Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
A look at the latest predictions for this weekend’s fixtures, including those of Brentford, Fulham and West Ham.
Another big weekend of Premier League football is almost here, with everyone heading into this weekend hoping to go into Christmas on the back of a win. Brentford are bidding to get back into the top half ready for Christmas, while Fulham are looking to keep hold of a top half spot.
Brentford vs Nottingham Forrest
Chris Sutton
“It is always hard to back against Brentford at home, but Nottingham Forest are a cagey and clever away team. Forest's record on the road is the third best in the top flight this season and watching them makes me think they can get something here.
“Brentford have played in midweek, losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and I wonder if that might affect them. I am not saying the Bees' bubble will burst but Forest are always dangerous, so I am going with another draw. Prediction: 1-1.”
Paul Merson
“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.”
West Ham vs Brighton
Chris Sutton
“I genuinely believe these predictions have been harder than ever this season because so many teams are closely matched. It's either that or I am becoming really stupid, so take your pick. This game is another example of one that is very difficult to call. Other than Jarred Bowen's performances, I don't feel like West Ham have given me any reason to back them under Julen Lopetegui, while Brighton are on their worst run of the season and winless in four.
“Of course the Hammers are missing Michail Antonio, and I hope he recovers soon. In his absence, Niclas Fullkrug might finally get his chance up front. In the summer, I picked him as being one to watch - but West Ham fans have barely seen him at all so far. Brighton got walloped by Crystal Palace last weekend, and also showed their soft side in their previous game when they let a two-goal lead slip against Leicester, but I do feel they have the capacity to bounce back.
“Again, I see some goals in this one and I am going with Brighton to sneak it. Kaoru Mitomo is in my Fantasy Premier League team and I reckon he will get the winner. Prediction: 1-2.”
Paul Merson
“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.”
Fulham vs Southampton
Chris Sutton
“I saw Fulham first-hand at Anfield last week and they have a lovely balance to their team, with some decent options in their squad too. Antonee Robinson is making a strong case for being the best left-back in the league this season, and racked up a couple of assists against Liverpool. There's only one winner here. Southampton have not got a new manager yet after sacking Russell Martin, and I can't see much changing for them.
“I have some sympathy for Martin because, had he lost last season's play-off final, there is a good chance he would still be in his job. But Southampton's players are already low on confidence, and they were beaten again by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek. Let's face it, Saints are down already and I hope they are planning for next season in the Championship.
“It will be interesting to see what brand of football their next manager plays, but I hope they get some points somewhere. At the moment they have got even fewer points than Robbie Savage's Derby County team of 2007-08 had managed at this stage. It would be nice for Saints to end up with one more point than Derby did when they eventually finished on 11, just so Robbie can keep that record of being part of the worst Premier League team ever - it's how he is best known. Prediction: 2-0.”
Paul Merson
“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.”
Continue Reading