Charlie Nicholas has given his weekly Premier League predictions for all of this midweek’s fixtures and it’s fair to say there are some eye-catching scores.
The former Celtic, Arsenal, Aberdeen and Scotland footballer currently works as a pundit for Sky Sports and most every weekend appears on the Soccer Saturday show to commentate on games and get involved with debates. See what he went with below and on the next few pages…
TOTTENHAM v BRIGHTON
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I have been really impressed with Brighton, but they were poor against Sheffield United. At the same time, Tottenham were awful and well-beaten against Chelsea. Heung-Min Son’s red card tells you all you need to know. Have things changed under Jose Mourinho? I don’t think they have.
“Harry Kane looks off the pace and Jan Vertonghen is really struggling to deal with pace. If I were Brighton I would get Leandro Trossard on his side and really test him. It’s essential that Spurs stay in the frame for the top four so for that reason alone I think they will get over the line.”
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ASTON VILLA v NORWICH
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Are we surprised where Norwich are at? They haven’t spent much and have problems at the back, but then they post a couple of decent performances. Todd Cantwell has been their best player, while Teemu Pukki has been finding the net again. Norwich have goals in them if you get the service to Pukki and get Cantwell on the ball, if they don’t do that they will struggle.
“This is a must-win game for Villa, whereas Norwich will be happy with a point. I don’t know how I am getting to this scoreline, but when Villa finished the game with Jonathan Kodjia and Wesley up front, they played well. If they went a bit more route one, they could have some joy.”
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BOURNEMOUTH v ARSENAL
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-3
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I hope it is a good news story for Mikel Arteta’s first game. As much as I am pleased, Freddie Ljungberg will be most pleased that Arteta is in. His comments on the Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette situations were shameful. What was he saying?
“I will support all of the youngsters wholeheartedly, but the one thing I already like about Arteta is that he had them in on Sunday, which shows his leadership qualities already, to say this is poor and start straight away to get them in and rebuild.
“When Nicolas Pepe settles in, with Lacazette through middle, Arsenal are a really encouraging front three with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Arteta cannot sort the defence, and he will go with a more aggressive mentality, and this will begin to pay off in this match.”
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CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-1
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I thought Chelsea were fabulous against Tottenham. As good as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount have been, how good was Willian? He is up there with the likes of Jamie Vardy, Kevin De Bruyne and Sadio Mane for me.
“We are quite right to support the young Chelsea players, they will be an up-and-down team and will feel the pressure of demands when Southampton sit in. Danny Ings is in the form of his life and if he gets a half chance he will take it.
“There is lots to like about Southampton, things are promising after their huge win at Aston Villa. They are much better away from home and Chelsea may be the latest team to realise that.”
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CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-1
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “These two keep rolling along and I am never sure what they will do. Jeff Stelling will know it is easier said than done to predict the outcome of these, especially with his £250,000 hanging in the balance.
“This is the hardest Boxing Day fixture to call. West Ham can get an occasional result away from home but you cannot trust the pair of them, so it is another case of sitting on the fence.”
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Take a look at more of his predictions on the next page.
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