It’s almost the weekend, and of course another round of the Premier League games to witness. They are coming thick and fast now! Let’s just hope Covid permits. Covid’s still out there ruining things, it seems. Manchester United and Brighton have already seen their game called off. Tottenham have had three. Three!
So while my colleague, Dean will try to point you in the direction of a number of wins, i will try to give you some tips to follow while making your picks. But I must warn you, they read really terrible!
Aston Villa v Burnley
Steven Gerrard’s Villa have shown they are capable of the improbable, and what is sure at the moment is that they either win or lose. Or so it seems. You had be impressed seeing Jacob Ramsey taking on a whole Norwich defence and scoring a beauty!
Burnley have been dire, and I don’t even see that ending soon. They’ve not won a game since beating Brentford 3-1 in October, some 450 minutes of football, and counting. So no, not a chance because I expect Matt Lowton, turning up against his former side to have a stinker with Ollie Watkins and Ashley Young running at him all afternoon.
Aston Villa 4–1 Burnley
Leeds v Arsenal
Leeds nearly came away with a point at Chelsea before, well, getting hammered in Manchester last time out. Once Foden swept home a couple of minutes shy of the 10th mark, I can swear Marcelo Bielsa knew there was no way back.
Arsenal, on their part, have kick-started a run of wins without conceding and Mikel Arteta and his guns are buzzing. But will the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang haunt them? I tell you, it will be their inability to keep out the goals in their end that will hurt here. The presence of Daniel James upfront for Leeds could spell doom, particularly if Roberts and Rapinha are having a field day. Ben White to open his Arsenal account but Leeds to narrowly nick it.
Leeds 2-1 Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Newcastle have not looked like they are going to win any game lately, even after taking that early lead on Thursday night against Liverpool. You shudder to think of what facing rampant City would mean at the moment. Okay, I might be all that terrible in making predictions, but i find it hard to pick the Toon.
Eddie Howie will have his work cut out, but will more than treasure learning a thing or two from Pep Guardiola. If Allan Saint-Maximin sticks one in the bottom left after they have conceded three, then maybe he could be getting a look in to switch to City come January.
Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City
Wolves v Chelsea
It looks like Chelsea’s early season swagger is wearing off, and what better time for Wolves to take advantage of it. It took time before Bruno Lage’s side were able to shoot down Brighton for their first win in five games last Wednesday, and I expect them to build on that here.
The Blues looked shaken after that equaliser from Everton, and Thomas Tuchel knows he can’t afford to drift further off the title race. They are big favourites coming into this one, but Wolves won here last season and are gradually making their way up the table.
Raul Jimenez is back, and as he’s my starting forward in FPL, I’d back him to score two late goals to down the Pensioners in a fiesty affair.
Wolves 2-0 Chelsea
Tottenham v Liverpool
Tottenham have not kicked a ball since beating Norwich earlier this month, and have seen at least three of their games postponed. No thanks to covid. Well, lying in wait on their return is a Liverpool side who will take some stopping.
Almost all the bookies have the side from Merseyside as the favourites (gasped to see the Reds were as short as 3/5), but discount Spurs at your own peril. Liverpool have been decent enough to have earned it, but make of it what you wish about this Tottenham side. Obviously, there should be goals here, and plenty of it, but i think this one will end in a draw by the time Paul Tierney calls for time.
Tottenham 3-3 Liverpool