Premier League Predictions - Gameweek 17

Midweek matches in the Premier League are often hard to call, but I had a very decent round in Gameweek 7, correctly predicting seven correct results with three perfect scores. I predicted wins for Chelsea, West Ham, Manchester United and West Brom, whilst getting the exact scorelines in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Watford, Tottenham's 3-0 success over Hull and the 0-0 draw between Stoke and Southampton. I'm looking forward to another round of Premier League matches this weekend, and my predictions are as follows.

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Saturday 17th December 2016, 12.30

Palace's two-game unbeaten run came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United on Wednesday night. Chelsea have now won ten in a row following a 1-0 win at Sunderland, also on Wednesday, and have kept eight clean sheets in that period.

Alan Pardew will be disappointed that his Palace side couldn't protect the point they looked to be earning against United until the very end. Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck in the 88th-minute for United who, in fairness, were the better team on the night. It was a game of much-controversy, with Ibrahimovic appearing to handle earlier in the game to assist Paul Pogba's opener, whilst Pogba looked to be offside as he tapped in. However, Palace appeared to get away with a handball from Joe Ledley, so you could argue the decision's balanced themselves out in the end.

Chelsea look unstoppable, and are already guaranteed to top the table on Christmas Day. The last four times that this has happened the Blues have gone on to win the league, even more incentive as if it were needed for Antonio Conte's men. Cesc Fabregas was the hero at the Stadium of Light, his delightful finish making it 30 points from 30 for Chelsea, who are six points clear of second-placed Liverpool.

Chelsea will be in search of their 11th straight Premier League victory (Getty Images)

There will be a good atmosphere a Selhurst Park in Saturday's early kick-off, but I can't see that doing anything for the hosts this weekend. Chelsea are too strong, and I don't see anything other than an eleventh straight win for the Blues.

Prediction: 1-3

Middlesbrough vs Swansea
Saturday 17th December 2016, 15.00

Both teams lost in their respective midweek games, Middlesbrough 3-0 at home to Liverpool and Swansea 3-1 away to West Brom. This is a massive six-pointer as 17th and 18th-place go head-to-head.

Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough were outclassed by Liverpool at the Riverside on Wednesday evening. The hosts rarely threated recalled Simon Mignolet's goal, and on the rare occasion that they did, through Viktor Fischer, they found the Belgian goalkeeper in good form. At the other end, a brace from Adam Lallana and a Divock Origi strike settled it for the Reds, who should have probably put a few more past Victor Valdes.

Swansea gifted Salomon Rondon a hat-trick of headers as they went down 3-1 at the Hawthorns. The Swans' defence switched off completely in the second-half, as Rondon was allowed two free headers, before completing a 13-minute treble with a fine header past Lukasz Fabianksi. Wayne Routledge pulled one back, but it was too-little-too-late for Bob Bradley's team.

I think Middlesbrough have been decent this season, but their league position is definitely worrying. Swansea are so defensively frail, in my opinion largely due to Ashley Williams' summer departure, and I'm backing Boro to win this clash in the race for survival.

Prediction: 1-0

Stoke vs Leicester
Saturday 17th December 2016, 15.00

Stoke are without a win in two following a 0-0 draw at home to Southampton on Wednesday, whilst visitors Leicester arrive still in search of their first away victory in the league this season after a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Mark Hughes will have accepted a point against Southampton, considering the Potters were down to ten men following Marko Arnautovic's straight red card in the 23rd minute. It was Sparky's 400th match as a Premier League manager, a brilliant achievement for the Welshman, and the point gained sees Stoke sat 12th in the table ahead of the champions' visit on Saturday.      
  
Claudio Ranieri's Leicester are so inconsistent this season, the Foxes' 4-2 demolition of Manchester City last weekend now a distant memory as they went down rather limply at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening. Marc Pugh's first-half strike past Ron-Robert Zieler was enough to clinch all three points on offer for Eddie Howe's Bournemouth, leaving Leicester 14th, worryingly just four points above the relegation zone.

Claudio Ranieri will probably be very glad that the January transfer window is approaching. His side are really struggling domestically, and I don't see them picking up their first league win on the road this campaign at Stoke. The Potters themselves are struggling for goals, and I'm backing a low-scoring draw in this one.  

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland vs Watford
Saturday 17th December 2016, 15.00

Sunderland remain bottom and have now lost two in a row after their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in midweek. Watford lost 2-0 at Manchester City, but sit comfortably in mid-table even after that defeat (11th).

David Moyes will be ruing the ability of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for weeks to come. His side rarely threatened the Belgian stopper, but Patrick van Aanholt must have thought he'd snatched the unlikeliest of draws for the Black Cats in injury-time. What he saw, however, was Courtois fly through the air to tip the left back's half-volley brilliantly past the post, protecting Chelsea's incredible winning run.

