nine games in all competitions including their FA Cup exit to Macclesfield.

We all know that they're tired because of the amount of games they've had to play and their lack of squad depth alongside that.

But they need to find a win from somewhere so they're not dragged further down the table.

Sunderland also aren't in the best of form as they haven't won since beating Newcastle in the Tyne Wear Derby.

They do have a great record at home as I mentioned earlier, but with key players still missing due to their participation at AFCON, I can only see them come away with a point here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

TOTTENHAM V WEST HAM

This game is being known as el sackico because of the pressure both managers are under.

Spurs didn't turn up in the first half against Villa last weekend and it was their poor showing during that stage of the game that cost them.

I'm beginning to wonder how long Thomas Frank has left at Spurs because things just don't seem to be getting any better for him and the club.

Results and performances have been poor and the fans are not enjoying his brand of football as pretty much everyone knows.

West Ham were handed a much needed confidence boost in their FA Cup win over QPR last weekend, but their performance wasn't exactly brilliant and needed extra time to get over the line.

The Hammers have lost 5 of their last 6 games in the league including defeats to Wolves and Forest which were two games they will have have targeted as their most likely to get points from.

The Hammers haven't been as bad away as they have been at home where they've been dreadful all season.

Spurs have also been dreadful at home and because of this, I'm going for a rare win for the Hammers.

PREDICTION: 1-2

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V ARSENAL

Forest went out of the FA Cup to Wrexham last weekend and will now turn their full focus on staying in the Premier League.

They may still be in Europa League and will want to go far in that competition, but Premier League survival is probably more important.

Arsenal were given a good game by Chelsea in the Carabao Cup during the week which they just about deserved to win and it was good to see Viktor Gyokores get on the scoresheet.

I'm hoping that will be the start of him proving his worth because it has been a tricky start for him at Arsenal for a variety of reasons.

The Gunners won't be expecting an easy game here as Forest are well organised and difficult to beat.

But Mikel Arteta's side should have enough to find a way and come away with the three points.

PREDICTION: 0-2

SUNDAY:

WOLVES V NEWCASTLE

Wolves have stopped the rot in recent weeks following a win and two draws from their last three league games and their win against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup will have given them plenty of confidence.

Newcastle as we all know have been dreadful on the road all season despite them winning their last away game against Burnley.

The Magpies were in the game against Man City in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but they were disappointing in the final third as their attacks kept breaking down whenever they went forward.

I would've gone for a Newcastle win had I made this prediction a few weeks ago but with Wolves' results improving and Newcastle struggling on the road, I think the points will be shared here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

ASTON VILLA V EVERTON

Villa were brilliant in the first half against Spurs in the FA Cup and they did enough to hold on for the win as Spurs showed a reaction in the second half.

Unai Emery's side are yet to lose to Everton since their return to the Premier League in 2019 and you have to make them favourites here again because of the brilliant form they're in.

Everton had Europe in their sights in the lead up to Christmas but since then those aspirations have somewhat disappeared following just one win in six games.

They have missed players through both injury and AFCON and their absences have no doubt been felt. Particularly those of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye.

Because of Villa's good record in this fixture and the form they're in right now, I've got to back them once again in this one with Ollie Watkins keeping up his good form.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MONDAY:

BRIGHTON V BOURNEMOUTH

Brighton have a good record at home with their defeat to Villa at the beginning of December being their only loss at home so far this season.

Bournemouth begin life without Antoine Semenyo in this one and it will be interesting to see how they get on without him.

He's no doubt going to be a big miss for them because his goals have in some way carried the team, but the Cherries do have other players in their side who can chip in with goals.

Brighton have won this fixture in each of the last three seasons and with the good record they have at home, I can see them extending that run to four games.

PREDICTION: 2-1