The Premier League never sleeps. We just finished digesting 32 goals from Gameweek 20 and now we have another massive round of fixtures landing midweek. Gameweek 21 has everything you could ask for. We have a title race clash between Arsenal and Liverpool, Chelsea potentially debuting their new manager, and several relegation six-pointers that could define the rest of the season.
Let me break down what I think will happen in each match.
Tuesday, January 6
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
West Ham are in freefall. They have gone nine consecutive Premier League matches without a victory and currently sit in 18th place, four points from safety. Their defeat to previously winless Wolves last weekend was absolutely embarrassing. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is under serious pressure and there are already reports suggesting he could be sacked.
Nottingham Forest are not in great form themselves, losing their last few matches. However, they sit in 17th place and have a four-point cushion over West Ham. A win here would be massive for their survival hopes.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Forest have more to play for and West Ham look completely broken.
Wednesday, January 7
Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Tottenham cannot win at home. They have failed to win seven of their nine Premier League home matches this season. So what makes anyone think they will suddenly click away from home? Spurs were booed off after their 1-1 draw with Sunderland last weekend, and the pressure on Thomas Frank is growing by the day.
Bournemouth pushed Arsenal all the way in a 3-2 loss and have been competitive against the big sides this season.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Tottenham
Spurs will find a way to mess this up.
Brentford vs Sunderland
Igor Thiago is on fire. The Brazilian striker grabbed a hat-trick against Everton to take his season tally to 14 Premier League goals. Brentford are flying in seventh place and have genuine hopes of European football.
Sunderland have been impressive since their promotion but this is a tough away trip against in-form opposition.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Sunderland
Thiago will continue his hot streak and Brentford will edge a close one.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Crystal Palace are in crisis. They have now gone seven matches without a victory and their new signing Brennan Johnson had a nightmare debut against Newcastle. Manager Oliver Glasner is struggling to get a tune out of this squad.
Aston Villa are flying. They sit in third place with 42 points, level with Manchester City on points but behind on goal difference. They have won 11 straight home games and are genuine title contenders.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Aston Villa
This should be comfortable for Villa. Palace have nothing going for them right now.
Everton vs Wolves
Two struggling sides meet in what is essentially a relegation battle already. Everton were hammered 4-2 by Brentford at home and their defensive problems continue. Wolves got their first Premier League win of the season against West Ham and will have a bit more confidence.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Wolves
Neither side deserves to win. A point each feels right.
Fulham vs Chelsea
This is fascinating. Chelsea are expected to announce Liam Rosenior as their new manager this week after Enzo Maresca departed on New Year’s Day. Rosenior, who currently manages BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, flew to London on Sunday for final negotiations. If all goes to plan, this could be his first match in charge.
Fulham are coming off that incredible 2-2 draw with Liverpool where Harrison Reed scored a 97th-minute thunderbolt. Craven Cottage will be bouncing.
Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Chelsea
Too much chaos at Chelsea to expect a clean performance, even with a new manager bounce.
Manchester City vs Brighton
Manchester City dropped two points at home to managerless Chelsea and now sit six points behind Arsenal. Pep Guardiola needs a response from his team and Brighton at home should provide it.
Brighton ended their six-game winless run by beating Burnley 2-0 but this is a completely different level of challenge.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
City will be angry after dropping points. Brighton will get a goal but not much else.
Burnley vs Manchester United
Burnley are stuck in the relegation zone and have only won a handful of games all season. Manchester United drew 1-1 at Leeds in a fiery encounter and remained inconsistent under Ruben Amorim. Will interim coach Fletcher be able to guide them to victory?
United have enough quality to win this but it will not be pretty.
Prediction: Burnley 0-1 Manchester United
A scrappy away win for United. Nothing spectacular.
Newcastle vs Leeds
Newcastle are now 11 games unbeaten at St James’ Park across all competitions. Bruno Guimaraes is in excellent form and the atmosphere in that stadium is electric.
Leeds have been impressive since their promotion and drew 1-1 with Manchester United last weekend. Daniel Farke has his team playing good football but away at Newcastle is a huge test.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Leeds
Newcastle’s home form is too good. Leeds will compete but fall just short.
Thursday, January 8
Arsenal vs Liverpool
The big one. Arsenal sit top of the table with 48 points, six points clear of Manchester City in second. Liverpool are down in fourth with 34 points after drawing 2-2 with Fulham in that crazy match.
Arsenal have been excellent this season under Mikel Arteta. Declan Rice is playing the best football of his career, scoring his first Premier League brace in 296 appearances against Bournemouth. The Emirates will be rocking for this one.
Liverpool are defending champions but have not been at their best this season. That late collapse against Fulham was a hammer blow to their title hopes.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Arsenal at home in a title race match. They have the quality and the crowd behind them. Liverpool will fight but the Gunners edge it.
Gameweek 21 Expert Predictions Table
| Match | Expert Pick | Predicted Score |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham vs Nottingham Forest | Forest Win | 1-2 |
| Bournemouth vs Tottenham | Bournemouth Win | 2-1 |
| Brentford vs Sunderland | Brentford Win | 2-1 |
| Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa | Villa Win | 0-2 |
| Everton vs Wolves | Draw | 1-1 |
| Fulham vs Chelsea | Draw | 2-2 |
| Man City vs Brighton | Man City Win | 3-1 |
| Burnley vs Man United | Man United Win | 0-1 |
| Newcastle vs Leeds | Newcastle Win | 2-1 |
| Arsenal vs Liverpool | Arsenal Win | 2-1 |
Home Wins: 5 | Away Wins: 3 | Draws: 2
Upset Potential: Nottingham Forest could grab a massive three points at West Ham if the Hammers continue their terrible form.
Match to Watch: Arsenal vs Liverpool. Title race implications, two massive clubs, Thursday night under the lights at the Emirates. Does not get much better than this.
If I Had To Pick One Sure Bet It Would Be: Aston Villa To Beat Crystal Palace
This is as close to a guaranteed win as you will find in football. Aston Villa are second in the table with 42 points and just smashed Nottingham Forest 4-1 at Villa Park. Unai Emery has his squad playing beautiful attacking football and they have been one of the most consistent teams in the league all season.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are a total mess. They have gone seven consecutive matches without a win across all competitions. Their last victory came against Shelbourne in the Conference League back on December 11. In the Premier League, they just lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle and looked completely toothless going forward.
Villa have kept five consecutive clean sheets against Palace at home. The form guide says Villa. The table says Villa. The momentum says Villa. Everything points to an away win here, and I would be shocked if Palace managed to get anything from this game. If you are only betting on one match this week, make it this one.
