Charlie Nicholas’ Premier League score predictions – 29th November

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

CHELSEA v WEST HAM

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The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-0
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He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I said Manuel Pellegrini was the favourite to go if he lost at Tottenham and I am pretty surprised he is still there. The fightback probably got him over the line. It is the best batch of players they have had but Mark Noble is probably in there arguing with team-mates and looking at the players who need to be giving more.

“West Ham is Frank Lampard’s old club, Chelsea like to turn over West Ham and I can’t see anything else. Chelsea will have just got back from the Champions League but it should be comfortable enough for them.”

 

LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON

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The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 3-0
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He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Looking at the fixture congestion, I keep picking an awkwardness and struggle for Liverpool. Crystal Palace was a struggle for them and they got lucky, which they have done on a few occasions. They look at this and it is about getting the job done.

“Mohamed Salah has had a rest and will turn up here. We may see one of the other three get a little rest. People may find it strange, but Liverpool want to win the Club World Cup. Would they rather have the Premier League? Of course. When it is there, the rare opportunities you get, you must go at it with high nature, especially a club with the history of Liverpool.

“They will get the job done and they will do it convincingly. What type of Brighton team are we going to see or how do they approach this? Liverpool will get to 60 minutes and get another box ticked. The job will be done professionally and on to the next they go.”

 

TOTTENHAM v BOURNEMOUTH

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The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 3-1
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He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Who will benefit from Jose Mourinho coming in? The first guy who came to my mind was Eric Dier. He sits and protects and you can play him at centre-back if you have to as well. He took him off against Olympiakos but he initially played him and will continue to do so. They were lucky with Dele Alli – it was a mistimed shot that propelled the midweek comeback in reality for Tottenham.

“They are not a million miles away from the top six and could threaten the top four, but the defence is still not right. Jose Mourinho is carrying them along at the moment. They won at West Ham, came back from two down against Olympiakos, but have conceded four goals in two games and that isn’t his style.

“He hasn’t had much time to work on the defence, so who will he pick? Just with fabric of strength they have in attack, I believe they will get the three points. Alli might have some belief back and Harry Kane is back scoring so it is another win and more momentum for Jose.”

 

WOLVES v SHEFFIELD UTD

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The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1
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He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Both teams are in amazing form and this is a belter of a match. Wolves struggle to break down teams that are well drilled and organised, but Sheffield United are more than that. They can counter and they do have pace – Enda Stevens will be down the left and whipping the ball in for David McGoldrick or John Fleck.

“Against Manchester United, we all thought Sheffield United would win. They rescued a point but they were cruising for so long. It is great to see how advanced those players are – Wolves won’t like that and could be exploited as they play in a similar way.

“Sheffield United will not wait for anybody. When they get the ball they knock it up front and although they do not have a striker with height or loads of pace, they do have energy throughout the whole team. Wolves are slightly more technically skilled with the likes of Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, so for that reason, I think they will have the edge.”

 

MAN UTD v ASTON VILLA

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The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-0
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He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Aston Villa did not disappoint on Monday Night Football. I thought they were very controlled, but also clinical in a certain way when they had to be. It was a good sign that when they went in front, they did not go all-out attack and get all their players up. It was as if Dean Smith had said ‘job done and shut up shop’. This wasn’t to be boring, it is simply a cleverness to tuck in and protect when needed, and then hit on the counter. There were a couple of little dangerous signs that Newcastle could have got back into it, but it was a promising performance for them.

“Man Utd are shocking defensively. David de Gea is not mentioned anymore – he is not making mistakes but he is not saving shots, which is what he came synonymous for. He has won the Player of the Year award many times for them, and some of that was under Mourinho and even Louis van Gaal. Nobody mentions him as a top-level player any more.

“Ashley Young has been found out that he was never a left-back or right-back, so why give him a contract? Seriously, Man Utd where are you going? Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood have been decent, but can they carry them along? Can Marcus Rashford do it? You cannot survive on 10 minutes of football.

“They don’t want change, they want to build. They understand the youth, it will not be the Class of ’92 because you will never get that again, but for now, the younger ones are good and helping. I do not know the philosophy for Man Utd but I think they will get over the line in this one. It is a needs-must kind of game.

“If Man Utd do not see off Villa, and with games against Tottenham and Manchester City coming up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be in trouble and I think they should go for Brendan Rodgers too, along with Arsenal.

“Mauricio Pochettino is floating everyone’s boat, but if you look at the real situation of how it has developed, then Rodgers is a better fit for both of those teams than Pochettino is, because he knows how to win trophies. He won nine domestic titles at Celtic and it might be a lot easier there but he knows how to do it. It is not a case of being insecure, Rodgers has his beliefs and strengths and goes and does it. I would be amazed if Manchester United were not interested in him.”

 

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