Michael Owen: Premier League Midweek Preview

Despite having a good go, West Ham became the latest side to be dismissed by Manchester City on Saturday. That was the Citizens’ 14^th Premier League win in a row, and they don’t look like stopping anytime soon.

Wolves come into this undefeated in five matches, winning three. That’s not bad form, however, yet again they looked rather toothless in front of goal against Newcastle on Saturday.

There will be no such margin for error at the Etihad, and I just can’t see past the Manchester City juggernaut continuing their winning run in this one.

Leicester have hit a bit of a sticky patch. Two defeats in a week will have left Brendan Rodgers scratching his head, and although they remain in a good position for UEFA Champions League qualification, he won’t want a similar end to the one they endured last season.

Burnley had a torrid time of it against Spurs. They are usually so organised, but the early goal from Gareth Bale really unsettled them.

Whilst I don’t think Burnley will be as bad as they were on Sunday, I do think Leicester have enough to take the points by a narrow margin. It’s 1-0 Leicester for me.

Regular readers will know how much admiration I have for Aston Villa. They have been excellent to watch this season, and on their visit to Elland Road at the weekend, they played out the perfect smash and grab victory.

What’s more, they’ve done it without Jack Grealish. That’ll be so important for their players confidence and hopefully it settles the argument that they are a one-man team, as it’s certainly not the case.

Sheffield United’s season is all but over and you get the feeling the players sense that. I think Villa are more than good enough to get another win on the road in what is turning into an excellent season for the West Midlands side.

Sunday’s goal-less draw at Stamford Bridge means that it’s now 20 games unbeaten on the road for Manchester United. They couldn’t get their usual counter-attacking game flowing in that match, but that was down to Chelsea’s tactics more than anything else.

I think that could be slightly different here. On home soil, Palace are likely to play on the front foot. If that happens, I think United will once again get their reward on the counter. With that in mind, I reckon the away side will take the points, albeit by a narrow margin.

Big Sam returns to Goodison Park after his West Brom side recorded only their second win of his tenure. Yes, decisions went their way, but a win is a win and can only be a good thing.

They welcome an Everton side that no doubt will cause problems. They have been excellent under Carlo Ancelotti this season and arrive here undefeated in eight Premier League matches away from home.

I think another away win could be on the cards, and if Dominic Calvert-Lewin can find his best form since returning from injury, I think he could be on the scoresheet.

This one is arguably the pick of the midweek matches. Back at Anfield, Liverpool will be desperate to get on track after a string of poor results on home soil.

They welcome a Chelsea side that will no doubt be cautious. If Thomas Tuchel sets up to play on the counter, I could see them causing Liverpool problems. However, if there’s one thing missing from this Chelsea side it’s a recognised number nine.

With that in mind, I think this one will be tight. It’s a 1-1 draw for me.

The goals have certainly been flowing for Spurs after big wins in Europe and in the Premier League.

However, they come up against a Fulham side that are really fighting for their lives at the bottom. The Cottagers managed to get a point at the weekend and a similar result here would be another positive.

Tottenham might look as if they’re beginning to fire again, but I do believe the home side have enough about them to get another valuable point on the board.