Due to midweek Champions League ties and FA Cup fixtures, many of this week’s fixtures were rescheduled. However, the four matches on the slate are all very important. With top four contenders and relegation candidates in action, this weekend will still have plenty of fire power in the Prem.
Everton vs West Brom
Everton have been very formidable at home (Photo courtesy of Sky Sports).
A showdown between the two best sides this season outside of the big six clubs. Both teams feel that they can challenge for European spots and have shown why in their recent form.
Last weekends’ hard fought defeat to Tottenham was their first loss in the league in 2017. Striker Romelu Lukaku is in stunning goal-scoring form. His 18 league goals are only one shy of tops in the league.
The Toffees will certainly use the home field to their advantage, having lost just once at Goodison Park. Ross Barkley and Idrissa Gueye will look to control the tempo in the midfield and feed Lukaku. Everton averages over two goals per game at home, so look for them to find the net on Saturday.
West Brom have somewhat been the “surprise” of the league this season. Often boring and unexciting, Tony Pulis’ men have combined their usually gritty defense with a surprisingly good attack that has seen unlikely goalscoring heroes.
37-year-old center back Gareth McAuley is the oldest outfield player in the league and has six goals. Tottenham outcast Nacer Chadli and Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon have also contributed to the attack. West Brom will meet their match against Everton and Pulis would surely take a draw.
Everton 2 West Brom 1
Liverpool vs Burnley
Coming off a 3-1 triumph against Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp and Co. will be looking to further secure their top-four spot against Burnley. The Reds were stunned 2-0 on the second weekend of the season in August against the newly promoted Clarets.
Fortunately for Klopp, Burnley is a very different team when not playing in the confines of their own stadium. All but two of the Clarets’ 31 points have been earned at home. With such a dismal away record, it would be a surprise if Burnley can get anything from this game. Liverpool’s attacking trident of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane will be a handful for the Burnley back four and goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Liverpool needs to be wary of its history of underperforming against lesser sides. The defense is suspect as always. Outside of striker Andre Gray, Burnley lacks the attacking talent to exploit the Reds’ defensive deficiencies. Expect Liverpool’s attack and the Anfield atmosphere to guide them to three points.
Liverpool 3 Burnley 1
Other Predictions (Home Team in Bold):
Swansea 2 Hull 0
Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1
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