Manchester City v Brentford

It’s the final game week before the mid-season winter break for the World Cup in Qatar. The lunchtime kick off comes from the Etihad where we’ll see the champions in action. They host Brentford in a game I can only see going one way. City have been in supreme form all season long, especially at home. Last weekend they edged out Fulham by two goals to one, courtesy of substitute Erling Haaland’s penalty in the dying moments of the game. On top of this, they swept aside Chelsea in the EFL Cup midweek, comfortably winning 2-0. The ball just keeps on rolling and I believe it’ll be business as usual on Saturday for the Citizens. On the other hand, Brentford have been in indifferent form in recent times and have just a single victory in their last eight. They picked up a point at bottom side Nottingham Forest last week, but interestingly were beaten by League Two side Gillingham on penalties midweek in their EFL Cup tie.

City have now played eight games in total at home in the League this season, where we’ve seen them win every single fixture. A huge 29 goals have been scored in this time, averaging at an astonishing 4.1 GpG. This leads me on to tell you that the bet of City to win and over 2.5 goals has returned a winner on each occasion too. I’m extremely confident of landing this selection, especially with the likely return to the starting XI for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has been unstoppable from the word go and has eighteen goals to his name. In the unlikely scenario we see Julian Alvarez lead the line, I still believe the same outcome is highly probable in this match. The Argentinian has deputised superbly in recent weeks, finding himself on the scoresheet in the previous three in all competitions. It’s never 100% certain who Pep decides to start with in his line up but the same outcome is usually what we see, a convincing home win. Whether Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden or Ilkay Gundogan play or not in the midfield then there’s a plethora of talent who can come into the side and produce the goods. Goals are to be expected and another home win to see City go into the break in magnificent shape.

A quick word on Brentford, well, they’ve now lost 2 of their last 3 in the Premier League. In this time they’ve shipped a worrying 11 goals, not what you’d like to see prior to heading to the Etihad. Ivan Toney can no doubt cause some problems for the home defence however. With 6 goals to his name in his previous 8, there’s always a chance he could sneak a consolation in this contest. Another player who can be a threat is Bryan Mbuemo in attack, he has 1G+1A in the last 2, so it’s not all doom and gloom for the away side! 

In all honesty I see another strong home performance incoming and I’m more than happy to take City to win and over 2.5 goals as the selection!

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West Ham United v Leicester City

West Ham welcome Leicester to the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in a game that I see being a very tricky one for the home side. The hosts have now lost three of their last four in the league and fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Palace last weekend. Since then, we saw Blackburn also win the midweek EFL Cup tie on penalties down in London, in a surprise result. In contrast, the Foxes have been in fine form of late winning 4 games out of their previous 5. Brendan Rogers seems to have steadied the ship and I can see them continuing this impressive run at weekend. The star man has been James Maddison for Leicester, and his excellent performances earned him a call up to Southgate’s World Cup squad. 

This pick is no doubt a real hunch of mine, however, recent results suggest the away side can earn at least a point here. As mentioned, Maddison has been extremely influential in the aways side’s midfield. He’s amassed 10 goal contributions in the season so far, notching on four occasions and assisting four times. It’s not just Maddion’s attacking output that’s improved Leicester though, the introduction of Wout Faes to the backline has been quite eye-catching. The Belgian, who signed from Reims in the summer, seems to have nailed down his place in the central defence. His performances of late have no doubt contributed to the Foxes keeping 5 clean sheets in the last 7 in the Premier League. I’ve seen a real improvement at both ends of the pitch and I believe Leicester can now move up into the top half of the table in the coming months. The team are all pulling in the same direction at the moment and there’s every chance we’ll see Patson Daka, Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans causing the Hammers issues. Tielemans has netted two absolutely world class strikes in recent weeks and the goal threat he provides could unlock the door in an attacking sense. With only a single goal conceded in total in Leicester’s last six in all competitions, this solid stat gives them every chance to do the same again. Another performance like the ones we’ve seen in October and November, then we can see them leaving the capital with at least a share of the spoils.

