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Prem Talk: Match Day 17 Predictions

Updated: Dec 31, 2020

It's the first round of fixtures of 2021, and there's some big games too! Who's going to start the New Year in the perfect way? Five members of our punditry team give their thoughts....


EVERTON VS WEST HAM, 1st Jan 5:30pm


Kieran Makin:

West Ham and David Moyes will be delighted with their first half of the season but I think they will come up short at Goodison Park. Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees are in fine form and, even though they will be disappointed with the COVID-19 disruption of the Manchester City fixture, I think they’ll benefit from the extra few days rest.

Prediction: 2-1


Chris Coughlin

Only time will tell in terms of the impact of the postponement of Everton’s game against Manchester City on Monday but, in the short term, it’s given a confident Blues term a decent period of rest for their game against West Ham. The Hammers are without a win in four games and I expect that to continue on Friday

Prediction: 2-0


Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Sam Jordan: 3-1

Chris Stott: 2-1


MANCHESTER UNITED VS ASTON VILLA, 1st Jan 8pm


Sam Jordan

Two in form teams go head to head in this enticing encounter. I feel like this game will be decided by whoever gets their main man on the ball. Bruno Fernandes and Jack Grealish have been instrumental for their respective sides so far this season and I expect that to remain the same in this clash. I would normally be inclined to side with the home team, but given Villa’s form away from home this season, I see both teams cancelling each other out.

Prediction: 1-1


Harry Reynolds

This will be another good barometer for both of these sides. United just about got the job done against Wolves, while Villa will feel unlucky not to have beaten Chelsea. I find it very hard to split the two.

Prediction: 2-2


Kieran Makin: 2-2

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

Chris Stott: 2-1


TOTTENHAM VS LEEDS UNITED, 2nd Jan 12:30pm


Chris Stott

I think the unexpected extra day off for Spurs is just what's needed when they are set to take on the most energetic side in the league. As Leeds proved away at West Brom, parking the bus doesn't always work against Bielsa's side. I think Spurs' best bet is to adopt Manchester United's approach from the other week, and with Son and Kane they could get some joy. But by playing that way, Spurs will be exposed more often, and that will suit Leeds. This could be a classic.

Prediction: 3-3


Kieran Makin

Spurs have been struggling for goals lately but I think their firepower going forward through Kane, Son etc. will prove to be too much for Leeds, who have recently switched to a back three to perhaps counteract the amount of goals they have been conceding. Regardless, they still have an extremely open style and I think Spurs will be too strong.

Prediction: 3-1


Sam Jordan: 3-1

Chris Coughlin: 3-2

Harry Reynolds: 1-2


Leeds hit West Brom for 5 in their last game...


CRYSTAL PALACE VS SHEFFIELD UNITED, 2nd Jan 3pm


Chris Coughlin

Sheffield United won this fixture 1-0 last season and what they’d give for the same on Saturday! They were poor again against Burnley and you have to wonder if Derby’s record of 11 points is in danger at this stage. Palace got a well-earned point against Leicester after conceding 10 goals in two games. I think the Eagles will inflict yet more misery on the Blades here.

Prediction: 2-0


Harry Reynolds

This shouldn’t be a classic. Palace stopped the rot with a 1-1 draw against Leicester, and they should be able to beat a hopeless Sheffield United team. They seem to be incapable of scoring goals, and look absolutely doomed.

Prediction: 1-0


Kieran Makin: 2-0

Sam Jordan: 2-0

Chris Stott: 0-1 (Yes, you read this correctly! it's got to happen at some point right?!)


BRIGHTON VS WOLVES, 2nd Jan 5:30pm


Sam Jordan

Brighton are a bit of an enigma. They’ve played really well at times this season, none more so than against West Ham last time out, but fail to pick up maximum points. Wolves are struggling without the goals of star man Raul Jimenez. Club record transfer Fabio Silva has failed to hit the ground running and I worry they may start to slip down the table unless reinforcements are bought in January.

Prediction: 1-0


Kieran Makin

As I’ve said before, Brighton play some lovely football but don’t create too much with the possession; and when they do create chances they aren’t always clinical. Wolves have been indifferent but I think they’re just ‘solid’ in comparison to the Seagulls, so I feel they’ll get the first goal and that will be enough for them to see it through. They’ll be happy to let Brighton have more of the ball I reckon.

