Premier League Predictor: Round 23 Picks

Round 22 was one that started in a very frustrating fashion for me with West Ham's equaliser (that would have handed me an Exact) against Sheffield United being ruled out by a controversial VAR decision. It didn't get much less frustrating throughout so I've been focused on Round 23 instead for a fair while now!

This weekend's fixture list is tricky to pick in my opinion as the form sides such as Watford and Southampton are coming up against good opposition and there's a couple of tough calls between relegation rivals too. Here are my thoughts on each game, let me know your own in the comments!

Watford vs. Tottenham

A tricky one to start - Watford have looked very strong under Nigel Pearson and I think this will be the kind of game we got used to seeing at Vicarage Road last season where the Hornets are tough to beat in front of their own crowd. Tottenham haven't looked good for weeks now and that's partly due to their injuries. I think it would be a really impressive win for Spurs if they can manage one but I'm going for a draw and wouldn't even be surprised to see a home win. Prediction: Watford 1-1 Tottenham

Arsenal vs. Sheffield United

I think Arsenal are good enough to win this game though the lack of Aubameyang is a concern. Sheffield United did well to see out another win last week and fully deserve to be where they are on the table but I feel they've been slightly less convincing in recent weeks and if Arsenal play with confidence and look to dominate then I think they can. Martinelli looks like an excellent young player and with him, Lacazette, Pepe, Ozil and others, Arsenal still have more than enough firepower to win if they're organised defensively. Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United

Brighton vs. Aston Villa

The arrival of Pepe Reina may solve the goalkeeper issue Villa have after Heaton's injury but they're still a striker or two short and looked really, really poor against City last week. I rate Brighton, they're competitive in each match, play decent football and should have won at Villa Park earlier in the season (when Villa were in better form than they are now) but for Mooy's red card. The Seagulls should win this. Prediction: Brighton 2-0 Aston Villa

Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace

Things are starting to look brighter again for City now. Yes, the title is gone but they're back to playing very well and both Laporte and Sane will return soon. Crystal Palace managed that famous victory at the Etihad last season but it's going to take another serious effort and miraculous goal if they're to achieve that again! I can't see Palace's run of 1-1 draws continuing and actually think City will find this quite straightforward if they score in the first half. Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace

Norwich vs. Bournemouth

Huge game. Norwich will almost certainly be relegated anyway but if they lose this then they're definitely gone in my opinion. How are Bournemouth suddenly so ineffective in attack? You'd never think they'd be the lowest scoring team in the league after 22 rounds and given that they're nowhere near strong enough defensively, this is a massive issue. Norwich have actually been causing teams problems at home and I make them the more likely to win here despite their last victory being as far back as November. Prediction: Norwich 2-1 Bournemouth

Southampton vs. Wolves

Southampton didn't just win at Leicester last week, they created 14 chances (compared to Leicester's 6) which shows just how much Hasenhuttl has turned things round after such a dreadful first half of the season. Their last 5 games have been excellent and whilst there's every chance they'll win again here, I'm thinking this could well be a draw like their Palace fixture at home. Wolves are in need of a result and have the better XI when comparing with Southampton but they played in midweek and I think both teams would be fairly pleased with a point given the circumstances. Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Wolves

West Ham vs. Everton

Ancelotti has revealed that Richarlison will miss this game due to injury which makes me a little more hesitant about picking Everton but I still think the Toffees are more likely to win than not against West Ham. I'm interested to see how Moyes gets on with his first test at home since returning to West Ham but Everton are in good league form and have a better lineup than the Hammers. The hosts also still have a goalkeeper problem as we're yet to see how Randolph will fare after re-signing.. Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Everton

Newcastle vs. Chelsea

Chelsea have been decent away from home all season but this won't be easy and St James' Park is a ground that they've struggled at in recent visits. I think they'll win, especially with Newcastle's lengthy injury list, but the hosts will definitely feel they can get a goal and worry this Chelsea team. The visitors are strongest in the middle of the park though thanks to players such as Kante and Jorginho and I'm not sure Newcastle will have too many periods as the side in control. Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea

Burnley vs. Leicester

Burnley are another team that could be in trouble. They usually follow up their bad results with a couple of wins but they've now had 4 straight losses, Ashley Barnes is out injured and they were very average at Chelsea last weekend. Leicester have a point to prove after their defeat against Saints so I think they'll take the three points in a match that is unlikely to be a classic. Burnley have been struggling to find goals and I'm not sure they can keep Leicester out for the full 90. Prediction: Burnley 0-1 Leicester

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

The injury that Marcus Rashford picked up in midweek has made this pick a little easier in my opinion. Yes, Liverpool are strong favourites anyway, but I felt tempted to go with a draw or at least a tighter scoreline if Rashford was starting and feeling 100% after a rest for the FA Cup. Solskjaer himself has admitted his decision to bring Rashford on has backfired and unless he suddenly is available to start I think Liverpool will ease past United. This game will always be different to other league fixtures for both teams but as we saw last year in this fixture, Liverpool are a comfortably better team than United at the moment. Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester Utd

Best of luck in Round 23!