Charlie Nicholas has given his weekly Premier League predictions for all of this week’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…
BRIGHTON v CHELSEA
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-2
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Chelsea still have a decent amount of quality. They walked away from Arsenal chuffed to bits as they never really played well, apart from upping it for the last 20 minutes. Frank Lampard changed it and they pushed and pushed. They are getting good results – even when they played well at Manchester City and lost, the signs were promising.
“The way Brighton are performing at home is impressive. We saw a bit of a slip up against Sheffield United, but they went back to basics against Bournemouth and were worthy winners. Brighton will go after it, while Chelsea’s youngsters will be tired – they had to put a massive shift in at Arsenal to get the win. Brighton are very good at home, so I cannot separate them.”
BURNLEY v ASTON VILLA
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-0
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I am finding it incredibly tough to work out Burnley. Aston Villa are easy to work out, but what is going on with Burnley? Where are the full-backs? What is their midfield? They are making clumsy mistakes at the back, while giving cheap goals away.
“Aston Villa do not have enough. Jack Grealish was saying they will not go down – other than him, who will find something? John McGinn is out for the foreseeable, but Anwar El Ghazi, Jota and Trezeguet have all gone quiet, while Wesley and Jonathan Kodjia don’t have enough.
“You can see why there are no goals in the team. Conor Hourihane will like replacing McGinn in that role and he does have a goal in him, but they need to find a solution and get the defence sorted. Wesley is OK with his link-up play but is never in those danger areas. For that reason, I have to fancy Burnley. They have to get the full-backs higher up and get the service into the front three. I am expecting Aston Villa to stay in the bottom three.”
NEWCASTLE v LEICESTER
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-2
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Leicester have such a confidence and authority on the ball against these teams and Newcastle probably deserved something from their match against Everton. Miguel Almiron had two chances in front of the goal that he sliced high, although he was unlucky in hitting the post. There was enough in Newcastle to say there was more of a threat going forward.
“Leicester try to pick teams off in games like this. Jonjo Shelvey must get on the ball and dictate these games. Andy Carroll and Joelinton were a handful, but Steve Bruce didn’t play them as a pair – Almiron’s speed behind them with the flying wing-backs made them look dangerous. Leicester will have too much when they are on the ball and can be dangerous from all areas.”
SOUTHAMPTON v TOTTENHAM
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-2
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Southampton have always had issues at home, although they did get a draw at the weekend against Crystal Palace. Tottenham are still unstable and Jose Mourinho will look at the defence, whether it is Danny Rose in particular or the club that is the issue, as Jan Vertonghen is at left-back and is struggling. Toby Alderweireld has signed a new deal but is struggling, while Serge Aurier makes too many mistakes.
“This must give hope for Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond, but whether Southampton can get enough service to them through midfield, I am unsure. Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Lucas Moura have a lot on the counter-attack, but Southampton’s confidence must be high and they may play more in line, which means there will be more goals in this one. Mourinho still needs time to fix things.”
WATFORD v WOLVES
The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-2
He said on Sky Sports’ website: “This is another good game. Watching Wolves on Sunday – other than Man City – they are the best team that has gone to Anfield and taken Liverpool on. They were hard-done-by with the VAR nonsense and there is no doubt they are a cracking side.
“Watford have had a massive lift, but they are closing the gap. It was a convincing win at the weekend and you can see all of the players have got a lift from Nigel Pearson. The defence looks more solid, while Nuno Espirito Santo may need to freshen it up a little bit.
“Wolves have a massive FA Cup tie coming up, but Watford are definitely on the up too. Wolves are only five points behind Chelsea, and they will continue to impress here.”
Take a look at more of his predictions on the next page.
Chris
31st December 2019 at 7:14 pm
Well done charlie, cant give a win to london clubs EXCEPT the arseole!! Who have as much chance of beating man utd as they have of winning the league!!!!