Our Predictions For GW16 Of The Premier League

The festive period of Premier League fixtures is in full swing, with the first manager of the season losing their job and other discontent brewing elsewhere. Here are our predictions ahead of GW16 in the Premier League:

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

Another early kick off time on a Saturday for Jurgen Klopp to oversee, Liverpool make the trip down south to Crystal Palace for the 12:30 kick off.

Having not lost to Palace in their last 14 meetings (12W, 2D), Liverpool will be looking to extend that to 15, and with Roy Hodgson’s men unable to have won in their last five home games – the Reds look the more likely team to grab all three points.

Liverpool are certainly ones to watch in terms of title contention this season; ranked 2nd in goals scored per match as opposed to Palace’s 19th, I can only expect Liverpool will take the South London side by a storming this weekend. However, the early kick off tax does sometimes pay its dues and maybe we could be in for somewhat of an upset should Palace pull all their tricks out the bag and outwork the Merseyside team – it’s hard to write them off but I’m going with a Liverpool win.

Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Liverpool

Harvey Marwood

Brighton vs Burnley

Looking to continue their momentum after a 2-1 win at Brentford this week, Brighton have another home fixture again, this weekend against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.

Unbeaten in 6 home games, Brighton could slot their way into 5th place with a win if other fixtures go their way, finding themselves in contention for the Europa League spots. Despite a handful of serious injuries to the squad, Roberto De Zerbi has kept things ticking over and working with what he has – most noticeably 18 year old Jack Hinshelwood who has just stepped into the side and is proving to be quite a prospect, scoring the winner against Brentford in midweek.

Burnley haven’t won an away match in their last 5 games, and haven’t been on the best form, currently sat in 19th. I don’t see anything other than a Brighton win for this fixture, although it might not be completely smooth sailing.

Score Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Burnley

Harvey Marwood

Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Despite flattering to deceive for the majority of the season, Manchester United have been steadily picking up points in the Premier League and find themselves just three points off the top 4 and champions Manchester City. Erik Ten Hag’s management style has been divisive, but in this competition at least he is managing to grind out results.

Their opponents on Saturday are starting to find their best form all season, having picked up 10 points from a possible 12 games. Andoni Iraola’s tactics took a while to be implemented properly by the Bournemouth players but you can now see they are reaping the rewards of his front foot, high intensity philosophy.

Bournemouth will by no means lie down at Old Trafford but Manchester United’s home form is always impressive and I can see goals from both sides in an entertaining fixture. I think this will either be a score draw or a narrow United win.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Bournemouth

Joe Simpson

Sheffield United vs Brentford

Are Sheffield United the worst team in the Premier League? After a dismal performance last weekend against relegation rivals Burnley, they could not even benefit from the new manager bounce in midweek as Chris Wilder took the hit seat for the first time.

Thomas Frank on the other hand has quietly been doing an excellent job this season without his star man Ivan Toney up top. The form of Bryan Mbeumo in particular has been hugely impressive, whilst defensively the Bees have also been reasonably solid.

The Blades will be hoping that a home fixture against a mid table side can a kickstart to their sorry campaign. However, I think Brentford’s threat on the counter attack will be enough for them to steal three points from Bramall Lane.

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1-2 Brentford

Joe Simpson

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest

These two teams have similar records but come into this game with drastically different stakes. Although it would be a surprise if either got sucked into a relegation battle, Forest’s heavy loss to Fulham has left boss Steve Cooper’s job in jeopardy.

Wolves picked up all three points against Burnley thanks to the stunning form of Hwang Hee-Chan. Gary O’Neil has done a decent job at Molineux but with Cooper’s back against the wall I feel that Forest will get something out of this one.’

Score Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Joe Simpson

Aston Villa vs Arsenal 

Villa are having the season many in the football world hastily honoured Tottenham with. Unai Emery has engineered the formula which has seen his team sit third with 14 straight home league wins in a row, scoring 38 goals and conceding just the 7. His Villa side thoroughly schooled champions Manchester City last time out and that is no exaggeration. City failed to have a shot after the 11th minute and were lucky to leave Villa Park conceding just the one. 

