Premier League Predictions, Week 24

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! Yes, don't rub your eyes, it really, truly has been a week since you've heard from me. For what feels like the first time in two months, there were no midweek Premier League matches, although about half the league still had FA Cup matches to play, and next week, a few more will have Champions League matches to play.

It's probably a good thing for my psyche that there was a full week since the last slate of matches. Just as my favorite team Liverpool have been, I have been nothing short of dreadful of late. The only saving grace from last time out was that unlike most previous weeks, my picks actually trended better as the games went on. I whiffed out of the gate on Arsenal and Manchester United failing to win, but restored some credibility with correct predictions in the Wolverhampton-Leicester draw and Manchester City's romp over Liverpool, as well as coming close to dead-on with my ballsy projection that Sheffield United would take points off Chelsea. But when all was said and done, it was a fourth consecutive 2/5 week for me, making me 45.5/100 on the year. 45.5% is not where I wanted to be 100 matches in.

But, the matches are less than 12 hours away from starting back up, so let's not waste any more time fretting over failed benchmarks. Here are your 5 for Week 24!

Leicester City vs. Liverpool

The first match of the weekend is likely to be one of the most-anticipated ones (begging the question, why would the Premier League scorn their American audience by putting it at 7:30 AM on a Saturday?). This is generally one of the more entertaining matchups of the season, thanks to the traditionally positive style of play both clubs exhibit. Liverpool has consistently gotten the better of Leicester City, though, especially at King Power Stadium, interestingly enough. The winner of this showdown between #3 and #4 will do wonders for their Top 4 odds, while the loser, if there is a loser, will find themselves in a precarious situation, particularly if that loser is Liverpool. It's hard to see the Reds losing their third straight match, especially against a club they always seem to get results against. But most if not all of the bastions of Liverpool's consistency under Klopp have fallen in recent months. Plus, Leicester, winners of just 1 of their last 3, also need points and quite frankly, are just the better football team right now.

The Pick: Leicester, 2-1

Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Tomorrow presents a chance for Manchester City to avenge their last loss of the season, which took place all the way back before Thanksgiving. Here's all they've done in the 22 matches in all competitions since then: 19 wins, including a record 15 straight, 3 draws, a grand total of 6 goals conceded, and an average scoreline of 2.4-0.3. Tottenham might draw confidence from the fact that they were the last side to beat them, and the return of Harry Kane is always a welcome sight. But there just doesn't seem to be any stopping the City train, not even by a club that's already bested them and boasts one of the most accomplished managers in the world.

The Pick: Manchester City, 2-0

West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United

Everton's last-gasp equalizer last weekend probably all but drove a stake through the heart of Manchester United's slimming title hopes. United will absolutely need a win this weekend just to keep that dream alive, but really, they probably need a win just to stay atop a wildly competitive Top 4 race. Sam Allardyce's West Brom side have flustered a Big Six side or two this season, most notably and recently Liverpool, who they were able to snag a point from at Anfield by withstanding a barrage of attacks and poaching a set piece goal. However, since then, in their more desperate attempts to win matches, they've played a more open style which has typically led to disastrous results. Manchester United has loads of attacking talent, but not as much as a known identity as Liverpool, and that may actually work in their favor here. West Brom doesn't have the secret ingredient to quell their attacks, and thus, is likely to get shredded the way they have in just about every match post-Liverpool.

The Pick: Manchester United, 5-2

Chelsea vs. Newcastle United

I have underestimated Thomas Tuchel for (hopefully) the last time. Ever since I correctly forecasted a draw in the German manager's first match in charge, I've gotten cocky and trusted in my projection that Chelsea's turnaround would be slow. After 3 consecutive wins, all of which I predicted being draws, I'm ready to fess up to being wrong. The Blues haven't been flawless, but their uptick in form and effort has been noticeable. So, for the first time in the Tuchel Era, I am predicting a Chelsea victory, against a suddenly hapless Newcastle side that's won just 2 matches in the last 2 months. Now watch Newcastle pull off the upset...

The Pick: Chelsea, 1-0

Everton vs. Manchester City

But wait! There's more! Yes, even though the double-fixture weeks are just about over for most teams, some sides still have to play midweek clashes to make up for previous COVID postponements. One such instance will take place this Wednesday, and it just happens to be a big one. Barring a loss of points against Tottenham-- a not-impossible scenario --league leaders Manchester City will roll into Goodison Park off of 16 straight wins, but hosts Everton have been Top 4 flirts all season, and one could argue haven't actually played up to their potential, at least not since October. The amount of talent on the pitch alone should make for a good match, but throw in two world-class managers, and a decent amount of stakes in the Premier League table, and this is arguably can't-miss television. I can't in good faith pick anything other than a Manchester City victory until I see otherwise, but I do predict that their streak of not conceding a goal from open play (7 league matches now) will fall in the process.

The Pick: Manchester City, 2-1