Liverpool v Swansea (12:30pm Saturday)
The weekend opener. And frankly this should be as one-sided as it gets. Liverpool haven't hit anywhere near top form in a while but they're unbeaten in 7 league games and have won seven of their nine league games at Anfield this season. Swansea meanwhile, are just not up for this kind of fixture. Their last away game was a 2-1 win over Palace, which was only their second away win of the season and only their second win in eight games. This should be a home banker.
Prediction: 3-1 LFC
Bournemouth v Watford (3pm)
These two teams are amongst the most unpredictable in the Premier League. I noted this the last time the two sides played and they fought to an explosive 2-2 draw. Watford however, have stopped being unpredictable and started being actively bad, with no win in six and just one win in their last nine. Watford have also lost their last five games away, whilst Bournemouth's home form is solid enough. On balance, with Watford as poor as they are at the moment, I'd back Bournemouth to edge it.
Prediction: 2-0 Bournemouth
Palace v Everton (3pm)
Palace are in real trouble. Two points from their last seven games, a new manager who doesn't appear to have improved them at all. Palace have the worst home form in the league too, so they can't even fall back on that, with just two wins at Selhurst Park. Everton are in good form at the moment, winning four of their last six. Their last two games were phenomenal and although their away form is sketchy, I feel the Toffees can translate their hot streak into this game and should beat Palace easily.
Prediction: 3-0 Everton
Middlesbrough v West Ham (3pm)
West Ham have proven adept at beating teams around and below them, beating Burnley, Palace, Swansea and Hull in their last six games to climb as high as 12th. But Boro are a tough nut to crack, especially at the Riverside. 0-0 is always a safe bet for these kinds of game, but whoever wins it, and personally my money is on a draw, it will probably only be by the odd goal.
Prediction: 0-0
Stoke City v Man United (3pm)
Back to back wins have seen Stoke climb to 9th place in the Premier League, three places but a whole thirteen points behind United. United, who are in very hot form at the moment, will be looking to sweep aside another mid-table team as they keep their eyes on the top four. But Stoke are a good team, and if United are anywhere near their best, and they've not hit top gear recently in the league although they haven't had to, this could be a stumbling block for the Red Devils. I don't think their unbeaten streak will end, but I could see them only getting a draw away from Old Trafford.
Prediction: 1-1
West Brom v Sunderland (3pm)
West Brom have hauled themselves to 8th with five wins in their last ten games, and their last six defeats have come against the top six. Four wins in their last five games, a consistent team and fluid formation all work in the Baggies favour, as does Sunderland's wretched away form. Simply put, on paper this is the 8th best team in the Premier League at home to the 18th. Where do you think my money would be going?
Prediction: 3-1 West Brom
Man City v Spurs (5:30pm)
So the biggest game of the weekend. This is a massive game for Guardiola's City, a game that if the home side lose, would definitely KO their dwindling, almost non-existent title chances, and put them in real danger of finishing outside the top four, perhaps even 6th with United starting to gear up behind them. And to be honest, I think the notion that Spurs will win this game easily is an oversimplification. Spurs are in red hot form but it's not been too long since they flopped at Old Trafford. Personally, whilst I think Spurs are favourites, City have only lost one game at home all season, and Spurs' away form is decidedly average, especially against top teams, so I'm going to punt for the draw. But to be frank, if Spurs play at their best and City don't find some form, it could well get ugly for Pep's men.
Prediction: 1-1
Southampton v Leicester (12pm Sunday)
This could be a truly awful game of football. Leicester haven't won a single game away from home this season, and tend to be dreadful away from the King Power. Southampton meanwhile, have lost four games in a row in the league and scraped through in the FA Cup. But their home form is good enough that I reckon Saints will scrape this one. But it won't be pretty.
Prediction: 1-0 Saints
Arsenal v Burnley (2:15pm Sunday)
This one I suspect won't be pretty either. But for an entirely different reason. Burnley away from home? Where they've only picked up one point and scored just three goals, conceding 20? Arsenal haven't lost at home since the opening day of the season. Not that that matters. Frankly, this is going to be a bulldozing and a great chance for Arsenal to return to form. This could be very ugly.
Prediction: 4-0 Arsenal
Chelsea v Hull (4:30pm Sunday)
Another game where to be frank, you don't give the away side a sniff. Chelsea are top of the league, Hull are relegation fodder. Chelsea have dropped points just once at Stamford Bridge and that was to Liverpool. Hull's one away win this season came at fellow strugglers Swansea. I don't think that this will be a hammering because Chelsea tend to be slightly more controlled, but it will be a comfortable win for the home side.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
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