There’s no doubting the highlight of this weekend’s Premier League action with Liverpool hosting Manchester City at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in the midst of a dismal run and simply cannot afford another setback at what has been a particularly unhappy hunting ground in recent years.
Arsenal, meanwhile, appear to be back to their best and will hope to cut the gap at the top to six points but West Ham, themselves, will be buoyed by Monday’s surprise win at Newcastle.
As ever, Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer previews the action for Metro.co.uk…
Brighton v Southampton
Brighton continued their good form with a win at Bournemouth last week
Brighton got a good win last weekend and Southampton put in a good performance against Liverpool. But with Brighton being at home, I’d think they’ll take the three points, so I’ll go with a Brighton victory. Prediction: Brighton win.
Wolves v Bournemouth
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha has been in superb form this season
That’s a tough one because Wolves got a great result last weekend, being 1-0 down and going on to score four and with the form that Cunha is in, I’ll go for a Wolves win at home to Bournemouth with the form they’re in, not to mention the confidence and belief they’ll have after last weekend. Prediction: Wolves win.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Newcastle suffered a shock defeat against West Ham on Monday night
This is a tough one to predict. With what happened to Newcastle on Monday evening, they’ll have had a few days to reflect. There’s a vulnerability about Crystal Palace albeit they got a really good result last weekend against Aston Villa and perhaps deserved to win the game. I’ll go for a draw. Prediction: Draw.
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Ipswich earned another encouraging point against Man Utd last week
I was really impressed with Ipswich against Man United. I thought they were really unlucky not to win the game. Has the bubble burst at Nottingham Forest? It’s a tough one to call but I’ll probably go for Forest to win as they’re at home. Prediction: Nottingham Forest win.
Brentford v Leicester
I was really surprised that Leicester got rid of Steve Cooper, and the timing of it. Something has obviously gone on behind the scenes because with Leicester being two places above the relegation zone, I don’t know where they think they should be. I’ll go for a home win. Prediction: Brentford win.
West Ham v Arsenal
It was a great result for West Ham on Monday. I was really impressed with the way they nullified Newcastle and Wan-Bissaka did really well. I thought Max Kilman was superb.
We saw Arsenal’s result in the Champions League and now going to West Ham, I think they’ll have too much quality in forward positions and will take the three points. Prediction: Arsenal win.
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Aston Villa are on a bit of a tough run at the moment, they were very unfortunate against Juventus, and Chelsea are on the up and looking strong. I think I’ll go for a Chelsea win with the form they’re in. I think they’ll take the points. Prediction: Chelsea win.
Spurs v Fulham
Spurs will have too much at home, particularly after their win against Man City. The confidence they’ll take will go into the game this weekend, albeit they’ll have to do it without Vicario.
What Spurs have lacked is consistency. They get great results like the one against Man City and you look at the team and that performance and wonder how they can lose to Ipswich and Crystal Palace. That’s what Spurs’ problem has been. That result last weekend should give them the confidence to go on a long run now and consistently take points rather than being beaten by Ipswich.
I think Spurs will have too much for Fulham, and they need to follow up that great result last weekend. Prediction: Spurs win.
Man United v Everton
After the first two minutes of A
morim’s first game you thought ‘here we go’ but it all went a bit flat after two or three minutes and I thought they were fortunate to come away with a point. He’s had a few days to work on the system and they’ve played in Europe on Thursday, but I think with the home crowd, Man United will have too much for Everton, although it won’t be easy. It’ll be tough but they may just scrape the three points. Prediction: Man United win.
Liverpool v Man City
Unless City tighten up and strengthen up in midfield, Liverpool could overpower them there. There are so many great battles to look forward to. Whoever Pep decides to play at left-back has a huge challenge on hand also.
With the form that Man City are in, Liverpool at Anfield and the forward options they have, I can’t see anything other than a Liverpool victory. Prediction: Liverpool win.