Prem Talk: Match Day 19 Predictions
- Matchday FM
- Jan 19, 2021
- 7 min read
There's yet more mid week action in the Premier League with 5 games taking place between Tuesday and Thursday evening. Aston Villa have two games to play, as they play their postponed game with Newcastle on Saturday.
With each of the top 4 sides in action, it could prove to be a crucial few days in the title race - and our pundits have had their say on what might happen....
WEST HAM VS WEST BROM, Tuesday 6pm
Chris Stott
The Hammers are having a great season! Don't think many expected them to be in the top half in January. They're very much in the hunt for a Europa League place now, and of they want to achieve that then these are the kind of games they must not slip up in. Albion got a much needed win over Wolves at the weekend, but they still look vulnerable. But you can easily see Big Sam going back to his former employer and leaving with something.
Prediction: 1-1
Harry Reynolds
It’s quite remarkable to see how far West Ham have come under David Moyes, and he’s certainly revived his managerial career after disappointments at Man United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland. They’ve not conceded a goal for four games in all competitions, winning their last three, and with a massive win in this they could move up to sixth. I do expect them to win again against a porous West Brom team. Although Sam Allardyce’s side won away at Wolves, they’ve conceded 13 in their last four games, and I cannot see how they survive.
Prediction: 1-0
Chris Coughlin
It was a huge win for West Brom at Wolves and one they totally deserved. They’ve been much better on the road under Allardyce in the league too - four points from six as opposed to none from nine at the Hawthorns. For West Ham, the return of Michail Antonio is massive and could really help push them forward now. I’ll go for the Hammers to get a narrow victory here.
Prediction: 2-1
LEICESTER CITY VS CHELSEA, Tuesday 8.15pm
Chris Stott
This is a massive game for both! Leicester, whether you like it or not, are in a title race. They won't go away at the moment and are just 2 points off top. Chelsea for me simply have to win this to get themselves right back into top 4 contention. A defeat could see them starting to really fall behind their rivals. I'm still far from convinced by the blues at the moment, and I can see Leicester going back top with a win here (although it will be a very brief stay).
Prediction: 2-1
Harry Reynolds
I don’t think we learned anything new about Chelsea in their 1-0 victory over 10-man Fulham on Saturday. They still look well below-par, and there has to be significant pressure on Frank Lampard considering how terrible signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have been. Leicester are a much more solid team, but they have had their problems at home this season, losing four time in nine games at the King Power. Jamie Vardy should be fit, and I think they’ll pile more misery onto Chelsea here.
Prediction: 2-1
Chris Coughlin
I’m really looking forward to this as I can see it being one of the most end to end games of the season. 2-0 perhaps flattered Leicester against Southampton but it was ultimately a very good win and Chelsea just about got over the line against 10 man Fulham. Vardy is set to be available and that’s making me side with the Foxes. Prediction: 2-1
MANCHESTER CITY VS ASTON VILLA, Wednesday 6pm
Chris Stott
For me, City look like title favourites at present. They've started to really hit their groove of late, typified by that Chelsea win and then a very efficient performance over Palace. They just don't look like they're going to concede, which is ominous when you consider their attacking potential. Villa, despite being 10th, could go level on points with City if they win this one and their games in hand - such is the madness of the league right now. They've been one of the stories of the season so far and you can see them really testing City. But I think Pep's men will just have enough, and we'll see yet another change at the top at least for a few hours.
Prediction: 2-1
Harry Reynolds
While Aston Villa have been sidelined since the turn of the year due to an outbreak of Covid-19, Man City have been going through the gears. They’ve now won eight games consecutively in all competitions, conceding only twice in that run, and with the 4-0 battering of Crystal Palace their firepower finally returned. Villa have been so impressive this season and will definitely take the game to the home side, but a combination of their rustiness and City’s red-hot form could make a nasty cocktail for the visitors.
Prediction: 3-0
Chris Coughlin
This could be a bloodbath. It’s Villa’s first game since their Covid outbreak against a Man City team who are really in the mood now. I don’t think they’ll be at full fitness either and that makes their trip to the Etihad even more daunting. I’ve gone for 3-0 given that Villa won’t want to be embarrassed but if City punish Villa’s rustiness, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was more than that.
