Charlie Nicholas’ midweek Premier League score predictions (14-17 July)

It time for another bunch of Charlie Nicholas’ ever controversial Premier League score predictions for the upcoming midweek fixtures.

There are sadly just four games left of the 2019/20 campaign, yet there is still so much more that needs sorting, with European places and relegation yet to be decided.

With another three games set to be played out, take a look at Charlie Nicholas’ midweek Premier League score predictions for them below…

CHELSEA v NORWICH

Charlie Nicholas said: “This is a game Chelsea have to win. You could see it coming against Sheffield United – they had so much more than them.

It looked as though Sheffield United and Wolves were going to blow it and it would be a straight shootout between Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester, but all of a sudden those teams are back in it as well. Manchester City have won their case so only two positions are up for grabs.

Chelsea have some awkward games to come, Wolves at home and Liverpool away being the two tough ones after Norwich. You win this and you could be in a position to take a point against Wolves and see what Liverpool bring. The pressure is on Chelsea, but I do not see this as anything other than a Chelsea win.

Their position and mindset is simple. Do they want Champions League football? This could ease the pain a bit for Chelsea, as the teams around them still have tough games. Manchester United are strong favourites but this is one where they simply have to get the job done. This is one that is not difficult to call, and an attack-minded Chelsea side will win this one.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Chelsea 3-0 Norwich

NEWCASTLE v TOTTENHAM

He said: “It was a great result for Tottenham, I am not denying them that. They may not have deserved it, but it was certainly not a masterclass. Arsenal got slack and let them off the hook.

Tottenham are just trying to get through it at the minute. There is no rhythm or fluency. At the back Jose Mourinho has chopped and changed it. Toby Alderweireld comes in like I said and he scores the winner against us!

Their shape is questionable though and looking at the formation, is he going to get the shape he wants with these players? Lucas Moura will not fit into it, nor will Heung-Min Son, and Harry Kane seems to find it difficult too. Giovani Lo Celso has looked decent but defensively Spurs are a long way off.

Newcastle have run out of legs a little bit. They lost to Watford after going ahead and giving two penalties away. Newcastle are still going to be awkward for Tottenham, who will look to stay in the mix for Europe.

Jose was brought in to make the Champions League, and this team has a lot to do still. There are issues at Spurs, there’s tension and a lack of positivity and for that reason I see Newcastle earning a point.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Newcastle 1-1 Tottenham

BURNLEY v WOLVES

Charlie Nicholas said: “Burnley are the kind of team Wolves need to go at. They are in the Europa League places having put their foot down again at the weekend,.

These are the games that are awkward. Wolves can match Burnley physically, who earned a great point at Anfield and are still not out of the European picture themselves.

Wolves’ bit of quality tends to shine through, and I think that will be the case here.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Burnley 1-2 Wolves

MAN CITY v BOURNEMOUTH

He said: “What a wonderful result that was for Bournemouth against Leicester. It gives them one last go at it, but what is Eddie Howe going to do here? Sitting in against Manchester City is an option, but then again Bournemouth are not great at doing that.

A bit like the weekend before with Danny Welbeck, there was a lot of joy for Dominic Solanke. They were raving about him at one stage, but he didn’t make the grade at Liverpool. It was the time to prove at Bournemouth that he was he player they were suggesting.

How do the Cherries compete with how Manchester City are playing at the moment? Phil Foden could start and maybe he will leave Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling out to keep them primed for the weekend.

City are playing exhibition football at the minute. They move it quicker than any other team, and that adds up to goals and chances. I do not see that being any different. It is not about goal difference for Bournemouth, it is about points, and I see no points for them here.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Man City 3-0 Bournemouth

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL

He said: “Arsenal should have gone on to win the game against Tottenham – they had better shape and they were creating much more. But they got lazy in the second half, and it was the same old story.

Arsenal had plenty of the ball, but then Sead Kolasinac makes a mistake, Shkodran Mustafi makes two or three. On a positive note though, Arsenal look like they have goals in them.

This Liverpool team are still 10-15 yards off the Premier League champions they are. They will pop it about against a weak defensive side. Arsenal’s shape has improved, but their defenders have not, and that could come back to haunt them again.”

Charlie Nicholas’ midweek Premier League score predictions for this match: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA

He said: “It was a great result for Aston Villa over Crystal Palace, but Bournemouth’s result out of nowhere will have dampened Villa spirits. Bournemouth have been lifted, but Villa still have the better chance of avoiding relegation with games against Arsenal and West Ham after the trip to Goodison.

