Premier League 21/22: Matchday twenty one predictions

This season, the team's predictions will be available in weekly articles and they'll be in competition with a league too!

Read our pundits predictions below (For the games that still stand this weekend)

Arsenal v Man City - Saturday 1st January (12:30pm)

Harry Reynolds

To be fair to Arsenal, they have been very impressive in recent weeks. However, those wins have all come against teams you would expect them to beat; they haven’t troubled any of the top sides so far this term, as we saw in their bludgeoning at the Etihad in August. City are cantering to the league again and I think this will be a pretty comfortable evening for them.

Prediction: 0-2

Joe Richardson

I am starting to really like this Arsenal team. The football they are trying and continue to play is terrific. Bukayo Saka is back to the level he was playing at with England in the Euros and in Martin Odegaard, they have someone who can play the role that Mesut Ozil played for them, but has that added work rate that Mikel Arteta demands. However, they come up against a team in Manchester City who are the completely finished article, albeit with a wealth more resources at their disposal compared to Arsenal. It would be fascinating if Mikel Arteta tried something different tactically and attempt to outfox his former boss. But even so, City such an intelligent team and tactually adept in every game that they play.

Prediction: 1-3

Chris Coughlin: 0-2

Chris Stott: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-3

Leicester P-P Norwich

Watford v Spurs - Saturday 1st January (3pm)

Ryan Kirk

This really is a huge game for both. Watford need to start showing some backbone if they're to get themselves clear of the relegation zone while Spurs will be looking to right the wrongs of their draw against Southampton to push towards the top four. With Kane back in form and Son playing his regular starring role too, I've got to go for Tottenham here.

Prediction: 0-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Chris Stott: 0-2

Harry Reynolds: 1-3

Joe Richardson: 1-3

Crystal Palace v West Ham - Saturday 1st January (5:30pm)

Joe Richardson

Both these teams have overachieved so far this season, but I think they have both hit a bit of a wall and their level has suffered. Despite this, both teams won convincingly last time out, albeit against poor opposition. It is a tough one to call, but with Conor Gallagher missing, I give the Hammers the edge.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 2-3

Chris Stott: 1-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Ryan Kirk: 1-1

Brentford v Aston Villa - Sunday 2nd January (2pm)

Joe Richardson

It’s difficult to gauge when predicting these games whether a team having a game postponed favours them or not. On the one hand, they are not having to deal with the relentless Christmas fixture schedule. But on the other hand, we don’t know the scale or impact of covid cases on each individual club. All I can go off is what I’ve seen on the pitch. Brentford will need to reproduce the same intensity that they showed against City the other night, but their lack of quality could be their undoing again.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-1

Harry Reynolds: 0-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-2

Everton v Brighton - Sunday 2nd January (2pm)

Harry Reynolds

Crucially, Brighton have been able to build a bit of momentum with the win against Brentford followed by an excellent draw at Chelsea, while Everton haven’t played for over two weeks due to postponements. Brighton have lost on all four of their Premier League visits to Goodison, but I think that match sharpness will help them avoid defeat this time around.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Chris Stott: 2-2

Joe Richardson: 1-1

Ryan Kirk:1-1

Leeds v Burnley - Sunday 2nd January (2pm)

Chris Coughlin

Leeds have probably been grateful for their recent postponements to get some bodies back although whether they should've had the game called off effectively for injuries is another matter altogether. Burnley created decent chances early on against Manchester United on Thursday before being found wanting at the back. I think Leeds extra attacking prowess will get the job done for them at Elland Road.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Stott: 2-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-0

Joe Richardson: 2-0

Ryan Kirk: 2-1

Southampton v Newcastle - Sunday 2nd January (2pm)

Chris Stott

It's difficult to put into words just how unlucky Newcastle were to not take all three points off Manchester United on Monday. They were absolutely superb before hitting the post late on through Jacob Murphy. Southampton, likewise, were very good against Spurs for the majority of the first half but it was always going to be backs against the wall against Salisu's sending off. With all that in mind, I'm backing the Toon to make it a winning start to 2022.

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Joe Richardson: 2-1

Ryan Kirk: 2-1

Chelsea v Liverpool - Sunday 2nd January (4:30pm)

Harry Reynolds

I honestly don’t see how Chelsea can possibly win this game. They’ve fallen off a cliff in the last month, registering only two league wins, and now face a Liverpool side desperate to bounce back from defeat at Leicester. Liverpool have a really good record at Stamford Bridge too, and the way that Chelsea have been conceding goals will delight the Reds’ attackers. I think this game will be the final nail in the coffin for Chelsea’s title challenge.

Prediction: 1-3

Joe Richardson

A defeat for either of these two could well see their title challenge curtailed, especially if City were to beat Arsenal. Then again, a draw would suit neither and would certainly suit Pep Guardiola’s men. Liverpool will want to take full advantage of having their starman Mo Salah at their disposal before he, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita jet off for the African Cup of Nations. Chelsea look a shadow of the team that looked so dominant just a month ago and I fancy Liverpool to turn them over.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-1

Ryan Kirk: 2-2

Man Utd v Wolves - Monday 3rd January (5:30pm)

Joe Richardson

These are the types of games that Manchester United have really struggled in in recent seasons. A dogged, determined opponent who will restrict them and play on the counter attack. You often see the shall we say less charismatic managers such as Bruno Lage, fly under the radar in terms of the job that they are doing and he is doing a very good one. Wolves defensively have been immaculate, having conceded just two in their last seven matches, and they were to City and Liverpool respectively. I fancy them to nick all three points at Old Trafford.

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 2-0

Chris Stott: 1-0

Harry Reynolds: 1-0

Ryan Kirk: 1-1