Premier League Preview – Including Liverpool’s Big Clash with Manchester United

The hectic festive period is now over, and Premier League teams can now start to get back to something resembling a normal fixture schedule, although this week represents another busy week for most teams. Not only do we have a selection of games this weekend, but there is also a midweek fixture list across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the FA Cup for many teams on Saturday.

Poor Watford have potentially four games to play in that period, after their FA Cup replay with Tranmere was cancelled this week, meaning that the Hornets must play Saturday, Tuesday, their rearranged FA Cup game on Thursday and potentially at the weekend again should they defeat Tranmere in their rearranged game.

However, it is the game at Anfield which is the most interesting this weekend as Liverpool take on the only team to have taken a point from them this season, Manchester United, in what should be a hotly contested match up between two bitter rivals.

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Let’s now go through the ten games in the Premier League this weekend, weather permitting, and give you our top tips for each.

Premier League Fixtures

All kick off times are 3pm Saturday unless stated. All odds shown are correct with bet365 as of 12pm on Wednesday 15^th January 2020.

• Watford v Tottenham (12.30pm)

Watford face the unenviable task of four games this week after their FA Cup replay against Tranmere was rearranged to Thursday night, although they will likely field a reserve side in that game. Tottenham earned a good win in their FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough but they need the points to stop a disappointing run of form on the EPL of late. Watford though are in great form and I fancy the Hornets to keep that run going here. Tip – Watford to win – 21/10.

• Arsenal v Sheffield United

Arsenal have drawn a Premier League high 10 games out of their 22 this season while Sheffield United have also amassed eight draws. Ordinarily, you would think this would be an easy win for the Gunners but United have been in such great form and are so well organised, exactly what Arsenal are not, that I can see this one being something of an upset, though not in terms of form. I am backing this one to see the points shared. Tip – Draw – 13/5.

• Brighton v Aston Villa

Just three points separates Brighton in 14^th from Aston Villa in 18^th and as such, this is acrucial games for both teams. Villa were humiliated at home by Manchester City last weekend and need a big performance here against a solid Brighton side that I feel have done better than their four points from the last 15 available merits. This will be close and I feel one goal will split the teams and I think it will go in favour of the Seagulls. Tip – Brighton to win – 3/5.

• Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Last season, Crystal Palace pulled off one of the shocks of the season when beating Manchester City at the Etihad, but I find it hard to believe that lightning will strike twice. Palace are strong defensively but in truth, if you gift City that much possession and can’t score on the counter, you are going to lose. I expect City, who are in fantastic form at the moment, to claim a very confident win here probably by a few goals. Tip – Manchester City to win – 1/10.

• Norwich City v Bournemouth

This is a crucial relegation six-pointer for both these teams who are amongst the teams with the worst recent run of form. Norwich are well adrift at the bottom of the table and it is essentially a must win game for the home side. Bournemouth will feel a draw is not the worst result, but would love a win to end a poor run of form. In truth, confidence is lacking on both sides and I can see this one ending up in a nervy score draw. Tip – Draw – 12/5.

• Southampton v Wolves

`Only Liverpool have a better run of form over the past five games than Southampton (although Watford have equalled the Saints) and those results have seen them climb to 12^th in the table. Wolves have picked up just one point from the last three games, albeit one of those was against Liverpool. This is going to be a much closer game than it would have been a few weeks ago and I think a draw is the likely outcome. Tip – Draw – 23/10

• West Ham v Everton

David Moyes takes on one of his former clubs as the new boss of West Ham, with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti happy to see his team get back to winning ways last week against Brighton. The Toffees recent form has been much better, seeing them move well up the table into 11^th, but West Ham’s form is still very patchy. Matches between these two over the last few years have been evenly contested with roughly the same number of wins and draws apiece. This will be close and one goal may win it and as such, I am backing Everton to grab the win. Tip – Everton to win – 11/8.

• Newcastle United v Chelsea (5.30pm)

After a good win in the FA Cup in midweek, which saw Joelinton end his 20 game drought without a goal, Newcastle return to Premier League action with a tough game against Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s men have picked up ten points from the last 15 available, and they have been better on the road this season than at home. St James’ Park is a tough place to go and get a win however and I think this one will likely end up all square. Tip – Draw – 7/2.

• Burnley v Leicester City (2pm – Sun)

Can Burnley stop the rot after what has been a poor run of form for Sean Dyche’s men? If they do, it will be another poor result for Leicester after the Foxes were defeated at home last weekend by Southampton, a result which saw them drop from second into third place in the table. Burnley though have lost four on the bounce and I feel that they are going to struggle here against a Leicester team that will want to bounce back. Tip – Leicester to win – 4/5.

• Liverpool v Manchester United (4.30pm – Sun)

Manchester United remain the only team to deny Liverpool three points this season after their 1-1 draw with the Reds at Old Trafford. The home side will be keen to gain revenge for that only blemish on their record at home in front of their fans who want a victory over Man Utd perhaps more than any other team. United have beaten Man City away from home, but have won just three times on the road in the Premier League this season and given Liverpool’s form, it is hard to see them improving on that here. Tip – Liverpool to win – 2/5.