PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS (NOV 18th – 20th)

Manchester United v Arsenal – Saturday 1230

Positions: Man Utd 6^th, Arsenal 4^th

Form (league matches only – earliest matches first):

Man Utd WDDLDW (9pts)

Arsenal WWWDWD (14pts)

• Arsenal are on a long unbeaten run across all competitions, and United have been much less consistent to say the least. However, in a home match against one of their fierce rivals, you certainly don’t expect United to roll over and die, and perhaps a draw is on the cards here. ArseArsenal full back Hector Bellerin is expected to miss four weeks of football after being injured against Tottenham two weeks ago.

Crystal Palace v Manchester City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Crystal Palace 16^th, Man City 3^rd

Form:

Crystal Palace WDLLLL (4pts)

Man City WLDDWD (11pts)

• City again failed to win, despite dominating, against Middlesbrough last time out. However Palace’s wretched run continued with a last gasp defeat to Burnley two weeks ago, and you have to fancy City here.

Everton v Swansea City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Everton 7^th, Swansea 19^th

Form:

Everton LDDLWL (5pts)

Swansea LLLDLL (1pt)

• Having made a good start, Everton now find themselves with only one win from the last six, and they were heavily beaten by Chelsea last time out. However, you still have to back the Toffees to beat Swansea, who appear to be in a very sorry state indeed right now.

Southampton v Liverpool – Saturday 1500

Positions: Southampton 10^th, Liverpool 1^st

Form:

Southampton WDWDLL (8pts)

Liverpool WWDWWW (16pts)

• After a good start, Southampton have found the going harder in their last three matches. Failing to beat Chelsea and Manchester City was no disgrace, but two weeks ago struggling Hull came away from their match with the Saints with all three points. Liverpool are of course scoring goals for fun in their rise to the top of the table, and Southampton certainly face a difficult match by any measure. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side are struggling to keep clean sheets, and Southampton have enough attacking talent to stand a chance here. Adam Lallana, injured during England’s friendly, is expected to miss this match, but a lengthy absence is not expected.

Stoke City v Bournemouth – Saturday 1500

Positions: Stoke 12^th, Bournemouth 13^th

Form:

Stoke DDWWWD (12pts)

Bournemouth WDWDLL (8pts)

• Stoke extended their unbeaten run to six in the last round of matches, while Bournemouth have suffered disappointing defeats to Middlesbrough and Sunderland in their last two matches. The Cherries are still to win away from home this season, so Stoke appear to have the edge here.

Sunderland v Hull City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Sunderland 20^th, Hull 18^th

Form:

Hull LLLLLW (3pts)

Sunderland LDLLLW (4pts)

• Both teams finally ended wretched runs of form by winning in the last round of matches, but now they face another hugely important match. Both sides will believe this is one they can win if they play to the best of their ability, but given neither side has won that often this season, perhaps a draw is the most likely result. A serious knee injury will keep Hull forward Will Keane on the sidelines for 12 months.

Watford v Leicester City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Watford 8^th, Leicester 14^th

Form:

Watford LDWDWL (8pts)

Leicester LDLWDL (5pts)

• Leicester lost their 14-month unbeaten home record last time, and now go back on the road where they have gained just a single point so far. The champions are now just two points clear of the relegation zone. Watford are sitting pretty in the top half of the table, but a key factor here might be how the Hornets respond to their 6-1 mauling by Liverpool. Again, with no compelling reasons to confidently back either side, this could be a good bet for a draw.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United – Saturday 1730

Positions: Tottenham 5^th, West Ham 17^th

Form:

Tottenham WWDDDD (10pts)

West Ham LDWWLD (8pts)

• Despite being the league’s only unbeaten team, not everything is rosy for Tottenham right now. Their goals total is well below that of the teams above them, and it is more than a month since they scored anything other than a penalty in any competition. However, West Ham are still not firing on all cylinders, and having netted only four times in their last six league matches, will surely find scoring against Spurs’ superb defence very difficult. Tottenham may just edge a low-scoring encounter.

Middlesbrough v Chelsea – Sunday 1600

Positions: Middlesbrough 15^th, Chelsea 2^nd

Form:

Middlesbrough LDLDWD (6pts)

Chelsea LWWWWW (15pts)

• Middlesbrough may have claimed creditable results in their last two matches, but surely face an uphill battle here with Chelsea having scored 16 goals in winning all of their last five matches. If Chelsea produce anything close to their exhilarating performance against Everton two weeks ago, then ‘Boro really have their work cut out.

West Bromwich Albion v Burnley – Monday 2000

Positions: West Brom 11^th, Burnley 9^th

Form:

West Brom DDDLLW (6pts)

Burnley WLLWDW (10pts)

• West Brom gained a much needed win at Leicester in their last match, but Burnley also won to continue their excellent start to the season. However, Sean Dyche’s side have struggled on the road so far - just one point gained and one goal scored - and while West Brom have been far from excellent at home, the Baggies may start as marginal favourites.

Tipster Street

tipsterstreet.net