Prediction: 3-0
FULHAM VS MANCHESTER UNITED, Wednesday 8.15pm
Chris Stott
Fulham have been getting better and better as the season has gone on. They put in a really good showing at Spurs in their first league game post isolation. They did ok against Chelsea too. But Manchester United's away record is exceptional. I feel they did miss an opportunity at Anfield, but ultimately they are top going into this round of fixtures. City may overtake them in the earlier kick off, but you expect the likes of Fernandes and Cavani to get chances at the Cottage - and I'd fancy them too take them.
Prediction: 1-3
Harry Reynolds
It’s impossible to be anything but impressed with Fulham in recent weeks. Scott Parker has steadied the ship massively, but they just can’t quite get that elusive win - in their last seven Premier League games, they’ve drawn five and lost only twice. This is another significant test for them against a Man United side who are unbeaten away from home all season, failing to win just twice. They probably feel like they had the chances to beat Liverpool at Anfield, but they should return to winning ways here, although Fulham won’t make it easy for them.
Prediction: 0-2
Chris Coughlin
Fulham have been a lot better defensive since switching to three-at-the-back but they are still struggling at the top end of the pitch and are without Antonee Robinson after his brainless challenge against Chelsea. I thought United were poor at Anfield and should’ve taken advantage of Liverpool’s lack of confidence. Bruno Fernandes in particular was invisible but I think he’ll show up at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: 0-2
LIVERPOOL VS BURNLEY, Thursday 8pm
Chris Stott
It's hard to fathom just what has happened to Liverpool of late! Three games, no goals is unheard of for them! And Burnley are not the kind of side you'd want when you a struggling to score goals. The Clarets got a point on their last visit at the back end of last season and given Liverpool's struggles you could see them repeating that. But I really don't see the Clarets scoring at the other end, and I can see the home side just nicking it with sheer persistence.
Prediction: 1-0
Harry Reynolds
Their defensive troubles are very well documented, but that is not the area of the pitch that Liverpool are having problems. They’ve conceded only twice in their last five league games, but scored just once since the 7-0 drubbing of Crystal Palace in mid-December, meaning they have a massive task to defend their title. In their current form, Burnley are one of the last sides they’d want to face. You know exactly what you’re going to get from Sean Dyche’s team - a very defensive performance - and if they can keep a clean sheet and take a point they’ll be over the moon. I feel as though Liverpool have to get back to winning ways eventually, and it might not be pretty, but they should win here.
Prediction: 1-0
Chris Coughlin
Liverpool have really hit a sticky patch, goalless in three and a half matches which is unheard of in Klopp’s reign. Burnley are the only team in the league who don’t have at least 10 goals so far and they’ll sit deep to try and grind out a point. Liverpool have to score again surely and they need to rediscover their form quickly or hopes of retaining their title could disappear before they know it.
Prediction: 2-0
ASTON VILLA VS NEWCASTLE UNITED, Saturday 8pm
Chris Stott
One of Villa's game in hand. Big game for them if they harbour European ambitions. Newcastle are a difficult one to judge. Often so negative but do show the odd moment and get enough results to get by. I do think however that Villa are a quality side who create so many chances that the damn will break here, and they'll get a crucial win.
Prediction: 2-0
Harry Reynolds
Steve Bruce returns to his former club with the pressure really ramping up on his job after yet another humbling defeat away at Arsenal. They’ve scored just twice in their last eight games, and after a decent start to the season, they are sliding closer to a relegation battle. This is the perfect fixture for Aston Villa to record another win, remaining in the hunt for European football next season, and the job that Dean Smith is doing is nothing short of remarkable.
Prediction: 2-0
Chris Coughlin
I’m not sure I can bring myself to predict a Newcastle win not until Saint-Maximin is back and firing. Villa will have some match sharpness back after the City game but until we know just how sharp they are, it could be a struggle for them all round. I’ll go for a draw here.
Prediction: 1-1
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