I believe it has been over a year since I have published my Premier League predictions. I hope to renew the tradition now.
Tottenham v Arsenal
This is the first of the two derbies to be played this round. It should be a good fight as both North London teams are in fine form. This match will likely be a key fixture in the race for the top 4. Arsenal might be able to recover from a negative result but I don't think Tottenham have that same ability in their squad, so it will be even more important for Spurs to get a positive result. Arsenal are coming into the match on the back of a 5-0 hammering over Aston Villa. Tottenham are also coming off a good 3-0 win over West Brom themselves. This fixture often ends in a draw and I am fearful that this time it will be another draw, and perhaps a dull one as both do not want to lose at any costs.
Prediction: 1-1
Aston Villa v Chelsea
I do not think this will be a great match to watch as both teams will not be at their best. Chelsea will be without arguably their two best players, Costa and Fabregas. Villa have a number of players coming back to the squad such as Vlaar and Cole. I do not think these changes in the squads will change the result of the match, though I think it will make it closer. Chelsea will surely win this match, or maybe a tie because Villa quite frankly can't score to save their lives.
Prediction: 0-2
Leicester City v Crystal Palace
It should be a grand old game, as both teams are pretty desperate for points, especially bottom of the table Leicester. Palace won't go down without a good fight as Pardew has inspired the Eagles to a great run. Leicester will be buoyed by their new signings such as Huth and Kramaric, though I'm not sure it will be enough to save them from the drop. Crystal Palace has a decent away form and I think they will line up defensively to avoid defeat. I am expecting a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Manchester City v Hull City
Man City are still in the title race, trailing leaders Chelsea by 5 points, a gap that they maintained by getting a draw at Stamford Bridge last week. Hull are simply despicable lately, losing to the turbulent Newcastle 3-0 at home, and this time they will playing at the Etihad. I can't see anything other than a thrashing to add to Hull's woes as they get closer and closer to the relegation zone, a place which I do not expect them to escape from.
Prediction: 2-0
QPR v Southampton
Both clubs are a bit hurt at the moment, though it appears as though QPR are on the ropes. Rednapp has abandoned them to their doom. He may claim that he will be unable to lead the team properly because of surgery but I think we all know its because of the lack of transfer activity that Rednapp so clearly loves to dabble in. QPR fought hard against Stoke last week but it was for naught as they lost 3-1 away from home, a place they despise this season. They will be the hosts this week but I don't think they can beat such a talented team. Swansea's stalwart defense, led by the amazing Ashley Williams, had it in them to get the clean sheet, but QPR's defense simply don't have it in them to mimic them. That said I expect a good fight to be fruitless as QPR begin life without Rednapp.
Prediction: 1-2
Swansea City v Sunderland
I believe this will be a very good match to watch as both teams are coming into it after crucial wins, Swansea against Southampton and Sunderland against Burnley. The Swans are pretty good at home and Sunderland are pretty good at tying, so I think it will be either a tie or a Swansea victory. I don't think Sunderland's attack is good enough, especially against Swansea's defense at home.
Prediction: 0-0
Everton v Liverpool
This is the big kahoona, the second derby of the round, the Merseyside Derby. These teams shared the honors the last time they met thanks to a miraculous Jagielka volley in the last minute. Despite being at home I believe Liverpool are doing too good lately to lose this match. Everton languish in 12th place and only scraped to a 1-0 win last week against Palace thanks to a very lucky deflected goal in the opening minutes. Added to their woes is the possibility of Liverpool's star striker, Sturridge, returning from injury and you have a recipe for disaster. As with almost all Merseyside derbies I am expecting a hard fought and close game, but I have to go with my Reds.
Prediction: 0-1
Burnley v WBA
These two teams will kick off the Sunday games and it will not be one that I will be waking up early to watch. Both teams lost their last games and are in need of a boost. Burnley needed to desperately sign some new players in January and they failed to do so. That said, keeping a hold of Ings was important and will be even more important for them as we are entering a crucial period in the season. WBA simply don't look that great, and while Burnley doesn't either, Burnley at least gives it their all. Pulis doesn't get relegated though, he just doesn't and winning these types of games are the ones that save you in the end. I expect it to be a close match and I think Burnley's intense pressure on the ball will see them avoid defeat.
Prediction: 1-1
Newcastle United v Stoke City
These teams aren't really challenging for anything, and aren't currently in danger of the relegation zone, so I don't think either side will be too bothered at the result. Two points favor Stoke in the table currently thanks in part to the transition period happening at Newcastle. Their manager, Carver, has all the passion in the world for Newcastle and will be desperate for a win to state his case for the permanent manager job. I don't think the players share his passion at all and I don't expect them to really care and Stoke will be happy to try and catch them on the break. This is a hard one to call but I am going to go with Newcastle, simply because they are the home side.
Prediction: 1-0
West Ham v Manchester United
West Ham won this figure the last time they met each other, at Old Trafford. Man U are currently on a bit of a roll, in terms of getting results at least. West Ham's current form in a bit wishy washy, they lost to Liverpool away from home last week 2-0 and only registered like 2 shots on goal, with none of them even close. Being at home will buoy their hopes and they seem to always be in the mood to take on the big boys like Man U. The Red Devils are doing alright, and yet find themselves in third place nonetheless. It should be a great match to watch, and it is hard to call. I am going to go with my gut, though it might just be more hope than gut, a West Ham win to get the double.
Prediction: 2-1
