Charlie Nicholas’ Premier League score predictions – 25th October

Charlie Nicholas has given his predictions for all of this weekend’s Premier League 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…

SOUTHAMPTON v LEICESTER

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

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Leicester are attracting attention at the moment, while Southampton are attracting tension.

“Saints earned a great point at Wolves but were dealt a harsh blow with the penalty. I was not impressed with their attack – they spent money on Che Adams, but he has not settled into it at all. He is putting the effort in, but Danny Ings has been the main man. He looks to be striking a good partnership with Nathan Redmond. However, they need to be more dynamic in attack. The midfield is well-controlled, but they only have James Ward-Prowse as a runner. I would be tempted to bring in Stuart Armstrong into this system and leave out one of the full-backs, pushing Ward-Prowse wider. The wingers are vital to the strikers and help to create another yard or two of space.

“Defensively though, they have issues. Maya Yoshida is in and out, while goalkeeper Angus Gunn looks shaky.

“Leicester, away from home, will not change their pattern – pass and move, pass and move. Their quality will end up picking Southampton off with Jamie Vardy able to get in behind the defence. They are yet to have big results but they have put in big performances. That is why everyone is looking at the mess that Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are in. Leicester will never have a better opportunity to look at getting into the top four or top six. They should and will go after it, but I am not sure whether they can get all three points here.”

 

BURNLEY v CHELSEA

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

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Chelsea have been more consistent than I thought what with the shift of Frank Lampard coming in and everything that came with it.

“In essence, it was clear-cut with the transfer situation. If Tammy Abraham scores he stays in the team and for me, Mason Mount is good enough to stay in the side. Callum Hudson-Odoi has signed a new contract and so will feature, Willian is back in good form and Jorginho has been great. Fikayo Tomori is also playing well, but I am not sure whether the Chelsea centre-backs have a partnership to cope with Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood when they get the service that they do.

“If there is an upset of the weekend then I am looking at this match. The Burnley style may not be attractive to some people but it is so effective.”

 

NEWCASTLE v WOLVES

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

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I watched the Wolves game last week and it was the same problem as last season. They play well against the bigger teams and then struggle against the likes of Southampton, who defend deep and make it very awkward for them.

“Wolves need to get it down and feed it into the partnerships. We expect more quality with what we are seeing from them at the moment.

“Meanwhile, Newcastle have the stress and strain of whether they attack or counter-attack, which is more of what they are used to. The supporters would prefer them to have a go, with Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, who has the pace and energy but cannot score goals. Do they commit to going for it, or do they just rely on the Longstaff brothers?

“Steve Bruce will know he has to be careful. Newcastle are better deployed sitting in and are better suited playing two up front but they cannot really do that, so it will be another struggle of a game.”

 

LIVERPOOL v TOTTENHAM

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

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “This is a cracking game. Tottenham bounced back in the Champions League, getting a lot of anger out of their system. The way he keeps talking it is as if Mauricio Pochettino has a back-up plan in the form of Manchester United or Real Madrid, who supposedly want him.

“He knows he gets on with the owner. The players want to take him for dinner too, it could be a drive-through! Toby Alderweireld was rested, so where does that leave him? They now go on to Liverpool. Does he not play because he is running his current contract down?

“Tottenham managed to salvage a point against Watford and could have some confidence going into Anfield after their win through the week. Although, I do not see past a Liverpool win and they will continue to roll along with Mohamed Salah back in the side, who scored in the week against Genk.”

 

MAN CITY v ASTON VILLA

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 4-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I like Aston Villa going forward, but there is no doubt in my head that they have issues in the full-back positions.

“Dean Smith is attack-minded – they went to Arsenal and should have got something. But he will know the situation ahead of him here, but what does he do?

“Raheem Sterling is hot again, Gabriel Jesus is firing and David Silva is back to his best while, Kevin De Bruyne is superb. Pep Guardiola got angry with them at a similar time last season and they kicked on big style. They made a couple of points on Liverpool last week, but people were writing them off a couple of weeks ago. Manchester City will take care of themselves – there are goals in every department. It is a free swing for Villa but one that could land them in some trouble.”

 

Take a look at more of his predictions on the next page.

NEXT PAGE

Pages: 1 2