It’s that time of the week again ladies and gents, as we gear up for another thrilling weekend of domestic action.
The continent is awash with corking fixtures to keep us entertained, with Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal and Barcelona’s visit to the Basque Country to take on Real Sociedad among the pick of the games.
But what you, and us, would all like to know is what do 90min’s editorial team think will happen in eight of the biggest games on offer?
Well, wonder no more – let’s begin!
Liverpool vs Watford
14/12/19 – 12:30
By Toby Cudworth
The runaway train that is Liverpool rolls into Anfield once more for an early Premier League date with basement boys Watford.
The Reds have been unstoppable so far this season, only dropping points to Manchester United over the course of the first 16 games. Watford, on the other hand, have been absolutely dreadful this season but are now under the guidance of Nigel Pearson, their third manager of the campaign.
He’ll have one hell of a task to stop the rot here, with Jurgie (I like it) Klopp’s lads no doubt confident of giving the Hornets an absolute pumping. Should be a routine home win.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 5-0 |
| Chris | 4-0 |
| Andy | 3-0 |
| Jack | 4-0 |
| Jude | 4-0 |
| Toby | 5-0 |
| Krishan | 4-0 |
| Sean | 3-0 |
General Consensus: Unanimous Liverpool Win
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
By Toby Cudworth
Things are going well at Stamford Bridge, despite last weekend’s slip up at Everton, while things are going south (no pun intended) of late at Bournemouth.
Yes, the Blues have been rather good since Frank Lampard took charge, putting in a host of energetic, vibrant performances that have allowed youth to take centre stage and flourish. The Cherries have forgotten what winning feels like – they haven’t done so for 11 games – and have lost their last five in a row, which doesn’t bode well.
This won’t be a walkover, but Chelsea should have too much firepower.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 3-0 |
| Chris | 2-1 |
| Andy | 3-0 |
| Jack | 3-0 |
| Jude | 2-1 |
| Toby | 2-0 |
| Krishan | 2-1 |
| Sean | 3-1 |
General Consensus: Unanimous Chelsea Win
Leicester vs Norwich
14/12/19 – 15:00
By Jude Summerfield
This one’s a bit cut and dry, isn’t it?
Leicester are in brilliant form, having won their last eight Premier League games since a 2-1 loss at Liverpool and have one of Europe’s form strikers in Jamie Vardy.
Norwich had shown signs of life with a 2-0 win at Everton and a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, but losses to Southampton and Sheffield United mean they are stuck down in 19th, four points behind 17th place Aston Villa with a terrible goal difference also counting against them.
There should be no shocks here. Expect Leicester to wrack up the goals and secure a ninth league win in a row without any issues.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 3-0 |
| Chris | 3-0 |
| Andy | 6-0 |
| Jack | 5-1 |
| Jude | 3-0 |
| Toby | 3-1 |
| Krishan | 4-0 |
| Sean | 3-0 |
General Consensus: Unanimous Leicester Win
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
14/12/19 – 15:00
By Toby Cudworth
Barcelona, by their exceptionally high standards, have been a bit average at times this season, but still find themselves top of La Liga – albeit level on points with Real Madrid.
The Catalan giants have lost three of their 15 league games, but have crucially been successful in 11 of the remaining 12, usually thanks to Lionel Messi. La Blaugrana will need to be at their absolute best though to get anything out of a trip to the Basque Country, where the always tricky Real Sociedad await.
A win is all that Ernesto Valverde will want, but he may have to settle for a point of Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Odegaard and Willian José are on song.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 1-2 |
| Chris | 0-3 |
| Andy | 2-2 |
| Jack | 1-2 |
| Jude | 1-2 |
| Toby | 1-1 |
| Krishan | 0-1 |
| Sean | 1-2 |
General Consensus: Barcelona Win
Man Utd vs Everton
15/12/19 – 14:00
By Toby Cudworth
Manchester United have had two big wins on the bounce, but their problem has been their inability to win the games they are actually expected to win.
This is another such occasion, though Everton will be a trickier prospect than they would have been a couple of weeks ago, now that they are under the caretaker charge of absolute madman Duncan Ferguson.
It will be tense at Old Trafford, as always, but United should have enough about them, just, to squeeze over the line.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 2-1 |
| Chris | 2-0 |
| Andy | 2-1 |
| Jack | 1-1 |
| Jude | 2-0 |
| Toby | 2-1 |
| Krishan | 2-0 |
| Sean | 2-1 |
General Consensus: Manchester United Win
Wolves vs Tottenham
15/12/19 – 14:00
By Sean Walsh
Heading to a team in really good form with a manager who only plays in one way and a squad full of players he could probably sign via Jorge Mendes if he wanted to? This game was made for Jose Mourinho.
Spurs’ players have admitted they haven’t had a lot of time to do tactical work since his arrival, but with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen all staying home in midweek, they’ll be raring to go in an attempt to nullify Wolves, and I think they’ll do just the job.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 2-2 |
| Chris | 1-1 |
| Andy | 2-1 |
| Jack | 2-2 |
| Jude | 2-3 |
| Toby | 1-1 |
| Krishan | 1-3 |
| Sean | 1-2 |
General Consensus: Draw
Arsenal vs Man City
15/12/19 – 16:30
By Toby Cudworth
“Arsenal have lost their last four Premier League meetings with Manchester City. The last time they lost five consecutive top-flight matches against a side was against Manchester United between September 1983 and August 1985.”
The above statistic, courtesy of our chums at Opta, shows just how miserable Arsenal have been against City over the last couple of seasons. And despite the 3-1 win over a terrible West Ham side on Monday, you get the feeling – despite City’s own fragilities – that the visitors will rock up in north London, put in a barnstorming performance and steal the limelight once more.
Oh, and Bernardo Silva scoring another goal? Mhmm, seems likely.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 1-3 |
| Chris | 1-2 |
| Andy | 0-3 |
| Jack | 1-3 |
| Jude | 0-3 |
| Toby | 1-2 |
| Krishan | 1-4 |
| Sean | 1-3 |
General Consensus: Unanimous Manchester City Win
Valencia vs Real Madrid
15/12/19 – 20:00
By Toby Cudworth
You know when you get a feeling about something, so strong, that you’re absolutely convinced it’s going to happen?
Well, that’s how I feel about this game labouring to a boring 0-0 draw. There is no logical explanation to back up these fanciful claims, apart from a good old gut feeling. I’m standing by it, even if I’m lone ranger.
| Editor | Prediction |
| Scott | 1-1 |
| Chris | 0-1 |
| Andy | 1-2 |
| Jack | 1-1 |
| Jude | 2-2 |
| Toby | 0-0 |
| Krishan | 1-2 |
| Sean | 1-2 |
General Consensus: Split Between Draw & Real Madrid Win
For more from Toby Cudworth, follow him on Twitter!
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