Premier League Predictions, Week 18

Merry Boxing New Year, folks! I hope you all had a Liverpool-type holiday, and not a Manchester City-type one. Yes, over the 8 days that have passed since we last spake, the Reds have opened up a 6-point lead over 2nd-place Tottenham, and a 7-point lead over defending champions City, who are in a sudden freefall. 3 losses from 4 matches isn't terrifying for some teams, but for Man City, who lost 2 total matches last year, it's nightmarish.

Last week, I had a "meh" week, going 3 for 5 and missing all scorelines. My optimism in Chelsea and Manchester United were justified, but I once again sold Liverpool and Tottenham short. The Reds not only avoided a draw with Wolves, they won comfortably; and the Spurs won both their matches by a combined 11-2 scoreline (as opposed to the 3-2 aggregate that I predicted). That brings my record to a "meh" 51 for 71. Now, the first match is less than 12 hours away from starting back, so let's not waste any time groveling. Here are your 5 for Week 18!

Tottenham vs. Wolverhampton

I have gotten some predictions very right this season (51 of them, to be exact!), but I'd guess very little of them have been Tottenham matches. The Spurs' choppy, ugly start to the season has made me skeptics ever since, and the Wolves' early results against the Manchester teams turned me into believers. But there's no denying the form Pochettino's men are in, and though Wolverhampton is still good enough to pluck a goal or two on the road, it'd be foolish to expect anything other than a rousing Spurs victory at this point.`

The Pick: Tottenham, 3-1

Liverpool vs. Arsenal

There are a slate full of fun matchups this weekend, but none as much as the marquee game of them all. Liverpool and Arsenal played in one of the matches of the Premier League season on their last meeting, a wildly entertaining 1-1 draw in London that probably should have seen a couple more goals for both sides. I have this good thing going where I pick Liverpool to not win, and then my favorite team exceeds expectations by winning. So, especially considering how dynamic Arsenal's attack is, I feel like I should stick with it. But, I just can't see the Reds getting anything less than a win, with the form they're in and the home field advantage they'll have at Anfield.

The Pick: Liverpool, 3-1

Southampton vs. Manchester City

On paper, this isn't an interesting matchup in the least. And in fact, it likely still won't be one. But what's intriguing is that both teams are in desperate need of a win, for entirely different reasons. Southampton need to pull themselves out of the cusp of the relegation zone, and City just need to win one to stay in contention. Consecutive losses to Crystal Palace and Leicester are already baffling enough, but a loss to Southampton would be calamitous for the Blues. The good news for them (and the very bad news for the Saints) is that I think they'll be hellbent on getting it.

The Pick: Manchester City, 5-1

Manchester United vs. Bournemouth

So far, so good for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm of Man U. The former player has injected some desperately-needed energy into the once dormant Red Devils, and they enter the 2nd half of the season with some positive momentum for the first time. Not too long ago, Bournemouth was a Top 6 side, but their performances against Big 6 clubs since (losing to Liverpool and Tottenham by a combined 0-9 mark) have caused a, uh, loss of confidence, to put it mildly. Expect United to keep rolling, against an opponent in rough form.

The Pick: Manchester United, 3-0

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

Don't forget, there are once again midweek matches following New Years. It'd be hard for you to forget that fact this year: one such midweek match might just be the biggest of the Premier League season. Next Thursday, though their margin is unknown at this time, Liverpool will still be atop the Premier League table, with City likely still in striking distance even if they remain in 3rd place. The last matchup between the defending champions and the current leaders was a total dud, which at the time suited Man City. Hopefully for all neutral fans, the match this time lives up to its billing; though another ugly 0-0 result would likely be a-okay with Reds fans. As it is, I can't see Liverpool taking this one. Guardiola seems to have mastered how to play against Klopp, and with the entire season in the balance in this one, I like the Blues' chances at home.

The Pick: Manchester City, 1-0

Premier League Predictions, Week 18

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