Premier League Predictions Gameweek 21

Brentford 2-2 Manchester City

Despite a recent upturn in results for Manchester City, Brentford are a team that could cause them real problems.

A quick, direct team of runners that can defend deep and transition quickly is exactly what Brentford are and what causes Manchester City problems with a lack of defensive stability in the midfield and backline.

Image: Getty

Added to this is City's poor away form, losing 4 of their last 6 Premier League games away from home, going up against a Brentford side, who have the second best home record in the Premier League this season, despite losing their last two.

Brentford last 5: LLDLW

Manchester City Last 5: LLDWW

Chelsea 3-1 Bournemouth

Image: Getty

Chelsea, despite a recent wobble, are expected to beat Bournemouth at home, especially with Bournemouth losing Evanilson and Enes Unal to long term injuries, meaning they are turning up to Stamford Bridge without a striker.

Bournemouth have been the in-form side in the Premier League, having gone eight games without a loss, winning five, but without a recognised striker, against a very talented Chelsea side, could prove very difficult.

Chelsea's recent form had seen both in the results and underlying numbers a fall-off in attack and more defensive instability, however, with 10 days rest since their last game against Crystal Palace, could prove very impactful after the busy winter period.

Chelsea Last 5: WDLLD

Bournemouth Last 5: DWDDW

West Ham United 1-2 Fulham

West Ham are the unknown coming into this game, with Graham Potter taking charge of his second game of the club, having lost to Aston Villa in the FA Cup in his opening game, but he will have to do it without a striker with Michal Antonio out indefinitely and Nichlas Fulkrug potentially out for a few months with a hamstring injury.

Image: Getty

Fulham is a hard first game in the Premier League for Potter, as Marco Silva's side is tricky for every Premier League side, with multiple ways of playing depending on the game and without a loss in their last eight games, they will come in confident fir this game.

It will likely be a tactical game, with West Ham playing slow as they have done under Lopetegui and Potter having shown in the past he likes a slower pace of play, and Fulham likely to conform as without a box therat, West Ham will struggle to make chances and mistakes will lead to Fulham counter attacks through the likes of Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez.

West Ham Last 5: DDWLL

Fulham Last 5: DDWDD

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

Image: Getty

Only time travellers would've guessed that a Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool in January would be a game that has top of the table ramifications for both clubs, as a Nottingham Forest win would put them just 3 points behind the league leaders.

Forest are the most in-form team in the league right now, having won their last six league games, keeping clean sheets in their last four, and being the only team to beat Arne Slot's team this season, will give them an extra boost in this game at The City Ground.

Liverpool's only blemish this season has been that game in September at Anfield, with Callum Hudson-Odoi netting the winner, but since then they have surgical in their play, winning games comfortably, scoring lots and conceding few with this being a big test after some struggles in their last game against Man Utd.

Nottingham Forest Last 5: WWWWW

Liverpool Last 5: DWWWD

Everton 0-2 Aston Villa

Image: Everton

Its David Moyes' homecoming party, twelve years after he left the club, but he's entering with them in the midst of a relegation battle, struggling for goals and creativity, having scored just once in their last five games, having failed to score in 11 of their 20 Premier League games this season.

Unai Emery's side has struggled for consistency a bit this season, but after showcasing against another team with a new manager in Graham Potter at West Ham in the FA Cup, their organisation and quality under Emery will show-out which will likely be the case against a poor Everton.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE ON THE FUTURE OF EVERTON AFTER SEAN DYCHE: https://www.agoalgame.com/post/sean-dyche-sacked-what-s-next-for-everton

Everton Last 5: DDDLL

Aston Villa Last 5: LWLDW

Leicester City 1-2 Crystal Palace

Leicester City would have hoped for a better start to life under Ruud Van Nistelrooy, having won his first game 3-1 against West Ham, they haven't managed a league win since, losing their last five, creating less than 1 xG in four of those losses, a bad sign to start the tenure of the Dutchman.

Image: Getty

Crystal Palace will be bringing confidence into the game, having lost just once in their last nine Premier League games after a poor start to the season, and having not lost an away game since October, they have regained some of the form that flew them up the table at the end of last season under Oliver Glasner.

Leicester did show they attacking talent in the FA Cup against QPR, with youngsters Facundo Buonanotte and Bilali El Khannouss showcasing why they have been touted for their potential.

Leicester City Last 5: LLLLL Crystal Palace Last 5: WLDWD

Newcastle United 3-0 Wolves

After a tough couple of away games against Manchester United and Spurs, Newcastle United will be happy to be happy back at home in the Premier League, as they look to extend to a six game winning streak.

Having got back to his favoured midfield three of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, Eddie Howe's side have looked back to their 22/23 levels, outworking and out-fighting teams with relentless energy levels, which against a Wolves side that play a slower pace, could lead to a heavy score line.

Image: Getty

Vitor Pereira has had a good start to life as Wolves manager, winning his first two Premier League games and drawing away to Spurs, but their game against Nottingham Forest showed their weakness to pace and runs in behind, which Newcastle have in abundance with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.

Newcastle United Last 5: WWWWW

Wolves Last 5: LWWDL

Arsenal 3-0 Spurs

Image: Getty

Despite cup losses, Arsenal are still unbeaten in the Premier League in their last 10 games and remain in 2nd place, and a win over their North London rivals could be just what they need after a tough week against Newcastle United and Manchester Untied.

Arsenal's main threat of crosses and set-pieces could be suited to a game against Spurs, with Spurs struggling with fir defenders, playing 18-year old Archie Gray at the back, and their game at Tamworth wouldn't have filled them with confidence having been taken to extra-time against the part-time team.

Arsenal have enjoyed success against Spurs recently having won four of the last five meetings, drawing once, and with Spurs having one Premier League winning in their last eight games, conceding 17 goals, they wouldn't be full of confidence coming into this local derby.

Arsenal Last 5: DWWWD

Spurs Last 5: WLLDL

Ipswich 2-2 Brighton

Having shared favours at the Amex earlier this season, Ipswich and Brighton are meeting at Portman Road, with surprisingly Ipswich in the better form, having won twice in their last five and Brighton without a win in eight.

Ipswich have gone a little more pragmatic in recent week, moving to a back five, which has seen a first Premier League home win this season against Chelsea and a good performance against Fulham, with Liam Delap the star of both games for the Tractor Boys.

Image: Getty

Brighton's recent form, especially their draws have been a showcase for a lot of their performances this season, giving as many chances as they have been created, which has been catching up to them after getting the better of it in the first half of the season, which is ultimately to be expected of the young side.

Ipswich Town Last 5: WLLWD

Brighton Last 5: LDDDD

Manchester United 2-0 Southampton

After battles at Anfield and the Emirates, Manchester United have a different challenge against them in a game where they are expected to win against a Southampton side with just six points so far this season.

United have been praised for their energy and effort in their recent trips away, but having been heavily criticised for years to not bringing it to games they are supposed to win, it could be a big boost to Ruben Amorim if he can get his side a convincing win, especially having lost five of their last seven league games.

Image: Getty

Southampton will get a little uplift with their FA Cup win against Swansea, their first win under manager Ivan Juric, but with relegation all but confirmed having just six points in twenty games, big wins is what could get the fans onside and they don't come much bugger than at Old Trafford.

Man Utd Last 5: WLLLD

Southampton Last 5: LDLLL