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A look at the predictions for Crystal Palace and Brentford’s Premier League clashes this weekend.
The Premier League continues this weekend with another full slate of fixtures. Crystal Palace are still looking for their second win of the season, and they face Newcastle United at home this weekend with the hope of continuing their recovery amid a slow start.
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United
Chris Sutton
“Crystal Palace have still only won one league game all season, against Tottenham at the end of October. The Eagles got a good point at Aston Villa last weekend but their manager Oliver Glasner definitely needs more than that to provide some early Christmas cheer.
“I am not sure Glasner will get much joy here, though. Although I did not expect Newcastle lose at home to West Ham on Monday, I would not be surprised to see them bounce back. This smells of a draw to me, because I do not see Newcastle losing. Prediction: 1-1.”
Paul Merson
“When you talk about results from last weekend, the one that I did not see coming was Newcastle losing to West Ham United. I was expecting them to turn up and win easily. That is a really bad loss for Newcastle in my opinion. It baffles me how they ended up losing to that West Ham team! They now face Crystal Palace, who I thought were really good away from home against Aston Villa last time out. They looked like a serious threat on the counter and used pace to their advantage. You could say Palace rode their luck at times in that game, but so did Villa.
“Palace are 19th at the moment and will now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Southampton are the only team with fewer goals than them this season, so that's an area where they must improve if they want to survive in this division. I can definitely see Newcastle scoring in this game, but I have a feeling Palace can match them. Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Newcastle United.”
Brentford vs Leicester City
Chris Sutton
“As I speak, Ruud van Nistelrooy has not been confirmed as Leicester's new manager, and whether he will be in the dugout or in the stands here. The smart move would probably be to distance himself from this game because, with five wins and a draw so far, Brentford have got the best home record in the Premier League this season.
“If you are Ruud, you jet in after the game - Heathrow Airport is not far away - and jump on the team bus for the trip home after the Foxes get pumped. I have got some sympathy for Steve Cooper over his dismissal by the way. Leicester were always going to struggle this season. There are all sorts of stories flying around about how the players never bought into his methods. Maybe there is an element of it where the Leicester players think they are better than they are, but they certainly need to improve their timing.
“There are photos of the squad out in Copenhagen this week for their Christmas party, and if they are holding that in November then something is wrong - although I must admit we have had the decorations up at our house for three weeks already. Prediction: 2-1.”
Paul Merson
“It makes me laugh, Leicester have made a pathetic decision by sacking Steve Cooper! They are fifth from bottom and out of the relegation zone, what else did you expect? Did you think you would come up from the Championship and push for a place in Europe?
“Leicester will get relegated. I watched them against Chelsea and they were all over the place. They got lucky with the penalty in the end, but honestly it could have been six or seven nil. The players partying before the sacking of Cooper (as seen in the Mirror) sums up where they are as a football club at the moment. Brentford are a team that likes to score goals and I don't see this game being any different. They could run riot and pile further misery on Leicester. Prediction: Brentford 3-0 Leicester City.”
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