Tales Top Tips

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace

Saturday lunchtime kick-off between two in-form teams klaxon! Riyad Mahrez is back to his best, Leicester City are on the charge for Europe, Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray are hoping Gareth Southgate takes notice. Crystal Palace are on fire themselves right now, Wilfried Zaha is playing as well as he has ever played, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is doing his bit and before he got injured big Mama was a rock at the back. This would be a classic at any other time over the weekend, but as it is at 1230 on a Saturday I am calling it 0-0.

Leicester City 0 – 0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal vs Newcastle United

Newcastle don’t travel to London very well and they are hardly smashing it at home currently. Rafa’s men are on the slide but if you are going anywhere in the Premier League fancying your chances of getting something, it has to be Arsenal. They’ve drawn the last two league matches and still look like they are capable of being beaten or winning 5-0 in equal measure. For a bit of fun in this one, count how many times Alexis gives the ball away and you get a special bonus if he tries more than three chipped through balls in 90 minutes.

Arsenal 1 – 0 Newcastle United

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Burnley

If Burnley are serious about getting into Europe then this is the kind of match they really should win. If Brighton are serious about not ending up in the relegation scrap, this is the kind of match they really should not lose. Sean Dyche has tried not to say “look, Leicester did it” but if his boys remain unbeaten between now and New Year’s then who is saying Burnley couldn’t shock the world and finish in the top 4? Me. I’m saying it. Not a hope in hell, but it’s fun seeing them do so well.

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 – 2 Burnley

Chelsea vs Southampton

Mauricio Pellegrino has questioned some of this players this week after they were done 4-1 at home to Leicester City in the week. Antonio Conte saw Willian inspire his side to beat that troublesome Huddersfield lot 3-1. Everything says comfortable home win for Chelsea, but they are not doing much comfortably at the moment. But still, it’s Southampton and although Charlie Austin might score and Nathan Redmond might flatter to deceive Chelsea are not losing this.

Chelsea 3 – 1 Southampton

Stoke City vs West Ham United

You know what, this could be THREE clean sheets in a row for David Moyes. West Ham are looking better each week especially with Jose Hart on the bench. Stoke City have a softer middle than a chewy mint sweet and are always there for the taking. But wouldn’t it be so West Ham and so Stoke City for Hughes’ men to win this with ease? You know, because they all decided to turn up at once for once?

Stoke City 3 – 1 West Ham United

Watford vs Huddersfield Town

Watford used to be good this season. They are not very good right now. We’ve seen this before with Watford, yet we are all surprised. Huddersfield Town need a win and this is a winnable game for them. Fly them to the Mounie and back!

Watford 1 – 2 Huddersfield Town

Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Can Spurs stop City? If anyone can, Pochettino’s side can. But they won’t. City are going to win every single game between now and the end of time because Pep has reinvented football, OK? Frankly, as long as Dele Alli and Harry Kane do something I’m happy. Oh, and David Silva and Sergio Aguero. It should be a blockbuster of a game though with lots and lots of running around.

Manchester City 2 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester United

Alan Pardew is still trying to locate the leash so he can finally let WBA off it. Jose Mourinho is still trying to work out how one team that cost millions to assemble can still be so reliant on one player. This will not be one to watch for the purists and United will probably win. I’d love them to win to nil so that WBA keep Pardew waiting yet another game for this first goal – meaning each week that goes by increases the chance of the Dad dance coming out when they do finally score.

West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Manchester United

AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool

This fixture is typically tricky for a Liverpool side capable of making any match tricky if they really put their minds to it. Bournemouth will try and play, which will mean Liverpool will score at least twice. The question is, can they make sure Bournemouth don’t get at least two of their own? We shall see.

AFC Bournemouth 2 – 5 Liverpool

Everton vs Swansea City

This could be the worst game ever seen on TV screens. Don’t even go there. It could also be Paul Clement’s last game as a football manager in England.

Everton 3 – 0 Swansea City