Prem Talk: Matchday 20 predictions

There's a full fixture list in the Premier League this midweek which includes Everton hosting Leicester and Tottenham entertaining Liverpool.

Our pundits give their predictions in what could be a crucial few days at the top and bottom of the Premier League...

Crystal Palace v West Ham, Tuesday 6pm

Chris Coughlin

David Moyes has got a really good thing going at West Ham and it's a squad who, for once, look like they believe in their own ability. Declan Rice is going from strength to strength and Michail Antonio is such a threat up front. The only problem with him is keeping him fit. Palace had a week off with no FA Cup game but they just can't get going at the moment and were thumped 4-0 by City last time out. I'll go for the Hammers here.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Stott

Anyone who listens to the podcast regularly knows my thoughts on Crystal Palace. What a job David Moyes is doing at West Ham. I'm really happy to see him settled at a club and doing some good work.

Prediction: 0-2

Kieran Makin: 1-2

Balve Bains: 0-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Newcastle v Leeds, Tuesday 6pm

There were goals galore at Elland Road as Leeds hit five against Newcastle last month

Balve Bains

I can't see anything other than a Leeds win here and I'm going to go for a comprehensive win here. They do need a win after a rocky run but they should get the better of Newcastle who are in a really rotten spell.

Prediction: 0-3

Kieran Makin

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds can often be a case of Jekyll and Hyde but I've said all along this season, you have to go toe-to-toe with Leeds. You have to attack fire with fire. Newcastle can't do that and I think Leeds will just open them up.

Prediction: 0-3

Chris Coughlin: 0-2

Harry Reynolds: 0-2

Chris Stott: 0-4

Southampton v Arsenal, Tuesday 8:15pm

Chris Stott

These two played each other in the FA Cup at the weekend with the Saints getting the better of the Gunners by a goal to nil. Southampton are a side having a very good season but Arsenal have picked up recently. I don't see a lot between them to be honest.

Prediction: 1-1

Harry Reynolds

These teams meet again just three days after Southampton knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory. It’s likely that we’ll see a very different Arsenal team, given that Mikel Arteta made a number of changes for that game. They’ve been on a decent run too, keeping five successive clean sheets in the Premier League, and they can leapfrog the hosts into the top half of the table with a win. I don’t see that happening though, as Arsenal have benefited from a run of fixtures against teams in awful form. I’ll take Southampton to get a quick fire double.

Prediction: 2-0

Kieran Makin: 1-1

Balve Bains: 0-2

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

West Brom v Man City, Tuesday 8:15pm

A determined performance from West Brom saw them claim a point in Slaven Bilic's final game in charge

Chris Coughlin

Man City face a crucial month or so in their title challenge with Kevin De Bruyne having being ruled out with a hamstring injury. Whilst City's squad depth is unrivalled in England, missing KDB will weaken any team. Saying that, I full expect them to get the better of a Baggies side who are still yet to score at the Hawthorns under Sam Allardyce and I think it'll be comprehensive.

Prediction: 0-3

Kieran Makin

It's funny to think that Slaven Bilic's last act as West Brom manager was to get a point at the Etihad before Christmas with a 1-1 draw. However, we're looking at completely difference Manchester City team at the minute. I cannot see them conceding a goal.

Prediction: 0-4

Balve Bains: 1-5

Chris Stott: 0-3

Harry Reynolds: 0-3

Burnley v Aston Villa, Wednesday 6pm

Chris Stott:

Two sides at different ends of the table, the only similarity is the colours that they wear. I'm going to go for a draw here but I think there might be goals which is a rarity where Burnley are involved and, admittedly, that wouldn't help my Fantasy Football hopes of another Martinez clean sheet.

Prediction: 1-1

Harry Reynolds

With just their 10th goal in 18 games, Burnley managed to end Liverpool’s unbeaten home record which stretched back to 2017 last week, pulling them seven points clear of the drop zone. The lack of firepower is a concern, and their last five league games have all ended 1-0 either way. Aston Villa have been fantastic to watch this term, and the turnaround from survival on the final day last season has been remarkable. Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought against Newcastle in a game that Villa were totally dominant in, and I think they’ll win again, though this will be a much tougher test

Prediction: 0-2

Kieran Makin: 0-0

Balve Bains: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Listen to Chris Stott, Balve Bains and Kieran Makin discuss the midweek games in the latest Prem Talk

Chelsea v Wolves, Wednesday 6pm

A late Pedro Neto strike shocked Chelsea as Wolves came from behind at Molineux earlier this season

Balve Bains

I think Tammy Abraham has to start this game after getting a hattrick against Luton in the FA Cup. I think he'll score as well in Chelsea's first game after the sacking of Frank Lampard. I think it'll ultimately be comfortable against a Wolves' side who are struggling at the moment.

