Arsenal v Watford (7:45pm)
Arsenal should win this game. Watford are in horrendous form for starters, and the Gunners have won four of their last five league games. The Gunners are still unbeaten at the Emirates since the opening day and have dropped points at home just twice since then, with five home wins in a row. This is a big game for Arsenal, as they attempt to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table and Watford at this stage, much like last season, have very little left to play for, although if they're not careful they'll slip into the drop zone. Worse for Watford, when they lose to the big clubs, they tend to lose big.
Prediction: 4-1 Arsenal
Bournemouth v Palace (7:45pm)
The Cherries are in a sticky patch of form and in danger of sliding down the table, with just one win in their last six games, but they'll fancy themselves at home to a Palace side that are in serious danger of sliding down the table. Palace on the other hand, have better away form than home form, and will feel that this is the sort of game that they'll need to be getting something from. I reckon that this will be a close one to call.
Prediction: 2-2
Burnley v Leicester (7:45pm)
Burnley have the 4th best home form in the league, winning eight of their twelve home games. Leicester have only picked up three points and zero wins away from the King Power. Those two sentences really should be enough to summarise this review but Leicester have sent out a strong side and this one might be closer than it is on paper.
Prediction: 2-0 Burnley
Middlesbrough v West Brom (7:45pm)
This is a tough one to call. Boro have been in poor form and West Brom will back themselves to be the better team and cause them a lot of problems. However, Boro can be a tough nut to crack, especially at home and this won't be an easy game for the Albion, especially as Boro desperately need the points. The sort of game that might well end a draw, but I'm backing this new West Brom to find a way through.
Prediction: 1-0 West Brom
Sunderland v Spurs (7:45pm)
How many are Spurs going to win by? Rock bottom of the Premier League, six defeats in their last eight games and just one win, with no sign of any improvement, and a manager who has very little idea what he's doing. Sunderland are in a real hole. Spurs meanwhile, are now seven league games unbeaten since their disappointing trip to Old Trafford and are scoring for fun at the moment. This could get very, very ugly.
Prediction: 4-0 Spurs
Swansea v Southampton (7:45pm)
It's a bit early to say that Paul Clement has rejuvenated Swansea, but he's certainly improved them since joining the club. These are the sorts of games, important home fixtures against mid-table sides, that Clement and Swansea need to start getting something out of. A point wouldn't be a bad result against a Saints side that have bounced back well from four straight defeats to head to Wembley, but Swansea should be going for all three. Sadly, Saints are a good side, and I'd still back the away side to nick the points.
Prediction: 1-0 Southampton
Liverpool v Chelsea (8pm)
Okay, confession time. Very nervous about this one and not overly confident. Liverpool are in very bad form, and Chelsea are flying at the moment, shrugging off their setback against Spurs as if it never happened. This is going to be a tight, tactical game and both sides will aim to control the midfield and hit hard with quick transitions. If Liverpool were at their best then I would back them to win this game, because they've showed before that their game is well suited to unsettling Chelsea, similar to how Spurs have unsettled both Chelsea and City this season. But Liverpool will probably not be at their best, which will give Chelsea a window. It all depends how Mane plays off the bench. Personally, I think this one is too close to call.
Prediction: 1-1
West Ham v Manchester City (7:45pm Wednesday)
You'd have to back the visitors in this clash. With Payet gone, West Ham have played well in the last few weeks, but nevertheless look like they're missing one or two elements of their team. Whilst Fonte is a big signing, the club haven't replaced Payet and need another striker. In any case, wins over Palace and Boro don't offer enough to suggest that they'll oust City. City themselves need a win after their 2-2 draw against Spurs, coupled with Liverpool's implosion, briefly took the spotlight off them. But if they don't win this, it's one win in five, and top four football could be looking very far away.
Prediction: 3-1 City
Man United v Hull City (8pm)
Top four challengers at home to relegation fodder. United really won't mess this up, especially as they look in formidable form despite their poor result at the same opposition last Thursday. With all the changes made at the weekend, this will be a United side at full throttle, and although they haven't won either of their last two league games, this should be a breeze. Hull simply don't have the quality to compete.
Prediction: 3-0 United
Stoke City v Everton (8pm)
I'm not sure about this one either to be honest. These are two of the better teams in the Premier League, both likely to finish in the top ten, probably one place apart, maybe two. They're both in good form, they're of similar strengths and Everton's superior form and team are counteracted by Stoke's home advantage. And yet, I don't want to say that this game ends in a draw, as I think of the teams will produce a winner. My gut says Everton, so I'm going to go with a narrow Toffees win.
Prediction: 2-1 Everton
The Hard and Fast Section
- Igahlo off for £20m to China. Yikes.
- Lord Coe in hot water. Seriously hot water.
- Mason out of hospital. Fantastic news.
- Sexton injured. Big blow for Ireland.
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