Pundit Godwin Odiko’s MD 30 predictions as Liverpool take form to United

Manchester United and Liverpool will get this round of Premier League matches under way with a bang on Saturday as they prepare to collide at Old Trafford.

As Arsenal will try to return to winning ways in the league at the Emirates when they welcome Watford on Sunday.

So who will come out on top in the Premier League Match Day 30 fixtures? Read on to find out…

MANUTD V LIVERPOOL

United showed great character to come from two goals down to win 3-2 at Crystal Palace on Monday night. But against Liverpool, it would be suicidal to start in such a dreadful manner.

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It’s going to be a very tough match for both sides undoubtedly. And to put that in perspective, the last four meetings between this two have ended in a draw. I think Mourinho will try to sit deep and hit Liverpool on the break again, like he did in the first leg of this clash at Anfield. But I really fear for United’s defence, and I think they will find it difficult to curtail the firing power of the Reds; especially the in-form Mohamed Salah. That’s why I would love to see Eric Bailly start this game ahead of Chris Smalling.

That said, United have been struggling since they signed Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. And it’s becoming obvious United had no need for the Chilean forward after all.

Will be interesting to see how José Mourinho set up his attack in this one. However, I see this game ending in stalemate – as Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool’s body language against Porto on Tuesday showed their minds are fixated on this game.

MY PREDICTION: Manutd 1-1 Liverpool

EVERTON V BRIGHTON

Chris Hughton is one of the most underrated football manager in the world, and I really don’t know what he needs to do get the expected accolades.

His Brighton side are 10th on the log at the moment and that’s no mean feat for a club playing top flight football for the first time in their history. That said, I think Everton would be focused on returning to winning ways at the Goodison Park, having lost their last two league fixtures; all away games.

But the Toffees would have to be on top of their game against this Brighton side if they want a win in this clash.

MY PREDICTION: Everton 1-0 Brighton

HUDDERSFIELD V SWANSEA

Carlos Carvalhal has done a remarkable job since taking over as Swansea manger. Picked the team from the bottom of the league (late December 2017) to 13th on the log right now…surely remarkable!

This Swansea team have looked dangerous away from home under the Portuguese manager, and I think they will give David Wagner’s Huddersfield a run for their money in this clash. That’s not belittling Huddersfield who have been decent themselves, but I think Swansea will get something from this game.

MY PREDICTION: Huddersfield 1-1 Swansea

NEWCASTLE V SOUTHAMPTON

This is a game that pits 16th against 17th, with both sides still hoping to avoid the drop this season. I think this is going to be a cracking game. The reverse fixture produced four goals shared apiece, and I really think this game will produce goals again. Newcastle haven’t lost at home since late December last year against Manchester City (0-1).

And I think they will try to win this one after losing last time out against Liverpool. But Southampton can be full of trouble on their day, so it wouldn’t be an easy task for the Magpies on Saturday, even as I see them winning this.

MY PREDICTION: Newcastle 2-1 Southampton

WEST BROM V LEICESTER

West Brom have failed to pick a point in the league since their 1-1 draw at Everton in mid January. And it really explains why they are rock bottom on the log at the moment.

Meanwhile, Leicester have not really impressed recently, and if West Brom can up their game, I see no reason why they can’t get something from this clash. Inherently, this are periods clubs that are comfortably placed would dread playing bottom placed teams. And I think the pressure will be mounting on Alan Pardew ahead of this clash.

So I expect his team to produce something spectacular to ensure a point or a win in this clash.

MY PREDICTION: West Brom 1-0 Leicester

WEST HAM V BURNLEY

West Ham are 14th on the log, but they have conceded the most goals so far in the league. On the flip side, they have scored more goals (36) than Burnley (24). But Burnley have only conceded 26 times in this campaign. Shows how compact this Sean Dyche’s side are.

West Ham were humiliated 4-1 at Swansea last time out, and I think they will be looking to get over that with a decent result in this clash on Saturday. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, so it’s not a task that looks impossible for the Hammers.

MY PREDICTION: West Ham 1-1 Burnley

CHELSEA V CRYSTAL PALACE

Having been showered with praises for his side’s display against Barcelona the other day, Antonio Conte has come in for heavy criticism after suffering back-to-back defeats against both Manchester clubs in the league.

The Blues placed 5th are now five points adrift London rivals Spurs placed 4th, and 25 points adrift table toppers City as a consequence for those back-to-back defeats. All Antonio Conte and Chelsea fans will demand from their team on Saturday against Palace is a win.

Roy Hodgson was without 11 first team players (all out injured) and still almost defeated Manchester United on Monday. Also, Crystal Palace have come out on top in the last two meetings between this two London clubs, in fact, you will have to go back to the 2014/2015 Premier League season for the last time Chelsea defeated Palace at home.

So, Chelsea will be underestimating their Saturday opponent at their own peril.

MY PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace

ARSENAL V WATFORD

If you want to talk team form, then you would fancy Watford over Arsenal in this clash. The Gunners went to San Siro and defeated an AC Milan team that was on a 13-game unbeaten run, having lost their previous four matches before that Europa league clash. Just tells you how ridiculously unpredictable this Arsenal side are.

No doubt, Wenger has to leave Arsenal at the end of the season regardless of how the season pan out for the North London club. The team is in shambles, and they have deteriorated from finishing top four and playing Champions League games to scrambling to finish top six and playing Europa League football.

That said, Watford have struggled away from home recently, and I think Arsenal ‘should’ win this.

MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-0 Watford

BOURNEMOUTH V SPURS

Spurs have themselves to blame for not seeing out their Champions League game against Juventus on Wednesday, having taking a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute through Heung-min Son.

How they lost that game, having looked the better side all night is still strikingly bewildering. But they are a very good side and I think they will bounce back from that defeat against Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe’s side have defeated Arsenal and Chelsea (both London clubs) this season, and Spurs could only manage a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture at Wembley.

It’s not going to be an easy match for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but I fancy the Lilywhites to come out on top here.

MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 0-2 Spurs

STOKE V MAN CITY

Manchester City showed complacency to allow Basel end their 36-game unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium in all competition, having won 4-0 in the first leg.

The defeat on home soil was their first since December 3, 2016, losing 1-3 against Chelsea in the Premier League. City look assured of the league title, with their 16 points gap on top of the log from second place Manchester United. And it wouldn’t be shocking if they get complacent again in this one. But I think the six changes Pep Guardiola made to his side in midweek played a major part in their defeat. And I think he will start this one with his usual killer eleven. Hence, making life unbearable for 19th placed Stoke City on Monday.

MY PREDICTION: 0-2