Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for Wednesday night's Premier League action, including Chelsea's clash with Manchester City and the relegation six-pointer between Hull and Middlesbrough.
In his latest Sportinglife.com column, Charlie Nicholas is backing a close tussle between title favourites Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
It will be really interesting to see how Chelsea react after Saturday’s upset. There was an awful lot of confusion, and the back three looked very twitchy against Crystal Palace.
I’d expect Antonio Conte to leave Cesc Fabregas out and shore things up with Nemanja Matic in midfield; it’s a match Chelsea don’t have to win.
I can see them trying to block balls into David Silva and Sergio Aguero and prevent Manchester City getting into their stride, while Deigo Costa and Eden Hazard will cause problems at the other end.
There’s no doubting City’s quality. Leroy Sane is coming to the fore now and Raheem Sterling, Silva and Aguero are all really dangerous.
I’ve got a feeling Pep Guardiola might go for a back three and play John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and he might even bring Vincent Kompany back in. He’s a real leader and will get City organised. If he’s fit Pep would be mad not to play him.
If he does go with a ‘three’ and they go like-for-like, I think City will win but if he plays a back four I think that will play into Chelsea’s hands therefore I’m going to sit on the fence and go for a draw with Hazard and Silva both to score.
Charlie predicts: Chelsea 2-2 Man City at 11/1 with Sky Bet
I’m also backing Middlesbrough to win the relegation battle with Hull.
I love these sort of games – plenty of tension and commitment from two sides literally fighting for their Premier League lives.
I think it will be a fascinating game but expect to see Boro being bolder as they know Hull don’t have the quality to catch them out on the break. This is another match that could add more intrigue to the relegation dogfight.
After his stunning finish against Chelsea, I’ve got to go with Christian Benteke to continue his scoring run at Southampton.
It’s all positive stuff from Palace at the moment, while Bournemouth could have easily beaten the Saints on Saturday. With Manolo Gabbiadini injured it’s hard to see where Southampton’s goals will come from so I can see this new, improved Palace picking them off.
Charlie’s Wednesday night predictions:
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Hull 1-2 Middlesbrough
Southampton 0-1 Crystal Palace
Swansea 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea 2-2 Man City
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
