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A look at the latest predictions as Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham prepare for action.
An exciting weekend of Premier League football is almost upon us, and it is a big weekend for Crystal Palace, in particular. The Eagles take on rivals Brighton on Sunday, hoping to secure the bragging rights.
Elsewhere, Fulham face another tough test, taking on Liverpool, while West Ham are not in action until Monday, taking on Bournemouth away from home. Ahead of those fixtures, we have rounded up the predictions from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and Sportskeeda’s Paul Merson.
Liverpool vs Fulham
Chris Sutton
“I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it will be interesting to see what Fulham do. They were very well-organised defensively against Arsenal last time out, and were happy to sit in and try to carry a threat on the counter.
“That probably did not work as effectively as they would have liked, other than when Raul Jimenez put them ahead, but I suspect they will go with a similar gameplan at Anfield. So, Adama Traore will start again, along with Alex Iwobi who had a good game against the Gunners, with Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic together in a more defensively minded midfield.
“They didn't keep Arsenal out, though, and I can't see them stopping Liverpool either. Arne Slot's side were quite flat in their midweek win over Girona. He was quite critical of their performance but I think a lot of teams are going through a period where they are so stretched by the Premier League and Champions League.
“The first goal is going to be important here, but I expect Liverpool to get it and then go on to win comfortably. Prediction: 3-0.”
Paul Merson
“I don't think Liverpool played particularly well against Girona but they still won and that's all that matters. It's a good sign for any team and it will be a huge boost for them too. If I'm Liverpool, I would have rather played the Merseyside derby last weekend though. In hindsight, it looks good because they have a game in hand and both Manchester City and Arsenal failed to win. But what everyone needs to understand is that the game in hand does not necessarily mean three points, sometimes we forget that.
“Someone has to stop this Liverpool juggernaut and we expect it to happen at some point this season. For now, they look in good shape. Alisson returned to the team after his injury and looked like he was never away during the win over Girona. It just shows how good a goalkeeper he is. Caoimhin Kelleher stepped up so well in the absence of Alisson, but keeping the Brazilian out now will be incredibly tough.
“Diogo Jota is also back from injury and given how Darwin Nunez has failed to set the stage on fire in his absence, I expect Arne Slot to trust the Portuguese more. But I still like Nunez as an option off the bench. He can ruffle a few feathers, can be a real handful and is still someone you don't want to play against if you're a defender! I have no doubt that he will have an impact at some point this season.
“If Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah end up accepting Liverpool's rumored contract proposals, that's £200 million-worth players extending. It'll give them a massive lift, but there will be more pressure on local boy Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“I find it strange because Alexander-Arnold has cost Liverpool no money and whatever they make out of his sale would be a huge bonus. Meanwhile, if Salah and Van Dijk were to leave for free, that would be two players they heavily invested in. Yet, it would still be Alexander-Arnold getting all the stick from the fans! Liverpool win for me, don't think Fulham can trouble them too much here. Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham.”
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Chris Sutton
“No top-flight team has drawn more home games (four) than Brighton this season, and Crystal Palace have drawn the most in total (seven) of any Premier League side - including four of their past six games.
As regular readers will know, I am happy to be led by statistics sometimes, and they make this the easiest prediction I have ever made. Prediction: 1-1.
Paul Merson
“When Brighton beat Bournemouth a few weeks ago, they moved up to second-place in the table. Here are the results that followed for them - Draw against Southampton at home, 3-1 loss at Fulham and 2-2 draw with Leicester away from home. That sums it up for me. When the pressure is on, they tend to struggle!
“I believe Brighton have the edge here, but this is still a massive game where both teams have a strong chance. Crystal Palace looked good in their 2-2 draw with Manchester City. They are showing signs of revival at the moment, with just one defeat in their last eight games.
“Since they are at home, I have to go with Brighton here. But there won't be too much between these teams. I do think Palace will avoid relegation at the end of the season though. When I watched that game against City, I saw enough from them to think they will be safe. Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Crystal Palace.”
Bournemouth vs West Ham
Chris Sutton
“West Ham's win over Wolves last time was a step in the right direction under Julen Lopetegui, but he needs to maintain that improvement over a longer period otherwise he is always going to be under pressure.
“Jarrod Bowen is looking sharp for the Hammers and I think they will make a game of this, but I can only see one winner here and it is Bournemouth. What a team the Cherries have been this season. They always create a lot of chances and I am expecting them to make it four wins in a row. Prediction: 2-1.”
Paul Merson
“I'm going to say that the win over Wolves was a bad result for West Ham and that's only because it keeps Julen Lopetegui on the job! I'm sure most West Ham fans feel the same way as me. It prolongs his stay and that's not very promising for West Ham if I'm being honest.
“I can't seem them beating Bournemouth here. Five out of six games West Ham play after Christmas are all London derbies. I'm not sure how they will fare in all of them. This could end up being a very difficult run for Lopetegui, maybe the one that finally costs him his job.
“Michail Antonio, I just want to say I'm really glad you got out of that car alive. That looked really scary and it's going to be a battle for him to return to the pitch now. If he plays again, it's an absolute bonus but the main thing is that he got out alive. He's had a great career, what an unbelievable player for West Ham. He works on his own mostly, puts in a shift every single game and no defender would ever want to go up against him on his day. I wish him well. Prediction: Bournemouth 3-1 West Ham United.”
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