Premier League Predictor: Round 11 Picks

I was fairly pleased to have managed 7/10 correct picks last weekend. It was a little annoying to miss out on an Exact, particularly in the Liverpool game and Manchester City's 3-0 win over Villa where McGinn hit the post at the death! However, I managed a green arrow on the global leaderboard and hope to earn another this week.

Round 11 should be an interesting one with several clubs including Arsenal and Tottenham in desperate need of a win. Can they get them? Here are my thoughts, let me know yours in the comments!

Bournemouth vs. Manchester United

You have to give United some credit for the last few results they've had. They're still not showing top four quality, but they're getting vital wins thanks to Rashford and Martial returning to form and the 5-3-2 formation Solskjaer has found himself using. I'm still not convinced they'll even reach the top six this season without an incredible January window (though Arsenal and Tottenham are doing their best to drop down the table as well), but they can win this match in my opinion due to Bournemouth's recent form. It's not often you'll see the Cherries go three games without a goal but United aren't easy to score against so I think that goalless run may even extend to four matches. Prediction: Bournemouth 0-2 Manchester Utd

Arsenal vs. Wolves

Have two consecutive draws ever felt more like two consecutive defeats than the games Arsenal have just experienced? Unai Emery has seen a 2-0 lead turn to 2-2 against Palace (and a load of controversy blow up along with that lead) and then witnessed his team score 5 goals at Anfield without progressing to the next round of the League Cup! He needs to get the fans back on side quickly and the only way I can truly see him doing that is by leaving Xhaka out of the team on Saturday, picking Ozil and winning. I'm sure he must know this is the best approach so I'm picking the Gunners but if he lines up with Xhaka over Torreira and something like Kolasinac over Tierney then I'll switch to a draw or Wolves. Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool

This is a potentially difficult game for Liverpool as Villa are good at home but you'd still have to be very brave to pick the Reds. Liverpool are the first top side to go to Villa Park this season so I'm really interested to see what happens but Dean Smith's team were second best against City last week by quite a margin so I'm going for a routine away win. Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool

Brighton vs. Norwich

After two home wins scoring 3 goals against both Tottenham and Everton, it makes sense to back Brighton here. Norwich still look weak and Potter was brought in at Brighton to ensure the Seagulls dominate games like this and play decent football. I've been impressed with Brighton's front three and they should score goals against this Norwich defence. Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Norwich

Manchester City vs. Southampton

Following last week's embarrassment, do Southampton just go into this game hoping it's only 3 or 4? They've not been good enough defensively all season and the Leicester game was obviously the most brutal example of that but don't expect this City team to show any kind of mercy. I don't even think Guardiola will rotate much since they aren't playing in the Champions League until Wednesday and it's hard to see anything other than goals for the hosts. Prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Southampton

Sheffield United vs. Burnley

Sheffield United continue to impress; that draw at West Ham last time out was a good result. This will be another tough and likely even game which I'm struggling to pick a winner for. There haven't been many goals in the games Sheffield United have been involved in while Burnley have been solid enough on the road. I think the Clarets can get a point at Bramall Lane, just as they have at Molineux, the Amex and Villa Park. Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Burnley

West Ham vs. Newcastle

West Ham's good signs during the early period of this season count for nothing if they don't win this game in my opinion. The Hammers have had some poor results lately but a win here would get them back on track before a trip to Burnley and some big London derbies. A loss, on the other hand, would put them in a really bad spot. Newcastle are still OK defensively but tend to waste the few chances they get on the break - they really need more from Almiron who has looked very raw for a long time now since arriving from the MLS. Until he and his teammates become more clinical, it's hard to pick the Magpies. Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Newcastle

Watford vs. Chelsea

We're in that zone with Watford now where you're just thinking 'surely a win just happens for them now despite it going against all form guides and team news'. However, you look at Chelsea's recent away form and Watford's lack of goals, wins and fit players and it really is hard to justify going against the Blues. Watford need to dig in and avoid conceding early to prevent Chelsea scoring 3 or 4 as they have been on the road but whilst they've been strong defensively of late, I think they'll struggle to stop that Chelsea pattern. Prediction: Watford 1-3 Chelsea

Crystal Palace vs. Leicester

I was a little surprised by how well Palace have fared in this matchup when looking at the historic results tab on the picks page and it's made me nervous about my Leicester pick! The Foxes are playing at a very high standard under Rodgers though and I agree with those saying that this team is stronger than the one that lifted the Premier League trophy in 2015/16. This should be a good game to watch and it will be tight but Leicester have been too strong lately for me to go against them. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Leicester

Everton vs. Tottenham

A very tough one to finish on, simply because you can't trust either team to get a result. Everton are fairly inconsistent under Silva, but more often bad than good, and Tottenham have been pretty woeful this season, especially away. I'm genuinely torn on this one so would welcome your opinions. Can I see Tottenham getting beaten again and more questions being asked about the handling of the likes of Eriksen and Vertonghen? Yes. But can I also see Kane grabbing a late goal that might even get Silva the sack? Yes and that's perhaps slightly more likely in my opinion. Prediction: Everton 1-2 Tottenham

Best of luck in Round Eleven!