(All kickoff times are AEST)
West Ham v Chelsea
Kickoff: 11.45pm Saturday December 1st at Upton Park
West Ham will take a lot of heart out of their 0-1 loss to Manchester United midweek. The Hammers conceded inside 30 seconds, but then matched the league leaders for the remainder of the game.
Chelsea’s problems, both on-field and off-field, didn’t get any better after a goalless draw with Fulham on Wednesday night. The Blues looked disjointed in an eerily quiet Stamford Bridge atmosphere. I don’t think Chelsea’s support of Rafa Benitez grew after he came out wearing an orange tie, either.
Chelsea has moved seven points from top spot after dropping crucial points in the last week. I think that pattern will continue this weekend.
West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal v Swansea
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at the Emirates Stadium
I was a little disappointed with Arsenal’s showing against Everton midweek. After taking the lead inside the opening minute, the Gunners completely dropped off and were lucky to hold onto a point. The result left them 12 points from the top, and in a struggle to make a Champions League position.
Swansea was fantastic in a 3-1 win over West Brom midweek. Albion had been rampant prior to the match, however the Welsh side took them apart, scoring three times in the opening 39 minutes. Pablo Hernandez was instrumental in the win.
Arsenal desperately needs a win, and I think they’ll finally get one this weekend.
Arsenal 2-1 Swansea
Fulham v Tottenham
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at Craven Cottage
Fulham’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea probably would have been a little easier to achieve than they would have expected. The Cottagers sat back in defence and absorbed the pressure without much trouble. I think Martin Jol will implement similar tactics for this clash with London rivals Tottenham.
Gareth Bale was fantastic as Spurs defeated Liverpool 2-1 on Wednesday night. The speedy Welsh winger scored one and set up the other, before even getting on the score sheet for Liverpool with a comedic own goal. Bale is proving to be one of the Premier League’s most influential players, so Fulham will need to be watchful of him this weekend.
Tottenham are starting to hit some form, so they should get a victory away to Fulham in Clint Dempsey’s return to Craven Cottage.
Fulham 0-2 Tottenham
Liverpool v Southampton
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at Anfield
Liverpool fans were once again left frustrated after their side dominated proceedings at Tottenham, only to lose. The Reds amassed 17 shots on goal, had 12 corners and won 65% of possession, yet spurned a host of chances to go down once again.
A mistake from under-fire keeper Paulo Gazzaniga cost Southampton the three points at home to Norwich midweek. Prior to that, the Saints had looked good and were on their way to a third successive victory. They’re still inside the relegation zone, but things are on the way up for Nigel Adkins and his side.
Liverpool needs to start building points to make a play for a European place, and they should get a win this weekend.
Liverpool 2-0 Southampton
Manchester City v Everton
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at the Etihad Stadium
Mario Balotelli finally got his first Premier League goal of the season as Manchester City defeated Wigan 2-0 on Wednesday night. The late goals from Balotelli and James Milner saved City’s blushes, after Wigan had put in a decent performance for the opening hour.
Everton was impressive in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal midweek. Marouane Fellaini, Nikica Jelavic and Leighton Baines continued their brilliant form streaks, helping the Toffees to a well-deserved point. David Moyes has guided Everton to sixth on the table, and is leading the charge for a European place.
In what I believe will be the game of the weekend, Manchester City and Everton should play out an entertaining match. I fancy Everton to nick a point from their travels.
Manchester City 1-1 Everton
QPR v Aston Villa
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at Loftus Road
Harry Redknapp’s QPR career began on Tuesday night with a goalless draw away to Sunderland. There’s still plenty of work to do for Redknapp, whose Rangers side still hasn’t won a game, however he would have seen positives from the performance.
Aston Villa inched out of the relegation zone with a crucial 1-0 win over Reading in their midweek fixture. Christian Benteke scored the goal with just 10 minutes remaining, saving Paul Lambert from another week in the bottom three.
This match will prove to be crucial in the relegation battle. I think it will end up as a draw, with QPR’s wait for a win continuing.
QPR 1-1 Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 2nd at the Hawthorns
West Brom was stunned by an incisive Swansea side midweek. The Baggies had previously been in wonderful form, rising to third on the table, but were completely outdone at the Liberty Stadium. Steve Clarke would be hoping for a positive response at home this weekend.
Stoke came from behind to score two goals in the final 10 minutes as they defeated Newcastle 2-1 on Wednesday night. It was a gritty performance from a resolute Stoke side, and moved them inside the top half of the table.
West Brom will be desperate to recover quickly from their loss to Swansea, however will have to settle for a draw at home to Stoke this weekend.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Stoke
Reading v Manchester United
Kickoff: 4.30am Sunday December 2nd at the Madejski Stadium
Reading’s 0-1 loss to Aston Villa sent them deeper into the danger of relegation. It meant that Villa moved four points clear of them on the table, and made their task of climbing from the bottom three even harder.
Manchester United scraped a 1-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday night. Robin Van Persie’s deflected goal after just 32 seconds meant they retained their place on the top of the table. Alex Ferguson would have been ecstatic to see the Red Devils finally keep a clean sheet.
Manchester United will strengthen their title ambitions with an easy victory over Reading this weekend.
Reading 0-2 Manchester United
Norwich v Sunderland
Kickoff: 3.00am Monday December 3rd at Carrow Road
Norwich’s 1-1 draw with Southampton midweek extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to eight games. Chris Houghton’s men are now sitting in 13th on the ladder, and look in a good position to avoid a potential relegation fight come the end of the season.
In the meantime, Sunderland’s goalless draw with QPR on Tuesday night kept them in the midst of a relegation scrap. Martin O’Neill is now under immense pressure to get quick results coming into a busy Christmas period.
Norwich’s form of late has been brilliant, and they should get a win against Sunderland.
Norwich 2-1 Sunderland
Newcastle v Wigan
Kickoff: 7.00am Tuesday December 4th at St James’ Park
Newcastle’s 1-2 loss to Stoke was their fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League. It’s hard to believe that with the season holding such promise following their fourth-placed finish last campaign, the Magpies are now just two points from the relegation zone.
Wigan was gallant in defeat as they went down 0-2 to Manchester City in their midweek match. Like Newcastle, this was meant to be a good season for the Latics under Roberto Martinez, however they’re below the Magpies on goal difference, also sitting just two points from the bottom three.
Both sides will want to avoid the possibility of a relegation battle at the end of the season, so this is a crucial match. I think it will be fifth time lucky for Newcastle, who will finally get back on the winners list.
Newcastle 2-1 Wigan
Riley Beveridge is a first-year Bachelor of Sports Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow his Premier League views at his Twitter account: @RileyBev.
