Dec 14

Matchday 26 Preview

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Manchester City vs West Ham

13 has certainly not been an unlucky number for Manchester City and after getting the better of Arsenal last weekend, Pep Guardiola's men will be looking to make it 14 successive league wins this Saturday lunchtime.

To do so, they will need to get the better of West Ham and after the East London outfit beat Tottenham by two goals to one last weekend, that might not be the easiest task for the hosts to complete.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 West Ham

West Brom vs Brighton

Although West Brom picked up a point for their troubles last weekend, the task of trying to stay in the division has only become more difficult in recent times and with the Baggies now 11 points from the safety, it looks as if the damage has already been done.

While the damage was certainly done on Monday night, as Brighton were victims of one of football's biggest smash and grabs and now Graham Potter's men must dust themselves off and go again.

Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Brighton

Leeds vs Aston Villa

Leeds may be mid-table at present, but there is certainly nothing average about them and with 43 goals recorded at both ends, there is no doubt that Marcelo Bielsa's men have earned their tag of “entertainers”.

This weekend sees them go up against Aston Villa and after Dean Smith's surprise banning of fantasy football, the usually chirpy manager may not want to come across this website anytime soon.

Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Aston Villa

Newcastle vs Wolves

The situation is getting all the nervier on Tyneside, as Newcastle are just three points clear of the relegation zone and with Callum Wilson absent for at least another month, the struggle for league points has become increasingly real.

This weekend sees them play host to Wolves and after getting the better of Leeds last Friday, the Midlands outfit will look for more success to propel them further up the Premier League table.

Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Wolves

Leicester vs Arsenal

While although Leicester's hopes of winning a second Premier League title in six seasons is fading, their hopes of a Champions League return are certainly picking up pace and manager Brendan Rodgers knows, that now is the time for the Foxes to really kick on.

They play host to Arsenal this weekend and with the Gunners slipping back into the bottom half of the table, it suggests that there is still some work to be done by Mikel Arteta and his players.

Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Arsenal

Crystal Palace vs Fulham

Did Crystal Palace commit the crime of the century on Monday? On the evidence at The Amex, it is fair to say they did and after success against Brighton, the Eagles are now arguably just two wins from confirming safety.

They will look for the first this weekend, although with them going up against a resurgent Fulham this will not be easy, and the Cottagers will be confident of adding further points to their recent tally.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Tottenham vs Burnley

It looks as if the wheels really have come off at Tottenham and with Jose Mourinho's men having lost four of their last five league outings, hopes of European football next season are only diminishing by the week.

This Sunday sees them play host to Burnley and now the objective for Sean Dyche, is to make sure his players keep their current points buffer between themselves and 18th place in the table.

Prediction: Tottenham 1-0 Burnley

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Chelsea may have dropped points against Southampton last weekend, but new manager Thomas Tuchel is still yet to taste defeat and after an impressive midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, he will hope the Blues can perform just as well this Sunday.

They go up against Manchester United and with both teams harbouring hopes of a top-four finish at the end of the season, the outcome could have serious ramifications in the race for European places.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United

Sheffield United vs Liverpool

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder will obviously feel aggrieved at a lack of penalty decision against Fulham last weekend and after that defeat, you get the feeling that any shoots of recovery have been cut off once and for all.

Which means, Liverpool could be provided the perfect opposition this Sunday, as they look to bounce back after four straight league defeats and reignite what has been a largely floundering season.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Liverpool

Everton vs Southampton

After handing out a Merseyside mauling, Everton will now look to find the consistency that has sometimes alluded them and in doing so, improve their chances of either a top-six or even a top-four finish at the end of the season.

This Monday, sees them go up against a Southampton side that have picked up just one point from the last 24 on offer and the slide down the table, will be of concern to everyone in the Saints camp.

Prediction: Everton 2-0 Southampton

Manchester City vs Wolves

With 14 consecutive Premier League wins under their belt, Manchester City are currently taking massive strides towards another title and with the visit of Wolves this evening, they will look to extend their impressive run to 15.

They go up against a Wolves side who are starting to find their feet again and although they are unbeaten in their last five outings, there is every chance that run comes to an end at the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Wolves

Sheffield United vs Aston Villa

After showing a stubborn resistance in the first 45 minutes on Sunday, Sheffield United's resolve was eventually broken by Liverpool and after suffering another defeat, the Blades edge closer to the inevitability of relegation at the end of the season.

This Wednesday sees them go up against Aston Villa and with Dean Smith's men getting the better of Leeds last weekend, the West Midlands outfit have boosted their hopes of European qualification.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Aston Villa

Burnley vs Leicester

Burnley certainly had a weekend to forget, as they were thumped by Tottenham and although there is something of a buffer between themselves and the relegation zone, the Clarets cannot afford to rest on their laurels just yet.

This Wednesday sees them go up against Leicester and after losing to Arsenal on Sunday, manager Brendan Rodgers will have to hope that this is simply a defeat in isolation and nothing more.

Prediction: Burnley 0-1 Leicester

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

Crystal Palace may be guilty of turning in the most uninspiring performance of the season, as last Sunday they played out a rather shocking stalemate with Fulham and now Roy Hodgson's men must prepare for the visit of Manchester United.

The Red Devils were guilty of their own bore draw at the weekend and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will look for his players to bounce back during their trip to Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United

West Brom vs Everton

Is the Big Sam effect starting to rub off on West Brom? With no defeat in their last three and an important win at the weekend, you would certainly think so. Then again, with the Baggies still nine points from safety, there is a sense that the damage is already done.

Thursday night sees Sam Allardyce go up against one of his former employers and with Everton having designs on a top-four finish, they will look for maximum points at The Hawthorns.

Prediction: West Brom 1-3 Everton

Fulham vs Tottenham

Fulham have extended their unbeaten run to five league matches and although they were also responsible for boring the nation to tears last Sunday, the draw with Crystal Palace will only further continue their recent positive momentum.

While momentum is something that Tottenham are looking to generate after their win over Burnley on Sunday and if they fail to build on such a result, their hopes of a top-four finish will surely diminish.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Tottenham

Liverpool vs Chelsea

At the start of the season, this clash would have been expected to decide the direction of the title. However, now the stakes are for Champions League qualification and not a lot else, as both Liverpool and Chelsea have stuttered during this campaign.

For Liverpool, it was a return to winning ways on Sunday, as they beat Sheffield United and for Chelsea, their bore draw with Manchester United keeps Thomas Tuchel's unbeaten managerial run alive.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea