After a midweek batch of games which saw Arsenal win the North London Derby and close the gap on Liverpool, things are getting spicy. We are over halfway through the season now and it looks like we could very well have a genuine title race on our hands.
Let’s take a look at some games from the week 22 action.
Newcastle vs 
Bournemouth
Details: Saturday, January 18th, 12.30 pm, St James’ Park
Newcastle are currently the form team in the Premier League. Their 3-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday night made it nine straight wins in all competitions and has catapulted Eddie Howe’s men into the top four. The Toon Army also boast the current hottest striker in the league in Alexander Isak, who notched another two goals on Wednesday to make it 15 goals so far this season. Newcastle have all of their big players fit and firing and in this form are a match for anybody. Champions League football looks a real possibility.
Although Champions League football might be a stretch too far for Bournemouth, it has been a fantastic season for them so far. Despite a mounting injury list, they picked up another impressive result in mid week, drawing 2-2 at Chelsea. Antoine Semenyo scored another cracker in that game and he has been drawing admiring glances during this transfer window. Andoni Iraola will be praying that the club manage to keep hold of him.
With Newcastle in red hot form and Bournemouth suffering with injuries, I think the home team will be too strong here.
Newcastle to win @ 4/6
Brentford vs 
Liverpool
Details: Saturday, January 18th, 3.00 pm, Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford never know when to quit, and that was on show on Tuesday as they battled back from 2-0 down at home to Champions Man City to share the spoils. Goals from Wissa and Norgaard in the last 10 minutes ensured the Bees left with a least a point, when it looked like they were staring down the barrel for the majority of the game. For most of this month manager Thomas Frank has been asked about a possible transfer for talisman Bryan Mbeumo, but he insists there is no chance of him leaving this month. He will be key for Brentford moving forward.
It looked for a while like Liverpool were going to suffer a second defeat of the season to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, but a Diogo Jota equaliser just past the hour ensured they took a point. It is now two draws in a row for Liverpool which has allowed Arsenal to gain ground, but there will be no panic from Arne Slot and his men. They will know they have more than enough quality to go on another long winning run and will hope it starts this Saturday.
I think Liverpool will get back to winning ways in this one.
Liverpool to win @ 1/2
West Ham vs 
Crystal Palace
Details: Saturday, January 18th, 3.00 pm, London Stadium
It was a great start in the League for new Hammers boss Graham Potter during the week, seeing his new team emerge as 3-2 winners in a London derby at home to Fulham. It was a much needed win for a team that has undoubted quality throughout, but certainly lost its way under former manager Julen Lopetegui. Potter is facing another London derby this week and will be hoping his team can really pick up some momentum now and start climbing the table.
Palace were also winners in the week, seeing off Leicester away from home 2-0 thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi. Guehi, in particular, has been linked with a move away from Palace this month, with strong rumours that his former club Chelsea are interested. However, the Blues have recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Palace, which means any move now seems unlikely. That will be music to the ears of Oliver Glasner.
West Ham to win 8/5
PL Acca
I have gone for a simple three-fold acca this week, tipping Newcastle to continue their fine form and Liverpool to get back to winning ways. I don’t think it will be comfortable for Liverpool, Brentford is a tough place to go but I feel like they will be desperate to end this little run of draws. West Ham could be in the honeymoon phase with Graham Potter and I think they will edge a tight game against Palace.
You have the option to mix and match with our accumulator calculator to find a combination that better suits your needs. If you do find one, be sure to post it on our Twitter handle.
