2021/22 Premier League Predictions: Matchday 16
Pintsized Background
Is it already time for the student to become the master? Stevie G’s return to Anfield is sure to spark headlines, but an Aston Villa victory would create a narrative that shakes Liverpool’s rise to the top. Just a stone’s throw away could see Manchester City give themselves breathing room if they expectedly put away a toothless Wolves.
Premier League Predictions: Matchday 16 only features nine matches this week. Tottenham and Brighton’s match was called off after a COVID outbreak at Spurs. The latest postponement will leave Spurs two games behind the rest of the table. How important will the potential points prove nearing the end of the campaign? Probably not a lot, going off Tottenham’s history.
Failed to catch last weekend’s action? No worries, we have you covered:
PI’s Preview: Premier League Predictions: Matchday 15.
PI’s Review: Premier League Review: Matchday 15.
PI’s Recommended Match: West Ham vs Chelsea.
Unconvinced by Pintsized’s mystical predicting powers? Take a look at our prediction success last week detailed in Premier League Statistics: Match Day 15.
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Bitesize Predictions
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Friday, 10 December | ||||
| Brentford vs Watford | 2-3 | 2-1 | 3-2 | 2-1 |
| Saturday, 11 December | ||||
| Man City vs Wolves | 2-0 | 2-1 | 3-0 | 1-0 |
| Chelsea vs Leeds | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 | 3-2 |
| Liverpool vs Aston Villa | 3-1 | 3-2 | 4-1 | 1-0 |
| Arsenal vs Southampton | 0-0 | 1-1 | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| Norwich vs Man United | 1-3 | 0-2 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Sunday, 12 December | ||||
| Burnley vs West Ham | 0-1 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-0 |
| Leicester vs Newcastle | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 | 4-0 |
| Crystal Palace vs Everton | 1-0 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 3-1 |
Premier League Matchday 16: Friday, 10 December
Brentford (#13, 17pts) vs Watford (#17, 13pts)
Pintsized
Has Patrick Bamford’s 95th-minute equaliser stopped a Brentford revival? The newly-promoted side has started brightly yet fizzled out over the last two months. A massive victory on the road would have rejuvenated Thomas Frank’s side, instead, they linger awkwardly in the bottom half of the table. Watford under Ranieri continue to prove themselves to the biggest coin flip team in the league. Expect a shoot-out between two sides who are struggling defensively – with the class of Emmanuel Dennis making the difference.
Prediction: 2-3
Ryan
Something you wouldn’t have predicted at the start of the season: this could be a great watch. Brentford were looking at a long overdue win against Leeds before being popped by a last minute equaliser. Watford meanwhile predictably crumbled against City. It’s a tough one to predict but I’ll back the home team to finally get back to winning ways.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Neither team in great form although Watford have had a tougher set of fixtures – could go either way with key injuries for both teams but I’ll go for a narrow Bees victory.
Prediction: 3-2
Premier League Matchday 16: Saturday, 11 December
Man City (#1, 35pts) vs Wolves (#8, 21pts)
Pintsized
It would take a very brave man to back Wolves considering their awful run of form. Sure, Wolves have only lost once in their last four matches. Scoring only once across those four matches, however, is the most pressing concern. There is no reasonable argument to be made that City won’t score at least one goal. A single goal feels more like a mountain than a mole-hill for this Wolves squad.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
Speaking of City, they continued their path to the top with a solid win against Watford. Wolves meanwhile were very cruelly robbed of a point against another title contender in Liverpool. This could be another close one especially as the Wolves defence has been somewhat tough to break through this season but City will have too much quality in the end.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Wolves are difficult to beat but only one goal in their last five league games is stopping them progressing further. City aren’t as prolific as recent seasons but should have too much for the men in gold.
Prediction: 3-0
Chelsea (#3, 33pts) vs Leeds (#15, 16pts)
Pintsized
Hm. I may need a slight reminder over Chelsea’s form, particularly their last match? Cracks have started to show in Chelsea’s impressive defensive armour. Will Tuchel react by forcing Reece James and Marcos Alonso into more conservatively roaming down the wings? Leeds blow hot and cold every week, making it very difficult to predict how they will fare. Shoulder surgery for Kalvin Phillips removes most of Bielsa’s muscle in the midfield and should benefit Chelsea greatly.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
Chelsea’s title charge hit a bump in the form of a very tough West Ham side who provided the Blues with an exciting 3-2 loss. Leeds managed to get lucky again with yet another last minute goal saving some points against Brentford. They shouldn’t be as fortunate this time as Chelsea look to restart their climb to first place.
Prediction: 3-0
Steviano
Chelsea will be smarting from b2b defeat and an improving Leeds team are likely to suffer in this one.
Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool (#2, 34pts) vs Aston Villa (#10, 19pts)
Pintsized
How long will the Liverpool fans admire their former Hall of Famer if Stevie G is to prove victorious at Anfield? Ashley Young will have a torrid time trying to handle the looping pressure from TAA and Mohamed Salah. Ings’ return could throw a bit of spice to the match, but it is too difficult to not back an in-form Liverpool. Simply put, Mane, Jota and Salah create so many chances that it takes a miracle (or Jota bottle job) for the Scousers not to score.
