Dec 14

Matchday 23 Preview

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Watford vs Tottenham

Is this a case of third time lucky for Watford and their managers? It certainly seems so, as under Nigel Pearson and with the Hornets having picked 13 of the last 15 points on offer, they also now find themselves outside of the bottom three.

This Saturday sees them play host to an ailing Tottenham side and although they gave a good account of themselves last weekend, they were still the latest team to be brushed aside by a rampant Liverpool.

Prediction: Watford 1-1 Tottenham

West Ham vs Everton

David Moyes thought he had extended his Hammers unbeaten streak to three in all competitions, only for VAR to deny West Ham a dramatic draw away at Sheffield United and that defeat leaves the East London outfit hovering over the relegation zone.

This Saturday, Moyes goes up against one of his former employers and with Everton having won three of their last four in the league, this could be a sticky situation for the former Toffees manager.

Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Everton

Arsenal vs Sheffield United

Arsenal still find themselves mired in mid-table mediocrity and they also must do without their talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the next three matches, as the Gabonese forward was sent off in last Saturday's draw at Crystal Palace.

This Saturday sees them play host to a Sheffield United side, who returned to winning ways last weekend and another positive result will increase their hopes of a Europa League finish at the end of the season.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Sheffield United

Brighton vs Aston Villa

Brighton certainly created chances away at Everton last weekend, although you would have to say that they were the second-best side that afternoon and when you consider their poor away form, you can begin to understand why.

They will hope for better fortunes at home this weekend, as they play host to an Aston Villa side who find themselves in the bottom three, after shipping six goals to a ruthless Manchester City.

Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace

As just mentioned, Manchester City were nothing short of ruthless last weekend and with that emphatic win over Aston Villa, the defending champions have now moved up to second place in the Premier League table.

This Saturday, sees them play host to ninth placed Crystal Palace and although the Eagles will be the heavy outsiders in this game, they did manage something of a shock win at the Etihad last season.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace

Norwich vs Bournemouth

Life seems to get tougher by the week for Norwich and with the Canaries having failed to win any of their last nine Premier League matches, they do look dead certs to return to the EFL Championship at the first time of asking.

This weekend, sees them go up against a struggling Bournemouth side, who slipped into the bottom three after a defeat to Watford and all of a sudden, the trip to Carrow Road becomes a must win tie.

Prediction: Norwich 2-2 Bournemouth

Southampton vs Wolves

The Saints certainly do go marching on and after an impressive win over Leicester last weekend, Ralph Hasenhuttl has seemingly saved his job, while more importantly seeing his Southampton side put some much-needed daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

This Saturday sees them go up against a Wolves side who have stuttered as of late and after picking up just a point from the last nine on offer, this trip to the South Coast will not be an easy one.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Wolves

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Newcastle do seem to be the walking wounded at present and therefore, a resilient point away at Wolves last Saturday would have welcomed by Steve Bruce. Now, he will have to bandage his players up for the visit of Frank Lampard's Chelsea

The Blues returned to winning at home last weekend and now the West London outfit will aim to continue their impressive run of results on the road and solidify their current position in the table.

Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea

Burnley vs Leicester

Is this the point that Burnley fans start to get worried? Four straight defeats in the league and a tough run of fixtures ahead means that Sean Dyche's men are going to have to roll up their sleeves and grind out an important result or two, something that starts on Sunday.

That's because they go up against a Leicester side, who although have dropped to third in the Premier League table, are still more than a handful for anyone and the Foxes will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend.

Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Leicester

Liverpool vs Manchester United

The only team to have taken points off of Liverpool this season is Manchester United and Sunday provides the perfect opportunity for the runaway league leaders to exact revenge, as they play host to the Red Devils at Anfield.

Last weekend Liverpool made it 38 Premier League games unbeaten with a win over Tottenham, while United made an incredibly light work of Norwich. This looks set to once again be something of a barnstormer on Merseyside.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United