Jack Taylor celebrates his stoppage-time winner against Wolves.Jack Taylor celebrates his stoppage-time winner against Wolves. (Image: PA)
PREDICTIONS RECAP
Let's start with a recap of how this predictions malarky has been going in the Premier League.
Looking at the block of games 5-10, I had Town pegged for five points from five games against Aston Villa, West Ham, Everton, Brentford and Leicester. They ended up just two but would have hit that predicted number were it not for the 10-man late heartbreak against Brentford/Leicester.
Looking ahead to games 11-15, once more I foresaw five points from the five games against Tottenham, Man United, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Town ended up with four and, again, would have hit the predicted number were it not for that stoppage-time gut punch against the Cherries.
It was remiss of me not to do another batch of predictions ahead of the Wolves trip. For the record, I had the Blues down for a 1-1 draw at Molineux. It was nice to be proved wrong on that occasion by a positive late goal!
Kieran McKenna's men now face four Premier League games in a 16 day spell over the festive period. On paper, it looks a daunting task. Time to get the crystal ball out again...
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has scored seven goals in his last 10 games.Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has scored seven goals in his last 10 games. (Image: PA)
NEWCASTLE UNITED
When: Saturday (3pm)
Where: Portman Road
Newcastle seemed destined to become one of the Premier League's big hitters after their mega Saudi takeover in 2021, but it's not turned out that way.
Eddie Howe's men finished seventh last season and, after a mixed start to this campaign, arrive at Portman Road sitting 12th in the standings. Along the way they've dropped points against Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Still, the Magpies possess an outstanding front three in Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy/Harvey Barnes. And they come into this match off the back of two morale-boosting wins at home - 4-0 against Leicester last weekend, followed by a 3-1 victory against Brentford on Wednesday night to secure a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Stu's prediction: I'm gutted Liam Delap is suspended for this game, following a silly yellow card in the tunnel at Wolves, because his power would have provided a tough test for 32-year-old centre-backs Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.
Both teams come into this game with their tails up, but I think Newcastle's greater quality/depth in attack will just prove difference. Anthony Gordon against Town's depleted right side is a concern. I'll say 2-1 to the visitors.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka leads the way in terms of Premier League assists (10).Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka leads the way in terms of Premier League assists (10). (Image: PA)
ARSENAL
When: Friday, December 27 (8.15pm, Amazon Prime)
Where: Emirates Stadium
After consecutive second-place finishes, many tipped Arsenal to go one step further and win the title this season. Many City have stumbled, but the Gunners haven't quite been able to tale full advantage.
As it stands, they find themselves six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game extra, and four behind Chelsea. The pressure is on in every game. Town can take heart from the fact Everton were able to get a 0-0 draw at the Emirates last weekend. There's also been plenty of talk that Mikel Arteta's men are too reliant on set-piece goals.
Let's not kid ourselves though, the Blues will be major underdogs for this clash in North London. Names such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard roll off the tongue, while the likes of Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are pretty handy options to have off the bench! Arsenal's home record across all competitions this calendar year reads: W19 D4 L2.
Stu's prediction: The win at Spurs is proof that anything is possible, but I do find it hard to see past defeat in this one. 2-0 Arsenal.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer has 11 goals and six assist to his name in the Premier League already this season.Chelsea star Cole Palmer has 11 goals and six assist to his name in the Premier League already this season. (Image: PA)
CHELSEA
When: Monday, December 30 (7.45pm)
Where: Portman Road
Enzo Maresca may be downplaying Chelsea's title chances, but the West Londoners undoubtedly have to be considered genuine contenders as we approach the halfway point of the season.
As it stands, no team has won more Premier League away games than Chelsea so far this season (6). Anfield and Old Trafford are the only venues where they haven't claimed all three points. Worryingly for Ipswich, they've recorded some thumping wins on the road against sides down the bottom - 6-2 at Wolves, 3-0 at West Ham and 5-1 at Southampton.
Midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are living up to their £100m+ price tags, Cole Palmer is arguably the best player in the league, Nicolas Jackson has found his shooting boots this season, while the likes of Jason Sancho, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, Christoper Nkunku and Pedro Neto provide an array of attacking options to rotate.
There's every chance Chelsea will have won 10 in a row across all competitions by the time this trip to Suffolk comes around.
Stu's prediction: Town came close to beating Bournemouth and have drawn with Aston Villa, Fulham and Man United at home. This is a step up in level though. As was the case on the opening day against Liverpool, I foresee a spirited display but, ultimately, a comfortable defeat. 2-0 to Chelsea.
Raul Jimenez (right) celebrates with Alex Iwobi after scoring for Fulham.Raul Jimenez (right) celebrates with Alex Iwobi after scoring for Fulham. (Image: PA)
FULHAM
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Craven Cottage
Happy New Year! After facing two power-packed title hopefuls in the space of four days, Ipswich are handed a trip to... Fulham.
Under Marco Silva's management, the West London club look to be progressing nicely. Currently eighth, only Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have lost fewer league games than them so far this season (4).
Left-back Antonee Robinson is having a fine campaign, while former Arsenal attackers Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe have rediscovered their mojo. Since a surprise 4-1 home loss to Wolves in late November, they've taken points off of Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Ipswich will take heart from the fact that they gave the Cottagers a really good game at Portman Road back in late August. It was McKenna's men who were looking the more likely to win in that pulsating 2-2 draw.
Stu's prediction: I can't bring myself to predict four straight losses (the last time that happened was directly prior to the Covid call-off in 2020). This is another really tough match though. I'll say 1-1.
OVERALL VERDICT
We're going into the most brutal period in the most brutal league in the world and Town, already up against it, aren't at full strength.
I hope the above prediction of one point from the festive period proves pessimistic, but it's important to stay grounded in reality about the size of the task ahead.
After a pause for the FA Cup third round clash against Bristol Rovers, Town will resume league action with games against Brighton (h), Man City (h) and Liverpool (a). It doesn't get any easier.
Others down the bottom are going to find it equally as tough though given how much the middle pack have improved. If things do get tough, it's important everyone sticks together and keeps the bigger picture in mind.