2021/22 Premier League Predictions & Results: Matchday 22
Pintsized Background
Oi oi, Pintsized’s picks for the footy are back! COVID really threw a spanner in the works over the Christmas period. Not only were fixtures regularly postponed and rescheduled, but 2/3 of the predicting team also came down with the damned virus. Premier League Predictions Matchday 22 couldn’t come at a spicier time, however. A title defining match between Manchester City and Chelsea is the weekend’s featured showdown.
Failed to catch last weekend’s action? No worries, we have you covered:
PI’s Preview: Premier League Predictions: Matchday 16.
PI’s Review: Premier League Review: Matchday 16.
PI’s Recommended Match: Chelsea vs Leeds.
Unconvinced by Pintsized’s mystical predicting powers? Take a look at our prediction success last week detailed in Premier League Statistics: Match Day 16.
Picture and Caption and Image Alt Text (XXXX during X vs X | Pintsized Interests)
Bitesize Predictions
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Friday, 14 January | ||||
| Brighton vs Crystal Palace | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Saturday, 15 January | ||||
| Man City vs Chelsea | 3-1 | 3-1 | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Norwich vs Everton | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 2-1 |
| Wolves vs Southampton | 1-0 | 1-1 | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| Newcastle vs Watford | 2-1 | 3-0 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Aston Villa vs Man United | 1-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
| Sunday, 16 January | ||||
| West Ham vs Leeds | 3-1 | 3-0 | 2-1 | 2-3 |
| Liverpool vs Brentford | 2-2 | 1-1 | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Spurs vs Arsenal | 0-0 | 1-1 | 2-1 | PP |
Premier League Matchday: Friday, 14 January
Brighton (#9, 27pts) vs Crystal Palace (#12, 23pts)
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Potter’s Seagulls didn’t have the easiest times against a dire Everton squad, but importantly they secured the three points. Joel Ward will struggle with Brighton’s emphasis on the wings, although it will create space for Palace’s in-form, Will Hughes. Palace’s struggles away from home (1 win in 9) cannot be overlooked in an important mid-table scrap.
Prediction: 2-1
Ryan
It feels like ages since I’ve written one of these so forgive the rust – a lot caused by postponements and cup matches. It’s always difficult to predict a ‘derby’ and this one is no different. With AFCON swiping star players from both sides, I’ll tip the balance in favour of the home side here.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Both teams sit comfortably mid-table with Brighton finally coming back in to form in recent weeks – both teams have lost key players to AFCON though which will impact them and I expect that this will end in a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Premier League Matchday: Saturday, 15 January
Man City (#1, 53pts) vs Chelsea (#2, 43pts)
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Injury woes for Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko would leave most managers rueing their bad luck. Not Pep. The Spaniard’s embarrassing wealth of talent on the bench has left City making a mockery of the PL. Lukaku and Tuchel’s war of attrition will add further pressure to a Chelsea side that has relied on out-scoring opponents over the festive period.
Prediction: 3-1
Ryan
Did someone say title decider? It could very well be that but necessarily in the most traditional definition of title decider. City have opened up a sizeable gap between their rivals and have a great opportunity to widen it further against a stubborn but tiring Chelsea. This result should let City place a hand on the trophy.
Prediction: 3-1
Steviano
Chelsea have stuttered in recent weeks with the injuries to James and Chilwell impacting their play and which has allowed City to open up a gap at the top. City will look to improve on their last two below-par performances at Brentford and a fortunate victory at Arsenal.
Prediction: 2-0
Noriwch (#20, 10pts) vs Everton (#15, 19pts)
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A scrappy 1-0 over Charlton in the FA Cup failed to spark Norwich into recovery mode, keeling over to a thoroughly coherent West Ham eleven. The lack of Mathias Normann and Billy Gilmour in the centre of the park has left Norwich unable to hold onto the ball. Everton continue to struggle with injuries, but the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and resurgent Andros Townsend will be too lively for Norwich to silence.
Prediction: 0-2
Ryan
Although this season has been a crazy rollercoaster at times, one thing has remained consistent – Norwich are doomed. A change in manager hasn’t really changed their fortunes right near the bottom of the league. Everton are deeply ravaged by injuries and suspensions combined with bitter anger from the faithful to their manager. I see this being a boring, dull affair with no highlights whatsoever.
Prediction: 0-0
Steviano
Norwich have lost their last 5 games without scoring a single goal – Everton are not much better but can manage to score a goal which will give them the edge here.
Prediction: 0-1
Wolves (#8, 28pts) vs Southampton (#11, 24pts)
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Well, it proves that Bruno Lage just needed a little time to get things back up and running at Wolverhampton. Ruben Neves will thrive against Hasenhuttl’s press, creating enough quality chances for Raul Jimenez that the recovering forward can do all but miss. The morale after a 4-1 thumping over Brentford could make this match tasty in the first half, but Iage has proven his ability to grind out results.
Prediction: 1-0
Ryan
Is this the ultimate midtable clash? Two teams that aren’t threatening a lofty league position but are nowhere near bad enough for relegation. Their last meeting was nothing special separated by a solitary goal and I don’t think there’ll be too much of a difference this time here. Split it down the middle.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Wolves don’t score many with only bottom place Norwich scoring fewer goals but they are well organised defensively with only leaders Man City conceding fewer! Southampton are on a good run but I think Wolves will sneak this one.
