In a new weekly feature, I play The Predictor as I forecast this weekend’s Premier League games and how I think they will play out.
Everton v Liverpool - Saturday, 23 November - 12.45pm (LIVE ON BT SPORT)
It will be as feisty as normal (Phil Jagielka tackling Steven Gerrard pictured), with several yellow cards and probably a red card (knowing the history of the fixture) but local pride will remain intact for both sides in a 2-2 draw.
SIMON PREDICTS: Everton 2-2 Liverpool
Arsenal v Southampton - Saturday, 23 November - 3pm
Two of the Premier League's top three sides clash at the Emirates and at the start of the season, only the bravest fan could have predicted this outcome.
With the best defence in the league and plenty of potency upfront, Southampton have been a joy to watch this season but this is a testing period coming up for the Saints. Matches against Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham come in quick succession after this trip to the capital. It will be this run of games that will answer the question whether Mauricio Pochettino's side are good enough to cause a shock in the fight for European qualification.
Arsenal slipped up last time out against Manchester United but save their best stuff for home matches this season. Napoli, Liverpool and Norwich City can testify to that. Mesut Ozil is due a decent match, Olivier Giroud is due a goal and Arsenal will end up extending their lead at the top of the table come 5pm on Saturday.
With the best defence in the league and plenty of potency upfront, Southampton have been a joy to watch this season but this is a testing period coming up for the Saints. Matches against Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham come in quick succession after this trip to the capital. It will be this run of games that will answer the question whether Mauricio Pochettino's side are good enough to cause a shock in the fight for European qualification.
Arsenal slipped up last time out against Manchester United but save their best stuff for home matches this season. Napoli, Liverpool and Norwich City can testify to that. Mesut Ozil is due a decent match, Olivier Giroud is due a goal and Arsenal will end up extending their lead at the top of the table come 5pm on Saturday.
SIMON PREDICTS: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
Fulham v Swansea City – Saturday, 23 November – 3pm
After three truly forgettable performances in a row against Southampton, Manchester United and Liverpool, doom and gloom has darkened around Craven Cottage again. The appointment of Rene Meluensteen to work alongside Martin Jol looks like a wise choice but does that mean that Jol's time in the job is looking more borrowed?
Swansea's season hasn't really kicked off either. Aside from that famous night in Europe in the Mestalla and a demolition of Sunderland in the second half last month, they don't look as coherent as they did last season. I'm confident they will be fine as the campaign progresses but could do with picking up a few more points to ease any panic concerns from the fans.
They won't get anything here though, despite winning last season. I'm going for a scrappy Fulham win to lift some of the pressure off Jol's shoulders.
Swansea's season hasn't really kicked off either. Aside from that famous night in Europe in the Mestalla and a demolition of Sunderland in the second half last month, they don't look as coherent as they did last season. I'm confident they will be fine as the campaign progresses but could do with picking up a few more points to ease any panic concerns from the fans.
They won't get anything here though, despite winning last season. I'm going for a scrappy Fulham win to lift some of the pressure off Jol's shoulders.
SIMON PREDICTS: Fulham 1-0 Swansea City
Hull City v Crystal Palace - Saturday, 23 November - 3pm
As I write this piece, Crystal Palace are about to appoint a new permanent successor to Ian Holloway and it looks like the job will go to former Stoke boss Tony Pulis. Pulis is expected to be amongst the crowd watching at the KC Stadium on Saturday as Keith Millen ends his four-game caretaker stint in charge of the Eagles.
Hull have offered refunds to season ticket holders who don't like the owner's desire to change their name to Hull Tigers. They will remain Hull City for this season at least in accordance of Premier League rules.
Steve Bruce has an injury list almost as big as Holby City. However, in a forgettable contest, it will be a home win with a stoppage time winner from Yannick Sagbo. Pulis will have a big job on his hands to keep the south Londoners in the top flight.
Hull have offered refunds to season ticket holders who don't like the owner's desire to change their name to Hull Tigers. They will remain Hull City for this season at least in accordance of Premier League rules.
Steve Bruce has an injury list almost as big as Holby City. However, in a forgettable contest, it will be a home win with a stoppage time winner from Yannick Sagbo. Pulis will have a big job on his hands to keep the south Londoners in the top flight.
SIMON PREDICTS: Hull City 1-0 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Norwich City - Saturday, 23 November – 3pm
After tremendous back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Tottenham, Newcastle are chasing three successive Premier League victories for the first time since April 2012. It would be typical of Alan Pardew's side if they tripped up in a game where you would consider them as clear favourites.
Norwich recorded a priceless victory themselves over West Ham before the international break and Chris Hughton will have a point to prove to Mike Ashley. Don't forget, he was dismissed by the owner for Pardew nearly three years ago now.
The Canaries have a woeful record on Tyneside in the Premier League years, with just one point gained in five previous visits and I don't see that changing on Saturday. Newcastle to fight back from going an early goal behind and continue their strong November going.
Norwich recorded a priceless victory themselves over West Ham before the international break and Chris Hughton will have a point to prove to Mike Ashley. Don't forget, he was dismissed by the owner for Pardew nearly three years ago now.
The Canaries have a woeful record on Tyneside in the Premier League years, with just one point gained in five previous visits and I don't see that changing on Saturday. Newcastle to fight back from going an early goal behind and continue their strong November going.
SIMON PREDICTS: Newcastle United 2-1 Norwich City
Stoke City v Sunderland - Saturday, 23 November - 3pm
History would suggest that goals in matches between Stoke and Sunderland are a real premium, with an average of one per match in their previous 10 top flight encounters.
