Premier League Matchday 32: Spurs A Stern Test For Liverpool

The Premier League returns this weekend following the last international break of the season. All eyes will be on the biggest league in the world from now til May, with everything still to play for. Manchester City have the chance to go back to the top before Liverpool host Tottenham on Sunday.

Fulham v Manchester City

Fulham have lost their last seven games with Manchester City in all competitions and I can’t see past a win for the champions in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The hosts had their moments against Liverpool at Craven Cottage last time, but they have now conceded at least twice in their last 11 league games and it would be a surprise if they were able to keep Pep Guardiola’s side at bay in West London.

Tip: City to win and both teams to score at

Brighton v Southampton

Two late goals gave Southampton a much-needed three points against Spurs last time, but they begin the weekend just two points above the drop zone.

FA Cup semi-finalists Brighton have won their last two league games, but I feel both sides will take a point on the south coast.

Tip: Game to finish in a draw at

Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves have only lost one of their last eight PL games – at Huddersfield last month – although they have drawn three of their last five and I feel they will again have to settle for a point at Turf Moor.

Burnley have conceded ten times in the 90^th minute or in added time this season and they are only two points above Cardiff – who sit in the final relegation place – in the table with the Bluebirds having a game in hand. The good news for Clarets’ fans is that Cardiff’s game in hand is at the Etihad on Wednesday!

Tip: Game to finish 1-1 at

Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield famously won 3-0 at Selhurst Park on the opening day of the 2017/18 season in Frank de Boer’s first game in charge of the Eagles.

Since then the sides have played three times in all competitions with Palace winning the lot without conceding a goal. The Eagles have only scored 11 times and picked up 13 points at Selhurst Park so far this season, but I expect the hosts to improve on that record against the Terriers.

Tip: Palace to win to nil at

Leicester City v Bournemouth

Leicester have, surprisingly, never beaten Bournemouth in the PL (D5 L2) but I expect the hosts to buck that trend and keep the points at the King Power.

The Cherries won their last away league game at Huddersfield but lost their previous nine on their travels and I feel the Foxes will win an entertaining encounter in the East Midlands.

Tip: Leicester City to win at

Manchester United v Watford

Watford have never won at Old Trafford in the league (D2 L9) and I expect United to return to winning ways having lost at Arsenal in the PL and at Wolves in the FA Cup in recent weeks.

United have only kept two clean sheets at home in the league so far this season – one of them was against Liverpool – and I feel the Hornets may find the back of David de Gea’s net on Saturday. That said I feel United will do enough to maintain their challenge for a top four place.

Tip: United to win and both teams to score at

West Ham v Everton

West Ham are unbeaten in their last six home league games and have won their last three. You must go back to May 2002 – under Glenn Roeder – for the last time the Hammers won four successive home league games in top-flight football.

Everton came good in the second half against Chelsea last time, but they have a moderate recent record in London – P10 D3 L7 – and I expect Manuel Pellegrini’s side to keep the points and do the double over the Blues for the first time since the 1972/73 season.

Tip: West Ham to win at

Cardiff City v Chelsea

At the start of the weekend only Fulham (6) have lost more away league games in 2019 than Chelsea who have lost four of their five on the road this year.

Maurizio Sarri’s side folded tamely after the break at Goodison Park in their last game, but they had their chances in the first 45 minutes and I don’t see them making any mistakes in south Wales on Sunday.

Tip: Chelsea to win to nil at

Liverpool v Tottenham

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 24 home PL games with Spurs and I expect the hosts to be top of the table on Sunday evening after, what promises to be, a cracking game at Anfield.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last 36 home league games while Spurs are without a win in their last four – a run which has seen the end of their title challenge. Liverpool to win, but it could be a bumpy ride.

Tip: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at

Arsenal v Newcastle United

Arsenal have won their last six home PL games with Newcastle and averaged three goals a game in that sequence.

United showed with their late equaliser at Bournemouth in their last match that they do not lack in passion or commitment, but the Gunners are one of only three sides with a perfect home league record in 2019 and have won their last nine PL games at the Emirates.

Tip: Arsenal halftime/fulltime at

Michael’s weekend wager: Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Liverpool at