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This is a pivotal week in the Premier League. Teams very rarely play three matches in the space of seven days and we are about to witness it now. If it goes horribly wrong for teams, it can even change the course of their season.
I'm not saying it will happen, but if Arsenal end up losing both games, they could even be second by the end of the week. Even though I'm sure it will not happen, I just wanted to give you context on how quickly things can change in this league!
With fixtures coming thick and fast now, let us not waste further time and dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 14 in the Premier League.
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Fulham vs Manchester City
Manchester City were in the lead against Leeds United and quickly let it slip last weekend. Phil Foden snatched the win late on, but if City are to challenge Arsenal for the title, they cannot be allowing teams to catch up with them after taking a 2-0 lead.
This is a big week coming up for Manchester City. I expect Arsenal to win each of their next two league games. So if City and Chelsea want to push Mikel Arteta's team, they must get six points in their next two outings.
Fulham will take massive confidence from their win over Tottenham on Saturday. I don't think they are as bad as the league table suggests, there is quality in that squad. Manchester City are very inconsistent. We saw that against Leeds, they can be good for 45 minutes and throw it all away in the next forty-five. Fulham away is a tough fixture and I have a feeling City will concede chances in this game. I would have gone 2-1 to City, but Fulham have it in them to get a point.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Everton
It was shocking results for both these teams last weekend. Bournemouth were 2-0 up away from home to Sunderland and ended up losing 3-2. Everton were blown away in a 4-1 loss by visitors Newcastle, who are usually poor away from home. It goes without saying that both teams desperately need a reaction to their losses.
Everton are not a bad team going forward. They have performed well away from home too. But I just feel Bournemouth will have too much for them in this game. When Bournemouth play at home, they are exciting to watch and goals are definitely guaranteed. I'm expecting a win for the hosts.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Everton
Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham are under severe pressure now. Even though both Newcastle and Tottenham are on the same number of points, their trajectory is the exact opposite. Newcastle are on the rise by winning their last two, while Spurs have now lost twice in a row!
I heard Thomas Frank reacting to Tottenham fans booing Guglielmo Vicario for his error in the 2-1 loss to Fulham by accusing them of not being true supporters. I can assure you that his comments will not go down well with Spurs fans. You can say that while being manager of Brentford and it might work, but not at Tottenham, not after what they have been through over the years.
No one likes getting stick from your own fans. But the supporters spend serious money to watch matches and when their team loses to Fulham at home, they are free to make their feelings known.
Nick Woltemade has been amazing for Newcastle. I've waxed lyrical about him all season. He scores all sorts of goals, lovely little lob over the goalkeeper against Everton, we don't see that a lot in modern football these days. I'd be surprised if he doesn't score in this game!
Tottenham take one step forward and then go three steps back. Frank is under serious pressure after his comments too. I expect Newcastle to win this game. So basically, it will be a cup final for Frank when Spurs face his former club Brentford on Saturday.
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
This will be a really good game to watch. These are two teams that are flying in terms of recent form. If Aston Villa win their next two games against Brighton and Arsenal, they could be just three points behind the Gunners. Let's not forget Villa were in the relegation zone after the first five games!
We'll know if we should take Villa seriously or not by the end of the week. This will be a tough game away from home to Brighton. I always say this about Brighton that if you beat them, it's massive because they have it in them to upset one of your rivals. Having said that, I'm going for a draw here.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Aston Villa
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
Disappointing result for Crystal Palace the other day against Manchester United. They took the lead but failed to hold on. Palace will be hoping to put that result behind them with a solid display against Burnley now.
Four straight losses for Burnley in the build-up to this game, they are 19th in the table and in danger of failing to avoid the drop. Burnley need to get at least four points from their next two games to have a chance at avoiding relegation, otherwise it's goodnight for them in my opinion.
After this game at home to Palace, they face Newcastle away. So Burnley have to go out and try to win this game somehow. I doubt they will be successful against a well-drilled Palace.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Crystal Palace
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest
This is a cup final for Wolves and they need to win. Rob Edwards is already up against it in the battle to avoid relegation but this is a game they will look at and think they can win. After this game, Wolves are up against Manchester United and Arsenal, which are not fixtures they are expected to get anything out of!
Nottingham Forest have been decent away from home. They obviously beat Liverpool at Anfield a couple of weeks ago. Even though Forest head into this game as favourites, I can see Wolves getting a point. I don't know why I feel that way, but that's how it looks for me.
Wolves need to win this game and probably get 10 points in their next four matches to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Things have to change quickly for them, but I just can't see them winning matches due to a lack of quality.
Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Arsenal vs Brentford
Arsenal have dropped points against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, but they are winning against everyone else and that is making a difference. If you told Arsenal at the start of the season that they were going to have a run where they face Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the space of a week and come away with two wins and a draw, they would have taken it all day long.
Manchester City are still the closest challengers for Arsenal and they were nowhere near good against Leeds. Even after the draw against Chelsea, I can't see anybody touching Arsenal at the top of the table. If they can look after their players well, I think they can easily win the league this season. Comfortable win against Brentford at home coming up.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Brentford
Leeds United vs Chelsea
You've got to be impressed by the way in which Chelsea played against Arsenal. To have your best player, your engine, sent off and still play that kind of football against a team like Arsenal, Enzo Maresca will be super happy.
We always say Chelsea are a very young team, but they have a lot of players who are full internationals for their country. Despite being young, most of them have considerable experience playing at senior level. Looking at Chelsea's squad, they surely have it in them to finish above Manchester City this season.
This is a big game for Chelsea fans because they don't get along very well with their Leeds counterparts. It's a rivalry that stretches back to the 1970s. Elland Road will be rocking and Chelsea will have to be careful. In the first 20 minutes, the crowd will be firmly behind Leeds and the hosts will be buzzing. Chelsea must weather that early storm and then they can play their football and go on to win it.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-2 Chelsea
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Sunderland produced an incredible performance against a really good Bournemouth team last weekend. But I'm going to back Liverpool for the win here simply because they are Liverpool. Alexander Isak will be relieved after scoring his first goal during the win over West Ham last time out. Even though I think Liverpool will win, they won't have it easy. It will be a tough game.
I'd be shocked if Arne Slot decides to bring Mohamed Salah back into the Liverpool team for this game. That isn't the right thing to do. He was dropped for a reason and Liverpool won. Salah needs to be on the bench to get back to his best. You can't keep picking players based on how good they were in the past. Slot made the right decision to drop Salah in the last game and he should stick to it.
There is no way Liverpool are finishing outside the top four this season. I expect them to win this game and secure three more points.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland
Manchester United vs West Ham United
It was a great result for Manchester United against Crystal Palace. They never really troubled Palace in the first half and conceded the opening goal. But credit to United, they changed it up in the second half and got the result. Like I said before, I thought they were quite poor in that loss to Everton. This performance was much better in comparison.
I'm expecting goals, goals and more goals in this game. I don't expect West Ham to cause them major problems. Manchester United need some consistency and they will hope this result can spring them in the right direction.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United
