On BBC, former England international Chris Sutton said Liverpool will face difficulties in their away match at Bournemouth in round 21 of the Premier League today.
Bournemouth - Liverpool : 11:30 p.m. Sunday, January 21 (Hanoi time)
We've seen how Manchester City have coped without Erling Haaland in recent weeks. Now it's time for Liverpool to do the same without Mohamed Salah. The 31-year-old is currently playing for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. It's been reported that he has picked up an injury and will be out for around two weeks.
Liverpool are also without another key player - Trent Alexander-Arnold. This is a big loss, because Alexander-Arnold has the ability to turn the tide in difficult matches like this. I hope Liverpool win, as do Arsenal, because I want to see an exciting title race. With Man City starting to show signs of finding form, their opponents need to show consistency.
Darwin Nunez scored for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the League Cup in November 2023. Photo: Liverpool FC
A trip to Bournemouth is a real test for Jurgen Klopp's men. Bournemouth lost to Tottenham last time out, but they created enough chances to win that game. I was initially skeptical about Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, perhaps because I thought Gary O'Neil didn't deserve to be sacked in the summer. But after a slow start, Iraola has shown why we need to give new managers time to develop their ideas.
Before losing to Tottenham, Bournemouth had won seven and drawn one of their previous eight games. They are well organised and can put Liverpool under pressure with their pressing trap. I feel Bournemouth will take the points here.
Prediction : 1-1
Stats : Bournemouth have lost eight of their last nine meetings with Liverpool. But when they hosted them last season, they won 1-0. Liverpool have won at the Vitality Stadium this season, beating Bournemouth 2-1 in the League Cup.
Arsenal - Crystal Palace : 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 20
Crystal Palace were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton last Wednesday, but the changes Roy Hodgson made show how focused they are for this game. Many expect Palace to try to frustrate Arsenal and try to hold them back, as they did against Man City before Christmas.
They have the ability to stop Arsenal in that way, but I think this game will be decided by whether the Gunners can find a way to break down the Palace defence.
Striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Brighton on December 17, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Of course, there are question marks over Mikel Arteta’s side after recent results. Particularly up front, where Arsenal have been squandering chances. They need to find a way to change that. I want to see Arsenal challenge Man City for the title at the end of the season. To do that, they need to get through these tough times. They don’t need to win big, they need to accumulate maximum points.
Prediction : 2-0
Statistics : Arsenal have only beaten Palace once in eight Premier League meetings (D5 L2) between 2018-19 and 2021-22. But they have won all three of their most recent encounters.
Brentford - Nottingham Forest : 0:30 Sunday, January 21
This is a crucial game for both teams, who are both in the relegation zone. Brentford have picked up just three points from their last eight games and have lost five in a row, but they will welcome back striker Ivan Toney after an eight-month ban.
This is a huge boost and in his pre-match press conference, manager Thomas Frank confirmed that Toney would not only start but also wear the captain's armband. We don't know how fit Toney is, but in a recent training match against the B team he scored three goals. Brentford need the 27-year-old to replicate that form.
Striker Ivan Toney in the match between Brentford and Nottingham Forest on April 29, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Nottingham Forest are 15th, one point above Brentford. They have won their last two games under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. However, there are reports that Nottingham Forest will be docked points for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, so they need to consider their position for that scenario too.
There will be plenty of reasons for both teams to be determined in this match and I expect it to be a tight affair. Brentford’s home form has not been good recently, with three defeats in their last four games. But I still believe they will take the three points.
Prediction : 2-1
Statistics : Brentford are unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Nottingham Forest. Their last defeat came in January 2020, when they lost 0-1 in the Championship.
Sheffield United - West Ham : 9pm Sunday, January 21
Manager Chris Wilder has decided not to take Sheffield United to a warmer climate for training this winter break. His message to his players is clear, only hardship can get them out of their current predicament. Sheffield United are bottom of the table, eight points adrift of safety.
The busy schedule of last month meant Wilder didn’t have much time to get to know his players, but the winter break has given him the chance to do so. I can’t wait to see if Sheffield United can turn things around, because they need to do it now.
Midfielder Tomas Souzek was disappointed when West Ham lost 0-1 to Bristol City in the FA Cup on January 17. Photo: Reuters
Sheffield United are the league's lowest scoring team and need to improve their attack. They have signed striker Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal. However, it will be difficult for Sheffield United to break down the West Ham defence. Hammers fans are still disappointed after losing to Bristol City in the FA Cup, but I don't think they will lose again.
Neither team is a possession-based team, so they won't be keen on possession. I think the game will be tight and even end in a draw.
Prediction : 1-1
Stats : Sheffield United lost 0-1 to West Ham the last time they hosted them in November 2020. However, Sheffield United have not lost two consecutive home games to West Ham since February 1963.
Brighton - Wolves : 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 23
This is a difficult game to predict, as both teams are in good form. As I said before, Brighton have not been at their best this season, but they are still eighth and very difficult to beat. They have lost just one of their last six games and since the end of October, they have lost just two of their last 16 games in all competitions.
Wolves beat Brentford in the FA Cup in midweek and have won three games in a row in all competitions. They are also a well-organised team, hard to beat and capable of creating chances, so I think it’s hard to predict how this game will play out.
Striker Matheus Cunha celebrates after scoring to help Wolves beat Everton 3-0 on December 30, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Gary O'Neil is encouraging his players to play freely. Wolves have scored 22 goals in their last 23 games. If Pedro Neto is fit, he will be a formidable counter-attacking force for the visitors. I can only give Brighton a slight edge, as they are playing at home. But I wouldn't be surprised if the game ends in a draw.
Prediction : 2-1
Stats : Brighton have won their last four Premier League games against Wolves, scoring at least three goals in each, for a total of 16.
Vinh San (according to BBC )
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