Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 21

It’s been slow going but the third round of the FA Cup has undoubtedly been a success and there is little time to rest as another Premier League game is around the corner.

Thought the holiday season was busy? Pfft. It’s January real agent of chaos.

The weekend allowed most managers to rest and change ahead of the upcoming midweek fixtures, with only three Premier League sides exiting the FA Cup – two of which fell to Premier League rivals. Even Southampton won.

Those beaten will be happy to respond quickly under the lights, with Gameweek 21 offering midweek action.

Here’s how 90 min predicts the upcoming midweek Premier League fixtures.

Maybe that Nottingham Forest win at Anfield wasn’t so stunning after all. Was it just their ‘Leicester at the Etihad’ moment of 2016 en route to the unthinkable Premier League glory?

Forest’s outstanding campaign has prompted questions over whether they can repeat the Foxes’ incredible triumph, with Nuna Espirito Santo’s side third in the table. They can close within three points of Liverpool on Tuesday but must beat the league leaders at the City Ground to do so.

Arne Slott’s Reds have lost just once in the league all season, but Manchester United and Tottenham both found success against the title favorites last week.

Ahead of Tuesday’s first leg, Manchester City play away at Brentford aiming for a fourth league win, while Chelsea face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on the back of a four-game Premier League winless run. The Cherries will leapfrog the Blues in the table with a win in west London.

Graham Potter also takes charge of his first game at the London Stadium as West Ham United manager. Potter oversaw a 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night, but there were encouraging signs on debut. Fulham make the short trip to London to face the Hammers.

Wednesday’s action is highlighted by the north London derby, with injury-hit Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur clashing at the Emirates Stadium.

You never know what you’re going to get from Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, typified by their two latest performances, but you can project more Arsenal woes in front of goal given their profligacy in defeats to Newcastle and Manchester United over the past week. Mikel Arteta’s chances at the top are getting less and less in the game.

The Gunners’ emotional fanbase are becoming increasingly frustrated with their current situation and a home defeat to mid-table Spurs will tip a lot of them over the edge.

David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park is a selection of early kick-offs, with the Scot’s second spell as manager on Merseyside coming against an inconsistent Aston Villa side.

Newcastle aim to continue their rich run of form when they face Vitor Pereira’s enterprising Wolves at St James’ Park, while Leicester take on Crystal Palace on the back of six goals from QPR this weekend. The Foxes could escape the relegation zone with a win over the 15th-placed Eagles.

Gameweek 21 rounds off with a handful of games on Thursday, with the first outing at Portman Road. Chelsea and Bristol Rovers have felt the wrath of Kieran McKenna’s side in East Anglia over the past few weeks and the Tractor Boys have started to feel at ease in the top flight.

Brighton have been hampered by injuries over the past few months, but they have done an excellent job of avoiding defeat and should probably have turned a few of their recent setbacks into wins. Perhaps on Thursday they will achieve the long-awaited triumph.

Finally, a Manchester United side full of grit and spirit take on Southampton in what has been dubbed the six relegation points after the Red Devils were beaten at home to Newcastle. United’s position in the table has not changed, but their last two performances suggest they will not be drawn into contention during the second half of the season.

However, they face a Saints team who come into the game on the back of a rare win. Ivan Jurić’s first win as a manager came against Championship side Swansea City.

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