This week sees a full round of Premier League fixtures, with Manchester United’s trip to Wembley to play Tottenham the standout fixture of the lot. Ahead of the games, BetVictor brand ambassador Michael Owen makes his predictions.
Swansea City v Arsenal – Tuesday
Swansea are looking for back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time this season following their 1-0 win over Liverpool last time although they have lost four of their last five home league games to Arsenal.
The Gunners have only won three of their 12 Premier League games on the road so far this season and I think the Swans will get a point given their recent improvement (seven points from four games) under new boss Carlos Carvalhal.
Prediction: Swansea City 1-1 Arsenal
West Ham v Crystal Palace – Tuesday
Palace have only won one of their last nine Premier League away London derbies, but they have only lost one of their last five away games against West Ham and I feel they might come away from the London Stadium with all three points.
The Hammers were dumped out of the FA Cup at Wigan on Saturday whilst the Eagles had a rare weekend off and they should be fresher than their hosts who played a strong enough side at the DW Stadium.
Luka Milivojevic has scored in each of his last three Premier League away games and no Palace player has yet scored in four successive away games in the division.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Liverpool – Tuesday
The last time Huddersfield beat Liverpool (November 1959) my former club were in the old second division and the Reds have kept a clean sheet in their last six games against the Terriers.
Jurgen Klopp has never lost back-to-back in the Premier League and I expect his side to bounce back following their defeats at Swansea and their home loss to West Brom in the FA Cup last weekend.
Mo Salah has 18 goals in 23 Premier League games for the club so far this season and he and Roberto Firmino – 7 goals and 2 assists in his last 11 Premier League games – may again make the difference.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Liverpool
Chelsea v Bournemouth – Wednesday
Chelsea are, reportedly, looking to bring in an experienced striker before the end of the transfer window on Wednesday night and it is possible that Michy Batshuayi will be on his way out of the Bridge despite scoring twice against Newcastle in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Eden Hazard has scored five times in his last four Premier League appearances against the Cherries and the Belgian may again be the scourge of Eddie Howe’s side at the Bridge.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Everton v Leicester City – Wednesday
Everton have had fewer shots on target than any other side in the division since Sam Allardyce took over and the Blues are without a win in their last six Premier League games.
The Foxes have kept a clean sheet in all three Premier League games of 2018, but they may lose that record at Goodison although I do not expect Claude Puel’s side to leave Merseyside empty handed.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Leicester City
Newcastle United v Burnley – Wednesday
Newcastle are without a win in their last seven home Premier League games and have failed to score in five of those fixtures. Joselu is the Magpies top league scorer with four and all of those goals have come at St James’s Park.
Only Southampton (11) are on a longer winless streak than Burnley (7) in the league although the Clarets were able to rest at the weekend having been knocked out of the FA Cup at the Etihad in the third round.
Rafa Benitez is another manager looking to bring in a striker before the end of the transfer window and I cannot see many goals at what is sure to be a nervous St James’s Park.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-0 Burnley
Southampton v Brighton – Wednesday
As stated previously Southampton are without a win in their last 11 Premier League games but I expect them to get back to winning ways against Brighton in this south coast derby.
Saints have scored in their last six home league games but have also conceded in those fixtures, although they did keep a welcome clean sheet against Watford at the weekend in the FA Cup. I think the Saints can keep the points given the Seagulls have failed to score in nine of their 12 away league games so far this term.
Prediction: Southampton 2-0 Brighton
Manchester City v West Brom – Wednesday
Manchester City have bounced back well from their Anfield reverse and have won their last 10 home games in all competitions. City have a great record against West Brom winning fifteen of the last 16 Premier League games between the sides – including the last twelve.
The Baggies got a fantastic result at Anfield at the weekend but I do not expect them to follow up at the Etihad against this outstanding City side.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 West Brom
Stoke City v Watford – Wednesday
Stoke have won their last four against Watford in the Premier League and I think the Potters will win back-to-back league games for the first time since last January.
I am still coming to terms with the fact that the Hornets sacked Marco Silva earlier in the month and this will be Javi Gracia’s first Premier League game in charge of the club. I expect Paul Lambert’s side to keep the points.
Prediction: Stoke City 2-1 Watford
Tottenham v Manchester United – Wednesday
Spurs have won their last two home league games against Manchester United but the Red Devils have won their last six at Wembley – scoring at least twice in each of those games.
Harry Kane has currently scored 99 Premier League goals and the great Alan Shearer scored his 100th Premier League goal against United. I expect to see a hugely entertaining game, which could go either way, but the hosts get a narrow vote in a fixture that should see goals.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United
Michael’s midweek treble
Michael Owen is a Brand Ambassador for BetVictor. For more tips from Michael read his column here.
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