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This weekend has all the potential to end up being the one that initiates some shift in power in the Premier League title race. I say that because Liverpool were in action in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday and now face a tricky assignment away at Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
I know they rested a lot of their main players for that cup game against Southampton, but by the time they face Spurs, they could drop down to second-place if Chelsea beat Everton. For their own good, Liverpool have to forget about that game in hand. If you keep thinking of it as an advantage, it can only work against you in my opinion.
Not long ago, Liverpool were six points ahead of Chelsea. Back then, no one would've thought it could become this close! That's how quickly things can change in the Premier League. If I were to pick the favourites to win the Premier League right now, I would still choose Liverpool. But believe me when I say Chelsea are not a million miles behind them.
If Spurs turn up like how they can on a good day, we'll have a game on our hands come Sunday. On that note, let's dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 17 in the Premier League:
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/e228a-17346108872689-1920.jpg 1920w">
Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
When is it going to stop with Manchester City? Like, seriously. You know me, whenever I go with my weekly predictions, I don't usually bet against City. But now I look at this game and I just can't seem them winning!
City have now lost too many games on the trot. They were 1-0 up against Manchester United with just 10 minutes left on the clock and ended up losing that game. That's just unbelievable, we have never ever seen them going through something like this.
Pep Guardiola responded by saying he's not good enough, but I look at it as more of a tongue-in-cheek comment. He probably means, 'wait a minute, I won four league titles in a row, won the treble and now I lose a few games and you're all calling me bad?'
In all honesty, this was always going to be the case. It's just how the game works. You can't keep winning all the time, other teams will eventually catch up with you. City are devoid of any confidence right now and I have a feeling they could slip up again.
A win for Aston Villa would lift them over the reigning champions in the league table and I actually expect that to happen on Saturday. I'd be quite shocked if City manage to win this. It would be an unbelievable result for Villa on home turf.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City
West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72f4d-17346114455891-1920.jpg 1920w">
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Everybody got carried away with Brighton when they went on that little run and got to second-place in the table. We were all thinking they could push for top four this season! Then slowly the pressure started creeping in on them and now they haven't won in four league games.
If you look at these games, they were all winnable ones. When you're Brighton, you can't be drawing games with Southampton and Leicester City. They also got destroyed by Crystal Palace last weekend. Brighton are on a downward spiral and I worry for them here against West Ham.
I'm backing the Hammers to win this game. I thought they put in a decent performance in that draw away from home at Bournemouth last time out. The players really worked their socks off for that point. It would have been a huge boost to Julen Lopetegui.
If West Ham beat Brighton, that would be seven points for them in three games. That's a very good return and the kind of run they desperately need right now. Suddenly, the decision to stick with Lopetegui might start to look like a good one. But I do think he'll continue to be under a lot of pressure because things will change quickly if they lose another game.
Prediction: West Ham United 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Ipswich Town vs Newcastle United
Newcastle United FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/01301-17346126116597-1920.jpg 1920w">
Newcastle United FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
It was a brilliant result for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford. It's quite amazing they are with these top teams in the last four of that competition. When Newcastle have all their players fit and on the pitch, they are a really good team.
So they must focus on it and if they manage to do that, they will end up being a threat to any team in this division. I said this about Alexander Isak at the start of the season and I'm not changing it, if Arsenal got him it would have been the icing on the cake.
I know Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick in the cup game. But Isak is on a different level. He's a very good player and could have caused massive problems to other teams if Arsenal got him.
Ipswich managed to pull off an incredible win last weekend against Wolves. They are nicking results here and there and are hanging on in the race to avoid relegation. That's exactly what they should keep doing as well, but I just think Newcastle will have too much quality for them on Saturday.
Prediction: Ipswich Town 1-2 Newcastle United
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Chelsea FC v Brentford FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/c6ab3-17346134979009-1920.jpg 1920w">
Chelsea FC v Brentford FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
This should be a brilliant game to watch. Brentford had two tough away games at Chelsea and Newcastle, and lost them both en route to this fixture. But they are a different team altogether when they play at home and will hope to return to winning ways. Funnily enough, Nottingham Forest are an excellent unit when they play away from home so this is a game that both teams will fancy.
