Another week, another round of premier league football. And another few hours of me scrambling to get everyone’s tips. Folks, say hello to this week’s tips.
Alf really has overtaken Oliver recently, and retains that lead heading into round 24. He’s on 115, Oliver is on 109, and I’m on 85. *mournful sigh*
On with the tipping!
Arsenal vs Cardiff
Dan
It’s been a real tough week for Cardiff fans after the disappearance of Emiliano Sala. As much as I want them to bounce back in the right way, it’s still Arsenal. And they’re still Cardiff. It hurts to predict this. 2-0 Arsenal
Oliver
Cardiff City are going through a difficult time at the moment both on the field and off it. They’re sitting in eighteenth and club-record signing Emiliano Sala has gone missing off Alderney. It’s not looking good for them against Arsenal but I think they’ll make it closer than expected. 2-1 Arsenal
Alf
Sure, Arsenal lost their last game against Manchester United. But it’s a United side rejuvenated under Solksjær, so I’m fine with it. On the other hand, Cardiff are really bad these days. It’s a good time for Aubameyang to grab a hat-trick in the Premier League. 3-0 Arsenal
Fuham vs Brighton
Dan
Fulham were desperately unlucky to lose to Tottenham the other week, and now, they’re rested coming up against a good at times, yet inconsistent Brighton who will be frustrated after West Brom forced them into a replay in the FA Cup. I’ll pick Fulham for this one, though not confidently. 2-1 Fulham
Oliver
Brighton’s last two PL games have been against superior opponents in Liverpool and Manchester United, and so Fulham will be a match they’ll be looking forward. Fulham are Fulham, so that’s all I need to say there. 3-1 Brighton
Alf
Being knocked out of the FA Cup has its perks since they have more time to rest. Brighton just forced West Brom to a replay. With tired players, I believe that Fulham can seize the chance to look for a win. 1-0 Fulham
Wolves vs West Ham
Dan
Losses to Brighton and being shockingly dumped out of the FA Cup by Wimbledon ended West Ham’s purple patch of form. Sure, Wolves got held to a replay by Shrewsbury, but unlike their opponents they’ll have the home advantage and confidence to boot. 1-0 Wolves
Oliver
We’ve got two sides with very, very similar records going up against each other. Wolves are eighth, WHU are tenth, both with a goal difference of -4 and nine wins from 23. How could this not be a draw? 1-1 draw
Alf
The Wolves are on fire at home and they’re not a team to be looked down on. On the other hand, West Ham were humiliated by AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup. I see the home side at least drawing this one, well, if not winning. 1-1 draw
Huddersfield vs Everton
Dan
If Huddersfield’s managerial change is going to make a difference, then this is a golden opportunity for Siewert to install some confidence and belief in his side ahead of tough clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea. And against an inconsistent Everton, I think they’ll just scrape a result. 1-0 Huddersfield
Oliver
So Everton may have just lost a cup match to a team divisions below them… but it’s Huddersfield. They’re the weakest team in the league, and everyone knows it. Even Everton will have no problem overrunning them. 2-0 Everton
Alf
Yet another home game against a strong side after the Manchester City defeat for Huddersfield. This will be Jan Siewert’s maiden game in England after Wagner’s resignation. Everton will want to continue their scoring streak, if not a winning one. 2-0 Everton
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Dan
You know, if it wasn’t for Mike Ashley Newcastle might actually have a chance of being at least competitive in this game. 3-0 Manchester City
Oliver
City know that they can’t be dropping points any more. Liverpool are ahead, and any points dropped is a gain for their opponents. With that in mind, I can see City scoring a few here to try to make a statement. 4-1 Everton
Alf
The magpies are really inconsistent these days. Against Manchester City, I don’t believe that they’ll win. At all. For City, I believe that they’ll score at least 3 goals without reply. This is Guardiola! 3-0 Manchester City
Manchester United vs Burnley
Dan
The Red Devils just keep on winning, don’t they! Burnley might go full defensive mode, but given how United are playing? Nothing is stopping the Solskjaer train. 2-0 Manchester United
Oliver
Burnley have got home advantage in this tie and they’ve not lost a league match since Round 19. Solskjaer’s got United flying, though, and I can’t see the Clarets stopping that momentum. They could, however, slightly slow it down. 2-1 Manchester United
Alf
This should be no contest at all since Burnley are really shit these days. Enough said. {Editors note: When Alf swears you know you’re really bad} 4-0 Manchester United
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
Dan
Despite their contrasting form in the FA Cup in the league, this is a very difficult match to call, with two quite even teams. So I’ll go with the option that won’t please either team. 1-1 draw
Oliver
So’ton are coming into this in better form than their opposition and frankly I can see why. The Saints are a place below Palace at the moment but I can see that changing after this match. 2-0 Southampton
Alf
I still can’t believe that Palace beat Tottenham and knocked them out of the FA Cup. This should be enough to build a momentum for them to win more games and a visit to St Mary’s shouldn’t be hard for them. 1-2 Crystal Palace
AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea
Dan
Remember when Bournemouth were good? No, me neither. Chelsea have beaten Sheffield Wednesday and Tottenham since their loss to Arsenal and should have built up enough confidence to comfortably dispatch the cherries. 3-1 Chelsea
Oliver
Alf
What’s wrong with Bournemouth these days? They used to be quite good but no, they started to have a shaky form. Despite of that, Chelsea’s dressing room started to be a little bit unstable after the Arsenal game. Can they nick a draw from the Blues? 1-1 draw
Liverpool vs Leicester City
Dan
Leicester are tough to predict in games like this, as they’ve been giant killers a few times already this season. Still, at home, Liverpool should win. Should. 1-0 Liverpool
Oliver
We’ve got the victors of a 4-3 match against the losers of one in this tie. Liverpool are absolutely flying and I can’t see their momentum harmed here, especially given Leicester’s poor play as of late and the pressure on Claude Puel to turn things around. 4-0 Liverpool
Alf
Both Liverpool and Leicester City, who are out of the FA Cup, shouldn’t have any excuses in this game. They have had enough rest and I believe that Liverpool will win, with all their players all guns blazing. 3-0 Liverpool
Tottenham vs Watford
Dan
This is the question that will continue to bug Tottenham until their injury crisis is over: Does their squad have the depth to win this match? For the Watford game, I think no. But they’ll still get a point. 2-2 draw.
Oliver
Here’s my upset. Watford haven’t lost in the league yet this year while Tottenham have been doing the kinds of things you’d expect of Tottenham. With all of the injuries Spurs have had, it’s hard to believe that they’d win this, and I think they’ll lose. 3-2 Watford
Alf
Out of the League Cup and the FA Cup in a row with both of them were London derbies. It’s the third for Tottenham in a week. Both losses and the injury crisis in the team will certainly hit the team morale in the dressing room. A draw would be a fair prediction. 0-0 draw