Watford were comfortably beaten at the Etihad, but a 2-0 scoreline isn't the worst result in the world against Pep Guardiola's side. Walter Mazzarri will have highlighted this game as potential victory out of the Hornets' two fixtures this week, and Troy Deeney is likely to return to the starting lineup as his hunt for a 100th goal for Watford goes on.

I think that this will be another close game in the Premier League this weekend. Both sides will want to avoid defeat, and I can see them playing out a tight draw at the Stadium of Light.

Prediction: 1-1     

West Ham vs Hull
Saturday 17th December 2016, 15.00

West Ham followed up a very good point at Liverpool with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley on Wednesday night. Hull lost 3-0 at Spurs, and are now without a win in their last five league matches.

The Hammers' success over Burnley was their first league win in seven, but it was more comfortable than the 1-0 scoreline suggested. Mark Noble and Pedro Obiang both struck the woodwork, and Aaron Cresswell had an effort blocked on the line. Eventually, Noble's penalty rebound was enough for Slaven Bilic's men, who will be hoping to build on their recent form and put some distance between themselves and the bottom of the Premier League.

Hull's defeat at Tottenham may not have come as a surprise, but Mike Phelan's men do not look capable of winning any match at the moment, and that's a real worry for the 19th-placed Tigers. They will have targeted teams like West Ham as one's that they need to start taking points off of, and might fancy their chances at the London Stadium.

West Ham seem to have turned a corner of late, and I think that their 2-2 draw at Anfield last Sunday could see them really kick on as we enter the Christmas period and New Year. There will be a better atmosphere there on Saturday following victory in midweek, and I don't see Hull leaving London with anything this weekend.

Prediction: 2-0 

West Brom vs Manchester United
Saturday 17th December 2016, 17.30

West Brom have now won four of their last six Premier League games and remarkably sit in 7th-place following a 3-1 victory over Swansea at the Hawthorns on Wednesday. Manchester United won for the second successive league match thanks to a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, and are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games.

Salomon Rondon was the hero for the Baggies, becoming only the second-ever player to bag a headed hat-trick in the Premier League behind Duncan Ferguson. As I said in midweek, Tony Pulis knows how to get his side playing to their strengths, and Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt whipped in some gorgeous deliveries as Rondon downed the Swans.

Manchester United are looking much more threatening in recent weeks, and deserved their victory at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba each created a goal for the other, with Zlatan's goal coming with two minutes left to play. That result backed up a solid 1-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend, but Mourinho will know that this is no easy test as his side look to make it three wins from three.

These two were the heroes last time out for United (Getty Images)

 
I don't like going against West Brom at home, but I can see them dropping just a little deeper with United in town, and I think that will benefit the Red Devils. I think it'll be close, but I'm predicting Mourinho's men to get their third straight league victory in Saturday's late kick-off.

Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth vs Southampton
Sunday 18th December 2016, 13.30

Bournemouth have bounced back from every game that they've lost since 5th October with a victory in their very next game. You could look at this the other way round, of course, but there have been some impressive scalps in that time, most notably on Tuesday night in a 1-0 victory at home to champions Leicester. Southampton made in two matches unbeaten in a 0-0 draw at Stoke on Wednesday.

Bournemouth look a very good side at home, and Marc Pugh's excellent strike earned Eddie Howe's men another three points at the Vitality Stadium. It was a victory that the Cherries deserved, and it was great to hear that Jack Wilshere has already completed more minutes than in any of his other Premier League campaigns. The Englishman is looking very settled in midfield, and is starting to look like the player that ran Barcelona ragged at the Nou Camp as a youngster. 
         
Claude Puel will be disappointed that his side couldn't see off ten-man Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday. That point leaves the Saints in 9th, level on points with Saturday's opponents but a place above them on goal difference.

This should be an entertaining South Coast derby, with both clubs pushing hard for a top-half finish this season. I see the hosts just edging it on Saturday, with fan power playing a huge part at the Vitality.

Prediction: 2-1  

Manchester City vs Arsenal
Sunday 18th December 2016, 16.00

Manchester City put a two-game losing streak behind them with a 2-0 win at home to Watford on Wednesday. Arsenal lost for the first time since the opening day (against Liverpool), losing 2-1 to fellow Merseysiders Everton at Goodison Park.

Two managerial heavyweights go head-to-head on Sunday (Getty Images)

City were just too good for Watford on Wednesday, and returned to winning ways at the Etihad thanks to a couple of lovely team goals. Pablo Zabaleta volleyed home at the back post from Kevin de Bruyne's pinpoint cross, before Raheem Sterling teed up David Silva in the second-half to wrap up the win for Pep Guardiola's side. They will be in confident mood ahead of this massive showdown with Arsenal, but will still be without the suspended Sergio Aguero.

