(All kickoff times are AEST)
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal’s problems, both domestically and in Europe, continue to get worse. A 2-0 loss at home to Swansea last weekend was compounded by 2-1 loss to Olympiacos in the Champions League, where they forfeited top spot in their group as a result of the defeat. They’ve slipped to 10th on the table and will be desperate for a win this weekend.
West Brom is another side that has slowly dropped off the pace in the last few weeks. After making third spot on the table their own, a 1-0 loss to Stoke last weekend meant a second consecutive league defeat. They’ve dropped out of the top four and will be looking for a stabilising result away to Arsenal.
West Brom should look to take advantage of Arsenal’s poor run of form by securing at least a draw at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Arsenal 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Stoke
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at Villa Park
With five points in their last three games, Aston Villa is gradually clawing their way further from the relegation zone. While it might not seem like much to their fans, every point is vital throughout the season when you’re in a survival battle. Paul Lambert may publically say he’s wanting more from his players, but secretly he would be very happy with their output over the last month.
Stoke’s 1-0 win over West Brom last weekend meant a third consecutive victory for Tony Pulis’s side. It lifted them back into the top half of the table and there’s no doubt the Potters will be sniffing more points this weekend.
Both teams are very physical in the way they go about their football, so they will match up evenly across the park on the weekend.
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke
Southampton v Reading
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at St Mary’s Stadium
Southampton wouldn’t have been overly disappointed despite a 1-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend. Nigel Adkins’s side was compact in defence and tidy when in possession. There were plenty of positives for Saints fans to take into the rest of the season.
Reading played out a thrilling contest with Manchester United last weekend, however went down 4-3 despite twice taking the lead. Like their opponents this weekend, they can take positives from their defeat, even though they sit in second last on the table.
Both sides are in the relegation zone, so this is a real six-pointer. I think the Saints should see off the threat of Reading.
Southampton 2-1 Reading
Sunderland v Chelsea
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland’s 2-1 loss to Norwich last weekend left the Black Cats in 17th on the table, just one point outside the bottom three. Their manager Martin O’Neill then came out and finally admitted his side was in a relegation battle. With Southampton and Reading – who are in the bottom three – playing off this weekend, O’Neill’s side could find themselves in the drop zone by the end of the weekend.
Chelsea’s season couldn’t get much worse at this stage. After a 3-1 loss to London rivals West Ham last weekend, the Blues fell 10 points from the top of the table. Later in the week, they became the first ever side to go out of the Champions League at the group stages after winning the competition the season before. It seems incredible to think that this could all happen, despite being top of the table and undefeated after eight games.
Even though they went out of the Champions League midweek, Chelsea won their match 6-1 and played themselves into form. They should carry that into this game.
Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea
Swansea v Norwich
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at the Liberty Stadium
Michu is now the most prized possession in English football. The Spaniard, who was signed for just £2 million in the summer, has scored 10 goals in 15 matches so far this season, including a sensation brace in Swansea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal last weekend. They were fantastic goals and they put the Welsh side within a game of the top four.
Norwich defeated Sunderland 2-1 last weekend, continuing their amazing turnaround in form after languishing in the relegation zone earlier in the season. The Canaries are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, and have climbed to 12th on the table.
Swansea looks slick and unstoppable at the moment and I can see them putting an end to Norwich’s fine run this weekend.
Swansea 2-0 Norwich
Wigan v QPR
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday December 9th at the DW Stadium
Wigan was thrashed by Newcastle last weekend, which saw them plummet to 16th on the table. Roberto Martinez promised Latics’ fans improvement this season, however I have failed to see it. It’s getting to the stage now where you’re wondering when Dave Whelan, the Wigan owner, will run out of patience with Martinez.
QPR drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last weekend. The positive for Harry Redknapp is that these are the baby steps that everyone expected them to take after switching to a new manager. Still, they must face up to the facts that they’re in last place, with no wins, after 15 matches this season. There’s a long way to go, but they must start delivering results.
