Liverpool’s relentless pursuit of Manchester City continues at Bournemouth, a small club that is more than holding its own in the top flight yet again. Will Klopp’s men finally come unstuck, at Dean Court? John Newsome has been working overtime, this week, keeping up with the hectic schedule. Here are his predictions for all game-week 16 matches. You can view all previous analysis from John’s weekly column here – English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
BOURNEMOUTH v LIVERPOOL
Early Saturday Afternoon Football live on Sky Sports sees Liverpool travel the long trip South to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth beat Huddersfield on Tuesday night 2-1 with goals from Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser. The Cherries have an extra day to recover having played a day earlier than Liverpool. That win takes Bournemouth to 6th in the Premier League Table and stops the poor run of 4 defeats.
Liverpool comfortably beat Burnley 3-1 on Wednesday night with goals from James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri. Comfortable but the Clarets did take a 1-0 lead to shock the Reds into life. Jack Cork put Burnley in front after the break, which woke Liverpool up, they then took control to run out 3-1 winners and keep pace with City. At least Jurgen didn’t go running on the pitch. Liverpool maintain their pursuit of Man City and come into this early game on Saturday knowing that they have an important Champions League game next Tuesday so team selection is key against Bournemouth and it’s whether Jurgen will rest certain players or do as they should and take each game as it comes.
This game last season was played at virtually the same time in mid-December and finished a resounding 4-0 to Liverpool. Philip Coutinho scored the 1st for the Reds in one of his final appearances for Liverpool before his move to Barcelona. Dejan Lovren, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino got the other 3 giving the Liverpool faithful a happy trip back home
Bet 365 offer Bournemouth at 15/4, the Draw at 3/1 and 4/6 for Liverpool to come away from the Vitality with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 10/3 that Mo Salah is the 1st Goal Scorer and 13/2 that Ryan Fraser scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-3
ARSENAL v HUDDERSFIELD
This is Arsenal’s first 3.00 PM Saturday afternoon kick-off since the end of September so the Gunners faithful may find this a pleasant change from playing on Sundays.
Arsenal come into this game off the back of a great result against North London rivals Tottenham and a 2-2 Draw with relegation-threatened Manchester United. The Gunners took the lead twice against United with goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexandre Lacazette. Lacazette’s goal was credited to United defender Marcos Rojo but it was Alexandre’s and he should be onto the dubious goal committee to claim it back. United equalised in quick succession after both goals and in the end, this was a fair result.
Huddersfield lost back to back games in the space of 3 days in their midweek clash down on the South Coast against Bournemouth. After losing 2-1 on Saturday at home against Brighton, the Terriers faithful travelled the long trip South to Bournemouth and saw their team beaten 2-1 again against the Cherries. That loss has brought Huddersfield back into the relegation places and this trip to the Emirates will be another stern test against a rampant Gunners side who haven’t lost in 20 games now.
This game last season was played on a Wednesday night at the end of November and finished 5-0 to Arsenal. Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez, Mezut Ozil and a couple from Olivier Giroud gave the Gooners the great win that day. Significantly Alexis and Olivier both left Arsenal soon after.
At least the loyal Terriers faithful travel to the Capital at a reasonable time this year and can get back to West Yorkshire before midnight, however, they will need plenty of spare change to pay over £3 quid for a pint. They won’t be used to that and no doubt there will be a lot of cries of “How Much ?” Some may even be still making their way back North after the Tuesday night trip to Bournemouth and have made a holiday of the 2 games.
Bet 365 offer Arsenal at Odds On 1/4, the Draw at 19/4 and a massive 10/1 for Huddersfield to come away from the Capital with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 6/4 that Arsenal Win and there will be Over 3.5 Goals.
Home Win 4-0
CARDIFF v SOUTHAMPTON
Cardiff were well beaten on Tuesday night away at West Ham with the Bubbles comfortably beating the Bluebirds 3-1. That doesn’t tell the full story and things could have been different if Joe Ralls had converted a 1st-half penalty. With the scores level at half-time, West Ham ran away in the 2nd-half and scored 3 goals. Josh Murphy did get a late consolation for Cardiff but ultimately this was another loss for the now 70-year-old Neil Warnock. This home game against a struggling Southampton is very winnable and Neil knows that these are the games that Cardiff have to win.