Prediction: 1-0
Newcastle (#19, 11pts) vs Watford (#17, 13pts)
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I’m going to say it. Chris Wood is a fantastic signing. The price (£25m) isn’t an issue for the new owners, while the Kiwi offers something vital for a team drowning in a relegation battle. A big lump who can get on the end of Allan Saint-Maximin’s magic. Expect Howe to rack up set-piece training and a miraculous turnaround in form. Watford are sliding very hard, and while their attack is potent, the Hornet’s are wide open at the back.
Prediction: 2-1
Ryan
Is this a relegation scrap? You’re damn right it is. This is a different situation overall from earlier this season. Newcastle are minted and have been throwing money around like a billionaire at a nightclub. On the other hand, Watford are one of the biggest victims of AFCON with their star players jetting over for the tournament. All of these factors combined should give Newcastle their first ‘comfortable’ victory of the season.
Prediction: 3-0
Steviano
I don’t imagine Chris Wood was top of the noucastlevou riche fan’s shopping list but he is a solid double figure (just) scorer each season and clearly a short term buy. Watford have lost their last 5 straight and I fear this will be 6 in a row.
Prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa (#14, 22pts) vs Man United (#7, 31pts)
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Based on their FA Cup clash, Villa have to be favoured. Not only did they play United off the park at Old Trafford for 70minutes, but they also found themselves on the end of a couple of debatable VAR/refereeing calls. Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho will bolster a squad that has looked far more solid since Gerrard’s arrival. Still, I feel as though Rangnick is finally coming to terms with a disjointed United side. If the German accepts the Red Devils need three in the midfield, Douglas Luiz and Emiliano Buendia won’t be allowed the freedom they found at OT.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
As a United fan, watching the Red Devils recently has been quite depressing and uninspiring. The lack of effort from the team is really off-putting and unacceptable. Their opponents are like Newcastle, going big in the January market with some rather ambitious signings. With the trajectories of both teams, I’m going to go with the home side to pull off a big victory.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Villa have strengthened the back 4 and the creative midfield already in January and will look to rebolster the Gerrard promise – key injuries and suspensions may make this a difficult trip for Utd.
Prediction: 2-1
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Premier League Matchday: Sunday , 16 January
West Ham (#4, 37pts) vs Leeds (#16, 19pts)
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Somehow, someway, West Ham have arrived in January with limited injuries. The loss of Ogbonna still caused a blip in form, but Moyes’ preferred starting XI has remained firm throughout the first half of the season. Missing Kalvin Phillips and Kalvin Phillips – Leeds will struggle to impose themselves away from home against tactically astute Hammers.
Prediction: 3-1
Ryan
West Ham are a genuine contender for Top 4 this season. Aside from the odd disappointing result, the Hammers have been very solid and consistent throughout the season and continue to impress. One team who aren’t as impressive are their Yorkshire opponents who seem to be away from the relegation fight but still need to be careful. This will be another tough day at the office for Leeds.
Prediction: 3-0
Steviano
Leeds will just want this season to be over ASAP as they continue to struggle with injuries. The Hammers are putting away the bad teams which is keeping them in the top 4 as others stutter and this should continue in this one.
Prediction: 2-1
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Liverpool (#3, 42pts) vs Brentford (#13, 23pts)
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Hahaha. Isn’t Klopp so quirky guys! Hahaha, heavy metal football. He definitely doesn’t play the media like a fiddle and game the COVID postponement system. Losing Mane and Salah to AFCON has forced the Scousers to call upon Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino. Brentford’s 4-1 collapse to Southampton is most likely a random coin flip scoreline considering the Bees’ typical disciplined showings. I have a feeling that this could be yet another Liverpool failure to push their advantage.
Prediction: 2-2
Ryan
These two teams played out a potential game of the season contender earlier when they drew 3-3. That was when Liverpool had their full strength side. AFCON has robbed them of Salah and Mane and since then, have looked a bit toothless. Brentford are a side that can pose anyone problems and I see them being a thorn in Liverpool’s chances for a title.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Liverpool are missing key players on AFCON duty but they will be fired up get back to winning ways and will look to exploit a Bretford defence which shipped 4 goals at Southampton last time out.
Prediction: 3-0
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Spurs (#6, 33pts) vs Arsenal (#5, 35pts)
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If this match goes ahead (both sides blaming COVID), this will be a real stinker to watch. Conte will demand a far more defensively sound performance after their pitiful Carabao Cup showing and leaking a goal to Morecambe in the FA Cup. No Aubameyang doesn’t change much for the Gunners, the Gabon pace merchant has lost his special touch this season. Ben White’s dominant showing against Liverpool (shutting out Liverpool’s 79% possession) covered the many holes in Arteta’s fluid approach.
Prediction: 0-0
Ryan
We start off the weekend with a ‘derby’ and we end with an actual derby. These are two teams who are in the Top 4 race and this could be a big moment in deciding where these sides end up. Spurs have been solid but unspectacular whilst Arsenal remain consistently inconsistent. A clash of styles could make for an intriguing watch but should even themselves out on the scoreboard.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Arsenal are in a rich vein of form but imploded last time out against City when they should have taken something from the game – a long list of missing players may be key in this one and Conte will have his team fired up for it.
Prediction: 2-1
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