Fulham v West Ham
Scott Parker’s side are still in the bottom three with only two league wins so far this season, and it is hard to envisage them adding another here.
West Ham have been mightily impressive, despite faltering against Liverpool, and returned to winning ways instantly with a superb show against Aston Villa.
New signing Jesse Lingard made the perfect start to his Hammers’ career with a second-half brace, and he already looks at home under David Moyes. Michail Antonio and surprise goal threat Tomas Soucek will also cause problems for Fulham.
West Ham have had a sniff of potential European qualification with just a two point deficit on the top four, and they’ll be hungry to keep in contention. A comfortable win.
Prediction: 0-2
Manchester United v Everton
This has the makings of a decent match. Mind you, if previous encounters between the top sides this season are anything to go by, be wary of disappointment.
United will be high on confidence after their freak win over Southampton earlier in the week, but this will be a much sterner test. Carlo Ancelotti has built a much more physical Everton side that we’ve seen in recent years, and they’ve got several quality players that will cause problems.
United will want all three points to capitalise on any potential points dropped by league leaders Man City, and at Old Trafford, they are more than capable of doing just that.
It’ll be a tough game, but United have enough about them to see off Ancelotti’s Everton. They might even earn themselves a clean sheet as an added bonus.
Prediction: 2-0
Tottenham v West Brom
Jose Mourinho simply has to win here, even if just to get the media off his back.
Tottenham haven’t been at their best for a few weeks now, having lost three successive league games.
Star striker Harry Kane remains absent through injury, yet even without their talisman, Tottenham have got too much about them to stumble again here.
West Brom have to fight to the last second to avoid the drop, and relegation specialist Sam Allardyce will be drumming that home every week now that he has put his reputation on the line.
Unfortunately, I just don’t see where they will hit their purple patch. There might be the odd win, yes. But successive victories seems more dream than reality.
Another defeat it is, then.
Prediction: 2-0
Wolves v Leicester
The home side finally got themselves out of their rut, a run of nine games without a win following the injury to Raul Jimenez.
Wolves’ premier goalscorer has been a massive loss to their overall play, though they at least have an alternative now in January signing Willian Jose. They weren’t at their best against Arsenal but a win is a win, and it will give them the confidence to try and keep an impressive Leicester side at bay.
Leicester surprisingly dropped points against Everton and Leeds, only to see off Fulham in midweek. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a similar display. A major factor could be the return of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi for Leicester, and that will spur them on for a result.
Prediction: 0-1
Liverpool v Man City
This is where Jurgen Klopp earns his money. Liverpool ultimately need a win to keep up the pace at the top of the table, having dropped to fourth with just two wins from five matches.
Both managers will crave a win, though unlike Klopp, Guardiola may be willing to accept just a point. Still, despite the attacking potential of both sides, this won’t be as open a game as we might expect.
City will have better chances up against Liverpool’s makeshift defence and that could prove the main difference between the two sides. The fact that Liverpool also hasn’t scored in any of their last three Premier League home games will also be a concern.
Prediction: 1-2
Sheff Utd v Chelsea
The decision to axe Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel already looks a good one amid a vital upturn in form.
Tuchel is unbeaten from his first three games in charge, and his reign has also begun with three clean sheets. Even with the experienced Thiago Silva missing, Sheff Utd is not likely to trouble Tuchel’s organised unit.
Their own form has improved of late in winning three of their last five league games, however, their task to avoid relegation is still a massive one.
Chelsea won’t lose, but they will need to be cautious of their opponents’ persistence in the latter stages in order to ensure they don’t throw a result away.
Prediction: 0-2
Leeds v Crystal Palace
Monday’s late fixture sees two sides with mixed fortunes going head-to-head.
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds have established themselves as an attacking force and are excellent to watch. Defensively though, they are vulnerable. They have been involved in a large number of high-scoring games, though they have the confidence that they can outscore their opposition.
For Palace, their success comes from playing on the break, and that is where Leeds will be most vulnerable. Their problem though is that Wilfried Zaha is likely to miss out through injury, and Palace just aren’t the same unit without him.
Palace thumped them 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park, but I do not expect such a scoreline this time around in the League.
Prediction: 3-1