Alexis Sanchez scored again for Arsenal at Goodison, but it wasn't enough as the Gunners threw away the lead. Arsenal looked lacklustre after their goal, and allowed Seamus Coleman and Ashley Williams to turn the game on it's head. The last minute at Goodison was one of the best I've ever seen in football; Phil Jagielka was sent off, Petr Cech was inches from getting his head on a free-kick to equalise for Arsenal, Leighton Baines blocked an effort on the line and Everton failed to make it three with Cech out of his goal.

I'm going with the home side in this Super Sunday clash. I was shocked at Arsenal's capitulation at Everton, and I fancy Pep to get the better of Arsene Wenger at the Etihad.

Prediction: 3-1

Tottenham vs Burnley
Sunday 18th December 2016, 16.00

Tottenham bounced back from defeat at Old Trafford a week ago with a thumping 3-0 victory over Hull in midweek. Burnley lost 1-0 at West Ham, and are still without an away win in the league this season.

Christian Eriksen was the star of the show at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. The Dane scored a brace to put Spurs 2-0 up, and was within a whisker of a hat-trick, David Marshall making a decent save onto the post from Eriksen's free-kick, only to see Victor Wanyama smash home the rebound. It was a good response by Spurs following that defeat to Man United, and they now trail 4th-placed Manchester City by just three points.

Burnley are a completely different side away from home to the one we see winning at Turf Moor most weekends. The Clarets offered very little creativity or attacking threat at West Ham on Wednesday, and left the London Stadium with exactly what they deserved - nothing.
 
Mauricio Pochettino's men are expected to win this game, and I see them doing exactly that. Spurs have some very good attacking options, as we saw in midweek as Moussa Sissoko came in for the rested Son Heung-min, and I see Sean Dyche's side leaving London pointless again on Sunday.

Prediction: 3-0  

Everton vs Liverpool
Monday 19th December 2016, 20.00

Everton ended a run of five matches without a victory with that thrilling 2-1 success over Arsenal, whilst Liverpool ended a run of two matches without a win with an impressive 3-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Everton's turnaround against Arsenal was quite extraordinary, as the Toffees had been camped on the edge of their own box until Alexis Sanchez's deflected free-kick gave Arsenal the lead. From then, Ronald Koeman's men just went for it, and headers from defenders Seamus Coleman and Ashley Williams saw Everton earn a thoroughly deserved win. It was a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Monday's Merseyside derby, and it's a game that I'm so excited for.

Adam Lallana ran the game for Liverpool at the Riverside on Wednesday, netting a brace and creating the other for Divock Origi as the Reds ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Similar to Everton's win, it was the perfect result for Jurgen Klopp's men ahead of the derby at Goodison Park, putting disappointing results against Bournemouth and West Ham behind them. Origi limped out of the game at Boro, but it looks as though he will be alright for Monday which is brilliant news for Klopp; the Belgian has scored five in his last five Liverpool games. His international compatriot Simon Mignolet returned to the starting lineup in place of struggling German Loris Karius, and gave an assured display which should see him retain his spot against Everton.

Liverpool's midweek match winners will aim to be the difference again on Monday (Getty Images)

Both teams enter the match on the back of good wins, which should hopefully make for a very open and entertaining game. At the same time, neither will want to give the other bragging rights, so I'm going for an entertaining draw to close Gameweek 17.

Prediction: 2-2 

Premier League Predictions - Gameweek 16

It was four correct results for me in Gameweek 15, but I failed to predict a perfect scoreline for the first time since Gameweek 11. I successfully called wins for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Southampton at the weekend. This post is unfortunately shorter due to a quick turnaround in matches, but I'm still confident of some solid predictions.

Bournemouth vs Leicester
Tuesday 13th December 2016, 19.45

Bournemouth have now won two and lost two in their last four after a 3-2 defeat at Burnley on Saturday. The Cherries found themselves 2-0 down after 16 minutes, before Benik Afobe gave Eddie Howe's men some hope from the spot. Burnley extended their lead, though, and Charlie Daniels' fantastic 92nd-minute strike was only enough to provide the travelling fans with some late optimism. 

Leicester won for the first time in five in emphatic style. Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick, his first goals for three months, as the Foxes blitzed Manchester City 4-2 at the King Power Stadium. Andy King scored with a brilliant strike to give Claudio Ranier's men a 2-0 lead after 5 minutes, and they never looked back as they won for the first time since October.

Vardy bounced back in some style, netting his first Premier League hat-trick (Getty Images)

Leicester looked back to their best against City, and if Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are on the same wavelength again on Tuesday, I can see them winning away in the league for the first time this term.

Prediction: 1-2
 
Everton vs Arsenal 
Tuesday 13th December 2016, 19.45

Everton are without a win in five Premier League matches following a 3-2 defeat at Watford on Saturday. The Toffees will have been disappointed at how the game panned out after Romelu Lukaku gave them the lead on 17 minutes. Lukaku also scored Everton's second at Vicarage Road, but the latter was a mere consolation following an impressive turnaround by Watford. Ronald Koeman will find some comfort in the fact that the Belgian is holding his own this season - he already has nine league goals this campaign.

