Tuesday saw just six teams in action meaning that we are in for a cracking Wednesday of Premier League football.
Highlights include; Swansea vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion and West Ham vs Arsenal.
Liverpool vs WBA
Liverpool return to Anfield three days after drawing 1-1 in the Merseyside derby.
West Brom meanwhile are still searching for that first win under Alan Pardew, having lost at Swansea on Saturday.
We should definitely see both teams score here because the Baggies have scored in last six trips to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp however rested several key players on Sunday with Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings set to start here.
Liverpool however have been dominant at home in several key areas and batter West Brom’s away averages number wise, according to Footstats.co.uk.
On that note, I expect Liverpool to come out as winners but West Brom will get their first goal under Pardew here, which will give them some much needed confidence.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 WBA
Jake predicts: Liverpool 1-1 WBA
Result: Liverpool 0-0 WBA
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Jose Mourinho will want an instant reaction here after losing the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Bournemouth however have drawn three of their last four league games so will be difficult to beat.
Add in the fact that they have scored in all four Premier League meetings with Manchester United, you have a tough clash in store.
The goals per half stats are also pretty equal.
Man Utd have scored 66.7% of their home goals after half time, whilst the Cherries have the same average but score more before half time.
I am going to lean towards United here because of their strong home form in all key areas as you can see below.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Jake predicts: Manchester United 3-0 Bournemouth
Result: Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth
Newcastle vs Everton
In recent weeks, these teams seem to have been travelling in opposite directions.
Everton have seen a surge in form and currently sit tenth whilst Newcastle have tumbled towards the drop zone.
For Newcastle fans, this is probably the worst time to face the Toffees, given the fact that they have lost seven of last six meetings with them.
The exception however is a 3-2 win in late December 2014 at St James Park.
One bright light is Rafa Benitez, who is yet to lose to Everton given his (W5, D2) record, from when he previously faced them as Liverpool and Chelsea manager.
The Magpies’ form however has been terrible with just one point since the start of November.
For that reason, I can see Everton winning comfortably.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Everton
Jake predicts: Newcastle 0-3 Everton
Result: Newcastle 0-1 Everton
Southampton vs Leicester
Claude Puel takes his Leicester City side to St Marys as he returns to face the club, where he managed last season.
This time around, Puel could name an unchanged XI for third match running which is something that he never did at Southampton.
This century has seen the Foxes struggle on South Coast with just two wins. Could that set the scene for a tight game here?
Both teams have similar shot on target averages with Southampton averaging 3.44 shots on goal at home.
Leicester aren’t far behind with 3.25 shots on target but are more clinical, averaging 1.5 goals per away game.
The Saints meanwhile average 1.22 goals per home game.
Ultimately, I feel that this will finish as a draw because there isn’t much to split either side.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Leicester
Jake predicts: Southampton 1-1 Leicester
Result: Southampton 1-4 Leicester
Swansea vs Manchester City
Both teams took wins last time out but this will be a tough test of Swansea’s survival credentials.
That win over West Brom however probably has come at the right time, given that this fixture has produced 17 goals in last four meetings at Liberty Stadium.
That is an average of 4.3 goals per match so expect another thriller here.
Pep Guardiola and his Man City team however are ultra strong and on a record 14 match winning streak.
That will strike fear into a struggling Swansea side, who have scored the least number of home goals (5) this season.
Ultimately, this probably won’t be a classic if City show up and deliver their usual masterclass.
Prediction: Swansea 0-4 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Swansea 0-3 Manchester City
Result: Swansea 0-4 Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham comfortably battered Stoke on Saturday whilst Brighton fell to a 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield.
On paper, this looks like a Spurs win because they’re unbeaten against the Seagulls in four of last five meetings across all competitions.
Brighton however won their last league clash in 1983, when they were relegated. Could history be about to repeat itself 34 years on?
Tottenham however are still coming off the back of a poor domestic run, when they suffered two draws and defeats apiece before Saturday’s win.
For me, there will only be one winner here.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jake predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
West Ham vs Arsenal
West Ham manager, David Moyes will be keen to claim a second London derby scalp in five days.
Arsenal however will be keen to avoid the same fate as Chelsea, if want to make the two month European competition winter break count and take as many points as can.
Once they return to the Thursday-Sunday routine in mid February, more first team regulars are going to be needed on the former more than they were in group stage.
Throw in the Gunners’ poor start at Southampton on Sunday and the Hammers’ winning goal on Saturday coming in 5th minute, the opening quarter is going to be key here.
In end, I can see that period being pivotal, particularly because Arsenal have just won twice on the road domestically this season.
Throwing in the calendar year reflection and nine of Arsenal’s losses came away from the Emirates.
Arsenal might have the upper hand in this fixture, having not lost at West Ham since 2006 but can see that ending here.
Prediction: West Ham 1-0 Arsenal
Jake predicts: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
Result: West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
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