Premier League predictions ahead of this weekend’s action

Manchester United v Arsenal: 2-1

Robin van Persie lines up against his former club – surely he’ll get his name on the score-sheet. Arsenal will take the game to United and will likely dominate possession but with top-scorer Gervinho out the Gunners might just lack that bit of firepower.

Both defences have been untidy as of late – I predict not quite an 8-2 riot but a late winner for the home side in a close encounter at Old Trafford.

Fulham v Everton: 1-2

Three draws on the trot for Everton as they travel to Fulham who sit just 2 points behind them in 7^th place. Everton have looked ambitious this season and they have a number of players in form.

Fulham have drawn two of their last three and will be disappointed by last weekend’s result at Reading. They’ll put up a fight – Berbatov will be their best outlet – but I think Everton’s attacking play, especially from set-pieces, will be just too much for Fulham to handle.

Norwich v Stoke: 1-2

Whilst Norwich will have been boosted by their midweek win against Spurs, off the back of a draw at Villa Park and a win against Arsenal – the Canaries will likely start the perkier of the two sides.

But Pulis’ Stoke City have held Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal to draws this term and are looking improved from last season. I fancy Stoke to put in a solid shift and clinch a late winner.

They’ll let Norwich have more of the ball but it’ll be the visitors who take all three points.

Sunderland v Aston Villa: 2-0

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neil faces his old club and I fancy him to take the points at home. They’ve made the Stadium of Light something of a fortress s far this season and I can’t see Villa taking anything away with them.

Swansea v Chelsea: 2-2

Chelsea will be feeling the hangover from their 5-4 midweek thriller against Man United in which Di Matteo threw on a number of his first-team stars. Swansea will be buoyed by their midweek win over Brendan Rogers’ Liverpool and I fancy Michu to serve the Blues a shocker and nick a point off the league leaders.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan: 2-0

Spurs’ League Cup exit midweek will have stung a bit and AVB will be looking to bounce back as soon as possible. Unfortunately, for Wigan, they’ll be on the end of it. They’ve been playing well recently and deserved their win against West Ham last weekend but I can’t see the visitors pulling this one out of the bag.

West Ham v Manchester City: 1-2

Big Sam will have his Hammers ready for a big duel at home – Carlos Tevez returns to his former club. West Ham will be looking to bounce back from defeat at Wigan last weekend.

They’ll be up for battle with City who’ll likely have one eye on Tuesday’s clash with Ajax. But I think City have too much quality to not win this one.

QPR v Reading: 1-0

I fancy Mark Hughes to grab his first win of the season at home to Reading who will be broken and blue after their 5-7 defeat to Arsenal in midweek.

They’ll be knackered, for one and jaded, for two, and, whilst both sides are desperate to win I think Hughes is the most desperate of everyone. I reckon when needs must: QPR will just clinch it.

Liverpool v Newcastle: 2-2

Liverpool will be demoralized from their loss to Swansea in midweek and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping they can bounce back but Newcastle are a tough, energetic and ambitious team with strikers that can skin the Reds alive.

I reckon they’ll be all square – Liverpool will likely take a lead but Newcastle will persist and hang on for a point away at Anfield, which would be a pretty good result for them.

West Brom v Southampton: 1-0

I can’t see Nigel Adkins having enough firepower in his team to overcome a West Brom side that sit in 8^th place in the league. West Brom have only won 1 game in their last five in all competitions and I think they’ll feel this is their best bet to bounce back.

They’ll have been hurt at Newcastle and at home to City and the results in those two games don’t reflect their performances, which were fair to reasonably good.

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