Premier League Predictions 19th-21st January

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Liverpool vs NorwichLiverpool have turned around their home form recently, with four wins out of five all accompanied by clean sheets, as Rodgers team displays a new-found solidity at Anfield. Joint-third in home goals conceded is an impre sive statistic, and if new signing Daniel Sturridge can continue taking the goalscoring pre sure of Luis Suarez, Liverpool could be on the up.Norwich on the other hand look like theyre on the slide. After a ten-match unbeaten run was brutally ended by four consecutive defeats, their goalle s draw with Newcastle at least stopped the rot. This game has probably come too soon for the Canaries though, and is one which Liverpool should win comfortably.Prediction: 2-0Man City vs FulhamMan City have reacted well to their shock defeat at Sunderland, bouncing back with three wins on the spin, including a sumptuous dismantling of Arsenal last weekend. With Vincent Kompany succe sfully appealing his red card from that game, City should be in a position to dole out another footballing le son this time round. United face a tough match at White Hart  Joe Harris Jersey Lane on Sunday, so this could be an opportunity for the blue half of Manchester to put some pre sure on the leaders.This is emphasised by the fact that Fulhams form has been patchy at best this season, as they recently demonstrated by winning at the Hawthorns before disappointingly drawing with Wigan at home. The Cottagers last-gasp extra-time victory over Blackpool in midweek involved several first-team players who may now be rested, but two who didnt feature will be crucial to Fulhams chances here. Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov will have to be at their creative, lethal best if theyre to bring anything away from Manchester. Unfortunately for Martin Jols side, City have the best defence in the league, having not conceded yet this month.Prediction: 2-0Newcastle vs ReadingThe Magpies have been on a terrible run of late, exacerbated by losing players to injury, Chelsea, and now apparently QPR. Two wins in thirteen games and a humiliating third round defeat at the hands of Brighton have left last seasons Champions League contenders just two points above the drop zone. Alan Pardew needs to buy in whats left of the transfer window, or risk testing the durability of his eight-year contract.In contrast, Brian McDermott has managed to steer his side to two wins in their last three matches, albeit both at the Madjeski Stadium. Turning your home ground into a fortre s is vital for any promoted team hoping to avoid relegation, and Reading are no different. Away from home though, the Royals have only picked up two points from eleven games. Despite Newcastles recent turmoil, their form at St. James Park has stayed solid, which is why they might just edge this encounter.Prediction: 1-0Swansea vs StokeIts tempting to wonder whether Swansea may be distracted by their semi-final second leg with Chelsea on Wednesday, as it represents a fantastic chance to win their first ever major trophy. However, Chico, Britton and co playing at full pelt against Arsenal before the first leg proved that Waless finest are not letting their recent succe ses get to their heads. The true problem may lie in Swanseas schedule  Julius Erving Jersey  nine matches in twenty-seven days is immensely challenging, and they faded badly in the last twenty minutes at the Emirates.Stoke have just been hit for a combined score of 7-0 by Man City and Chelsea, but Tony Pulis isnt the type of manager to let his side get down-hearted. Theyll be chomping at the bit on Saturday, desperate to get on track again. Before their drubbing at the Etihad, the Potters had kept three clean sheets in a row on their travels. Expect them to go back to basics against a Swansea side unbeaten in their last six games.Prediction: 0-0West Ham vs QPRThe limp manner in which the Tyler Johnson Jersey  Hammers exited the FA Cup on Wednesday has become characteristic of their recent away form. At home, however, Sam Allardyces men have looked a decent outfit, with wins against Norwich and Chelsea sandwiching unlucky defeats to both Merseyside clubs. Allardyce may have attracted derision when he claimed to be capable of managing Real Madrid, but he has always been a master of keeping sides in the Premier League.Another proven veteran has been instigating a slow revolution at Loftus Road. QPRs revival under Harry Redknapp has been bearing fruit lately, with their win at Stamford Bridge followed by a scorele s draw against Spurs that underlined their recent defensive solidity. One goal conceded in four matches tells its own story, and fans will hope that record signing Loic Remy can provide the goals his new side has been sorely lacking. The Rs have the worst conversion rate of any team in the league, netting just 8% of their shots. Upton Park is not the best place to fix that statistic though, meaning that the great escape may have to wait for now.Prediction: 1-0Wigan vs SunderlandThe Latics are as frustratingly inconsistent as ever, with three consecutive defeats followed by a thumping win, a heavy lo s, and an encouraging draw. Wigan have picked up more points on their travels than at home this season, which is partly down to having let in a league-high twenty-two goals at the DW Stadium. Roberto Martinez has performed miracles in recent years to keep his side in the top flight on a shoestring budget, and once again finds himself on the precipice.Martin ONeill is starting to turn things round on Wearside, but it will have hurt him to be dumped out of the FA Cup by Bolton. A cup run looked a realistic and attractive prospect, demonstrated by the strong team ONeill put out on Tuesday, and losing at home to a Championship side is always disappointing. The outcome of this match will depend on which teams show up  the Sunderland who thrashed West Ham 3-0 are more than capable of winning here, as are the version of Wigan who beat Aston Villa  Taurean Prince Jersey by the same scoreline. In cases like this, a draw is the safest bet.Prediction: 1-1West Brom vs Aston VillaThe latest instalment of this hotly-contested Midlands derby sees two sides very much out of form. As well as being ignominiously knocked out of the FA Cup by QPR, the Baggies have lost their last three league matches, slipping down the table after a fantastic start. Two wins in nine have revealed the thin nature of Steve Clarkes squad, and additions are needed if a European challenge is to be maintained. However, most Albion fans would have taken a season of mid-table consolidation gleefully in the summer, and Clarke looks set to deliver that.On the other side of the M5, Villa look like a team in trouble. Four lo ses in five games is bad enough, but conceding eighteen goals in the proce s while also going down 3-1 to a League Two club spells crisis in neon letters. Paul Lamberts much-publicised faith in youth is admirable but has backfired in recent weeks after sparkling wins at Norwich and Liverpool. The return of Ron Vlaar should help to add some leadership to a side desperately lacking direction. However, in what will no doubt be a pa sionate, feisty game, West Broms extra experience and quality may just be enough to shade it.Prediction: 1-0Chelsea vs ArsenalAll of Chelseas recent struggles have come at Stamford Bridge, with Southamptons comeback from two goals down added to QPRs  Jason Kidd Jersey shocking triumph and the error-strewn first-leg defeat to Swansea. The theory goes that the Blues fans, riled by the unpopular appointment of Rafa Benitez, have created a punishing, poisonous atmosphere where frustration quickly turns to outright anger. On the plus side, new signing Demba Ba has settled in extremely well, with three goals in as many starts since his switch from Newcastle. Whether or not he starts this match against one of Chelseas main challengers for a top four spot will show how concerned Benitez is with rebuilding Fernando Torress confidence.Arsenal fans will be able to empathise with their West London neighbours when it comes to hostile crowds. The mood at the Emirates has neared mutiny at points this season, though the apparently imminent signing of Theo Walcott to a new deal should provide a lift. Jack Wilsheres incisive, mature display in the number ten position against Swansea also elicits optimism, as does Arsne Wengers revelation that he is prepared to add quality to his squad. The Gunners have been inconsistent all season, but with Wilshere and Santi Cazorla playing in advanced positions, they may just have the edge in this London derby.Prediction: 1-2Tottenham vs Man UtdSpurs have shown commendable consistency since suffering three defeats in a row in mid-November, and lately their problems have been limited to sides that park the bus. United are unlikely to sit back, and with tw