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Games are coming thick and fast in the Premier League and there's been a lot of drama in recent weeks, with big guns like Chelsea and Liverpool dropping points to hand the initiative to Manchester City in the title race. The situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic hasn't eased off, leading to a handful of games being rescheduled to the new year.
All in all, 2021 has been another memorable year and the magic of the Premier League has been on display for everyone to witness. That said, game week 21 could well turn out to be a pivotal one in the title race, with Arsenal hosting Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Chelsea locking horns with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
The Premier League table has already begun to take shape, how will it look after the next set of games? Your guess is as good as mine at this point in time!
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Arsenal are playing well at the moment but Manchester City are on another planet, so anything other than a win for the away side will come as a huge surprise to me. Arsenal always beat the so-called lesser teams and struggle badly against the big boys - this Premier League encounter looks like it could head in the same direction.
I expect the Manchester City juggernaut to roll on.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City
Leicester City vs Norwich City
What a result it was for Leicester City against Liverpool. They played really well against Manchester City in the second half and staged a stunning comeback but topped it off with a famous result against Jurgen Klopp and co at the King Power Stadium.
Norwich City, on the other hand, look spent. In my opinion, they're gone and I see no way back for them. They were unlucky to lose against Manchester United but since then, they've been absolutely blown away by Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Leicester will have miles too much for them, so I think this is going to be a comfortable victory for the home side.
Prediction: Leicester City 4-0 Norwich City
Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham will be disappointed after dropping points against Southampton - they played against ten men for a long time but failed to make it count. Watford are a funny team and always have a result in them - I think they could give Spurs a game at Vicarage Road.
They got absolutely slaughtered by West Ham but we've seen what they can do at the other end of the pitch. Spurs' high tempo could catch up with them sooner rather than later, so I think this one will end all square.
Prediction: Watford 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United
Both teams are coming on the back of fantastic results in the Premier League, so this could be a great game at Selhurst Park. People might give me a lot of stick for this, but I don't think there is a lot between these two sides in terms of quality.
Their league positions might suggest otherwise, but a closer look at Palace's results this season will tell you that they've been incredibly unlucky. A lot of things went against them, so I believe they should be higher up the Premier League table.
I can't separate these two sides at the moment so I'm going for a 1-1 draw.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 West Ham United
Brentford vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa have done really well since Steven Gerrard's arrival. Brentford, on the other hand, are in a precarious positon, but that said, they can put all the talk of potential relegation to bed with a positive result. They've lost three games on the bounce and before they know it, it could be four or five so this is a really important game for them.
Both teams have enough quality and will cause each other a handful of problems, so they could well end up sharing the spoils.
Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa
Southampton vs Newcastle United
If Allan Saint-Maximin doesn't feature, I don't think Newcastle United will get much out of the game. Southampton won't blow them away, but they should have enough to get all three points at home if the Frenchman misses out. If he plays, I think Newcastle will get at least a point but if he doesn't, I think the home side will go on to win this one.
Prediction 1: Southampton 1-1 Newcastle United (if Saint-Maximin plays)
Prediction 2: Southampton 2-0 Newcastle United (if Saint-Maximin misses out)
Leeds United vs Burnley
If Leeds United get all their injured players back and manage to put away their chances in front of goal, they should be fine. Burnley, on the other hand, are struggling badly and are already in deep trouble, but we'll have to wait and see what they do against Manchester United later today.
Leeds are still creating a lot of chances, so I expect them to record a narrow home win in the Premier League.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-0 Burnley
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
I was at the Chelsea game last night and felt Brighton were absolutely outstanding - they gave Chelsea a footballing lesson. If they play like that once again, they'll beat Everton comfortably. That said, Brighton could've been absolutely slaughtered against Southampton - they could have conceded ten the other day but the game finished 1-1!
Brighton are a bag of Revels - if a good one turns up, they will get three points against Everton.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Brighton
Chelsea vs Liverpool
If I'm going purely based on what I saw of Chelsea against Brighton, I can't see anything but a Liverpool win. I was shocked by Chelsea's performance last night - they were lethargic, slow and had nothing good to show after 90 minutes of football.
Liverpool are also coming on the back of a damaging defeat in terms of the Premier League title race against Leicester City, but they were really good in the first half at the King Power and it could have been a different story had Mohamed Salah converted his penalty. Fair play to Leicester City, though - they defended for their lives with a depleted squad and came away with all three points.
I believe both teams are already out of the Premier League title race, but it could be the final nail in the coffin for whoever loses this one. There's really no point in a draw, as they need to close the gap at the top to stay in contention.
If Reece James misses out for Chelsea, it's anyone's best guess who Thomas Tuchel deploys at right-wing back. Christian Pulisic played there and it didn't quite work out. The wing-backs are a big part of their team and with Ben Chilwell out for the rest for the rest of the season, it could get very difficult for Chelsea.
This is an important game for the home side. If they lose and Arsenal somehow shock Manchester City, Chelsea are fighting for top four again - that's how quickly things can change in the Premier League.
Pace at the back is Chelsea's Achilles heel, which is why I'd fancy Sadio Mane to get the nod once again. Jurgen Klopp could call upon Roberto Firmino, but I think the Senegalese winger will start and look to return to form.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
You just don't know what you're going to get with Manchester United. They were so fortunate against Norwich City and were never going to beat Newcastle United away from home, so this will once again be a hard game for them. That said, I can totally see how it's going to pan out for them.
They'll beat Burnley and Wolves and people will say their manager is unreal and all that, but based on what I've seen so far, I don't see them finishing in the top four. Manchester United are a long way off now and if they somehow manage to get to fourth, it'll be a great season for them.
In terms of their team, I strongly believe Cristiano Ronaldo should be left out of the team. It won't happen, but Edinson Cavani should take his place upfront with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in contention to play on the wings.
Something's just not right there. I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes and it doesn't look good for them. That said, they'll probably win this one, but it won't be pretty.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Wolves