Brentford love to attack their opponents at home and Forest will be a dangerous threat on the counter-attack. This match is set up quite perfectly in my opinion. The only worrying feeling I have about Forest is that they may not be able to outscore their opponents here.
Forest tend to be a little extra cautious in their approach, while Brentford have a scary scoring record at home. Don't get me wrong, Forest are in the middle of an incredible season but this might just prove to be too much for them in the end.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/72844-17346148746540-1920.jpg 1920w">
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final - Source: Getty
I have to back Arsenal here because their reserves team just beat Crystal Palace in the cup game. That just shows the gulf in class between these sides at the moment. I expect this to be an entertaining game though. Palace will have a go at Arsenal since they are playing in front of their own fans at Selhurst Park.
The longer the game goes on at 0-0, the tougher it will get for Arsenal. Let's not forget that Palace have recently turned a corner in the Premier League with their draw against Manchester City and win over Brighton.
Arsenal have to sort that side out where Gabriel Martinelli plays, they have a problem there and need a solution. Raheem Sterling looks most comfortable when he plays where Bukayo Saka plays, but you can't keep the latter out of the team or switch his preferred position, no chance!
Martinelli is getting a bit too predictable now and Arsenal must change it up on that side. Leandro Trossard is an option but when I look at him, I think he's more suited to come off the bench. So I'd actually give Sterling a chance on that side.
Gabriel Jesus may have scored the hat-trick against Palace in midweek, but I don't see him coming into the starting line-up for this clash. Kai Havertz offers a bit more in terms of holding the ball up and unless Mikel Arteta decides to put the German in midfield, Jesus has no chance. I don't think that will happen either.
Arsenal need to keep winning if they are to put pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea. I expect them to win but this will not be a walk in the park.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Everton vs Chelsea
Chelsea FC v Brentford FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/2993d-17346155972327-1920.jpg 1920w">
Chelsea FC v Brentford FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
This is a hard game for Chelsea even though they're flying at the moment. They hold such an advantage in the title race because they play Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League on Thursday, but they can afford to rest all their main players.
The only real winners of the Carabao Cup quarter-final games were Chelsea. Now Arsenal and Liverpool have to play two-legged semi-finals in January. Chelsea will be licking their lips because if they can remain consistent, which they have done amazingly well so far, this title race will play into their hands. These extra games could take a toll on their rivals.
Chelsea's squad depth is really starting to benefit them now. If Arsenal play their best players, I think they have the strongest team in the league. But if they are forced to make changes, it weakens them. Chelsea don't have that problem. They have players who can come in and not weaken the team. That's a huge advantage in my opinion.
If you ask me if Chelsea are favourites to win the Premier League, 100 million per cent they are not. But they are definitely in it, no matter what their manager says. You can't deny it now. Liverpool and Arsenal have so many big games coming up, especially in the Champions League. The more games you play, the more injuries you could pick up. If Chelsea go out and keep doing what they are doing now, they will push these teams till the end.
Everton will make life difficult for Chelsea with how they play under Sean Dyche. But honestly, if you're a fan of them, you don't want to be seeing that every week. It's just backs against the wall, they sit back and do nothing. I expect Chelsea to slice them open at some point in this game and it will be a massive result for the visitors at Goodison Park.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Chelsea
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/9d585-17346165558714-1920.jpg 1920w">
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Bournemouth went to Old Trafford and won last year, didn't they? Interesting. I personally feel Manchester United look better under Ruben Amorim. They played some decent football against Manchester City in my opinion. But this is a very tough game to call, especially considering how much Bournemouth have improved since their win here last time around.
