Michael Owen’s Midweek Predictions

It’s all change at both these clubs. For Newcastle it was a busy window, but I’m sure Eddie Howe might have wanted one or two more players in. Nonetheless, they did some good business and I’m excited to see how Bruno Guimaraes gets on. If he can help to strengthen that midfield, that would be a huge positive.

As for Everton, a lot has changed. Frank Lampard is in the dugout and has already brought in a couple of big names in Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli. I’m really curious to see how Dele gets on, it’s been a difficult couple of seasons for him. Frank was desperate to get him in though and I have a feeling he’ll do well for Frank.

I can’t see a winner here, 1-1.

West Ham are obviously having a very good season, but I think David Moyes will have been disappointed by the lack of transfer activity. Another striker is something that he has been wanting for a while and they’ve still not got that. This isn’t a huge squad.

I’ve got to say, I didn’t see Roy Hodgson going to Watford! It’s a big ask for Roy to come in and stabilise this club but Roy’s seen it all and given time, I think he could do a decent job. Whether that will be enough to keep them up, I’m not sure.

I fancy West Ham here. I think Watford will show some spirit under Roy Hodgson but West Ham at home, will have too much.

The signing of Wout Weghorst is a real boost to the Burnley squad. They probably needed another striker even before Chris Wood left the club. Sean Dyche was desperate to get a couple more bodies in though, so I worry they didn’t do enough business.

As for United, it was a window in which they didn’t get anything done. They’ve trimmed the squad a little, which in a way might not be a bad thing. At least now Rangnick can settle on an 11 without having to worry about appeasing a huge squad of players.

I’m going for United here, 2-0.

Norwich are another club who probably should have done more business. They were open in saying that they were happy with the squad they’ve got, which I found surprising. To be fair, recent results have picked up and they are obviously now out of the bottom three.

Palace have had a really positive six months under Patrick Vieira. It was far from an easy situation for him to come into, but he’s stabilised things and improved the playing style. I can’t see them being dragged into the relegation battle and would expect a mid-table finish for them.

Palace obviously have a lot of pace up top and that will cause Norwich some problems here. 3-1 to Crystal Palace.

It’s been a strange couple of weeks for Spurs. Antonio Conte wasn’t happy with their lack of transfer business, but he never is. Nonetheless, they did bring in a couple of players from Juve, players who Conte knows well. If those two can hit the ground running, I really fancy Spurs to get in the top four.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was happy with his squad and Southampton have had a decent six months. They’ve pulled away from the relegation zone, based in large parts to an excellent home record.

I wouldn’t be shocked if Southampton got a goal here, but Spurs should win this. 3-1 Spurs.

City didn’t do much business and why would they, this squad is brilliant. I’m interested to see the youngster they signed, Alvarez, when he comes next season, he could be one to watch. The break will have done these players good, and I’d expect a strong end to the season for City both domestically and in Europe.

There’s only one place to start when it comes to Brentford, Christian Eriksen. What a story this is, and I’d love to see him doing well. If Eriksen is close to the level of player he was, this could be an unbelievable signing for Brentford and should keep them up.

Comfortable win for City here. 4-1.

Steven Gerrard has made such a good start at Villa and I love the signing of Coutinho. He scored a brilliant goal for Brazil the other day and I’m confident Steven will get the best out of him and get Coutinho enjoying his football.

As for Leeds, I expected more transfer activity from them. They’ve had a difficult season and have had a whole host of injuries. It shows Bielsa still trusts a lot of these players, but they’ll need a good end to the season.

I think Villa will have a strong second half of the season and that will start here.

 I think the new signing, Luis Diaz, will start here. He has the sort of profile Klopp likes from his players and I think he’ll slot in perfectly in that left forward position. It’ll be difficult for him to replace Mane in that position, but he gives them great depth there, which they haven’t really had.

As for Leicester, it’s been a difficult season. They would have had top six ambitions so to be mid-table must be frustrating. Still, there’s time for them to turn this around and I would expect a better second half of the season.

I think Liverpool will win this though. I can see a few goals at Anfield, 3-1 to Liverpool.

Wolves have gone from strength to strength under Bruno Lage and a win here, would really give them some hopes of even sneaking into the top four. They are so strong defensively and it means that they are always in with a chance.

What a strange couple of weeks at Arsenal. A lot of departures but no incomings. I worry where the goals will come from. I know Aubameyang was having a difficult season, but he was still by far their best goal scorer. It’s a lot of pressure on the likes of Lacazette and Martinelli.

I fancy Wolves to win here and keep yet another clean sheet. It won’t be high scoring, but they’ll edge it 1-0.