Arsenal came from a goal behind to beat Stoke 3-1 at the Emirates. Goals from Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi turned the game on it's head, and the Gunners now sit second outright in the Premier League. Arsene Wenger's men are looking like Chelsea's closest competitors for the title right now, but will be aware that Goodison Park is not an easy place to win at.

Everton aren't enjoying their best spell, but usually perform against the big boys, Chelsea aside this season. I think Arsene Wenger would be content with a point on Tuesday night, and I think that's what he'll leave with.

Prediction: 1-1 

Middlesbrough vs Liverpool
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 19.45

Middlesbrough lost 1-0 at Southampton on Sunday, and have now won just twice in their last thirteen league games. Viktor Fischer could have given his side the lead at St Mary's, but hit the post from a tight angle, and Aitor Karanka's men were made to pay by the hosts in the second half.

Liverpool dropped points again on Sunday, and have taken just one from the last possible six despite scoring five goals in that time. Goals from Adam Lallana and Divock Origi weren't enough to earn Jurgen Klopp's side the three points, as mistakes from Loris Karius and Joel Matip allowed West Ham to leave Anfield with a point. The Reds must win on Wednesday if they want to keep up with pacemaker's Chelsea.  

These are traditonally the sort of matches that let Liverpool down, and for me they are too prone to defensive errors to be labelled title contenders. The goalkeeper is struggling massively at the moment, and I wouldn't be surprised if Middlesbrough held them to a draw at the Riverside.

Loris Karius has endured a tough couple of weeks, and has been involved in a public spat with pundit Gary Neville (Getty Images)

 
Prediction: 2-2

Sunderland vs Chelsea
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 19.45 

Sunderland dropped back to the foot of the table with a 3-0 defeat at relegation rivals Swansea. It was a bitter blow for David Moyes' men who had actually won three of their last four league games before Saturday's match, but defeat at the Liberty leaves them rooted to the bottom of the league, with leaders Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

Chelsea met a stubborn West Brom side at Stamford Bridge, but did exactly what aspiring champions have to do as they snatched a 1-0 win courtesy of talisman Diego Costa. The Spaniard nicked the ball from Gareth McAuley to smash home and make it nine successive league wins for Antonio Conte's Blues.

I think Sunderland should just have a go against Chelsea here, as if they defend and defend as they did at Anfield a few weeks ago they will eventually get broken down, espeically with the quality that Chelsea possess. As it is, I think that the visitors will have too much for Sunderland regardless of the tactics Moyes deploys.

Prediction: 0-2   

West Ham vs Burnley
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 19.45

West Ham earned a very decent point at Anfield, and could have had all three had Darren Randolph not gifted Divock Origi an equaliser for Liverpool. However, the Hammers benefited from a couple of errors themselves; Loris Karius could have done better from Dimitri Payet's free-kick, before Joel Matip was slow to react, allowing Michael Antonio to get in behind and prod past Karius. West Ham defended well at Anfield, and were worthy of a point, with Winston Reid particularly impressive at the back.
 
Burnley enjoyed an entertaining 3-2 win over Bournemouth at Turf Moor, ending a run of three straight league defeats. Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring with a goal-of-the-season contending volley, before goals from Stephen Ward and George Boyd wrapped up the three points. 

Slaven Bilic will hope that West Ham's point at Liverpool can kick-start their rise up the table over the festive period. Despite a good win over Bournemouth, Sean Dyche's Clarets are yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season, and I think West Ham will go within a point of Wednesday's opponents with a win at the London Stadium.

Prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 20.00

Alan Pardew will be wondering how his side have managed to score ten goals in their last three games, but only taken four points from nine in the process. They drew 3-3 at Hull in a thrilling match, Fraizer Campbell grabbing a point from the bench with an 89th-minute header. Christian Benteke was on the scoresheet again, from the penalty spot, and Wilfried Zaha capped a fantastic display with a thunderbolt of a strike.
 
Henrikh Mkhitaryan followed up a first Manchester United goal in the Europa League last week with his first Premier League goal for the club in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford. That was a very good win for Jose Mourinho's side, who are unbeaten in six in the Premier League.

I can see United going on a decent spell over the Christmas period following that victory over Spurs, starting at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. I can see Palace scoring, but I fancy the Red Devils to win comfortably on the road.

Prediction: 1-3

Manchester City vs Watford
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 20.00

City have now lost back-to-back league matches for the first time under Pep Guardiola. They were ripped apart by Leicester and Jamie Vardy, and found themselves 4-0 nil down before Aleksander Kolarov and Nolito halved the deficit, the match finishing 4-2. John Stones came in for some criticism following a poor back pass which let Vardy in for his hat-trick, but I don't think the England defender is being helped by the fact that Guardiola is constantly rotating his defence; Bacary Sagna and Kolarov started either side of Stones at the King Power, but being offensive full-backs they're just not solid enough to be playing in a back-three.

