Middlesbrough vs Leicester
Monday 2nd January 2017, 12.30
Middlesbrough lost 2-1 at Manchester United in their last match, a second successive defeat for Aitor Karanka's men. Leicester earned a 1-0 home win over West Ham, ending a run of three matches without a win.
Middlesbrough took the lead at United courtesy of Grant Leadbitter, but the couldn't hold on as the Red Devils scored in the 85th and 86th minutes to claim all three points.
Leicester beat West Ham at the King Power Stadium thanks to Islam Slimani's first-half header. It was a welcome victory for the champions, who put six points between themselves and the relegation zone.
Leicester are still without an away win in the league this season, but I think they might finally end that run on Monday. Middlesbrough are conceding goals too easily again and I'm going for an away victory.
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| Slimani has been a good signing for Leicester (Getty Images) |
Leicester are still without an away win in the league this season, but I think they might finally end that run on Monday. Middlesbrough are conceding goals too easily again and I'm going for an away victory.
Prediction: 1-2
Everton vs Southampton
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
Everton drew 2-2 at Hull on Friday night, whilst Southampton suffered a 2-1 home defeat to West Brom.
Everton had to come from behind twice to earn a point at the KCOM in Gameweek 19. A David Marshall own-goal had made it 1-1, before Ross Barkley scored with six minutes left to play after Hull had regained the lead. Everton are now unbeaten in two.
Southampton endured a disappointing afternoon at St Mary's on New Year's Eve. Shane Long had given them the lead against his former side, but West Brom rallied and left with all three points. Virgil van Dijk is suspended for this match at Goodison, receiving a second yellow card with just a minute remaining.
Van Dijk will be a big miss for Southampton, who had a really disappointing result against West Brom. Everton would have hoped to beat Hull, but a late equaliser will have been great for their confidence and I'm backing Ronald Koeman to get one over his old team.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester City vs Burnley
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
City will be bitterly disappointed to have lost 1-0 at Anfield, whilst Burnley smashed Sunderland 4-1 at Turf Moor.
Manchester City weren't themselves at Liverpool, and they deservedly left with nothing. The likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva rarely threatened as Jurgen Klopp won the first meeting between himself and Pep Guardiola in England.
Burnley had a great win over Sunderland, with Andre Gray netting a hat-trick. He now has four goals in his last two games and Sean Dyche will hope that last season's Championship top scorer can really kick on in the second half of the season. Ashley Barnes scored a fourth for Burnley from the spot.
This is a good game for City to have after losing to Liverpool. Burnley haven't won away all season, and I don't see their first away success coming at the Etihad.
Prediction: 3-0
Sunderland vs Liverpool
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
Sunderland have lost two in a row after their 4-1 hammering at Burnley, whilst Liverpool are four points clear of third-placed Arsenal in second after their 1-0 win over them at Anfield.
David Moyes branded his side as 'useless' after their defeat at Burnley, and that is a fair assessment. They were completely outdone by Andre Gray and remain in the bottom three at the halfway point in the campaign. It was no surprise to see Jermain Defoe net the Black Cats' consolation - he is definitely not useless, but he's one of a few who gets away with it, alongside Patrick van Aanholt for me.
Liverpool edged out Manchester City at Anfield and earned a massive three points. It wasn't the blockbuster many were expecting, but Gini Wijnaldum's header was worthy of winning any game. Jurgen Klopp's side have now won four straight league matches.
Despite Liverpool taking part in late kick-off on New Year's Eve, they should have too much for Sunderland. Jurgen Klopp has the chance to rotate, with Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge left on the bench for the City clash, and whoever he puts out should comfortably do the job at the Stadium of Light.
Prediction: 0-2
West Brom vs Hull
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
West Brom ended a run of back-to-back defeats in their 2-1 victory at Southampton, whilst Hull put a three-game losing streak behind them in a 2-2 draw at home to Everton.
