Chelsea vs Arsenal
Saturday 4th February 2017, 12.30
It's first versus third in Saturday's early kick-off. Chelsea have picked up seven points from their last possible nine since losing to Tottenham, the most recent of which came in their 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Tuesday. Arsenal suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Watford, also on Tuesday night, ending a run of five league matches without defeat.
Chelsea were solid at Anfield on Tuesday and took the lead through David Luiz's excellent free-kick. Chelsea are so good once they have a goal lead and it was hard to see Liverpool scoring but Gini Wijnaldum equalised for the Reds. It was a good point for the lead leaders, but Antonio Conte will be slightly disappointed that his side didn't leave with all three after Diego Costa's penalty was saved by Simon Mignolet at 1-1.
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| David Luiz scored the first goal of his second Chelsea spell (Getty Images) |
Arsenal endured a dreadful opening thirteen minutes against Watford and found themselves two goals down at the Emirates. Alex Iwobi halved the deficit in the second period, but Watford clung on to leave with the three points and leave Arsene Wenger's men nine points adrift of Saturday's opponents Chelsea.
Arsenal really need a result here and it should be an entertaining game at Stamford Bridge. Saying that, Chelsea's game management is so good, and I think they'll put themselves at a massive advantage for the title with a comfortable victory.
Prediction: 2-0
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
Sam Allardyce finally earned a first win as Palace boss with an impressive 2-0 victory at Bournemouth on Tuesday. Sunderland earned a good point at home to Spurs in a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Goals from Scott Dann and Christian Benteke earned the Eagles a first league win since the 3rd December, a massively important result when you consider that none of the bottom four sides dropped points in Gameweek 23. Palace sit 18th in the league and face bottom of the pile Sunderland on Saturday.
The Black Cats ended a run of two straight defeats with a dogged 0-0 draw against Spurs. It was a great result for David Moyes against one of the league's most in-form sides, but to survive in this league you do need earn a couple of surprise wins against the big teams and I still worry that if Jermain Defoe doesn't score for Sunderland, they won't score at all.
This is a massive six-pointer at Selhurst Park. Both sides are scrapping for survival and defeat would be a real blow to either side. Unfortunately for David Moyes, I think his troops will be travelling back to Wearside empty-handed on Saturday evening.
Prediction: 2-1
Everton vs Bournemouth
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
Everton are in fine form, unbeaten in six in the Premier League following a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Wednesday night. Bournemouth lost 2-0 at home to Palace on Tuesday and are now four matches without a win.
The Toffees found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes at the Bet365 Stadium, but fought back well and forced an own-goal from Ryan Shawcross. A point at Stoke is a good result for any team, and Everton are starting to put some pressure on the top six - Ronald Koeman's men have just five points fewer than Manchester United.
Eddie Howe will be extremely disappointed with the Cherries' performance at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. His team failed to score in a Premier League fixture for the first time since Boxing Day, and he will be devastated to have seen Callum Wilson suffer another season-ending injury this week.
This isn't an easy game for Everton, but they are a solid outfit at home and find themselves in brilliant form. Bournemouth have had a tough last four games, and I think they'll lose again at Goodison Park.
Prediction: 2-0
Hull vs Liverpool
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
Hull's resurgence under Marco Silva continued with an excellent 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Liverpool put in a really positive performance against league leaders Chelsea on Tuesday night, but ended January winless in the league following the 1-1 draw.
The Tigers defended like lions against Manchester United, keeping out the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to earn a mightily impressive point. I've been really impressed with Hull under their new boss, and felt they were unlucky to exit the EFL Cup last week against the Red Devils.
Simon Mignolet was Liverpool's first half-villain against Chelsea, falling asleep completely and allowing David Luiz the freedom of his net from a Blues free-kick. However, Mignolet redeemed himself totally in the second half following Wijnaldum's equaliser for Liverpool, diving spectacularly to his right to keep out Diego Costa's penalty. It was a good point for Liverpool against what looks to be the clear favourites for the title, but Jurgen Klopp may feel his side could have actually won the game on the night.
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| Mignolet was the centre of attention in Liverpool's clash with Chelsea (Getty Images) |
This should be a good game at the KCOM Stadium. Hull have turned a corner under Silva, whilst Liverpool have Sadio Mane back and put in a really good performance against Chelsea. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a draw, but I just fancy Liverpool to nick it here.
Prediction: 1-2
Southampton vs West Ham
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
Both of these sides suffered disappointing defeats in Gameweek 23. Southampton lost 2-1 at Swansea on Tuesday, whilst West Ham were battered 4-0 at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Southampton are on the slide in the league despite progressing to the EFL Cup final last week. Claude Puel's men have lost five of their last six Premier League matches after defeat at Swansea on Tuesday, although Shane Long kept up his good recent form with another goal at the Liberty Stadium.
West Ham were ripped apart by Manchester City, Jose Fonte enduring a horrible debut at the heart of the Hammers' defence. The Portuguese international conceded a penalty in that one, and it will be interesting to see the welcome he receives on his return to St Mary's on Saturday.
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| Jose Fonte returns to Southampton on Saturday (Getty Images) |
Neither side is in inspiring form of late, and it's 12th versus 11th on Saturday. It should be a close one, and I believe we'll see a draw here.