John Stones is another player who has endured some criticism in recent weeks (Getty Images)

 
Watford won in a very good game against Everton, Stefano Okaka scoring his first Premier League goals since 2010, with a Sebastien Prodl header sandwiched in between the Italian striker's brace. That victory ended a run of two straight defeats for Walter Mazzarri's Hornets, and saw them up to 7th in the league table.

Impressively, Watford are just three places behind City at the time of writing, and could go to within six points of them with a surprise win at the Etihad. As it is, I think City will overcome a tricky test on Wednesday to gain the three points.

Prediction: 2-0 

Stoke vs Southampton
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 20.00
  
Stoke's two-game winning run came to an end at Arsenal despite Charlie Adam giving the Potters the lead from the spot on his 31st birthday. The Scot was perhaps lucky to get away with what looked a potential stamp on Alexis Sanchez, the FA announcing that no action would be taking following a retrospective viewing on Monday.

Southampton bounced back from a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at St Mary's on Sunday. It took a moment of brilliance to win the match, record signing Sofiane Boufal hitting a rocket of a shot from outside the box which wrong-footed Victor Valdes. Southampton now sit 10th in the league, a place and a point above Wednesday's opponents Stoke.

I'm expecting a really tight game at the Bet365 Stadium, with two tactically astute managers in Mark Hughes and Claude Puel going head-to-head. Given the league positions of these two clubs, I have to go for a draw in this one.

Prediction: 0-0

Tottenham vs Hull
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 20.00
  
Mauricio Pochettino will be disappointed that his side left Old Trafford empty-handed on Sunday, particularly when you consider the chance that Victor Wanyama had to equalise, but he fluffed his header from six-yards and Spurs didn't get a better chance all game. In truth it was a fair result, with United enjoying the better chances despite Tottenham's dominance of the ball.
 
Mike Phelan will have been thrilled to have seen his side score three goals at the KCOM on Saturday, but devastated that they weren't enough to earn the Tigers all three points against Crystal Palace. Goals from Robert Snodgrass (p), Adama Diomande and Jake Livermore looked to have given Hull the three points, but they crumbled with a minute left as Fraizer Campbell nodded past David Marshall. The big talking point from the game was Robert Snodgrass' dive which won the penalty from which he converted, but justice was done as he conceded a penalty which allowed Christian Benteke to make it 1-1 earlier in the game.

Snodgrass has since apologised for diving against Palace (Getty Images)

Despite an improved attacking display from Hull, they are still suspect defensively and Tottenham will be fired up to win after a disappointing result at Man United. I can only see an easy win for the home side a White Hart Lane.

Prediction: 3-0  

West Brom vs Swansea
Wednesday 14th December 2016, 20.00

West Brom lost at Chelsea following a run of four league games without defeat, but it was a typically dogged defensively display from Tony Pulis' side and it was unfortunate that a defensive mistake cost the Baggies the game. Gareth McAuley hesitated on the ball, allowing the razor-sharp Diego Costa to intercept and rifle home with just 14 minutes left to play. Pulis can be proud of West Brom's display, though, and will be looking to bounce back immediately against Swansea.

Swansea enjoyed a fine 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Sunderland as Bob Bradley earned his second victory in charge at the club. Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty set the Welsh side on their way, before a brace from Fernando Llorente put the result beyond doubt. Llorente has popped up with some crucial goals in recent weeks, and Swansea's supporters will be hoping that the Spaniard can help fire them to safety in the second half of the season.

I seem to say it every week, but I really admire what Tony Pulis has done with West Brom. They play to their strengths, particularly at the Hawthorns, and use their resources so well. Despite some good results for Swansea in recent weeks, I'm going with the home team here.

Prediction: 1-0     
 
   

   

Premier League Predictions - Gameweek 15

I correctly predicted the outcome of six matches in Gameweek 14, with one perfect score among them. I called wins for Stoke, Tottenham, West Brom, Arsenal and Middlesbrough, and also guessed the exact 1-1 draw between Everton and Manchester United. There are some interesting fixtures in Gameweek 15, and I've tried to predict the results below.

Watford vs Everton
Saturday 10th December 2016, 12.30

Watford enter Saturday's early kick-off on the back of two defeats in a row following their 3-1 loss at West Brom a week ago. Everton scored an 89th-minute penalty to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United last Sunday, but are without a win in four in the Premier League.  

Watford enjoyed the lion's share of possession at the Hawthorns last weekend, but were not the first team to be undone by Tony Pulis' direct style of football. West Brom were 2-0 up inside 34 minutes, and although Christian Kabasele pulled one back for the Hornets, Matt Phillips wrapped up the three points for the Baggies in injury time. The game was marred by a red card for Watford's Roberto Pereyra following a push on James McClean - both clubs have subsequently been charged by the FA for failing to control their players in an incident which saw Watford boss Walter Mazzarri actually stepping onto the field in an attempt to restrain his player. The Argentine play-maker will be missing from Saturday's clash with Everton, a match in which Troy Deeney will hope to finally net his 100th goal for the club.