Both sides are near the wrong end of the table, so it will be a cautious match. Those going to the Britannia Stadium; I'd suggest to bring a hot flask and a sleeping bag as this match has got 0-0 written all over it.
SIMON PREDICTS: Stoke City 0-0 Sunderland
West Ham United v Chelsea - Saturday, 23 November - 5.30pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
November has been a tricky month in previous campaigns for Chelsea and it is turning out to be the same this time around. A lacklustre performance at Newcastle ended in defeat three weeks ago and last time out, they got a very dubious penalty to salvage Jose Mourinho's home record against an unlucky West Brom.
Mourinho's players haven't looked full of energy and drive in the past two games and if they can't get motivated for a London derby at Upton Park, then there are more problems behind the scenes at the Blues.
These set of supporters don't like each other and the Hammers will remind Chelsea of the way they overwhelmed them last December in this fixture. That should be enough for the visitors to snatch the three points but it will be a tough assignment. Eden Hazard to score the decisive goal in the last 10 minutes for a 2-1 Chelsea triumph.
Mourinho's players haven't looked full of energy and drive in the past two games and if they can't get motivated for a London derby at Upton Park, then there are more problems behind the scenes at the Blues.
These set of supporters don't like each other and the Hammers will remind Chelsea of the way they overwhelmed them last December in this fixture. That should be enough for the visitors to snatch the three points but it will be a tough assignment. Eden Hazard to score the decisive goal in the last 10 minutes for a 2-1 Chelsea triumph.
SIMON PREDICTS: West Ham United 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Sunday, 24 November - 1.30pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
Realistically, nine teams could still win the Premier League with just eight points covering league leaders Arsenal to Newcastle in ninth spot. However, the loser of this match could well be out of the title race by the end of the weekend.
Manchester City are two different teams. Manchester City B performs away from home, while Manchester City A performs at home in stunning fashion. With the Aguero/Negredo strikeforce, teams are visiting the Etihad at the moment fearing a hiding.
Tottenham have been unimpressive so far and clearly missing the long departed Gareth Bale. Top scorer Roberto Soldado might have four goals but three of these have come from the penalty spot. That is their problem in a nutshell and perhaps, the forgotten man of the Premier League in Emmanuel Adebayor could solve AVB's striking issues.
With their struggles to score, City should win this one fairly comfortably with a goal apiece for Negredo and Aguero.
Manchester City are two different teams. Manchester City B performs away from home, while Manchester City A performs at home in stunning fashion. With the Aguero/Negredo strikeforce, teams are visiting the Etihad at the moment fearing a hiding.
Tottenham have been unimpressive so far and clearly missing the long departed Gareth Bale. Top scorer Roberto Soldado might have four goals but three of these have come from the penalty spot. That is their problem in a nutshell and perhaps, the forgotten man of the Premier League in Emmanuel Adebayor could solve AVB's striking issues.
With their struggles to score, City should win this one fairly comfortably with a goal apiece for Negredo and Aguero.
SIMON PREDICTS: Manchester City 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City v Manchester United - Sunday, 24 November - 4pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
Cardiff supporters have been rather spoilt this season already, with unforgettable home victories against Manchester City and Swansea City, combined with a priceless away triumph at Fulham. They have competed well in many games too and credit has to go to the Bluebirds for sticking together in a testing period following the sacking of former head of recruitment at the club in Ian Moody.
With three wins in a row and Robin van Persie having rediscovered his goalscoring touch, scoring in his last four domestic matches, Manchester United have soared back into the top five in the Premier League and back into title contention. It has taken time for David Moyes to adjust but they can't be discounted now - just five points off Arsenal at the start of the weekend.
Van Persie might be missing from this one with a minor injury but the Red Devils have plenty of other threats to make this a miserable Sunday afternoon for the home fans. A resounding away win is the only outcome I can see in this match.
With three wins in a row and Robin van Persie having rediscovered his goalscoring touch, scoring in his last four domestic matches, Manchester United have soared back into the top five in the Premier League and back into title contention. It has taken time for David Moyes to adjust but they can't be discounted now - just five points off Arsenal at the start of the weekend.
Van Persie might be missing from this one with a minor injury but the Red Devils have plenty of other threats to make this a miserable Sunday afternoon for the home fans. A resounding away win is the only outcome I can see in this match.
SIMON PREDICTS: Cardiff City 0-4 Manchester United
West Brom v Aston Villa - Monday, 25 November - 8pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
While the Midlands region has suffered a lot with its football teams in recent years, West Brom and Aston Villa are both having solid, if unspectacular campaigns with both tucked into the mid-table section of the Barclays Premier League.
Therefore, this Midlands derby could be a tasty one to watch as I reckon these are two sides who are well matched. Villa have saved their best form for matches on the road this season and West Brom have a decent record in their last four home matches, despite a growing injury list for manager Steve Clarke.
It will be a good battle on a freezing Monday evening and like in Merseyside, I expect local honours to be shared.
Therefore, this Midlands derby could be a tasty one to watch as I reckon these are two sides who are well matched. Villa have saved their best form for matches on the road this season and West Brom have a decent record in their last four home matches, despite a growing injury list for manager Steve Clarke.
It will be a good battle on a freezing Monday evening and like in Merseyside, I expect local honours to be shared.
SIMON PREDICTS: West Brom 1-1 Aston Villa
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