England Premier League

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

In what feels like a bumper Premier League week, Matchday 15 begins little more than two days after Matchday 14 finished, and the Premier League weekend begins with a cracker as Aston Villa welcome Arsenal to Villa Park. Villa have been in sensational form of late, underlined by the 4-3 victory away to Brighton in midweek, whilst Arsenal are efficiently working their way to a sizable lead at the top of the table.

Unai Emery will be out to highlight his qualities against his former club, and this is a match that looks like it could go either way. Ollie Watkins is back in form after his brace against Brighton, whilst the Gunners are still missing William Saliba at the back. Fresh concerns over Declan Rice’s fitness make Mikel Arteta’s options on Saturday limited. Given the home advantage, it seems unlikely Villa will lose this. A both teams to score draw is my pick.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

There is a degree of poetic irony that comes with the fact that when the pressure on Thomas Frank’s Tottenham tenure is at its zenith, he has to face the club he left to take that particular job. Spurs haven’t won in five and have collapsed to 11th in the table after a promising start. It doesn’t seem like the Danish coach is in imminent danger of being sacked, but results have to turnaround somewhere.

Brentford were a team many feared for after Frank left, but they’ve been able to get into a relatively safe 13th position. They are dangerous from set pieces, and Igor Thiago has arguably been one of the Premier League’s players of the season. It’s difficult to make a decision on a result, so you could focus on Thiago to score anytime, but I’d go a draw with both teams to score.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Burnley’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday left the Clarets on a run of defeats in a row since their 3-2 triumph over Wolves on October 26. It is relegation form, and it’s only down to how poor Wolves have been that the Lancashire club aren’t rock bottom of the table. Their life doesn’t get any easier on Saturday when they make the trip to Newcastle.

Newcastle impressed in parts against Spurs, but crucially failed to come away with all three points. It’s been a theme of the Magpies’ season, although that isn’t necessarily enough to give Burnley hope of a point. Burnley are so bad at the back, it’s impossible to see the Geordies drawing a blank. This will be a comprehensive home win and you could double up with Woltemade/Guimaraes to score anytime.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Manchester City’s new brand of chaotic football has served them well over the last week… just. A goal bonanza against Fulham in midweek gave Pep Guardiola a huge scare, with his team almost surrendering a 4-1 lead. The Spanish coach has already spoken at length about how impressed he has been by Sunderland, and the Black Cats will arrive at another tough away ground buoyed by a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Haaland found the net at Fulham after a small dry spell, but Sunderland have been able to keep high-profile forwards quiet this term. This may be a prediction based on history more than anything, but a Manchester City win is likely.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Everton host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon with Sean Dyche returning to his former club. Life under Dyche has begun well for Nottingham Forest, with the team recording three victories in their last five games, and they have every chance of getting another three points on Merseyside. An impression of Everton has been hit-and-miss of late, despite a return of three wins in five, and it will be interesting to see which version of the team turns up against Forest. I think a draw is quite likely here.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Saturday afternoon’s Premier League offering continues at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth welcome Chelsea for a match that the hosts can’t really afford to lose. Andoni Iraola was one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe after his work with Bournemouth last term, yet this season, he has overseen a really poor downturn in results. Of course, his squad is small, and he was overperforming, but there is a sense that the Spaniard may soon come under pressure if things don’t improve.

Chelsea, as predicted, were involved in a goal fest in their 3-1 defeat to Leeds on Wednesday evening. The physical toll of their 10-man performance against Arsenal had left them weary, and Moises Caicedo’s suspension was a hammer blow. Enzo Maresca will be looking to bounce back, but in theory, this should be a really difficult game. Again, I’d play it safe and stick with the draw.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Goals will once again be the order of the day at Elland Road as Liverpool arrive in Yorkshire for the late afternoon kick-off on Saturday. Arne Slot was cautious about suggesting his team’s win against West Ham had seen them turn a corner, and with good reason. Just mere days later, his team was held by Sunderland at Anfield.

I don’t think Leeds are necessarily strong enough to beat Liverpool on Saturday, but I don’t think either team has the defensive ability to keep a clean sheet. This is a sure-fire over 2.5 goals situation. Florian Wirtz to score anytime is a possibility, even if his strike against Sunderland was later ruled an own goal.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Brighton and Hove Albion are in a good place on the pitch right now… even if there is a serious legal case hovering over the head of their owner, Tony Bloom. Defeat to Aston Villa would have been disappointing, but not unexpected, and they remain in the battle for European qualification.

Sunday sees the Seagulls host West Ham with the home side being heavily favoured. West Ham’s defending has improved and Lucas Paqueta will be back from suspension, so it’s not impossible that they cause a shock here. I’d stick with a home win.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Fulham’s promising recent form was given a knock by the 5-4 defeat by Manchester City, although they did end the game with a lot of momentum after scoring three unanswered goals in a spirited attempt at a comeback. They host Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon in what will be a challenge.

Palace have the better players and were able to secure a midweek victory after a desperately difficult Matchday 13. Both teams to score is the sensible bet here, but I would lean towards an away win.

Chris Winterburn's Analysis

Manchester United struggled to a draw against West Ham United on Thursday evening, which has piled the pressure back on Ruben Amorim. On paper, a match against a winless Wolves would be the perfect tonic for the Portuguese coach, but his United side has a habit of making winnable games look tremendously difficult.

Defensive injuries have left Amorim short at the back, and this game could end in a draw.