When was the last time Villa had an opportunity presented to them like this? Everton were awful against Wolves, they were ripped apart. Carlo Ancelotti is getting nothing from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not scoring now either. The service to the frontmen – it is weird how things like this develop at Everton.

I would love Villa to stay up, it is a special place as it was when I played there in the 1980s. They had a winning mentality and I liked the style and energy. I look and say I would like to see them stay up, but they do not have enough.

Trezeguet turned up and nets two nice goals against Palace and they need to get that first goal against Everton. They have to play an adventurous team and make it awkward for the Toffees.

Ancelotti could well play the kids and see what happens. You cannot tell what will happen, but with the fighting spirit coming out of Villa and the state Everton are in, I think Villa could maybe get a point.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa

LEICESTER v SHEFFIELD UTD

He said: “What a cracking game this is. All of a sudden, with the suspensions and mistakes, Leicester look like they are struggling to make the top four. It was an embarrassing result at Bournemouth. The quality and work they put in for the first part of the season, sitting above City in second for large parts, could be undone, and Brendan Rodgers will be thinking the same.

Jonny Evans made a couple of mistakes, while Caglar Soyuncu received a stupid red card – the club should fine him for his behaviour – but the lack of quality in midfield is haunting the Foxes.

Sheffield United are a beast of a team and they are taking everyone on. They have great energy and bombing full-backs. They have never been in Europe in their history and this would be amazing for Chris Wilder. If fairness counted, the Blades deserve to get a place in Europe.

They are way above anywhere I could have thought, and maybe where they would have thought too. Their football is eye-catching and it is quite incredible what they have done. If it has to go long it will go long, but it’s not route one. They play adaptable football – the manager is still fiery and showing his true fan feelings too.

It has to be advantage Sheffield United right now, they are the team going after it. Leicester are under scrutiny, and I fear they will feel the pressure here.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Leicester 1-2 Sheffield Utd

SOUTHAMPTON v BRIGHTON

Charlie said: “Brighton are safe, although they won’t admit it. Brighton do play the right way but I have to admit I thought they would have changed their style up post-restart.

Graham Potter wants to play out from the back, but I was not sure he had the right defenders to do that. He has asked that of them and I thought they would be more vulnerable alongside the lack of goals in the team, but yet they have managed to get there.

At this stage of the season it is not about performances, it is about getting over the line – they have done it and congratulations to them.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has taken advantage of people questioning whether he should still be there, but Southampton have been one of the most promising teams since the break. People have suggested Southampton may be in meltdown off the field but I do not think it was as dramatic as people thought.

Hasenhuttl has got the players on board – they like his personality. They proved a point at Old Trafford yet again and have come a long way since the 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Leicester. I do think they will continue their form, and they will win comfortably here.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Southampton 3-1 Brighton

CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN UTD

He said: “It is normally tough to go to Selhurst Park, and it will be again here, despite the fact Crystal Palace have lost five on the bounce. Palace are a team that could easily lose their next three games and end the season having lost eight in a row. Palace do go through the motions, but Manchester United are coming to town and they will fancy it.

Roy Hodgson needs a centre forward. They scored two against Chelsea, one of which was a spectacular goal from Wilfried Zaha, but they do not look like they have a lot in them. Is he going to get the money to go out and buy someone? You could sell Christian Benteke for decent money as someone in Europe would want him.

Maybe there will be some significance to this match. Hodgson will be angry and wanting a response from his side. They could have been challenging for Europe but now they are in 14th and everyone is saying the same thing again. There is a lot for them to prove.

United started brilliantly after the break, but they were all games they were expected to win as they pushed on for a Champions League place. They do need to get back to winning ways, and while Palace will cause them problems, with the emphasis on this being a must-win for United, I think they will get there.”

SCORE PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1-2 Man Utd

WEST HAM v WATFORD

He said: “Michail Antonio’s four goals at Norwich were different class. He plays the No 9 role really well. He did miss chances the week before but you could see a guy who has strength and a great appetite for the game. He chases and fights for everything.

Troy Deeney converted two penalties to get Watford over the line, but they have not been playing well. Nigel Pearson will not be fussed about performances now, it’s all about results and he will just wants to see his side reach safety.

Watford would take a point and move on, but how do you genuinely pick a winner here? With the tension, and both teams after one more win or even a point to be safe, it is too difficult to call. But I just think West Ham have more about them at the moment and will win this.”

SCORE PREDICTION: West Ham 2-1 Watford

Now you’ve seen Charlie Nicholas’ midweek Premier League score predictions, what do you make of them? Let us know your thoughts on HERE.