By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
After a couple of matchdays away, I return to play The Predictor as I forecast this weekend’s Premier League games and how I think they will play out.
After a couple of matchdays away, I return to play The Predictor as I forecast this weekend’s Premier League games and how I think they will play out.
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Saturday, 7 December - 12.45pm (LIVE ON BT SPORT)
It hasn't been the best of weeks for David Moyes as he watched Manchester United stumble to a painful defeat in midweek at home to his former club Everton. With no wins in three Premier League matches, title ambitions are all but over already and the main aim now this season is to ensure the Red Devils get into the top four.
Wayne Rooney is suspended and Robin van Persie unlikely to feature due to injury, so there will be big pressure on Javier Hernandez to fill the goalscoring shoes, as Danny Welbeck's struggles infront of goal for club continue.
Newcastle's four-match winning run ended abruptly on Wednesday at Swansea. Alan Pardew has done a great job to steer his club into the top seven and he deserves the manager of the month award he has just collected. However, I reckon the home side will just about edge a nervy lunchtime encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.
It hasn't been the best of weeks for David Moyes as he watched Manchester United stumble to a painful defeat in midweek at home to his former club Everton. With no wins in three Premier League matches, title ambitions are all but over already and the main aim now this season is to ensure the Red Devils get into the top four.
Wayne Rooney is suspended and Robin van Persie unlikely to feature due to injury, so there will be big pressure on Javier Hernandez to fill the goalscoring shoes, as Danny Welbeck's struggles infront of goal for club continue.
Newcastle's four-match winning run ended abruptly on Wednesday at Swansea. Alan Pardew has done a great job to steer his club into the top seven and he deserves the manager of the month award he has just collected. However, I reckon the home side will just about edge a nervy lunchtime encounter at the Theatre of Dreams.
SIMON PREDICTS: Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City - Saturday, 7 December - 3pm
Two of the newly promoted sides clash at Selhurst Park and this is a difficult match to call, as I think they are equally matched in both team chemistry and form at the moment.
Tony Pulis steered Palace to a crucial home win over West Ham in Tuesday's London derby and back-to-back wins could take the Eagles out of the bottom three by the end of the weekend. That is a staggering thought considering many including myself had written them off a month ago.
Cardiff are difficult to work out but battled hard for a creditable draw at Stoke in midweek and I think this will be an open game with chances galore and a lucky away win for the visitors.
Tony Pulis steered Palace to a crucial home win over West Ham in Tuesday's London derby and back-to-back wins could take the Eagles out of the bottom three by the end of the weekend. That is a staggering thought considering many including myself had written them off a month ago.
Cardiff are difficult to work out but battled hard for a creditable draw at Stoke in midweek and I think this will be an open game with chances galore and a lucky away win for the visitors.
SIMON PREDICTS: Crystal Palace 2-3 Cardiff City
Liverpool v West Ham United - Saturday, 7 December - 3pm
Liverpool recovered superbly from last Sunday's horror show at Hull with a thumping of Norwich that is becoming the new 'home banker,' of any Premier League season. Daniel Sturridge might be injured but if Luis Suarez continues his amazing form from his four-goal rout of the Canaries on Wednesday, I can only see one result here.
Brendan Rodgers needs three points. Tough away trips in the next three weeks follow at Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea and whilst the Reds have control at the moment in the race for fourth place, a slip-up here will hand that advantage over to the chasing pack.
West Ham can't score and were desperately poor at Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Sam Allardyce will expect a reaction from his players but although they will play better, the result looks like a forgone conclusion at Anfield on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers needs three points. Tough away trips in the next three weeks follow at Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea and whilst the Reds have control at the moment in the race for fourth place, a slip-up here will hand that advantage over to the chasing pack.
West Ham can't score and were desperately poor at Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Sam Allardyce will expect a reaction from his players but although they will play better, the result looks like a forgone conclusion at Anfield on Saturday.
SIMON PREDICTS: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
Southampton v Manchester City - Saturday, 7 December - 3pm
It was the defeat on the south coast in February that spelt the end of Manchester City's title defence and ultimately signalled the beginning of the end for Roberto Mancini at Eastlands. Away form is still a genuine concern for his successor Manuel Pellegrini but Wednesday's win at West Brom was one of the most comprehensive 3-2 scorelines you are ever likely to get.
By contrast, Southampton's form has taken a turn for the worse. They had an incredible 77 per cent possession against Aston Villa but still lost the game 3-2, making it three successive defeats.
City are starting to hit their stride now on the road and I think with Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure in such superb form, it will be a happier trip back to Manchester on Saturday evening. This one is a resounding away win for me.
By contrast, Southampton's form has taken a turn for the worse. They had an incredible 77 per cent possession against Aston Villa but still lost the game 3-2, making it three successive defeats.
City are starting to hit their stride now on the road and I think with Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure in such superb form, it will be a happier trip back to Manchester on Saturday evening. This one is a resounding away win for me.
