As the ‘Beast from the East’ rages through Britain, there is plenty of Premier League football this weekend to keep you entertained and warm at home in this preview.
Saturday sees the mass relegation battle takes centre stage whilst Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool can stretch the gap to Chelsea up to five points, as they fight for Champions League qualification.
- 3pm unless stated.
Burnley vs Everton (12:30pm)
Burnley come into this match off the back of a 12 match winless run in all competitions, whilst Everton lost last time out at Watford.
The Clarets know that a win will move them onto the magical 40 point mark and near certain safety.
Everton meanwhile need a win otherwise by Monday night, they could be just four points above the drop zone.
Head to head wise, Burnley have won two of three Premier League meetings here and this is Sean Dyche’s 250th match in charge of the home team.
With so much at stake and temperatures expected to be freezing, a draw probably will be best bet.
Everton however have had one away win in past 12 months so can just see a home win.
Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Everton
Jake predicts: Burnley 2-0 Everton
Result: Burnley 2-1 Everton
Leicester City vs Bournemouth
This should be a tight affair given past Premier League meetings between Leicester and Bournemouth.
There has been four draws from five meetings with two pairs of 0-0 and 1-1 draws. The only non draw came at Bournemouth last season when the Cherries won via Marc Pugh.
Since 2018 arrived, Bournemouth have taken five points from four away games despite losing 4-1 at Huddersfield on last away trip.
Leicester meanwhile are unbeaten in last seven home matches across all competitions, scoring nine and conceding four.
Jamie Vardy has scored in Leicester’s last two home matches and Junior Stanislas has done likewise for the Cherries on their travels.
Ultimately, I can see a draw here because both teams are evenly matched.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-1 Bournemouth
Jake predicts: Leicester City 1-0 Bournemouth
Result: Leicester City 1-1 Bournemouth
Southampton vs Stoke City
This is a relegation six pointer as far as both teams are concerned in what will be a tight game.
All but one meeting this decade has been either drawn or won by one goal margins with Southampton leading 24-23 on goals aggregate from 18 clashes.
From 11 Premier League meetings, there has been just four games where both teams haven’t scored.
Southampton’s last home win came on 26th November against Everton whilst the Potters’ last away win came a month beforehand at Watford.
Since December, both teams have taken a combined 24 points (Southampton – 11 and Stoke – 13 from a possible 54 points between them.
The Saints’ home goal per game average stands at 1.07 whilst Stoke average less than one away goal per game at jus 0.86 goals.
I therefore can see a goalless draw and if we do get a winner, it will be Southampton.
Prediction: Southampton 0-0 Stoke City
Jake predicts: Southampton 1-1 Stoke City
Result: Southampton 0-0 Stoke City
Swansea City vs West Ham United
Swansea know that a win will put them level on points with this weekend’s visitors, West Ham.
The Hammers however rule this fixture, having avoided defeat on nine occasions including their last three meetings.
In that period, they have scored 19 and conceded eight with six shutouts too.
The Liberty Stadium however has been a fortress since Carlos Carvalhal arrived with one loss in seven games across all competitions.
West Ham have lost their last two away trips 7-2 on aggregate, after drawing two and winning one of their previous three away games beforehand.
With police saying ‘don’t travel unless necessary’, West Ham are going to need their fans at stadium to be twelfth man if want a point against a probably near full Swansea crowd.
My head says a draw but reckon Swansea will edge this given that they need the win slightly more.
Prediction: Swansea City 2-1 West Ham United
Jake predicts: Swansea City 2-0 West Ham United
Result: Swansea City 4-1 West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur vs Huddersfield
Tottenham are flying with 15 matches unbeaten in all competitions since mid December, so start this as favourites.
Huddersfield ended a four away match winless run last time out with a 2-1 win at West Brom.
Just to raise spirit of Terrier fans, they are unbeaten in last four trips to Wembley, including last season’s play off final and could win three consecutive top flight games for first time in 62 years.
That run included a 2-1 victory at Spurs so could history repeat itself?
Spurs however are solid at Wembley with a (W16 D4 L2) record across all competitions and their only two home defeats came against fellow London clubs – Chelsea and West Ham.
Harry Kane has scored in Tottenham’s last three league matches and was rested for Wednesday’s 5-1 FA Cup replay win over Rochdale.
I therefore can see just one outcome but tighter than expected.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Huddersfield Town
Jake predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Huddersfield Town
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Watford vs West Bromwich Albion
Reports suggest that anything less than victory will see Alan Pardew dismissed as West Brom manager.
The Baggies are currently propping up the table but lie seven points adrift of safety, making three points a must if want to give themselves a shot at survival.
Watford have won their two home games so far under Javi Garcia with five goals and conceding just once, so will be tough opposition here.
The Hornets also won and drew their two Premier League home games against West Brom.
From eight meetings across all competitions this century, Watford has a (W2 D3 L3) record at home to West Brom.
I feel that based on the form between these teams at Vicarage Road in past meetings that this won’t be entertaining.
West Brom also are yet to score more than one goal in an away league match this season, whilst Watford have netted at least twice at home on seven occasions.
For that reason, I can see a home win here.
Prediction: Watford 2-1 WBA
Jake predicts: Watford 2-0 WBA
Result: Watford 1-0 WBA
Liverpool vs Newcastle United (5:30pm)
Depending on results of the 3 o’ clockers, Newcastle could enter this match needing a win to move out of the relegation zone.
Hosts, Liverpool meanwhile can jump up to second with victory till Monday night at least.
In past, this would be a classic fixture but Liverpool are on fire with just two defeats in all competitions since that 4-1 thrashing at Spurs in late October.
Across that period, the Reds have netted 70 goals with 48 of those goals coming from their MSF trio of; Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
In that time they have leaked just 23 goals.
Newcastle across the same period have just 18 goals and conceded 24 with Dwight Gayle their top scorer, with five goals in that period.
As ex Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez has made two returns in the away dugout and drew both games 2-2, meaning that there is the possibility of an open game here.
Sadly, I can’t see that happening because Newcastle are outplayed in nearly every area of pitch by opposition except fouls and yellow cards.
A comfortable Liverpool win.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
Jake predicts: Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle United
Result: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United
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