Both teams are languishing just above the bottom 3 of the Premier League after the midweek games and whilst Big Neil’s job is pretty safe, the same can’t be said of Mark Hughes, with the Southampton Board buckling under the pressure and sacking Mark. They have decided the unknown and excellently named Ralph Hasenhüttl is the man for the job and Wreck-it Ralph should be in the dugout for this 6-pointer against Cardiff. Kelvin Davies was in temporary charge for the midweek game at Wembley against Tottenham. However, Kelvin couldn’t change the fortunes of the Saints and Southampton were well beaten by Spurs. They did manage a consolation goal late on through Charlie Austin but Tottenham were 3-0 up at the time. Ralph has a tough task at St Mary’s to overturn the fortunes but the Board must see something in him to give him the Top Job to stave off relegation.
Bet 365 have this game pretty even and offer Cardiff at 9/5, the Draw at 11/5 and 31/20 for Ralph to record his 1st Win and come away with all 3 points.
Bet 365 Offer 15/2 that the Scoreline is 0-0 and 2/1 that there are Under 1.5 Goals. Which basically means 0-0 or 1-0.
Draw 0-0
BURNLEY v BRIGHTON
Burnley find themselves in the bottom 3 of the Premier League after the midweek games. Another loss against Liverpool on Wednesday heaped more pressure on Sean Dyche and his boys. The Clarets did take the lead through Jack Cork to give the Burnley faithful hope, but then Liverpool sparked into life and ran out 3-1 winners.
Brighton got a terrific result against fierce rivals Crystal Palace on Tuesday in what is affectionately known as the ‘M23 Derby’. Brighton ran out 3-1 winners scoring all 3 goals in the 1st-half. Glenn Murray converted a penalty early on to get his goal of the season, Florin Andone got the 2nd and Leon Balugon made it 3 before half-time. The Seagulls were reduced to 10-men when Shane Duffy was sent-off and had to play all the 2nd-half a man down. Despite giving away a penalty which Palace converted and briefly had thoughts of a comeback, Brighton held on and claimed bragging rights in the Derby between the 2 clubs which are 35 miles apart.
This was one of the final games of last season and was played in late April. The game ended 0-0 which suited both sides and the point helped Burnley in them securing a Europa League place and helped Brighton in securing safety and another season in the Premier League.
Bet 365 offer Burnley at 7/4, the Draw at 21/10 and 13/8 for Brighton to head the long trip home with all 3 points.
Bet 365 Offer 9/2 that Glenn Murray scores the 1st Goal and 7/4 that Big Glenn scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1
MANCHESTER UNITED v FULHAM
Manchester United came back twice against Arsenal midweek to get a well deserved 2-2 Draw. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard got both the equalisers after falling behind to give United a point in their fight against relegation. Jose’s team selection spoke volumes selecting 8 defenders and a goalkeeper with just Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford up front in the hope of a breakaway. Jose looks like a dead man walking and his Champions League Results are key. After this game against Fulham, there is the small matter of a trip to Anfield. That’s for the future and a convincing win against struggling Fulham in front of the United faithful is the only result which will appease the fans.
Fulham got a decent Draw against Leicester in the ‘Claudio Ranieri Derby’ Aboubaker Kamara gave Fulham the 1st-half lead but were pegged back in the 2nd-half giving them a well-deserved point. That point, however, doesn’t change Fulham’s position at the bottom of the Premier League and this game against United may not change their position, despite United’s poor form at the moment. Claudio will improve the Cottages but whether he can prevent relegation only time will tell.
It’s 2014 when these 2 clubs last met and Fulham got a great point in a 2-2 Draw at Old Trafford. The significance of that meeting was it was one of David Moyes last games as United boss and the Fulham boss that day was Rene Meulensteen.
The irony being is when David took over at Manchester United, who were the current Premier League Champions, David decided in his wisdom to get rid of Rene Meulensteen, who, along with Mike Phelan, had been an integral part of the United coaching staff who had been so successful under Sir Alex Ferguson.