SIMON PREDICTS: Southampton 0-3 Manchester City
Stoke City v Chelsea - Saturday, 7 December - 3pm
I really would advise those going to the Britannia Stadium to bring a hot flask and a sleeping bag as the place is devoid of goals this season. The scorelines sum it up better than I can explain it; 2-1, 0-0, 0-1, 0-0, 1-1, 2-0 and 0-0.
Chelsea though arrive at the Britannia on Saturday and at least they will offer the visiting crowd some skills and trickery. The likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Demba Ba are all likely to start and show their class once again.
Stoke won't be a pushover but they just don't have the quality to match Chelsea across the park. The three points will be heading back to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea though arrive at the Britannia on Saturday and at least they will offer the visiting crowd some skills and trickery. The likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Demba Ba are all likely to start and show their class once again.
Stoke won't be a pushover but they just don't have the quality to match Chelsea across the park. The three points will be heading back to Stamford Bridge.
SIMON PREDICTS: Stoke City 1-2 Chelsea
West Brom v Norwich City - Saturday, 7 December - 3pm
West Brom might not be winning many matches; just one win in seven but they are picking up enough points just and are a comfortable mid-table team. This won't be an attractive watch and is going to be last on the Match of the Day running order. A routine home win for the Baggies is the likely outcome I'm expecting in this encounter.
SIMON PREDICTS: West Brom 2-0 Norwich City
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur - Saturday, 7 December - 5.30pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
Despite losing 4-3 at home to Chelsea, Sunderland can take great pride in a hard-working performance against top quality opposition. Gus Poyet has installed genuine belief into the squad and they are now playing for the right to wear the shirt. He has every chance of getting the Black Cats out of the mess they were in under Paolo di Canio.
The last week has been better too for Tottenham. Unlucky not to beat Manchester United last Sunday and that was followed by a good recovery to overcome Fulham on Wednesday. Andre Villas-Boas' job is safe for now and their place in the league's top six will be strengthened by a narrow but deserved victory on Saturday evening.
The last week has been better too for Tottenham. Unlucky not to beat Manchester United last Sunday and that was followed by a good recovery to overcome Fulham on Wednesday. Andre Villas-Boas' job is safe for now and their place in the league's top six will be strengthened by a narrow but deserved victory on Saturday evening.
SIMON PREDICTS: Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Aston Villa - Sunday, 8 December - 1.30pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
Fulham might have chalked up a sixth successive Premier League loss against Tottenham but the performance was far better in Rene Meluensteen's first match in charge of the Cottagers.
Despite being outplayed in terms of possession on the south coast, Aston Villa (Kieran Richardson and Matthew Lowton pictured) produced a devastating counter attacking display to claim a brilliant victory against Southampton. They also proved they can win without Christian Benteke starting too.
This game has a score draw written all over it on Sunday and if a 1-1 scoreline was offered now to both managers, I think they would take it.
This game has a score draw written all over it on Sunday and if a 1-1 scoreline was offered now to both managers, I think they would take it.
SIMON PREDICTS: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Arsenal v Everton - Sunday, 8 December - 4pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
When will the Arsenal bandwagon stop? I don't see it ending anytime soon. On a roll and looking strong throughout the side, even Nicklas Bendtner scored in midweek which proves that miracles are possible. Maybe I will win the National Lottery on Saturday night then!
Seriously though, the Gunners look like title favourites following their response from defeat at Old Trafford which has taken in three successive victories.
Everton come off the back of a brilliant and slightly unexpected victory over the champions and still have only been beaten once all season in the Premier League. This will be another test for Arsene Wenger's league leaders but another that in my view, they will pass with flying colours.
Seriously though, the Gunners look like title favourites following their response from defeat at Old Trafford which has taken in three successive victories.
Everton come off the back of a brilliant and slightly unexpected victory over the champions and still have only been beaten once all season in the Premier League. This will be another test for Arsene Wenger's league leaders but another that in my view, they will pass with flying colours.
SIMON PREDICTS: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Swansea City v Hull City - Monday, 9 December - 8pm (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)
Swansea City's 3-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday was only their second home win of the campaign and a much-needed one as they were starting to look a bit risky in their position in the Premier League table.
Michael Laudrup might rotate the squad again on Monday night when Hull City visit south Wales, with a point still required to ensure qualification into the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
They must concentrate on this match first though before the journey to Switzerland to face St Gallen. Hull will shock them with an early goal but with Wilfried Bony possibly back from injury and Jonjo Shelvey showing the best form of his career, the Swans will comeback from this early setback to record another victory.
Michael Laudrup might rotate the squad again on Monday night when Hull City visit south Wales, with a point still required to ensure qualification into the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.
They must concentrate on this match first though before the journey to Switzerland to face St Gallen. Hull will shock them with an early goal but with Wilfried Bony possibly back from injury and Jonjo Shelvey showing the best form of his career, the Swans will comeback from this early setback to record another victory.
SIMON PREDICTS: Swansea City 3-1 Hull City
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