Prediction: 1-1
Watford vs Burnley
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
Watford ended a run of seven league games without a victory with a magnificent 2-1 win at Arsenal in midweek. Burnley continued their fine home form with a 1-0 win over champions Leicester.
Former Spurs man Younes Kaboul set Watford on their to victory at the Emirates, with influential skipper Troy Deeney doubling the lead shortly after. Walter Mazzarri's men defended well from then on, and managed to see out the game to earn one of the upsets of 2017 so far.
Burnley left it late against Leicester, Sam Vokes' winner coming with just three minutes left on the clock. The Clarets never stop until the final whistle, and I've been so impressed with Sean Dyche and his team in their first season back in England's top flight.
Burnley are still without a win away from home, though, and Vicarage Road isn't an easy place to play football. The Hornets will be buoyed after their success at Arsenal, so I'm going for a narrow home win here.
Prediction: 2-1
West Brom vs Stoke
Saturday 4th February 2017, 15.00
West Brom remain 8th in the league after their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on Tuesday. Stoke's match with Everton on Wednesday saw the same scoreline, leaving the Potters just a place and four points behind Saturday's opponents.
The Baggies found themselves in front early at the Riverside on Tuesday, James Morrison netting his fourth goal of the season after just six minutes. Gareth McAuley fouled Alvaro Negredo in the box just eleven minutes later, but despite Negredo's converted penalty Tony Pulis will have been happy with his team's performance and point on Teeside.
Stoke have drawn their last two matches, both 1-1 at the Bet365 Stadium, but those aren't bad results when you realise that they came against Manchester United and Everton, two of the league's form sides. The highlight of Wednesday's result was Peter Crouch's 100th Premier League goal, a fantastic achievement for the popular striker who celebrated with his famous robot dance.
This is another tight game to call with these two sat together in the league standings. I feel that home advantage will play a big factor, and fancy West Brom to get the job done at the Hawthorns.
Prediction: 2-1
Tottenham vs Middlesbrough
Saturday 4th February 2017, 17.30
Spurs have drawn their last two league fixtures after a 0-0 stalemate at Sunderland on Tuesday. Middlesbrough picked up a point at home to West Brom in a 1-1 draw but are without a win in their last six league matches.
Mauricio Pochettino will have been frustrated that the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli couldn't break down the Premier League's bottom side, but you can't win every game and it's important that they kept the clean sheet at the other end. Spurs sit second in the league, level on points with rivals Arsenal, and it's important they keep the pace with Chelsea with wins against teams like Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Alvaro Negredo's penalty earned Boro a decent point against West Brom at the Riverside, but Aitor Karanka knows his side had the chances to win the game. Middlesbrough don't score enough goals, and they're up against the Premier League's joint-best defence on Saturday evening.
This should be routine for Spurs. They will be relieved to be back at White Hart Lane after a couple of away draws and should have no trouble seeing off a struggling Middlesbrough side.
Prediction: 3-0
Manchester City vs Swansea
Sunday 5th February 2017, 13.30
City ended a run of two games without a league victory with a commanding 4-0 win at West Ham on Wednesday. Swansea followed up their stunning victory at Anfield with a 2-1 home success over Southampton on Tuesday night.
Manchester City absolutely blitzed West Ham. Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva were on a different planet, and both scored inside the first 21 minutes as West Ham struggled to keep up. Gabriel Jesus made it 3-0 before half-time with his first goal for the club, and Yaya Toure put the game beyond any doubt with a second-half penalty.
Just like he did at Anfield, Gyfli Sigurdsson netted the winner as Paul Clement's Swansea continued their impressive revival. Alfie Mawson had given the Swans the lead, but Shane Long's equaliser meant the game could have gone either way. Luckily for Swansea, Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson has a tendency to pop up with big goals, and he did it again as the Welsh club kept themselves out of the bottom three.
Manchester City will have to be a little wary of Swansea, who have already shown up Liverpool away from home in recent weeks. I feel Pep Guardiola's team will be well prepared, though, and should have too much for the visitors on Sunday.
Prediction: 2-0
Leicester vs Manchester United
Sunday 5th February 2017, 16.00
Leicester lost their third straight Premier League match, 1-0 at Burnley on Tuesday night. Manchester United experienced a frustrating 0-0 home draw with Hull on Wednesday.
Leicester are in a relegation battle. They haven't won away from home all season, and allowed Burnley to win it right at the death at Turf Moor in midweek. They are now just two points above the drop zone, and Claudio Ranieri has to summon the spirit he managed to galvanize Leicester at the opposite end of the spectrum last season.
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| Ranieri needs a result on Sunday - I'm not sure he'll get one (Getty Images) |
Jose Mourinho knows his side have to be beating Hull at home if they want to break into the top four, and that result makes this game a little trickier. I expect United to go for the victory, and despite Leicester's struggling season we know what they can do to teams on the break with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
Leicester beat United's rivals Man City 4-1 at the King Power Stadium earlier in the season, and they're certainly capable of hurting the Red Devils. However, Jose will demand a reaction from his players after the disappointing draw with Hull, and I expect him to get his tactics spot on in a United victory.
Prediction: 0-1
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