The Baggies enjoyed a fantastic turnaround at St Mary's. Goals from Matt Phillips and a spectacular Hal Robson-Kanu strike turned the game on its head, and sees West Brom sitting 8th halfway through the season.
Hull took the lead twice against Everton thanks to goals from Michael Dawson and Robert Snodgrass. Despite conceding a late equaliser, it was another decent performance from Hull, who still have a lot of work to do if they want to survive this season. Mike Phelan will be very happy that the transfer window is open.
Southampton endured a disappointing afternoon at St Mary's on New Year's Eve. Shane Long had given them the lead against his former side, but West Brom rallied and left with all three points. Virgil van Dijk is suspended for this match at Goodison, receiving a second yellow card with just a minute remaining.
Van Dijk will be a big miss for Southampton, who had a really disappointing result against West Brom. Everton would have hoped to beat Hull, but a late equaliser will have been great for their confidence and I'm backing Ronald Koeman to get one over his old team.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester City vs Burnley
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
City will be bitterly disappointed to have lost 1-0 at Anfield, whilst Burnley smashed Sunderland 4-1 at Turf Moor.
Manchester City weren't themselves at Liverpool, and they deservedly left with nothing. The likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva rarely threatened as Jurgen Klopp won the first meeting between himself and Pep Guardiola in England.
Burnley had a great win over Sunderland, with Andre Gray netting a hat-trick. He now has four goals in his last two games and Sean Dyche will hope that last season's Championship top scorer can really kick on in the second half of the season. Ashley Barnes scored a fourth for Burnley from the spot.
This is a good game for City to have after losing to Liverpool. Burnley haven't won away all season, and I don't see their first away success coming at the Etihad.
Prediction: 3-0
Sunderland vs Liverpool
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
Sunderland have lost two in a row after their 4-1 hammering at Burnley, whilst Liverpool are four points clear of third-placed Arsenal in second after their 1-0 win over them at Anfield.
David Moyes branded his side as 'useless' after their defeat at Burnley, and that is a fair assessment. They were completely outdone by Andre Gray and remain in the bottom three at the halfway point in the campaign. It was no surprise to see Jermain Defoe net the Black Cats' consolation - he is definitely not useless, but he's one of a few who gets away with it, alongside Patrick van Aanholt for me.
Liverpool edged out Manchester City at Anfield and earned a massive three points. It wasn't the blockbuster many were expecting, but Gini Wijnaldum's header was worthy of winning any game. Jurgen Klopp's side have now won four straight league matches.
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| Wijnaldum's emphatic header earned the Reds a huge victory (Getty Images) |
Despite Liverpool taking part in late kick-off on New Year's Eve, they should have too much for Sunderland. Jurgen Klopp has the chance to rotate, with Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge left on the bench for the City clash, and whoever he puts out should comfortably do the job at the Stadium of Light.
Prediction: 0-2
West Brom vs Hull
Monday 2nd January 2017, 15.00
West Brom ended a run of back-to-back defeats in their 2-1 victory at Southampton, whilst Hull put a three-game losing streak behind them in a 2-2 draw at home to Everton.
The Baggies enjoyed a fantastic turnaround at St Mary's. Goals from Matt Phillips and a spectacular Hal Robson-Kanu strike turned the game on its head, and sees West Brom sitting 8th halfway through the season.
Hull took the lead twice against Everton thanks to goals from Michael Dawson and Robert Snodgrass. Despite conceding a late equaliser, it was another decent performance from Hull, who still have a lot of work to do if they want to survive this season. Mike Phelan will be very happy that the transfer window is open.
Hull's level of performance has improved of late, but West Brom is a tough place to go and I think that Tony Pulis' men will edge a scrappy affair on Monday.
Prediction: 1-0
West Ham vs Manchester United
Monday 2nd January 2017, 17.15
West Ham's three-game winning streak came to an end at Leicester, whereas Manchester United made it five straight victories with a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough.