On the other hand, the Hammers have been very up and down throughout their domestic campaign. Back to back losses have raised eyebrows, especially the 2-1 defeat to Palace. Jarrod Bowen hasn’t quite hit the form we saw last season and this has meant he’s missed out on a spot on the plane to Qatar. Although, you can’t dismiss the Englishman’s talent as we’ve seen how lethal he can be. The Europa Conference League has been a happy distraction for the home side as they’ve qualified with ease from the group. This has clearly had a knock on effect to their league form, with the squad a little thin on ice. It’s just one win in five for the home side and this patchy form has allowed me to lean on the Foxes picking up something from this fixture.

Both sides arrive at exactly the same points and I see little between the pair. As we’re backing Leicester double chance, this allows us to get the draw inside too. This is a more than achievable target for the Foxes so I’m taking a punt on this!

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Liverpool v Southampton

Liverpool will enter the World Cup break outside the European spots, regardless of the result on Saturday in what has been a very frustrating 13 games for the Reds.

Virgil Van Dijk will want to collect 3 points against his former club after the Dutchman lost his impressive 70 match unbeaten home record, at the hands of Leeds United a fortnight ago. It’s been Liverpool’s inability to keep out the opposition that has been an issue this season, 2 clean sheets in their last 7 have them sat in 8^th after conceding 16 in the 13 games.

As for Southampton, it isn’t any better down on the coast. The recent dismissal of Ralph Hassenhuttl will please many Saints fans after leaving their side in 18^th place with 12 points after 14 games. So, with the recent appointment of Nathan Jones from Luton, there is no better time to make your mark than a victory at Anfield!

It’s a huge task for the Welshman as history favours the home side massively, 4 wins in the previous 5 meetings with Liverpool scoring 12 goals in those games with Southampton only managing to find the net twice.

After their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle last week meant that the Saints had only picked up one win in their last 9 games and with Mohammed Salah looking like the player we’ve grown to love over the last few years, it could be a tough first day at the office for Mr Jones with the Egyptian scoring 5 in his last 4 in all competitions with an impressive double last week against Tottenham helping Liverpool claim their first away win of the season.

I’m very confident Liverpool will return to winning ways at Anfield on Saturday afternoon and continue to push up the table once we return from the World Cup break.

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Newcastle United v Chelsea

I believe many Newcastle fans wouldn’t have thought they’d be sat in 3^rd place by the time we break for the World Cup, and they can confirm that with a victory over Chelsea on Saturday evening. With a 6-point advantage over Chelsea coming into this one, it is a huge game for Graham Potter’s blues if they have any hope of securing a ‘Top 4’ spot with Arsenal and Manchester City already looking as though the title will be a two-horse race this season.

Boasting the joint best defensive record in the league with top spot Arsenal, you can see why Newcastle are having the success they’re having at this moment in time. It was back in April the last time Newcastle tasted defeat at St James’ Park, making it a real fortress for The Magpies. Chelsea on the other hand have back-to-back defeats on the road conceding 6 scoring once in those games – from Graham Potter will be desperate to put right on Saturday.

Newcastle’s 4-3-3 formation and explosive counter attacking style has proven to be very dangerous against many oppositions so far this season, with Eddie Howe’s system getting the best out of Miguel Almiron – the winger now has 8 goals this season scoring 4 on the bounce. Callum Wilson was given his ticket to Qatar on Thursday so Saturday evening will give the striker his last opportunity to show Gareth Southgate he made the right decision with the striker contributing to 8 of Newcastle’s 28 goals so far this season (6G, 2A).

Aubameyang has an impressive personal record against Newcastle scoring in each of his last 6 appearances against The Magpies, but he will have to be in top form come Saturday if he expects to get anything from this game. I favour Newcastle in this one but with the quality Chelsea do have at their disposal, they are always a threat.

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