Prediction: 3-1
Ryan
Ah the return of the Slippy one. But in all seriousness, Gerrard should receive a very warm welcome at Anfield as he takes his Villa side to the cauldron. Liverpool’s grit eventually gave them an opening for a last minute winner which could prove important as the season progresses. Speaking of victorious, Villa deserved their 3 points against fellow Midland rivals Leicester. Another game which has the potential to be a cracker, I’ll edge the home side here.
Prediction: 3-2
Steviano
Liverpool stuttered last time out at Wolves and Stevie G returns to Anfield with 3 wins in 4 games but I expect this to be a very unhappy return.
Prediction: 4-1
Arsenal (#7, 23pts) vs Southampton (#16, 16pts)
Pintsized
A must-win match for the manager under fire, Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard could perhaps be forgiven for dropping the ball at Old Trafford, but three points are the only acceptable return for a home match against Southampton. Aubameyang’s non-existent form has heaped pressure on Arteta, but handing a player over 30yrs a £350,000 per week contract is the sort of silly business that loses jobs. Jame Ward-Prowse will have a field day with the amount of space the Arsenal midfield will allow him.
Prediction: 0-0
Ryan
Two sides who are somewhat struggling have a great chance to pick up 3 points here after disappointing results. Arsenal blew their lead at Everton and fell victim to a late winner whilst Southampton also felt the wrath of a last gasp goal albeit in the form of an equaliser. Neither team look overly confident and both may settle for a point here.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
The gunners form is up and down which may be due to the influx of younger player inconsistencies but they should be able to take care of the Saints.
Prediction: 2-0
Norwich (#20, 10pts) vs Man United (#6, 24pts)
Pintsized
United fans will be expecting Rangnick’s high-pressure style to humiliating turn over an inferior Norwich side. A lack of time on the training ground and Dean Smith’s immediate impact at the Canaries should prevent an embarrassing score line, however. Expecting a big performance from Jadon Sancho who will ride a recent purple patch and expose Norwich’s injury-ridden fullbacks.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
Looks like that mini burst following Dean Smith’s arrival has now dissipated with a predictable loss to Spurs sending the Canaries back down to Earth. Ralf Ragnick’s first official game in charge brought a solid enough win against Crystal Palace although it will still take time to get used to his style. This is another favourable fixture to iron out any issues and pick up 3 points.
Prediction: 0-2
Steviano
The Norwich mini-revival was stopped last time out at Spurs whilst Ralf has a perfect start with the Reds and this should continue.
Prediction: 0-2
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Premier League Matchday 16: Sunday, 12 December
Burnley (#18, 10pts) vs West Ham (#4, 27pts)
Pintsized
I already feel the butterflies in my stomach. If West Ham want to stay relevant in the race for Top Four, Burnley away is the kind of banana peel that demands great caution. While Burnley’s only win this season has come against an out-of-sorts Brentford, they have more than shown their capability of grinding out an ugly draw. Backing West Ham to sneak a goal from a set piece.
Prediction: 0-1
Ryan
Burnley could be in trouble this season. They became Newcastle’s first victory this season and didn’t really do much to suggest things could change swiftly. On the other end of the table, West Ham are flying near the Top 4 with a huge win against another big title contender. The pattern normally follows that after a big win, the Hammers seem to slip up against easier opposition on paper. This time, I think they’ll feel fresher and up for the Turf Moor challenge.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
Burnley’s recent improved form ended at the Toon who drew level with them at the foot of the table whilst the Moyessiah continues to keep the Hammers in the top 4 and I fancy them to take the points here.
Prediction: 1-2
Leicester (#11, 19pts) vs Newcastle (#19, 10pts)
Pintsized
Flunking out of the Europa League mid-week will hurt Rodgers’ side more than their position in the PL table. While it would be silly to drop Rodgers’, if only for a lack of quality managers to immediately replace the Scot, there needs to be a rapid defensive renaissance if the Foxes want to return to Europe next season. Newcastle will be buzzing after notching their first win of the season. Howe’s side are far more positive than early season Steve Bruce-ball, but it will allow James Maddison to sparkle.
Prediction: 2-1
Ryan
One team won and the other team lost. If you had guessed that the home team had won and the away team had lost then you’d be surprisingly wrong. Leicester continue to be unpredictable and inconsistent whilst Newcastle broke their duck and picked up their first victory of the season against fellow relegation candidate Burnley. A tough one to predict but I’ll edge a home win.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Leicester continue to have a huge injury list whilst the Toon have relatively few although given the overall quality of Newcastle’s squad it doesn’t really make a difference. Free hit for Howe after last week’s win so I expect them to attack and maybe snatch a point.
Prediction: 2-2
Crystal Palace (#14, 16pts) vs Everton (#12, 18pts)
Pintsized
It has been difficult watching the abuse targetted at Rafa during a particularly difficult period of injuries at Everton. A dominant win against Arsenal will go some way to resolving the toxic atmosphere amongst the Toffees supporters. Vieira’s side are sitting on a three-match slide but they have been competitive across all three. Jordan Ayew’s goalless streak hasn’t made matters easier for Vieira.
Prediction: 1-0
Ryan
Palace lost to United last time out but didn’t really trouble their opponents at all. Everton showed some character to pick up a late win against Arsenal where they came from behind to get 3 points. This should give the Toffees some confidence in the next few weeks but Palace will be a tougher test. Draw here for me.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Palace need to end a run of losses and will take on a Rafa team who managed to stop their freefall with a win over Arsenal last time out – Everton’s lack of fit firepower may cost them in this one though.
Prediction: 2-1
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