Spurs v West Brom (12:30pm)
West Brom is always a tricky fixture, particularly for Spurs who have struggled against the Baggies in recent years, with five of the last seven league games between these two teams ending in a draw, with one win each. In fact it's been five years since Spurs beat West Brom at White Hart Lane. That said, Spurs are in hot form, and they've not lost a single game at the Lane this season. So I think Spurs will definitely back themselves to win, although I could see it ending a 1-1 draw.
Prediction: 2-1 Spurs
Burnley v Southampton (3pm)
Burnley have won seven of their eleven home games this season, whilst Saints have won just two league games away from home all season. Saints overall aren't in great form, and will be tired out by their midweek League Cup fixture. Whilst you wouldn't bet against the Saints' superior quality shining through, Burnley's home form and Saints' current bad form both suggest that this one will be a narrow home win.
Prediction: 1-0 Burnley
Hull v Bournemouth (3pm)
Bournemouth have proved a tough side to call so far this season. Last time these sides met, the Cherries put six past Hull, but have mixed form away from home. That said, they pummeled Swansea 3-0 away before drawing 3-3 with Arsenal last time out, whilst Hull have now gone nine games without a win. My money's on the visitors.
Prediction: 3-1 Bournemouth
Sunderland v Stoke (3pm)
Sunderland have proven adept at scrapping results at home recently, with wins over Leicester, Watford and Hull in their last five home games. Stoke on the other hand, have away form blighted by trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates in December. Overall, you'd say that Stoke will feel they're the better team and have superior fire power, but Sunderland will back themselves to pick up at least a point at home.
Prediction: 1-1
Swansea v Arsenal (3pm)
I'd love to make a case for Swansea. New manager syndrome, the fact that Arsenal haven't won away from home in three games, and that Swansea made a real game of it the last time these two sides met. But realistically, Swansea's defence is a car crash and Arsenal should run riot. If Sanchez and Giroud hit form, they could easily hit three or four at a minimum.
Prediction: 4-1 Arsenal
Watford v Boro (3pm)
Watford have been utterly atrocious recently, winning just one of their last eight games, including a hammering to Spurs, a double by Stoke over them and a defeat at Sunderland. Boro on the other hand, are in mixed form, but haven't won away from home since August against Sunderland. They have however, easily more draws away from home than any other team in the league, and given both of these teams current form, a draw seems like a safe prediction.
Prediction: 0-0
West Ham v Palace (3pm)
Two clubs in total disarray. Palace haven't won in six games and have continued to slide despite bringing in Sam Allardyce, whilst Dimitri Payet has thrown West Ham's middling season into further turmoil by wanting out. Nevertheless, this is the sort of game that West Ham have grown good at winning, and I can't see Palace picking up a result in their current form.
Prediction: 1-0 West Ham
Leicester v Chelsea (5:30pm)
The bombshell that Diego Costa has been unsettled by rumours of a move to China has clouded Chelsea's preparations for this game, as they look to bounce back from their first defeat since September. Leicester's home form meanwhile remains pretty solid, and you would back them to manage to pick up a draw in this one, with Chelsea shorn of Costa. On the other hand, this is still a very good Chelsea side, and they still possess significantly more firepower than the champions. So you could easily see Chelsea turning over Leicester again, even at the King Power.
Prediction: 1-1
Everton v Man City (1:30pm Sunday)
This is a tasty one. Everton have lost just one game at home all season and the two teams drew 1-1 when they met earlier in the season, despite City missing two penalties. But despite talk of City's title bid going off the rails, they've won four of their last five games and have the second best away form in the league. If City turn up, then they could easily run over Everton, as this Toffees team is nothing special, but I don't think City will be able to hit top gear and as a result, I could see this one being another draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Man United v Liverpool (4pm)
The big one. Liverpool are another team people are starting to doubt, despite the fact that they've won four of their last five league games and are unbeaten in six. The visitors may have hit a sticky patch in cup competitions, but the return of Jordan Henderson and Phillipe Coutinho will significantly boost their side and they will have somewhere near their best eleven ready for the trip to Old Trafford. United meanwhile are in top form, winning six league games in a row and unbeaten since their butchering at Stamford Bridge, but truthfully they've not faced a test like Klopp's Reds on full throttle. This could be a colossal game of football, but as I've said before, United simply don't have the intensity to cope if Liverpool's pressing game and transitions are working on point. Sadly, there's been scant evidence in recent weeks to suggest that it will be, but its impossible to underestimate how important Coutinho and Henderson are to this team, and if they both start, along with Adam Lallana, Liverpool should fancy themselves.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
The Hard and Fast Section
- Jo Konta wins another tournament. Fantastic.
- But Evans and Jamie Murray both lose. Gutted.
- England suffer embarrassing warm up defeat.
- Leinster make last 8. Big result over Montpellier.
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