Can Deeney finally hit a century for the Hornets? (Getty Images)

Everton left it late to earn their point against Manchester United at Goodison Park last Sunday, thanks in no small part to former Toffee Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian was introduced with five minutes to play with the score at 1-0 to United, but on his 100th appearance for the Red Devils Fellaini tripped the impressive Idrissa Gueye in the area, allowing Leighton Baines to slot home an equaliser from the spot. Ronald Koeman's men had trailed since the 42nd-minute, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg making a bizarre decision to leave his line, allowing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to beat him with a delicious chip. Though a good point for Everton, the Merseysiders are winless since October in the league, something they will be looking to put right on Saturday.

This should be a decent game to kick-off Gameweek 15, with both sides playing some exciting, attacking football this season. Although Everton have suffered some disappointment this week with the news that Yannick Bolasie will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, I'm backing them to earn an away win at Vicarage Road.  

Prediction: 1-2 

Arsenal vs Stoke
Saturday 10th December 2016, 15.00

Arsenal remain unbeaten in the league since opening day defeat to Liverpool and enter this match on the back of a scintillating 5-1 victory at West Ham last Saturday. Like the Gunners, Stoke are on a two-match winning run, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Burnley last weekend.  

Arsene Wenger's men were inspired by Alexis Sanchez at the London Stadium a week ago. The Chilean netted a stunning hat-trick and also put one on a plate for Mesut Ozil, before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it five with a fine strike from distance. Sanchez is the best player in the league at the moment and has already hit eleven Premier League goals this season, level at the top of the charts with Diego Costa. Arsenal had another hat-trick-hero on Tuesday night - Lucas Perez's treble helping Arsenal to a 4-1 victory in Basel in the Champions League, a result which saw them through to the last sixteen as group winners.

Alexis Sanchez is in terrific form for Arsenal (Getty Images)

Stoke now sit 9th in the league following their 2-0 win at home to Burnley in Gameweek 14. Jon Walters set the Potters on their way to victory, before Marc Muniesa continued his adventurous run from defence to finish coolly past Paul Robinson for his first ever Premier League goal. It's been a remarkable turnaround by Mark Hughes' men, who have lost just one of their last nine league matches after taking a solitary point from their opening five, and they could leap above the likes of Everton and Manchester United if results go their way this weekend.

Unforunately for Hughes, I can't see anything other than an Arsenal victory on Saturday. The Gunners are on a thirteen-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, and I think they'll have too much for Stoke at the Emirates.

Prediction: 2-0 

Burnley vs Bournemouth
Saturday 10th December 2016, 15.00

Burnley host Bournemouth on Saturday on the back of three league defeats on the spin, the most recent of which was their 2-0 defeat at Stoke, whilst Bournemouth will be brimming with confidence following an astonishing 4-3 victory over Liverpool last Sunday.

Burnley didn't have much to shout about at the Bet365 Stadium last week, with Stoke thoroughly deserving of their 2-0 success. Three defeats in a row leaves the Clarets 15th in the table, and now just three points clear of the relegation zone. Only Hull have scored less than Burnley's twelve league goals this season, and Sean Dyche needs to address this problem as soon as possible in order to keep his side out of the bottom three.

Bournemouth enjoyed the result of Gameweek 14, earning a stunning victory over Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. Substitute Ryan Fraser played a massive part, earning a penalty for Callum Wilson to convert earlier in the game, before making it 3-2 in the 76th minute. He then crossed for Steve Cook to smash home for 3-3, before Cook's effort from distance troubled Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, allowing Nathan Ake to bundle home in the 93rd-minute to complete an historic comeback for Bournemouth. The Cherries became only the second team to defeat the Reds in the league this season; Saturday's opponents Burnley are the other.

I'm expecting a close game here. Burnley are heavily reliant on their home form, whilst Bournemouth are in good form and great spirits after last week's fantastic result. I can see Eddie Howe being happy with a point at his former club, and I think Sean Dyche would take that also.

Prediction: 2-2      

Hull vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 10th December 2016, 15.00

Hull lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough on Monday night, their ninth defeat in fourteen games this season. Crystal Palace ended a run of six straight league defeats with an excellent 3-0 win over Southampton at Selhurst Park.

Hull were very disappointing at the Riverside on Monday. They allowed Middlesbrough all of the ball and although they kept them out for an hour, they only looked like getting themselves back into the game in the last five minutes from a few long balls into the box. Mike Phelan's men look to be in real trouble, sat 19th in the table, just two points ahead of bottom-placed Swansea.