What Mr Moyes should have done when he rocked up at Old Trafford was get out a deck-chair and a cee-gar and said to Mike and Rene “Crack on boys, you are doing a great job!” The subsequent demise of Manchester United can be traced back to that decision made by David Moyes.
Bet 365 offer United at Odds On 2/7, the Draw at 9/2 and 17/2 for Fulham to come away with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 11/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals and 11/4 that Alexandar Mitrovic Scores Anytime.
Home Win 3-0
WEST HAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
West Ham got a great result midweek beating Cardiff 3-1 at the London Stadium. Cardiff did miss a penalty in the 1st-half and just prior to the break, West Ham‘s influential striker Marco Arnautovic was taken off with what looked like a severe injury. Marco was seen on crutches after the game and will be struggling for this game against London rivals Crystal Palace.
What looked like a disappointment for the Bubbles faithful losing their talisman turned out to be a blessing when Marko’s replacement Lucas Perez scored 2 goals after the break.
Antonio Valencia made it 3-0 before Josh Murphy scored a very late consolation for Cardiff in the 95th-minute but ultimately just a consolation and the Hammers ran out 3-1 winners.
Crystal Palace played in a game which also finished 3-1 however, Palace were on the losing end of the scoreline after their trip to Brighton. After already being 3-0 down, Luka Milivojevic converted a late penalty but ultimately this was just a consolation and Palace come into this game having not won in games. Worrying times for the Eagles and this trip to the London Stadium will be another tough ask.
This game last season was played at the end of January and finished 1-1. A Mark Noble penalty cancelled out a Christian Benteke strike early in the 1st-half giving both teams a share of the points at the London Stadium. West Ham youngster Reece Oxford made a rare appearance as a late substitute that day but as not featured so much since for the Hammers, even spending time on loan at Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bet 365 offer West Ham at 11/10, the Draw at 12/5 and the same 12/5 for Crystal Palace to head Back across London with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 11/4 that West Ham Win to Nil and 22/1 that Crystal Palace Miss a Penalty.
Home Win 2-0
CHELSEA v MAN CITY
Late Saturday Afternoon Football live on BT Sports and what a cracker at Stamford Bridge.
After a brilliant start to life at Stamford Bridge, Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea have now lost 2 out of the last 3 Premier League games. The 1st one against Tottenham is understandable but the midweek defeat to Wolves came out of the blue. Wolves were on a terrible run of form losing 5 out of 6 so Chelsea headed to Molineux optimistic of getting the win. Ruben Loftus-Cheek had given Chelsea the 1st-half lead but Wolves took control after the break and ran out 2-1 winners giving Maurizio serious food for thought. This home game against City will be another tough ask and Chelsea will have to be on top form to compete with Pep’s City.
Man City got the result at Vicarage Rd on Tuesday night. It wasn’t a vintage performance from Pep’s boys but the 2-1 scoreline was mainly down to the fine work carried out by the Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster. Foster had a superb game preventing City from scoring more goals before Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez calmed the nerves of the Citizens. Watford did get a late goal which was a very scrappy affair but ultimately this was just a consolation and City took the points to go into this game against Chelsea at the Top of the Premier League.
This fixture last season was one of the earlier games played at the end of September and finished 1-0 to Man City. Kevin De Bruyne got the only goal midway through the 2nd-half giving City the all-important win.
Bet 365 offer Chelsea at 16/5, the Draw at 11/4 and Odds On 4/5 for City to come away from Stamford Bridge with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 7/2 for Over 4.5 Goals and 13/8 Raheem Sterling Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-3
LEICESTER v TOTTENHAM
Leicester take on Tottenham in this season’s new TV time slot of 7.45 PM on a Saturday Night live on BT Sports.
James Maddison aka ‘Tom Daley’ got the equaliser in the 2nd-half of the ‘Claudio Ranieri’ Derby at the King Power. James is a very good player and doesn’t need to dive to gain the advantage, he just has to showcase his skills and the rest will take care of itself.