Prediction: 0-1


Chris Coughlin: 0-1

Chris Stott: 1-1

Harry Reynolds: 0-0


WEST BROM VS ARSENAL, 2nd Jan 8pm


Chris Stott

Albion will need to get that Leeds result out of their system ASAP! A week or two ago, this was a huge game for both - but the Gunners have shown a new side to them in recent games with the youngsters providing some much needed spark. Big Sam won't allow for the Leeds capitulation again, and can see this being a typical Allardyce vs big team game - a frustrating watch for Arsenal fans I suspect.

Prediction: 1-1


Chris Coughlin

After doing so well against Liverpool to get a well-deserved point, I thought West Brom were pathetic against Leeds. They were so poor and if Leeds had scored 10, no Baggies fans could’ve complained. Arsenal meanwhile have put back-to-back wins together and are looking much better in the last week. Only one winner for me at the Hawthorns and Big Sam has his back against the wall already to protect his record of never having been relegated.

Prediction: 0-3


Harry Reynolds: 0-1

Sam Jordan: 2-1

Kieran Makin: 0-0


Lacazette's second half goal at Brighton earned the Gunners a second straight league win...


BURNLEY VS FULHAM, 3rd Jan 12pm


Kieran Makin

Burnley have been playing well recently having kickstarted their annual Christmas run of form, but so have Fulham. Scott Parker has done brilliantly to change the mentality of his team whilst sticking to his core philosophy and it’s turning into results. Two teams who have very clear yet distinct styles and I think it’ll be a draw, however, this is still a huge game in the relegation picture.

Prediction: 1-1


Harry Reynolds

Fulham have only managed to win on a Monday this season, and I don’t expect that to change here. Burnley’s style of football is awful to watch, and they don’t score many goals, but it’s effective for them.

Prediction: 1-0


Sam Jordan: 1-0

Chris Stott: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-0


NEWCASTLE VS LEICESTER CITY, 3rd Jan 2:15pm


Sam Jordan

Two teams who you could argue are out of form. That may be slightly harsh on Leicester, but given their start to the season and their current league position, I would argue it’s fair. Newcastle for me are in rotten form. Performances have been awful and the fans are starting to voice their disapproval. The Foxes should have too much for their counterparts, and I’m backing Jamie Vardy to get back on the scoresheet.

Prediction: 0-3


Chris Coughlin

Leicester’s record against teams that I’d expect them to beat this season is strange with defeats against Aston Villa, West Ham and Fulham but all of those came at the King Power. Their 2-0 win at Spurs showed that what they’re capable of. I’m backing them to break down a poor Newcastle team

Prediction: 0-2


Harry Reynolds: 0-3

Chris Stott: 1-1

Kieran Makin: 2-4


CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER CITY, 3rd Jan 4:30pm


Harry Reynolds

Victory for Chelsea in this fixture last season clinched the title for Liverpool, but I don’t expect the feat to be repeated. The Football Manager-style recruitment in the summer hasn’t worked, and they’re overloaded with players that don’t fit the system. City have been rock solid defensively and can continue their good run.

Prediction: 0-2


Chris Stott

A meeting of two stuttering heavyweights. Chelsea have hit a terrible run of form which has seen them drop out of any title talk. City haven't really been in the title race. But with 2 games in hand on leaders Liverpool, wins in those games would see the gap go from 7 to 1 point. So if they hit their stride they are right in it for me! Big question is whether it indeed goes ahead and how impacted have City been by the covid issues? Tough one to call for many reasons, but I fancy City to show a grit and determination to claim another win and throw their hat back into the ring.

Prediction: 1-2


Kieran Makin: 0-2

Sam Jordan: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-3


Chelsea dropped yet more points in their last game at home to Aston Villa...


SOUTHAMPTON VS LIVERPOOL, 4th Jan 8pm


Chris Stott

Liverpool's away record has been indifferent bar the Palace performance the other week. Southampton prior to the last few games have been a major threat, playing great football. Haven't quite been the same since letting United back in to win a few games back. But they have the weapons to both hurt and frustrate the Champions here. I fancy them to get at least get a point, which could well open up the title race!

Prediction: 1-1


Sam Jordan

I love watching Southampton. They are a real breath of fresh air and a great example of how mid-table sides can be competitive yet still attractive on the eye. Liverpool slipped up against Newcastle with another mediocre performance. At their best they are scintillating, but with their defensive woes worsening week on week, I do feel their air of invincibility has evaporated. I do expect Liverpool to take all three points, but wouldn’t be remotely shocked if the home side were to turn the champions over.

Prediction: 1-3


Harry Reynolds: 1-3

Chris Coughlin: 1-1

Kieran Makin: 1-3


The team will be back with their predictions for match day 17 in a few days time! Meanwhile you can listen to all our podcasts right here

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