After a dramatic round of midweek action, the Premier League will get going again with Chelsea vs Newcastle at lunchtime.
The 3pm action sees Alan Pardew make his West Brom bow as the Baggies host his previous club, Crystal Palace.
Sam Allardyce will also make his bow at Everton, against a Huddersfield side that got thrashed 5-0 at Arsenal.
Other highlights include Brighton vs Liverpool and Leicester vs Burnley.
Chelsea vs Newcastle United (12:30pm)
Chelsea eked out a 1-0 win over Swansea on Wednesday so will want a better performance here.
Newcastle meanwhile came back from 2-0 down to draw at West Brom.
This fixture is probably going to be a one sided affair because the Magpies have taken just one win from last 22 trips to Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle have earned five points on the road out of a possible 21 away points so will be looking to improve here.
Ultimately, I think this will be a comfortable Chelsea win in end because Rafa Benitez’s record at Stamford Bridge is dreadful with one win.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle
Jake predicts: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle
Result: Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool
Liverpool head to Brighton having not lost in November.
During that run, they have scored 17 goals but conceded five goals too so are vulnerable still in defence.
The last league meeting between these side here saw a 2-2 draw at Brighton’s former stadium – Goldstone Ground in 1983.
Since then, their last six meetings have come in cup competitions with the Reds winning four (albeit after a replay in 1990-91 FA Cup fourth round after first tie ended 2-2).
Brighton are unbeaten in six at AMEX but last four have all ended in draws.
Chris Houghton however is yet to record a win with Liverpool, conceding 15 goals in his previous clashes with the Merseysiders.
Although it would be great if Brighton could cause a shock here, Mohamed Salah is such fierce form that I can’t see past a Liverpool win.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Liverpool
Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Liverpool
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-5 Liverpool
Everton vs Huddersfield
Sam Allardyce will be hoping for a repeat of Wednesday when his Toffees’ crushed West Ham 4-0.
This fixture was last played in 2010 in the League Cup second round with Everton progressing with a 5-1 win.
The Toffees are unbeaten in last seven clashes between these sides and last lost to Huddersfield at home in 1937.
Since then, Everton have dominated with a (W15, D6, L5) record. All five losses came at Huddersfield though.
The Terriers are tough to break down as Arsenal found out, despite taking a 5-0 win in midweek.
This will be a difficult debut fixture for Allardyce but no newly appointed Everton manager has lost his opening fixture.
It will be tight but Everton will just edge this one I feel.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Huddersfield
Jake predicts: Everton 2-0 Huddersfield
Result: Everton 2-0 Huddersfield
Leicester vs Burnley
Both teams recorded 2-1 wins in midweek so this could be an exciting game.
Burnley ended their 10 match losing streak in this fixture by beating the Foxes at Turf Moor in January, so will fancy their chances here.
There will definitely be goals because Leicester has scored in all but one of last 14 home games.
Burnley meanwhile has turned their away form around, scoring in six of seven away matches this season so far.
Its easy to predict a draw here but I’m expecting a proper classic with Burnley edging it, purely on desire to stay amongst the big teams.
Prediction: Leicester 2-3 Burnley
Jake predicts: Leicester 1-0 Burnley
Result: Leicester 1-0 Burnley
Stoke vs Swansea
Both teams suffered defeat on Wednesday but Swansea put in a valiant performance at Chelsea, losing 1-0.
Stoke however have never lost at home to the Swans in past Premier League meetings.
The Potters’ per home game average however is poor, being outclassed in every area.
Swansea’s away record however is far worse with brutal thrashings by opposition in the ‘Corners’, ‘Shots’ and ‘Goals’ averages.
Based on those graphics, I can’t see much entertainment coming here.
Prediction: Stoke 0-0 Swansea
Jake predicts: Stoke 1-0 Swansea
Result: Stoke 2-1 Swansea
Watford vs Tottenham
Both sides fell to defeats last time out despite late fightbacks.
Their last meeting here on New Year Day saw Tottenham deliver a brutal 4-1 win here at Vicarage Road.
Watford however are a different beast compared to 11 months ago now, despite never beating Spurs in the Premier League era.
Despite winning just two out of seven home games this season so far, Watford have seen their home form slip as shown in the graphic below.
Although their averages has dropped, the Hornets have bettered their visitors in fouls so this should be a physical match.
Having already faced four of the big six at home, Watford has a (W1, D1, L2) record, so will be tough to beat here.
Tottenham are in European action on Wednesday and still unbeaten in their Champions League group.
Their pre Champions League game record this season has seen them win their first three but have lost last two pre CL games away to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.
Fans might think another defeat is in store but I reckon Watford’s awful record against Spurs will swing it the Lilywhites’ way.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Jake predicts: Watford 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Result: Watford 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
WBA vs Crystal Palace
Alan Pardew makes his West Brom home debut in what could feel like Groundhodge Day against his last club.
When Crystal Palace sacked Pardew, they were sitting 17th and that is where the Baggies find themselves entering this fixture.
He however has a tough task to reverse fortunes because the Baggies haven’t won in 12 games across all competitions (D5, L7).
Palace on other hand are improving, having taken their first away point of season in a fiery M23 derby at Brighton on Tuesday night. They however haven’t scored in last nine away league games.
In all honesty, this doesn’t look like an tasty clash and a nil draw be most likely outcome here.
Prediction: WBA 0-0 Crystal Palace
Jake predicts: WBA 1-1 Crystal Palace
Result: WBA 0-0 Crystal Palace
Predictions War
Here at Sport Grill, me and Jake Self are going head to head predicting games. Here is how things stand after the previous round of games along with the rules.
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 79 |
| Jake Self | 86 |
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