Tottenham ran out 3-1 winners at Wembley on Wednesday night against a struggling Southampton side. Harry Kane opened the scoring early in the 1st-half with Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min adding the 2nd and 3rd. Southampton did get a very late consolation but were never really in the game and Tottenham got back to winning ways after their defeat to fierce rivals Arsenal.
This game last season was played at the end of November and finished 2-1 to the Foxes. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez got the Leicester goals that day with Harry Kane getting the Spurs consolation.
Bet 365 offer Leicester at 13/5, the Draw at 5/2 and Evens 1/1 for Tottenham to head back home (wherever that is !) with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 3/1 that Harry Kane Scores the 1st Goal and 13/8 that Jamie Vardy Scores Anytime.
Draw 2-2
NEWCASTLE v WOLVES
Sunday Afternoon Football live on Sky Sports sees this match-up reconvene after a year out whilst Newcastle waited for Wolves to join them in the Premier League.
Newcastle got a great result at Goodison Park on Wednesday gaining a well-deserved point in a 1-1 Draw. Salomon Rondon gave the travelling Toon Army early excitement scoring in the 9th minute, but the Magpies couldn’t hold on for the win and conceded a 1st-half equaliser. Following a goalless 2nd-half, the points were shared and Newcastle move to 14th in the Premier League Table 2 places and 6 points behind their rivals Wolves.
Wolves definitely got the best result of the midweek games. After losing 5 out of their last 6 games and drawing the 6th, they took on Chelsea at Molineux and must have feared the worse when Chelsea took a 1st-half lead. Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota scored the 2 goals in the 2nd-half which gave Wolves the surprise win and Nuno will definitely target this game at St James as one to win.
Bet 365 offer Newcastle at 9/5, the Draw at 21/10 and 8/5 for Wolves to get a much-needed win.
Bet 365 offer 11/1 for a 2/1 Scoreline to Newcastle and the same 11/1 that Wolves Win 2-1.
Away Win 2-1
EVERTON v WATFORD
Monday Night Football live on Sky Sports sees Watford travel the long trip North to Goodison Park.
Everton were held at home on Wednesday night against Newcastle. Ex-Watford star Richarlison equalised an early strike from Newcastle in the 1st-half to give Everton a share of the points. After a heartbreaking defeat to local rivals Liverpool at the weekend, the Toffees faithful were looking to get back to winning ways against Newcastle but a point gained is better than 3 points lost and Marco will definitely target this one against the club who sacked him.
Watford were outplayed for most of the game against High Flying City but in patches, did put up a bit of a fight and in the end had City on the ropes. The final score of 2-1 doesn’t tell the whole story as for most of the 1st-half, the Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster made a number of fine saves to keep Watford in the game. City scored in both halves but defender Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled the ball into the City goal to briefly give Watford hope of getting a point against City, even reducing City to time-wasting towards the end. Ultimately this was another loss for Watford and this trip up to Everton will be another tough game against old boys Marco Silva and Richarlison.
This game last season was played on Bonfire Night and finished 3-2 to Everton. Current Everton boss Marco Silva was in charge at Watford in one of his final games before losing his job. The surprise in that scoreline was that Watford were 2-0 up at one point. After a tame 1st-half which ended goalless, the fireworks started after the break with Richarlison opening the scoring for Watford. Christian Kabasele gave Watford the 2-0 lead. Oumar Niasse started the comeback for the Toffees scoring just after Christian’s goal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for Everton and Leighton Baines made it 3-2 with a penalty in the 91st-minute. With it being Bonfire Night, the fireworks didn’t stop there after Baines penalty. In the 11th minute of stoppage time, Watford were themselves awarded a penalty. Tom Cleverley took responsibility to salvage a point against his old club but missed and gifted the Toffees all 3 points. Although Marco and Richarlison must have been disappointed that day, they both now are at Goodison and will want to repeat the win for the Toffees.
Bet 365 offer Everton at Odds On 3/4, the Draw at 5/2 and 15/4 for Watford to come away with all 3 points.
Bet 365 offer 9/2 that Richarlison Scores the opener against his former club and 7/5 that He Scores Anytime.
Home Win 2-1
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