After a crazy round of midweek fixtures, the Premier League returns this weekend with a number of teams desperate for results.
In terms of the title race, Manchester City must bounce back from losing to Newcastle but they will not find it plain sailing against Arsenal at the Etihad. Meanwhile, Liverpool must wait until Monday night to respond against West Ham.
There are crucial games at the bottom too with Crystal Palace taking on Fulham and Burnley clashing with Southampton. What’s more, Huddersfield will be looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s troubles, while Manchester United could leapfrog the Blues by beating Leicester.
Two Squawka writers have had a good look at this weekend’s fixtures, made some predictions and identified the players to watch in each game.
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Steve Jennings: Spurs are struggling to win matches convincingly without Harry Kane, but they’ve still managed to win their last two league games. I expect another narrow victory over a potentially over-confident Newcastle, who shocked the champions in midweek. Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle.
Will Eldridge: A late win for Spurs against Watford means they are now just two points behind second-placed Manchester City. Son Heung-min’s return will fill them with confidence but Newcastle’s active transfer window may just do the same. Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Despite some substandard displays, Fernando Llorente has scored two goals in his last three games and, remarkably, has found the net nine times in his previous seven starts. Llorente is 4/1 to open the scoring with BetBull.
Brighton vs Watford
SJ: Both sides threw away leads and lost in midweek, and it’s difficult to call which side will be more eager to bounce back. Brighton were winless in the league in January so perhaps they are due a victory. Brighton 2-1 Watford. The hosts are 8/1 to win 2-1 with BetBull.
WE: A disappointing turnaround away to Fulham leaves Brighton with just two wins in the last 11 games in all competitions. The Hornets will see this as an opportunity to keep their quest for a seventh-place finish alive and kicking. Brighton 1-1 Watford.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Watford must be wary of the inventive threat Pascal Groß poses. He has created 2.08 chances per 90 league minutes this term, more than any other Brighton player.
Burnley vs Southampton
SJ: Burnley were unlucky not to leave Old Trafford with all three points on Tuesday and they will be desperate for a home win against another side hovering above the relegation zone. But Southampton haven’t lost since December and that could continue here. Burnley 1-1 Southampton.
WE: Two sides at the bottom end of the table, this could really go either way. This has a last-minute Peter Crouch winner written all over it, doesn’t it? Burnley 2-1 Southampton. A 2-1 home win is 8/1 with BetBull.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Burnley’s surprise deadline day arrival, Peter Crouch, could equal the record of scoring for seven different Premier League clubs.
Chelsea vs Huddersfield
SJ: Chelsea fell apart at Bournemouth on Wednesday, so a recovery is desperately needed against Huddersfield. If the Blues show the required level of intensity, they shouldn’t have too many problems. In fact, they could end up thumping the Terriers. Chelsea 4-0 Huddersfield.
WE: The Blues will be feeling just that having allowed their rivals to catch up with them in the last available Champions League space. It would take a brave man to think Huddersfield can pick anything up from this fixture, which last year saw them secure their survival under former manager David Wagner. Chelsea 3-0 Huddersfield.
PLAYER TO WATCH: New Chelsea man Gonzalo Higuain didn’t attempt a single shot on his Premier League debut. He’ll be more than eager to get among the goals against Huddersfield. Higuain is 10/3 to score two or more goals with BetBull.
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
SJ: Palace have been struggling for goals at home in the Premier League, but their impressive 2-0 victory over Spurs in the FA Cup should help. However, Fulham aren’t short of goals themselves. Crystal Palace 2-2 Fulham. The draw is 12/5 with BetBull.
WE: ‘The Bat’ is in town as the Eagles secured Michy Batshuyi’s signature until the end of the season. An interesting London derby down the foot of the table that could be extremely tight. Expect Fulham to put up a decent showing. Crystal Palace 2-1 Fulham.
PLAYER TO WATCH: With Wilfried Zaha suspended, the onus will be on Andros Townsend to get Palace up the pitch. Only Zaha (3.15) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (1.75) have completed more dribbles per 90 league minutes than Townsend (1.57) for Palace this term.
Everton vs Wolves
SJ: Wolves were excellent against West Ham in midweek. They must now prove they are the seventh best team in the league ahead of Everton, who could do with all three points themselves. This will be a tight one. Everton 1-1 Wolves.
WE: Under pressure, Marco Silva will be praying that his side can get a result over the only side outside of the top six who sit above them. Wolves are always a tough side to beat so this is too close to call. Everton 1-1 Wolves. A 1-1 draw is 9/2 with BetBull.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Only three Premier League players have made more tackles this season than Wolves’ Joao Moutinho (77), who will boost Wolves’ chances of controlling the midfield battle.
Cardiff City vs Bournemouth
SJ: A narrow defeat at Arsenal should push Cardiff to get a result against Bournemouth, regardless of the high Eddie Howe’s men will be on after their stunning victory over Chelsea. Cardiff could bring the Cherries back down to earth here. Cardiff 2-1 Bournemouth.
WE: A majestic result at home for Bournemouth against Chelsea will lift their mood. However, Cardiff are a tough side to beat on Welsh soil and it is one of those matches where I can see Neil Warnock’s side getting something. Cardiff 1-0 Bournemouth.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Understandably, Cardiff ‘keeper Neil Etheridge has made the second-highest number of saves in the Premier League this season (87) but has conceded the most goals (46). Cardiff are 6/4 to keep a clean sheet (Bournemouth under 1.0 goals) with BetBull.
Leicester vs Manchester United
SJ: Leicester have a habit of getting results against the big boys, and the first signs of a coming defeat were on show when Man United scraped a draw against Burnley. I’ve got a feeling the Foxes will provide the shock of the weekend. Leicester 2-1 Man United. Leicester are 5/2 to win with BetBull.
WE: Everton’s Silva and Leicester’s Claude Puel are the two managers under the most pressure in the Premier League. The last thing the Foxes would want is to face in-form Manchester United, who will be keen to continue their excellence under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Leicester 1-1 Man United.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Central midfielder Paul Pogba has attempted the third highest amount of shots in the league this season (76). Will he score his first goal from open play since December?
Man City vs Arsenal
SJ: Manchester City simply can’t afford to lose any more ground on Liverpool in the title race. A response to Tuesday’s defeat at Newcastle is needed and it’s difficult to see Arsenal stemming the inevitable tide at the Etihad. Man City 3-0 Arsenal.
WE: A massive clash that is vital to both sides. City’s loss to Newcastle has made this a must-win game for Pep Guardiola’s side, while Arsenal will not want to fall out of the top four places so soon after dragging themselves into them. Man City 3-1 Arsenal. Man City are 8/1 to win 3-1 with BetBull.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit the woodwork three times this season, although that hasn’t done his goalscoring any damage with 15 goals so far this campaign.
West Ham vs Liverpool
SJ: Liverpool will be looking to respond to City’s result regardless of how the champions do against Arsenal. West Ham will put up a fight but the Reds are certain to hit them on the counter. If they take their chances, Liverpool will be fine. West Ham 0-2 Liverpool.
WE: A Monday night fixture that’ll have more significance for Liverpool once they know how City did the day before. Depending on which West Ham turn up, this could be a tough ask for Liverpool. West Ham 1-1 Liverpool. The draw is 4/1 with BetBull.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Only two Premier League players this season have been issued more yellow cards than West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass (8). The Scot will be eager to break up Liverpool’s counter-attacking play and could earn himself another caution.
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