Premier League Predictions, Week 15
Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! Do not adjust your screens, we skipped from Week 13 last Friday to Week 15 here. Why? Because 'tis the season for fixture pileup...Week 14 took place over the last few days, and it's already time for the next slate!
Last weekend, I didn't return to my scintillating pre-Thanksgiving form wholly, but did get back on track from my stinker the week before. Tottenham's surprise draw with Manchester City threw me, as did Brighton's failure to take points off of Chelsea. But wins for Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle, though all less routine than I expected, got me 3/5 on the week. This takes me to a 35/50 mark on the year, 70% even.
Now, the matches are less than 12 hours from kicking off, so let's not waste any more time sweating out narrow victories. Here are your 5 for Week 15!
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool
Since the return from the international break, Liverpool have exhibited an ability to pull out big results when something isn't working right, whether it's their attack (as in the draw at Manchester City and Wednesday's win at Sheffield), or their back line (as in Sunday's win over Fulham). And that is no small feat! In fact, it's a trademark of a championship team. But the fact remains that has something has looked off in each of the last several matches, and now the injuries are slowly starting to pile up right at the same time the fixture list is. Crystal Palace is a far cry from some of the tricky teams they've had in years past, and the Reds have done far better in the early kickoff slot this season, but I'm still not quite at a point where I can predict a Liverpool victory on the road in the early kickoff against a former bogey team, on just a couple days of rest.
The Pick: Draw, 1-1
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth
The rumors (sorry, rumours) of Manchester United's demise... are greatly exaggerated? That's right- arguably no club or individual has faced more negative coverage or the slew of panicking headlines than Erik ten Hag and United have, and yet the Red Devils just earned their 5th win in 6 matches, and sit just 3 points outside the Top 4. As rival manager Jurgen Klopp mentioned in a press conference this week, much has been made about the way they're playing, and yet they keep getting results. Expect that trend to continue at home against a plucky by overmatched Bournemouth side.
The Pick: Man United, 3-1
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Even a mere month ago, I'm not sure how many folks would have circled this as the prime match of the Premier League weekend. Arsenal and Aston Villa's strong seasons last year didn't fully win over everyone, as much skepticism abounds still about the former's title race credentials and the latter's Top 4 credentials have been cast in doubt. Yet, both clubs keep winning, and impressively so: Arsenal did so much wrong at Luton in the midweek, but dug deep and scored a thrilling victory to extend their stay atop the table, while Aston Villa did so much right in a stunningly comprehensive win over champions Man City the other day, and suddenly find themselves in a not-so-distant 3rd place. I do think the Gunners are different gravy, and it will be hard for Villa to continue punching above their weight talent-wise...but Unai Emery's men are playing too well, especially at home, for me to expect them to lose at least.
The Pick: Draw, 2-2
Luton Town vs. Manchester City
In the last month, Luton Town has drawn Liverpool and come within seconds of drawing Arsenal at home, so clearly the Hatters are capable of punching well above their weight. But this will be a different beast altogether: City may be in uncharted waters with only 3 points from their last 12, but it still stands to reason that they represent the most talented team Luton will face all year, and will come in fired up to get their first win in 5 matches. This will either be yet another Luton success story, or get very ugly very fast, no in between, and I'm inclined to think it will be the latter.
The Pick: Man City, 4-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United
The marquee matchup Sunday morning will be a battle between two teams who need a win after disappointing results. Tottenham have tumbled entirely out of the Top 4 after beginning November unbeaten and in 1st place, and yesterday’s loss (their 4th in 5 matches) was a new low, conceding the lead in two second half goals at home vs. West Ham. There’s a feeling of the wheels coming off for Ange Postecoglou’s side, although a rash of injuries hasn’t helped. Newcastle, meanwhile, can’t seem to get out of their own way; seemingly every time they seem to be making an uptick in form and a real threat at the Top 4, they drop a stinker, and yesterday’s 3-0 capitulation at Everton was the mother of all stinkers.
Both sides still in Top 4 contention, but one of these teams needs to rally on Sunday, and I'm going to guess it will be the one who is more desperate for a win and will be at home.
The Pick: Tottenham, 3-2
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