Even though Roberto Martinez wouldn’t like to think that he’s in a relegation battle, this is an important match for his side. I think Wigan will get the points.
Wigan 2-1 QPR
Manchester City v Manchester United
Kickoff: 12.30am Monday December 10th at the Etihad Stadium
The Manchester derby has always been a hotly contested affair, however following last season’s final-day drama, it’s no doubt this rivalry has stepped up a notch. This weekend, United travels the short distance to the Etihad Stadium to face their bitter rivals and the reigning Premier League champions.
Manchester City come into this match three points behind Manchester United on the table. They drew with Everton 1-1 last weekend, and a 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund midweek meant they finished last in their Champions League group. Roberto Mancini will know that there’s still more to come from his Championship-winning side, however I think this weekend is the first indication we’ll get about whether they’re suffering from a premiership hangover.
Manchester United are on top of the Premier League table, but Alex Ferguson would still be worried with his side’s leaky defence. They conceded three goals in 23 minutes to Reading last weekend, and lost 1-0 to Romanian side CFR Cluj midweek. I think this is the first time this season that they can’t afford to go behind early and rely on their strikers to save their blushes.
Expect high tension, heaps of drama, loads of goals and perhaps even a touch of controversy. United starts the weekend three points ahead, but I think City will finish it level with their neighbours.
Manchester City 3-2 Manchester United
Everton v Tottenham
Kickoff: 2.00am Monday December 10th at Goodison Park
Everton snatched a deserved point away to Manchester City last weekend, meaning they just held on to sixth spot on the table. David Moyes would be happy with his side’s response in the last two matches, holding both Arsenal and City to draws. They have another difficult task this weekend when Tottenham roll into Merseyside.
Spurs secured a fantastic 3-0 win away to Fulham last weekend, which continued their recent revival after going through a mini form slump. The victory lifted them back into the top four, however they could just as easily concede that position to Everton if they lose this match.
Sunday’s football may be squarely focused on the Manchester derby, but this match is definitely not to be missed. I’m anticipating a fantastic game at Goodison Park, with Everton to get the three points.
Everton 2-1 Tottenham
West Ham v Liverpool
Kickoff: 3.00am Monday December 10th at Upton Park
West Ham’s 3-1 win over Chelsea last weekend highlighted their brilliant form since they returned to the Premier League. Goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga sealed the win, which moved them up to eighth on the table. The first goal for Sam Allardyce this season would have been survival, however now he may start thinking of European football next season.
Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Southampton last weekend came at a price: Luis Suarez picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he is now suspended for this match. The Uruguayan has scored over half of Liverpool’s goals this season, and with no other recognised striker in the Reds’ squad, they could face problems this weekend.
West Ham’s start to this season has been fantastic and they should continue their great run of form this weekend against a depleted Liverpool side.
West Ham 1-0 Liverpool
Fulham v Newcastle
Kickoff: 7.00am Tuesday December 11th at Craven Cottage
Fulham was outclassed by a much better Tottenham side last weekend. The 3-0 loss to their London rivals meant Martin Jol’s side is without a win in seven Premier League outings. They’ve fallen to 13th on the table and must get their act together fast.
Newcastle ended a run of four consecutive league defeats when they thrashed Wigan 3-0 last weekend. A fantastic strike from 19-year-old Gael Bigirimana sealed the points and capped a wonderful display from the North East side.
Fulham will be desperate for a point and should snatch at least one against a still-shakey Newcastle side.
Fulham 1-1 Newcastle
Sunderland v Reading
Kickoff: 6.45am Wednesday December 12th at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland and Reading will both play their second match of the weekend when they take part in this re-arranged fixture. The initial battle between these two sides was called off in August due to a waterlogged pitch.
Both sides have a game in hand on their opposition and it could prove crucial as they are both locked in a relegation dogfight.
Sunderland is at home to Chelsea earlier in the weekend, while Reading travel to Southampton before going away again to the North East.
Sometimes these matches come down to who can stay the fittest and with Reading travelling twice in the space of three days, the Black Cats should get the points.
Sunderland 2-1 Reading
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.