Alan Pardew will have been thrilled with Palace's performance over his former side Southampton on Saturday. Christian Benteke scored twice on his 26th-birthday to ease the pressure on his manager, with James Tomkins scoring for the second game in a row in the Premier League to help set the result in stone. Pardew will hope his side can build on this success over a good Southampton side and earn back-to-back league wins for the first time since September.

Hull need to be winning these games if they are to have any hope of remaining in the top flight this season. Unforunately for them, they face a Palace side on the up, and I can see the Tigers going down to the Eagles at the KCOM.

Prediction: 0-1   

Swansea vs Sunderland
Saturday 10th December 2016, 15.00

Swansea's unbelievable 5-4 victory over Palace a fortnight ago was put firmly behind them at Tottenham last weekend in a 5-0 hammering. Sunderland enjoyed a 2-1 victory over champions Leicester at the Stadium of Light, their third victory in four league matches.

Swansea were run ragged at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen both netted braces for Spurs, and Son Heung-min continued his impressive start to the season with a brilliant acrobatic effort. Swansea need to put this defeat behind them as quickly as possible - they face five of the league's bottom twelve in their next six - Sunderland, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. There are some winnable games in there for the Swans, but Bob Bradley will need to motivate his players quickly in order to gain some positive results during the festive period.

Sunderland were worthy winners over Leicester last Saturday, Robert Huth's own goal and Jermain Defoe's finish putting them 2-0 ahead. Although Shinji Okazaki pulled one back for the Foxes, David Moyes' men defended well and hung on for a deserved victory, meaning they have now taken nine points from their last possible twelve to move off the foot of the league table. 

I can see this meeting being a tight, nervy affair at the Liberty Stadium. Neither side will want to give the other any ground in the fight for survival, and I can see this being a goalless draw in Wales.

Prediction: 0-0  

Leicester vs Manchester City
Saturday 10th December 2016, 17.30

Leicester are without a win in five league games following a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland last matchweek. Manchester City lost for the first time in six games, 3-1 at home to Chelsea.

Leicester are massively struggling domestically this season, and have already lost half of their first fourteen games this season. The most recent of these came last Saturday at the Stadium of Light in a 2-1 loss to Sunderland. The Foxes look a shadow of the side they were last season, and whereas this time a year ago Jamie Vardy was celebrating beating Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in ten consecutive Premier League games, he has now gone sixteen games without scoring for Leicester. Leicester lost 5-0 at Porto on Wednesday night in the Champions League, but that doesn't look as worrying when you see that Claudio Ranieri made ten changes with his side already through to the knockout phase as winners of Group G.

Jamie Vardy will be desperate to end his drought (Getty Images)

City lost a massive game at home to Chelsea last weekend, a game which was marred by two sendings-off for Pep Guardiola's side in the closing stages. Sergio Aguero received a straight red for a wild lunge at David Luiz, whilst Fernandinho was also given his marching orders for grabbing and pushing Cesc Fabregas. It was a shame to see a good game of football ruined by such behaviour, and Guardiola will be as disappointed with his players' behaviour as he will be with the result. City were also in Champions League action in midweek, playing out a 1-1 draw at home to Celtic. Guardiola made changes to his side with City able to finish no higher than second, and he'll have been pleased that Kelechi Iheanacho found the net - he is the obvious choice to replace Aguero, who is banned for four games following his antics against Chelsea.

Leicester might have gained the lowest points of any team at this stage of a title-defending season, but I think that they're still a very good team and it won't be easy for City this weekend. Aguero and Fernandinho will be big misses for the visitors, and I'm backing the champions to hold Guardiola's men to a draw in Saturday's late kick-off.

Prediction: 1-1    

Chelsea vs West Brom
Sunday 11th December 2016, 12.00

Chelsea won for the eighth succesive league game with a brilliant 3-1 win at title-rivals Manchester City in last Saturday's early match. West Brom are unbeaten in four Premier League games followng a 3-1 home victory over Watford.

It would have been easy for Chelsea to capitulate at the Etihad following Gary Cahill's own-goal on the stroke of half-time which gave Pep Guardiola's City the advantage at the interval. However, Chelsea came out all guns blazing in the second half. Diego Costa was unplayable on the day, and he levelled on the hour mark before feeding Willian to turn the game on it's head. Man-of-the-match Eden Hazard put the game beyond any doubt in the dying stages, and City's frustrations soon boiled over with both Sergio Aguero and Fernando being dismissed. Chelsea are now three points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who were the last team to beat the Blues, back in September.

West Brom have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, and sit 7th following a 3-1 victory over Watford at the Hawthorns last weekend. Tony Pulis' men are so good at absorbing pressure, and although Watford enjoyed more of the ball and had more efforts at goal, West Brom's physical nature paid off, goals from Jonny Evans, Chris Brunt and Matt Phillips enough to see off the Hornets. Phillips is in great form for the Baggies of late, scoring three and assisting three in his last four Premier League appearances.

