Charlie Nicholas’ midweek Premier League predictions – 3rd December

We continue our look at what Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has predicted…

LEICESTER v WATFORD

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 3-0

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Where did Kelechi Iheanacho pull that from? When you mention Brendan Rodgers, he is a manager that makes players bette. He’s able to find something from players which you would not expect. Iheanacho is a decent player but he’s a bag of nerves in front of goal. That only improves with confidence. It can eat away at you but Rodgers gave him confidence to perform.

“I am not surprised Quique Sanchez Flores has gone, but the names and replacements being branded about are British ones. The Watford players will be wondering what is happening? Players do not relate to managing directors and they need information otherwise the excuse book is right out in front of them. They are staring down at it at the moment. This is going to be a very comfortable Leicester win.”

 

WOLVES v WEST HAM

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “This is another big test for Wolves. They have flagged up again how many games they have been playing. Stop complaining please! It only gets mentioned when a team drops points or lose. It is only the start of November and they have had international breaks too. The players were not playing massive qualifying matches either because they were mainly done. The only awkward thing is the travel but still, I see no excuses.

“What a result for West Ham at Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini was on the brink of losing his job and his side pulled something out of the hat for him. They got their shape right, defended well and were a threat on the counter-attack. They do have a softness about them, though. Declan Rice and Mark Noble are decent and know how to work together, and know when to stifle the game, but it is a learning curve for Rice still.

“Michail Antonio brings the power and strength but West Ham are too nice. Sebastien Haller has gone cold and Felipe Anderson has been poor. You have to take them out of the team, work with them on the basics, and build them up again.

“These games are unpredictable, which is why we have a mish-mash of teams that are so close together. I have never seen it this tight, you could throw a blanket over them! I expect Wolves to come through this.”

 

SOUTHAMPTON v NORWICH

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I don’t think Ralph Hasenhuttl is under pressure. Southampton are not in a position to get rid of him and I expect it to get better. I also don’t think they have the finance to do it, but they also quite like him. His number two went and he took a hit with that, but you do need a good right-hand man and someone you trust beside you. When you get it wrong, they get it right. They keep the confidence and morale going in the dressing room when the manager is angry.

“Meanwhile, Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki are great going forward for Norwich. Pukki got lucky with his goal against Arsenal, while it was another decent strike from Cantwell. The defence is still suspect though, so I think it is another night for Hasenhuttl to be looking at Danny Ings and James Ward Prowse to get them over the line.

“They can lift their team-mates and lead by example, especially as though it looks they have completely got the Leicester result out of their minds. All of a sudden, things are looking good and promising again at St Mary’s.”

 

SHEFFIELD UTD v NEWCASTLE

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Sheffield United are going great. They have 18 points and people are very surprised by the start they’ve made this season. They only have four wins in 14 games but have only lost three too. They do not lose away from home and they have picked up slightly at home.

“Newcastle are a similar sort of side. They are very impressive away from home but lack a bit of the cutting edge. Steve Bruce has brought the passion back, and they are nicking points here and there. I think the Newcastle fans are accepting what Bruce can do with a fairly average bunch. He is doing a much better job than what Rafael Benitez did.

“They may only be four points above Southampton but they are better than where they were last season. Newcastle are hard to break down and look to counter-attack.

“These are the types of games which the Premier League throw up. There are only three points between them so it is not as clear cut as some people might think. It is incredibly tight at the bottom. It tells you how well some of bottom teams have done.

“Bruce is clever, he is going back to Sheffield where he will get plenty of abuse but he will have his players pumped up. If their shape is good, the counter attack will be a strong weapon for them.”

 

ARSENAL v BRIGHTON

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 3-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “What a glorious opportunity for Arsenal, this is the only way you can look at it.

“They had a bit more spike about them at the weekend but Freddie, why are you picking Shkodran Mustafi? When are you going to learn about Calum Chambers? I also cannot understand how David Luiz is in the team. He just doesn’t want to run. He is only interested when he gets the ball at his feet. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a shocker and Mustafi is even worse. Granit Xhaka also cannot run.

“It is such a huge mess. I honestly thought Freddie would not be close to getting the job, but now, I do not know how long he will have in charge. In the end, it may not be their number one target who they end up getting.

“Regarding Freddie’s selection, what have you done there that was different to Unai Emery? I didn’t get it. It might be his first pick, but could also be who he has got fit. Bringing in Joe Willock I understood, but the re-introduction of Xhaka baffled me. Mesut Ozil wanted the ball and wanted to get into the pockets of space, he was decent again. There is an enthusiasm about Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“Brighton played out from the back and played with confidence and insurance, but this is about Arsenal getting back on the winning trail and trying to threaten the top six, and potentially the top four. They need to ramp up the action. The manager has gone and they need results and a winning formula. It will be another tense night though at the Emirates.”

 

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