Marcus Rashford recently spoke about his desire for a new challenge away from Manchester United. I don't see him going anywhere though. United are on a rebuild and they are trying to sell one of their best players? What does that tell you about Rashford? If you are some other team and you want to sign him for £50-60 million at £200,000 per week, you are bound to think why are United even letting him go.
PSG spent a fortune on Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi and failed to win the Champions League. Do they really want to repeat something similar with Rashford just to win Ligue 1, which they will anyway end up winning without him?
I don't see where he goes unless it's Saudi Pro League and that would be a shame for him at this age. I'd be shocked if someone signs Rashford and that's the problem for Manchester United. When you give out such contracts, there is always the risk of form changing, circumstances changing and now United are stuck.
Even when Manchester United win, teams always end up having chances against them so that's a problem. But I have a feeling they will edge it, despite this being a difficult game.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Fulham vs Southampton
Southampton FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/15385-17346174621743-1920.jpg 1920w">
Southampton FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
It just makes me laugh how Southampton never change. I feel sorry for Russell Martin getting sacked because he took them up from the Championship and it's hard to get out of that league. But then when you come into the Premier League, you need to be able to mix it up and be a little bit more pragmatic.
The manager got sacked because of how they were playing, it was bordering on pathetic at times. They just kept shooting themselves on the foot again and again. We saw a bit of change in Southampton during their Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool. They need to do more of that in the Premier League and change it up.
Fulham are a really hard team to beat. So I can't see anything but a win for Fulham in this fixture. Southampton have no chance away from home.
Prediction: Fulham 3-0 Southampton
Leicester City vs Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/3998f-17346178724055-1920.jpg 1920w">
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
This is a cup final, huge game. Wolves sacked Gary O'Neil before this big game and if they end up losing to Leicester, they will be eight points behind the Foxes! Now that's a massive advantage for Leicester in the battle to avoid relegation.
If Everton got a result at Arsenal, that shows they won't go down this season. I don't think any of the three promoted teams can do that at the Emirates. So then suddenly this becomes a four-way relegation battle between Leicester, Ipswich, Southampton and Wolves.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is suspended for this game and it's a massive loss for Wolves. With everything that's recently happened, I don't expect Wolves to win this game. I'm backing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Leicester to pick up a really important win.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League - Source: Getty" srcset="https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/d7d56-17346182442196-1920.jpg 1920w">
Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
It all depends on what happens with Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. If they lose, that's another trophy gone and it could be a dire mood heading into the Liverpool game. That could have an impact on Spurs.
But then again, it's always weird predicting Tottenham's games because you just don't know how they will turn up on the night. They are so up and down and you can never tell when it comes to them.
The chasing pack will be looking at this game and hoping Liverpool drop points. By the time Liverpool are out on the pitch against Spurs, Chelsea could be above them, who would've thought that a few weeks ago? It's an interesting mental challenge Liverpool must somehow overcome.
Arne Slot rested a lot of players for the cup game. If they had lost that game, it would not have mattered much. No disrespect to the EFL Cup, I won it as a player by scoring in the final and becoming man of the match in it. But getting through to the semi-final is a nightmare for them because now they have to play two extra games in January and that's a huge load on this team.
If I'm being honest, that win for Liverpool in the cup was not a good result. These games just mount up and it could end up being a problem. When you get to the semi-final, you cannot mug around, you need to play your best team!
I don't think Liverpool should rush Diogo Jota back into the starting line-up despite him scoring against Fulham. There are a lot of games coming up and the last thing they want is him getting injured again. He's a quality player and proved that when he came off the bench and scored the equaliser last weekend.
I'm a big fan of Andy Robertson but he has struggled badly this season. There have been quite a few mistakes from him and he's easily getting found out by opponents. Robertson being suspended for this game is an actual blessing because if you left him out directly, he would have been unhappy. Now that he's suspended, it gives him time to work on his shortcomings without feeling dejected about losing his spot.
Ange Postecoglou prefers the gung-ho approach and if Spurs turn up like how we know they can, Liverpool will have to be careful. I still expect the visitors to get all three points here.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool
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Edited by Paul Merson