Manchester City vs Tottenham dominate this Saturday’s round of Premier League games but there is much more action to look forward to earlier on in day.
Highlights include Leicester vs Crystal Palace, Arsenal vs Newcastle and Chelsea vs Southampton.
Leicester vs Crystal Palace (12:30pm)
Leicester enter this match in fine form, having won their last four games and will be keen to continue their resurgent form here.
Crystal Palace too are on a good run, taking six points from that period. Three of those were draws however.
Four seems to be magic number here because Leicester have won the last four league meetings with Palace.
Although both teams will give this a real crack, I fancy Leicester to pull off another victory cos of the Eagles’ poor away record since April.
That victory won’t end in a four though.
Prediction: Leicester 3-0 Crystal Palace
Jake predicts: Leicester 2-2 Crystal Palace
Result: Leicester 0-3 Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs Newcastle
Arsenal enter this embroiled in a tight scrap for fourth featuring Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and surprisingly, Burnley.
Newcastle meanwhile are in freefall, losing six of last seven games.
Both teams also have averaged same goals per half (Arsenal – home, Newcastle – away).
In end, I can see Arsenal winning this because they got more experience and although are without a win in three, they got enough quality in them to end that run here.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
Jake predicts: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
Result: Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle
Brighton vs Burnley
Burnley are flying high but Brighton have avoided defeat in last six meetings down in lower leagues.
The shot average is even stevens with Brighton averaging 8.63 shots at home to Burnley’s away average of 8.5 attempts.
The goal averages are poor despite the Clarets winning 1.33 vs 1.13 so expect a low scoring game.
In the end, I can see Burnley repeating their approach from against Southampton a month ago and edging this.
The main factor behind the win will be motivation for chasing an European spot.
Prediction: Brighton 0-1 Burnley
Jake predicts: Brighton 0-1 Burnley
Result: Brighton 0-0 Burnley
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea are in strong form unlike an inconsistent Southampton side.
The reigning champions are unbeaten at home in the league since losing to Manchester City in late September.
Southampton meanwhile haven’t won on road in the same timeframe, taking just two points so expect an easy win here for Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Southampton
Jake predicts: Chelsea 3-0 Southampton
Result: Chelsea 1-0 Southampton
Stoke vs West Ham
These teams are split by two points with Stoke just above the drop zone in 15th whilst West Ham are sitting 19th.
The past week has been testing for both sides but the Hammers come here confident, after beating the reigning champions and holding the FA Cup winners in past week.
Since Mark Hughes took charge, Stoke have avoided defeat in this fixture on eight occasions. Five of those meetings however ended in draws so expect a close game here.
Ultimately, I can see West Ham utilising their new found confidence to clinch a late winner.
Prediction: Stoke 1-2 West Ham
Jake predicts: Stoke 1-1 West Ham
Result: Stoke 0-3 West Ham
Watford vs Huddersfield
Both teams enter this in worrying form but should be an one sided match if recent meetings are relevant.
Although these teams haven’t met in top tier before, the last three meetings at Vicarage Road have seen one side win with four goals.
If look at a bigger picture, the last seven clashes home/away have seen 29 goals so expect some action here.
Troy Deeney definitely should feature, given that he has been involved in 10 goals out of his last nine clashes with the Terriers.
Huddersfield however share the third worst defensive record with the Hornets, leaking 29 goals apiece.
I am not expecting much so a draw seems likely here.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 Huddersfield
Jake predicts: Watford 2-0 Huddersfield
Result: Watford 1-4 Huddersfield
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