It was a close one at the King Power, but Islam Slimani's header was the difference. Michail Antonio hit the bar and Dimitri Payet went close on a couple of occasions, but it wasn't to be Slaven Biic's day as the Hammers left empty-handed.
United left it very late to beat Boro at Old Trafford. Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were the late heroes for Jose Mourinho's side, the French internationals scoring in the 85th and 86th minutes to make it five straight wins.
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| United's French stars won it late on against Boro (Getty Images) |
I think this is a tough game for United. West Ham usually raise their game when hosting the Red Devils, and I fancy them to end Mourinho's winning run in a draw at the London Stadium.
Prediction: 1-1
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Tuesday 3rd January 2017, 19.45
Bournemouth enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory at Swansea, putting a run of two straight defeats behind them. Arsenal have won two on the spin after a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Goals from Benik Afobe, Ryan Fraser and Josh King gave Eddie Howe's Bournemouth a welcome victory on New Year's Eve. They were far too good for managerless Swansea and sit 10th at the halfway stage, ten points clear of the danger zone.
Arsenal beat Palace 2-0 at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring with a scorpion kick to rival Henrikh Mkhitaryan's against Sunderland and Alex Iwobi made the result certain with a second-half header.
Bournemouth had a fine first 19 games of the season, but Arsenal are back among the wins and I see them winning at the Vitality Stadium.
Prediction: 1-3
Crystal Palace vs Swansea
Tuesday 3rd January 2017, 20.00
Sam Allardyce is winless in two as Palace manager after they lost 2-0 at Arsenal, whilst Swansea are rock-bottom after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
The Eagles were comfortably beaten by Arsenal, but Big Sam will be confident of getting his first Palace win as bottom-placed Swansea visit Selhurst Park. It's the first home game of Allardyce's stint.
Swansea have reportedly agreed a deal in principle for Paul Clement to take over at the Liberty. The former Derby manager has never managed in the Premier League, so it's another risk by the Swansea board. They were terrible in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, lacklustre and lethargic for the entirety.
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| Paul Clement has a massive task on his hands if he gets the Swansea job (Getty Images) |
There won't be a much more winnable game for Big Sam than this one. Swansea are so poor defensively, and I can only see an easy home win.
Prediction: 2-0
Stoke vs Watford
Tuesday 3rd January 2017, 20.00
Stoke lost 4-2 at leaders Chelsea, and are now without a win in five. Watford lost 4-1 at home to Tottenham and are winless in four.
Stoke were level twice at Chelsea thanks to goals from Bruno Martins Indi and stalwart Peter Crouch, but conceded a minute after Crouch's equaliser which proved to be a hammer blow. Chelsea added a fourth to condemn the Potters to a second successive defeat.
Watford were poor at home to Tottenham. They found themselves 4-0 down before Younes Kaboul's 91st-minute consolation against his former club, and deservedly lost their third in four games.
Neither side is in good form, and both are giving away goals far too easily. I can see this being a high-scoring game, and I can see it ending honours even.
Prediction: 2-2
Tottenham vs Chelsea
Wednesday 4th January 2017, 20.00
Spurs climbed to third thanks to their 4-1 win at Watford, whilst Chelsea won their 13th game on the spin in their 4-2 defeat of Stoke.
Harry Kane and Dele Alli each bagged a brace at Vicarage Road in what was Spurs' second 4-1 away win in succession. It was all too easy for Mauricio Pochettino's men, who jumped above Manchester City on goal difference.
Chelsea could equal Arsenal's record of 14 Premier League wins in a row, but it's a massive ask as they face in-form Spurs. Chelsea were very good against Stoke, and goals from Gary Cahill, Willian (2) and Diego Costa earned Antonio Conte's men a deserved win.
Chelsea look so good at the moment, but I think Spurs could be the team to end the winning run. I think the Blues are too good to lose, so I'm going for a draw at White Hart Lane.
Prediction: 1-1
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