Though I'm a big admirer of Tony Pulis and his charges, I believe Stamford Bridge is a step too far for them on Sunday. Antonio Conte's men are the best side in the league right now, will be buzzing after victory at City, and are correctly title favourites.

Prediction: 2-0

Manchester United vs Tottenham
Sunday 11th December 2016, 14.15

Manchester United have drawn three consecutive matches in the league following last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton. Spurs bounced straight back from their first league defeat of the season at Chelsea with a 5-0 thumping of Swansea at White Hart Lane.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first-half strike looked like it was going to be enough for Jose Mourinho's side at Goodison Park, but former Blue Marouane Fellaini's clumsiness allowed Leighton Baines to snatch a point a minute before time. The Red Devils have now drawn three on the spin in the Premier League, and face another tough test on Sunday. They were victorious in the Europa League on Thursday night, however - goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic in a 2-0 win at Zorya Luhansk enough to see United through to the round-of-32 as Group A runners-up. 

Harry Kane inspired Spurs to a 5-0 success over Swansea last weekend, bagging himself a brace. Christian Eriksen also got two, and Son Heung-min the other as Spurs annihilated the Swans. Kane was also on target in a 3-1 Champions League success over CSKA Moscow at Wembley; the English striker has now scored nine in his last nine appearances for Tottenham in all competitions. Dele Alli was also impressive in that game, scoring Tottenham's first before his effort was turned into his own net by Igor Akinfeev to guarantee Spurs' victory. It was impossible for Spurs to qualify for the Champions LEague before that match kicked off, but their 3-1 win saw them safely into the Europa League as a result of finishing third in Group E.

This is a really close match to call, and it would be an easy option to call a draw. However, I've seen enough of United to see that they've improved in recent weeks, and I can see them edging out Mauricio Pochettino's men at Old Trafford.

Prediction: 2-1   

Southampton vs Middlesbrough
Sunday 11th December 2016, 14.15

Southampton have had a terrible week, getting smashed 3-0 at struggling Crystal Palace before crashing out of the Europa League on Thursday after a 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in two in the league, and climbed to 13th thanks to a 1-0 win over Hull on Monday night.

Fraser Forster's mistake set the trend for Southampton for Selhurst Park. His sliced clearance gifted Christian Benteke a tap-in, and things didn't get any better from thereon in. James Tomkins was then presented with a free header from three-yards, before Benteke tapped in with five minutes to play to make it three. It was an unusually poor defensive display from Claude Puel's men, and they failed to beat minnows Be'er Sheva at St Mary's, a lacklustre performance seeing them crash out of the Europa League after finishing third in Group K.

Boro were dominant against Hull at the Riverside, and it was fitting that Gaston Ramirez scored what proved to be the winner for Aitor Karanka's men - the Uruguayan midfielder was terrific all game, and made a terrific run to the back post to nod home Viktor Fischer's corner. It was only Middlesbrough's second win since August, but followed up a very good point at Leicester the week before to send the Teesiders above Palace, Burnley and Leicester.

This should be a close game due to both club's recent form, but I expect Puel to get stuck into his players following their Europa League exit, and I think they'll bounce back with a win against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Prediction: 2-0  

Liverpool vs West Ham
Sunday 11th December 2016, 16.30

Liverpool lost for the first time since August in all competitions last weekend, in that mad 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. West Ham were thumped 5-1 at home to Arsenal, and are without a win in five in the league.

Jurgen Klopp will still be scratching his head wondering how his side managed to throw away a 3-1 lead at the Vitality stadium with just fifteen minutes left to play. Goals from Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Emre Can had put the Reds firmly in the driving seat, but Bournemouth's super-sub Ryan Fraser pulled one back, before creating the equaliser for Steve Cook, who later forced a mistake from Loris Karius which allowed the Cherries to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Karius has come in for some criticism this week, some believing he is not the upgrade to Simon Mignolet that Liverpool needed, but I think the fans need to give him time to adjust the demands of the Premie League; compare David de Gea's first year in England to where he is now - one of the best in Europe.

West Ham are really struggling, and now sit just a place and a point above the relegation zone. I don't think the move from Upton Park to the London Stadium has helped Slaven Bilic's team at all, and the fans saw more disappointment there last Saturday as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil ran riot for the Gunners. Bilic will have been pleased that Andy Carroll found the back of the net on his return from injury, and I'm sure the Geordie will be fired up ahead of a return to Anfield.

Andy Carroll will be hoping to haunt his former side (Getty Images)

Despite Liverpool's collapse at Bournemouth, they still sit third in the league table and have performed well this season, particularly at Anfield. The last time the Reds suffered a shock defeat in the league, 2-0 at Burnley in Gameweek 2, they went their next eleven Premier League fixtures unbeaten, and I can see them returning to winning ways against the Hammers this weekend.       

Prediction: 3-1