The start of the year for the Premier League was breath taking; with of cheers and mourns from all ends of the world. FA Cup games have commenced and the first leg of the EPL semi-final. EPL has 3 League teams involved whereas FA Cup has said goodbye to 6 teams, 2 on the ropes with replay games and the other 12 moving on to the 4th round. The return of Premier League games may just make it tougher from some teams; which ones can cope with the pressure?
Here are the Previews and Predictions for Gameweek 22:
West Ham United vs Arsenal
West Ham’s early season encounter against the Gunners was not fruitful. They have failed to beat them in their last 3 League meetings. Now they have the home advantage and with their decent run of form, they could be able to take on the Gunners.
Arsenal are still 5th in the table but only just behind London rivals Chelsea. A win may not be enough to send them into the top 4 because of fairly marginal goal difference. The Hammers are looking sharper than when they first encountered them at the beginning of the season and will surely put up a fight in the second consecutive Derby game for them of the Calendar year.
Vote: Draw
Brighton and Hove vs Liverpool
Brighton and Hove are sitting 12th in the League. They have won one game in their last 6 matches; a tally that could improve in this last run of the season. With an FA Cup win 3rd round win against Bournemouth they will poised to take on Liverpool who are still looking strong.
Liverpool ended and started the year top of the table despite their last League defeat to Manchester City; their first defeat of the season. It did not get better for them as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolverhampton. Questions are being asked about their determination and this game against Brighton could provide the answers.
Vote: Liverpool Win
Burnley vs Fulham
Burnley have won back to back games in the league which has seen them start the year slightly away from the bottom 3. Their FA Cup win against Barnsley has surely motivated them to believe they can head upwards but Fulham are team that has stopped over them in previous encounters.
Fulham start the year on a low, sitting in the bottom 3 at 19th. They have 1 victory in 6. With their new manager, Claudio Ranieri, who has won the League before with Leicester City, they may be hopeful of the turnaround in this second half of the season and Burnley may just be the first test.
Vote: Burnley Win
Cardiff vs Huddersfield
At 17th in the League Cardiff are still struggling and heading down the table, possibly close to the bottom 3. They lost they last Premier League game, dismally, to The Spurs and their recent exit from the FA Cup may just have dropped their morale. A win against Cardiff could lift their spirits and their position from the dreaded bottom 3.
It is difficult to not say that the Huddersfield are just plain awful in the League this time round. They began the year with another defeat taking their loss tally up to 8 in row leaving them with 10 points at the 20th position. Something needs to be done and a win against Cardiff may just gift them a slight lift to start something new as they conclude this final half of the season.
Vote: Huddersfield Win
Crystal Palace vs Watford
Crystal Palace kicked of the year with a good win against a strong Wolves side. They sit at 14th just 2 points shy away from getting into the mid-table crunch. Watford are team that are not afraid to give them tussle though The Eagles will want to keep soaring up the table.
Watford are battling in the mid-table crunch with Wolverhampton, West Ham, Everton, Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove who are roughly a win game from taking them on. They haven’t won their last 3 games but this could be their first break through of the calendar year.
Vote: Crystal Palace Win
Leicester City vs Southampton
Leicester have not done to bad throughout the festive period. They start the year after their last League win in 7th position. Though they were defeated in the FA Cup against Newport County, this will not stop them from trying to get all 3 points against Southampton who are still struggling in form.
They Saints began their march at the beginning of the festive period well, but dropped points at the in their last 3 League games. It has hasn’t made it any better that they have replay game in the FA Cup (which no team wants). The Foxes will have the desire to seize all 3 points; so The Saints will have to be vigilant to take them on.
Vote: Leicester city Win
Chelsea vs Newcastle
Chelsea are not what they could be considering they position and performances of late. They are still 4th however but only just and marginally away form 1st or 2nd which has diminished they title challenge. Newcastle are team they haven’t really struggled to beat in previous games, but with their unpredictable form, no one knows.
Newcastle have been dropping points that has left them sitting in 15th for some time. They could start seeping down the table if they continue this run and not get some wins. Chelsea are team that they have given a challenge to, but mainly at St. James Park. Stamford Bridge is where they’ll be playing this time, which is hostile ground for them.
Vote: Chelsea Win
Everton vs Bournemouth
Everton are 11th in the league an have 1 win 5 games, losing the other 4. Their FA Cup against Lincoln City in the FA Cup may just give them the necessary boost to try and beat Bournemouth who have lacked consistency throughout the season.
Bournemouth are staring to look like a ticking time bomb; ready to explode and edge down the table. Their lack of consistency has cost them many opportunities of jumping back into the top 10. Everton are not team to take likely especially at Goodison Park so they will have be ready for what they are about to face.
Vote: Everton Win
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United
The Spurs continue their good run of form in all competitions winning their last 3 games. They remain 3rd under Champions Manchester City who they seem to not allow them to keep 2nd position. United are team they massacred in their last game but are not the same frail team they left in 2018.
Manchester United are glowing with confidence and eager to get back on their feet and climb up the table. They have won their last 5 games in all competitions and are 6th; edging closer to the top 4. They were defeated badly at Old Trafford in their last encounter against The Spurs. The Red Devils will want take revenge but should not allow that to consume them as the Spurs are also in good form.
Vote: Tottenham Hotspur Win
Manchester City vs Wolverhampton
Manchester City are starting to look a bit more confident again. The Champions are festive defeats did not stop them from rising up at the start of the year winning their last 3 games in all competitions; with special mention of the record breaking 9 – 0 win against Burton Albion in the EPL. Wolverhampton are looking fearless and they should not underestimate them.
Wolverhampton’s successful win in the FA Cup against Liverpool cannot go without mention. It ties together with their massive resurrection in the League which leaves them in 9th place. Though still questionable of their form, they will not hesitate to take the fight on against The Citizens who have the home advantage.
Vote: Manchester City Win
Sparks will fly. Let's Play Ball!