The Premier League is back with a few interesting matchups as half of the gameweek 21 fixtures take place this weekend due to the winter break.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique take a closer look at three of this weekend’s key fixtures, giving their thoughts on Chelsea versus Fulham, Newcastle against Manchester City and Manchester United versus Tottenham.
Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique below.
Chelsea v Fulham
Jamie O’Hara:
Chelsea aren’t good enough this season, it’s as simple as that. If you compare this squad of players with the Chelsea I played against, the likes of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and the list goes on. They would fight to get results and that’s why they were so successful. This current squad are soft; they have no leadership qualities.
Fulham were really good in their League Cup semi-final against Liverpool, I think they were unlucky not to come away from the first leg with anything. I really like what they’re doing at the moment and I think they could cause Chelsea some problems in this west London derby. I’m expecting a feisty game and I think Fulham have a really good chance, I’ve been impressed with them this year.
It will all depend on which Chelsea turns up and if they’re as fired up as they should be after losing to Middlesbrough, then I think their quality will prevail.
Match prediction: Chelsea 2 – 1 Fulham 7/1
Jose Enrique:
There are lots of new, young players at Chelsea with big contracts for lots of money. There isn’t enough pressure on the players – their lives are sorted. There is definitely talent on the pitch but there is an issue with mentality. The truth is that teams who play against Chelsea now go into it knowing they can get a result, and I think that is exactly how Fulham will be approaching this game.
Fulham didn’t deserve to lose to Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final – they deserved a draw at least. They always set-up correctly depending on their opponent and they showed this against Liverpool, they were clever. I think they can make things very tough for Chelsea; this game could go either way. Willian is a key player for Fulham, at his age he is still so quick, and I think he would still play for Chelsea now.
You never know which Chelsea is actually going to turn up and if they are not at their best then I could see Fulham taking all three points away from Stamford Bridge.
Match prediction: Chelsea 1 – 2 Fulham 14/1
Newcastle v Manchester City
Jose Enrique:
Newcastle are an interesting team and have I loved Eddie Howe since he took over. They have been playing exciting football, but at the end of the day, Howe is not a magician – he can’t do anything about the injuries and the players he has at his disposal. The squad as a whole aren’t at the level that they need to be which I’m surprised about. Newcastle were playing in the Champions League this season so I thought they would’ve brought in more players with the same quality as the likes of Bruno Guimarães. They need players who can compete with the best now they are at the highest of levels.
Manchester City are only three points behind League leaders Liverpool, having their two best and arguably the league’s best players, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, back in the squad. I believe that if Liverpool don’t make a signing or two in key positions, then Manchester City will be too strong for everybody. Newcastle will certainly pose a threat and when the game is at St. James’ Park, anything can happen.
There is no reason why Newcastle can’t snatch a point here and I expect the fans to play a big part in the team’s performance.
Match prediction: Newcastle 1 – 1 Manchester City 7/1
Jamie O’Hara:
Newcastle have struggled with injuries, but they do have a few back now and they need a result here. Eddie Howe is under a bit of pressure because people expected Newcastle to really kick on this season, but they haven’t. They need a result against a team like Manchester City to get the fans back on side with Eddie Howe as their man.
I think Manchester City are too strong and with Kevin De Bruyne looking as if he is going to start, they will win this game, and I think they will go onto win the Premier League too. City just have so much quality and, unlike Newcastle, they can rotate between practically two squads of world class players. They will be fresh for this game and I think they will win comfortably.
Match prediction: Newcastle 1 – 3 Manchester City 11/1
Manchester United v Tottenham
Jamie O’Hara:
Spurs are looking like they’ve had a decent start to the January transfer window. I really like the signing of Timo Werner for Tottenham; I think it is a no-brainer. The signing is a ‘try before you buy’; he’s a proven player who has won the Champions League at Chelsea and I think Ange Postecoglou believes he can get something out of him. Granted, he may be frustrating at times when missing chances, but I think it’s a positive signing and it could really help Spurs fill the space left by Heung-min Son going to the Asian Cup.
Erik ten Hag is having a bit of a disaster with some of his players, but the club are sticking by him. When I look at the team, I don’t see any cohesion, much like Chelsea. I don’t see any of the players fighting for the badge. Marcus Rashford doesn’t look like he’s really enjoying his football at the moment. If the players continue to show such a lack of desire then they will fall short against the likes of Spurs who are all behind their manager, and I think that will be the case here.
Match prediction: Manchester United 1– 2 Tottenham 10/1
Jose Enrique:
Tottenham’s signing of Timo Werner is good. When he first went to Chelsea, I think it was too much for him; but in Germany he was really good. He definitely has the potential and there’s a reason why teams like Chelsea and Tottenham have signed him. He just needs the confidence and think he will suit Tottenham. A debut goal against Manchester United would be perfect for him and could really boost his confidence.
I don’t think Erik ten Hag is going to last the whole season with Manchester United, I think this is a different situation then Chelsea as he has had decisions with who he wants to bring in during transfer windows, whereas Pochettino hasn’t yet. A club like Manchester United should go into games as favourites, but they don’t as you never know which side are going to show up.
I certainly don’t think they are favourites for this game and with the way Tottenham have played so far this season, I think they will beat United at Old Trafford.
Match prediction: Manchester United 1 – 2 Tottenham 10/1
GW18 Predictions:
Burnley v Luton
Jose Enrique: Draw 5/2
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 5/2
Chelsea v Fulham
Jose Enrique: Fulham 4/1
Jamie O’Hara: Chelsea 11/20
Newcastle v Manchester City
Jose Enrique: Draw 17/5
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City 1/2
Everton v Aston Villa
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa 7/5
Jamie O’Hara: Aston Villa 7/5
Manchester United v Tottenham
Jose Enrique: Tottenham 39/20
Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham 39/20