Arsenal will understand the scale of the task at hand but this season the Gunners have looked to squeeze the life out of games with a more controlled approach. It’s not often you win with the last kick of the game and don’t want to carry that energy into your next match but Arteta will not want to get into a Luton-like gun fight with Ollie Watkins and co. The first goal will set the tone for the match but I think Arsenal will get the job done. 

Score Prediction: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

Jesse Williams

Everton vs Chelsea 

While the Chelsea bubble has burst, the Everton one is ever inflating. Sean Dyche has rallied his men who clawed their way out of the relegation zone with back to back wins. Chelsea on the other hand look as unconvincing as ever and based on their last performance away to United, don’t look as if they are about to figure it out anytime soon. 

If not for the 10 point deduction Everton would be above Chelsea right now, a true indictment of just how middling the London side have actually been. 

Goodison Park is a tough ground for any side and anyone placing trust in a misfiring Chelsea squad seems more foolhardy than optimistic. 

Score Prediction: Everton 1-0 Chelsea

Jesse Williams

Fulham vs West Ham United

A resounding thumping of Nottingham Forest in midweek will have lifted Fulham spirits this week having struggled to find their feet all season in the Premier League. Alex Iwobi had a big impact and Marco Silva will be delighted that Raul Jimenez is starting to hit the ground running.

West Ham fans will be buzzing to get one over London rivals Spurs on Thursday. David Moyes has done a decent job of moving on from the Declan Rice saga of the summer and James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus in particular have been impressive signings.

These two in form teams should serve up an entertaining game, but I can see the Hammers just edging this one.

Score Prediction: Fulham 1-2 West Ham

Joe Simpson

Luton Town v Manchester City

Many would have seen this as an easy win on the fixture list for the Treble winners, but form would tell another story. Luton Town have been showing they are fighters and will feel hard done by not coming away with anything from their game against Arsenal, especially after a defeat to Brentford last weekend. They have options up front from Carlton Morris to Ross Barkley, who showed some glimpses as to why he was so highly regarded at Everton on Tuesday. Defensively, they are all over the place, and you are bound to score against them, as shown by the messy back-pass and clearance that led to the first goal in midweek. Against the Champions, they will need strength as well as goals to get something from the game.

Manchester City, meanwhile have shown that they are vulnerable. Without a win in four league games including their defeat to Aston Villa, they will be desperate for the 3 points. Villa contained this City side to just two shots all game, with Erling Haaland needing to impose himself if he wants to bag a few goals this weekend. Tottenham in their 3-3 draw exposed City’s defensive naiveties with Rúben Dias and co. needing to gain the upper hand. Without Kevin De Bruyne, the team in blue lacks somewhat in attack, while Rodri is very much key to the structure and grip on the game at the back. There is plenty of star quality in Manchester, but can this team come together?

Luton have shown that they are fighters, especially at Kenilworth Road. They will take the game to City, just as they have Arsenal and Liverpool, but this will be an angry and determined away team. Many claim the Citizens always turn it around in the end and this could be a huge turning point in the season. I just think they have too much quality and while this will be an exciting game, the three points are going back up north.

Score Prediction: Luton 2-4 Manchester City

Tom Atkinson

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

This is certainly an exciting clash between two wounded lions in the Premier League. Spurs are without a win in five and despite a great point against City, their passive defending saw them lose out to West Ham. Ange ball is still pretty to watch, but without the creativity of James Maddison it is not quite as effective. Also, the stand-off defending makes it easy to put pressure on Tottenham’s defence and if they don’t take their own chances, you are bound to get a few yourself. If the home team doesn’t start taking opportunities and shutting up shop, they will keep dropping points.

Newcastle, on the other hand, are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. One game they are playing Manchester United off the park, the next they are being overrun by Everton. The Magpies have had a lot of injuries of late, but losing Nick Pope is a big blow. Without his top-tier shot-stopping, their similarly standoffish defending has been punished. Kieran Trippier needs to grab the reigns and sort it out, especially after his poor mistakes that cost his side against the Toffees. The away side have become a bit too reliant on an in-form Anthony Gordon, and the likes of Isak, Joelinton, and Almirón need to start bagging goals.

With two defences that love to invite pressure, there are sure to be chances here. Spurs love to let go of a 1-0 lead of late, and I think it will happen again. The team from Tyneside shows up for the big occasions and will come from behind to nick a win.

Score Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

Tom Atkinson