With 2018 just around the corner, there is still time for one final round of Premier League fixtures.
Saturday’s highlights include; Bournemouth vs Everton, Liverpool vs Leicester and Huddersfield vs Burnley.
Bournemouth vs Everton
Everton head to Dean Court still unbeaten since Sam Allardyce arrived.
Bournemouth meanwhile are still in bottom three, despite drawing 3-3 here with West Ham on Boxing Day.
They however have won just two of ten home games, making this a difficult game against the in form Toffees.
Since Allardyce took over, Everton have conceded just once but Bournemouth will fancy their chances of a win here.
Although the visitors are in form, they haven’t won their last game of calendar year since 2013.
Sadly I can see that run continuing here if Bournemouth show the quality that they did on Boxing Day.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Everton
Jake predicts: Bournemouth 1-2 Everton
Result: Bournemouth 2-1 Everton
Chelsea vs Stoke
Chelsea will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten home league record against Stoke here, as the runner up battle heats up.
Stoke meanwhile are struggling defensively, having let in 41 goals so far this season.
This fixture was also the last for both teams of 2016, finishing 4-2 in Chelsea’s favour.
A year on, I don’t see a repeat of that match with Chelsea picking up a comfortable win.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Stoke
Jake predicts: Chelsea 3-0 Stoke
Result: Chelsea 5-0 Stoke
Huddersfield vs Burnley
Both of this season’s surprise packages meet at John Smith Stadium.
Boxing Day saw both teams take draws against Stoke and Burnley respectively, so could we see a tight battle here?
The reverse fixture ended 0-0 with just 13 shots on show, showing how evenly matched both teams are.
Burnley have the better record this century in this fixture but Huddersfield won two of last three meetings here.
The Clarets’ defence need to be careful here because Huddersfield have avoided defeat in six of seven home games, where they scored first.
Burnley meanwhile have the best away record outside the top four but are currently without a win in three.
Although Sean Dyche’s side won their last games of 2015 & 16, I can see only a draw here.
Prediction: Huddersfield 1-1 Burrnley
Jake predicts: Huddersfield 0-1 Burnley
Result: Huddersfield 0-0 Burnley
Liverpool vs Leicester
Liverpool are currently in deadly form but face a Leicester side who has lost just twice since Claude Puel arrived.
Jurgen Klopp however has lost three of his five meetings with Leicester in all competitions.
Since a crushing at Tottenham Hotspur in mid October, the Reds have gone unbeaten in last 11, making them tough to beat here.
Throw in their goal record of 75 goals across all competitions, which is third best to Manchester City (77) and PSG (89) then Vardy and co will surely need to play defensively.
Puel however knows how to go unbeaten at Anfield, having won there with Lyon and Southampton.
I expect both teams to score but Liverpool are too fierce at minute to stop.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Jake predicts: Liverpool 2-0 Leicester
Result: Liverpool 2-1 Leicester
Newcastle vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Both teams might be above the relegation line but a win is vital to strengthen their survival hopes.
There is no Premier League history in this fixture, despite Brighton winning their home leg in September.
Newcastle however won both meetings in the Championship last season.
Their recent record is terrible too with just one win from last 11 games and five losses against newly promoted clubs.
The Seagulls are no better too with just one win from last nine and one goal in last five.
Ultimately, I can see this a boring draw here.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Jake predicts: Newcastle 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Result: Newcastle 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Watford vs Swansea
Carlos Carvalhal makes his Swansea bow as he takes the Swans to Watford.
Watford however are coming into this after a comeback win on Boxing Day, after suffering four consecutive defeats before.
We shouldn’t expect many goals here cos this fixture has seen just six goals from five Premier League meetings.
Swansea however need to tie up their defence, having shifted 13 goals in last four league games.
With this being Carvalhal’s first game, I can see him fielding a slightly more attacking team.
In end, I can see Watford winning this.
Prediction: Watford 2-0 Swansea.
Jake predicts: Watford 1-0 Swansea
Result: Watford 1-2 Swansea
Manchester United vs Southampton (5:30pm)
Manchester United have drawn their last two league games but face a Southampton side, who have won on two of last three visits to Old Trafford.
United however have the better form, losing just one of last nine league games.
Southampton however have just one win and three draws in the same period, leaving them two points above drop zone.
If compare United’s home and Southampton’s away record, there is only going to be one winner, despite that team looking fatigued of late.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
Jake predicts: Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
Result: Manchester United 0-0 Southampton
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