Prediction: 3-1

Kieran Makin

Wolves won the return match at Molineux 2-1 but the way Wolves are going at the minute, I can't see a repeat here. I think Chelsea will be desperate as well to turn around this run of results especially after such a poor showing at Leicester. I also think Abraham starts but I'm worried for Werner at Stamford Bridge. He wasn't great again against Luton and missed a penalty.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Stott: 2-0

Chris Coughlin: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Brighton v Fulham, 7:30pm

Chris Coughlin

This is huge at the bottom of the table. Barring a bit of a nightmare against Burnley in the FA Cup on Sunday, Fulham have been much better over the last month or so. Brighton have been a so-close-yet-so-far team this season and it's incredible to think Saturday's win against Blackpool was only their second win at the Amex all season with the only other one being a 4-0 win against Pompey in the EFL cup. Ademola Lookman in particular has impressed me recently and I'll go for Fulham to make the relegation battle a real dogfight.

Prediction: 0-2

Chris Stott:

I think Fulham have to go for this. For Brighton, it's a case of "Do not lose" and, to be fair, I think that's the case for Fulham as well. For all the good work they've done in the last few weeks, they've really got to get something from this. I fancy the Cottagers here and that would put the cat amongst the pigeons in the relegation battle.

Prediction: 0-2

Balve Bains: 0-0

Kieran Makin: 1-3

Harry Reynolds: 1-2

Everton v Leicester, 8:15pm

Everton won 2-0 at the King Power last month in one of their most impressive wins this season

Harry Reynolds

Who would’ve thought this game would potentially have title implications at the start of the season? Everton sit just six points behind Leicester in the table with two games in hand, but for some reason their ceiling has been capped at securing Europa League football by the media, while Leicester are supposedly in the title race. With no Jamie Vardy, the Foxes are a lot less threatening at the top end of the pitch, even if Kelechi Iheanacho did score in both games against Everton last season. Brendan Rodgers has lost all four games he’s managed against Carlo Ancelotti, and with the home side racking up seven wins in their last eight, including a 2-0 victory at the King Power a month ago, I think Everton will fancy their chances of repeating the feat.

Prediction: 2-0

Balve Bains

I think Leicester will win this one. I think they've got more of a presence about them, and if they turn up, they'll beat Everton and get revenge on the 2-0 defeat at the King Power. No Jamie Vardy is of course a concern, but James Maddison and Harvey Barnes are looking really good at the moment.

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 2-0

Chris Stott: 1-1

Kieran Makin: 1-0

Man United v Sheffield United

Chris Coughlin

There's very few results this season that I've been more confident about calling than this one. Sheffield United gave the Red Devils a real scare at Bramall Lane but this is completely different. When you consider that John Egan is suspended as well, this could be one-way traffic from the first whistle. I can't see anything other than a comprehensive United win here

Prediction: 4-0

Chris Stott

I think United will win this but I think it'll be a bit of a slog. Historically, in the last few seasons, United have struggled against sides who just sit back. I can see Sheffield United sitting back but not to the levels of West Brom. Ultimately, with the form United have been in, you have to back them to break the bottom side down.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 3-0

Kieran Makin: 3-0

Balve Bains: 3-0

Tottenham v Liverpool, Thursday 8pm

Liverpool were top of the table after Firmino's late winner last month but they could be 7th by Thursday night

Kieran Makin

There will be a winner and I just think Liverpool aren't in the best place at the moment. If Spurs don't go for it, they've missed a massive opportunity. I can't see Jose risking that, however, and I'm also going to go for Liverpool's non-scoring run to continue. What I will say is that this is the perfect game for the Reds in terms of if they beat Spurs then all of a sudden those worries and concerns are gone. Either that or it could be another nightmare.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Reynolds

These teams were the top two in the league when they met at Anfield in December, with Roberto Firmino snatching a last minute winner for Liverpool. They followed that up with a 7-0 annihilation of Crystal Palace, but haven’t won in the league in five games since, and have gone four league games without a goal. If they lose this, they are in huge danger of missing out on the Champions League, let alone defending their title. Jose Mourinho will make it very difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s misfiring attack to score in this game, and as they demonstrated against Man City and Arsenal, they can be deadly on the counter attack. I think this is a bad match up for Liverpool, and Spurs can keep themselves in touch with the leaders and get a win here.

Prediction: 1-0

Balve Bains: 0-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-1

Chris Stott: 1-1