Leicester City to resist Arsenal
Crystal Palace’s DR Congo winger Yannick Bolasie is set to return from a calf injury against Watford after six weeks out. AFP PHOTO
Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1
The champions’ indifferent season has forced Guus Hiddink to play two holding midfielders. This has offered John Obil Mikel a fresh lease of life. I expect the Dutch tactician to continue giving him a starting role. This will give the team more attacking impetus, with Eden Hazard coming in for Nemanja Matic.
Man City 2 Spurs 1
Have been largely impressed by the work Mauricio Pochettino is doing at Spurs. They will give City a stern examination of their title credentials. Vincent Kompany’s return should give City the leadership and defensive stability to see them through.
Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 1
Liverpool’s second string side battled manfully before succumbing to an extra-time defeat at West Ham. Returning duo Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge will prove the difference in the match up against a passionate but limited Aston Villa side.
Everton 2 West Brom 0
Even though the Brummies’ most eye catching results have come away from the Hawthorns, Everton are in such a rich vein of form. I was taken aback by the manner in which the Toffees dismantled Stoke City. I expect more of the same.
C. Palace 1 Watford 0
I did not know that Crystal Palace was a one-man team until their six-game win-less spell in this English Premier League coincided with the absence of Yannick Bolassie. If the Congolese born winger returns, the Eagles should be able to nick this one.
Sunderland 1 Man Utd 2
Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils came within minutes of bettering Chelsea. The substitute that took off Marouane Fellaini gave Chelsea a route back into the game. Sunderland will attack Utd, creating space for Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney to pick them off.
Arsenal 1 Leicester 1
Arsenal have not been firing on all cylinders this year. Victory over Bournemouth was pyrrhic as both goals came in a two-minute spell. I thought the Foxes were magnificent at the Etihad, so I am backing them to leave London with something.
Swansea 1 Southampton 1
While Alan Curtis’ Swans are not the bedraggled wanderers they had declined into under Gary Monk, they have not improved enough to dispose of a resurgent Southampton. I foresee shared spoils.
B’mouth 1 Stoke 1
Stoke City are morphing into an inconsistent outfit. A team blessed with five Champions League winners need not be losing back-to-back games 0-3. Giannelli Imbula should start as manager Mark Hughes seeks and gets a reaction.
Norwich 1 West Ham 1
Alex Neil’s Canaries are in ghastly form. Five defeats in a row dictate that they will come all guns blazing for this fixture. Ordinarily, I would have backed West Ham, but for their punishing FA Cup match in mid-week against Kop.
