There are very few certainties we can derive from such a surreal and unpredictable season so far. Which has been the ruin of many an accumulator.
All that is due to change however as this fascinating campaign begins to settle down to some degree of conformity. Why? Because fatigue and fixture congestion now become factors and they are the biggest levellers of them all.
So join us in bashing the bookies as we look at five (almost) sure-fire predictions of what is to come in the month ahead.
Over 2.5 goals for Norwich v Tottenham Feb 2nd
The canaries are enduring a woeful run having lost their previous four games shipping in 14 goals into the bargain. Spurs meanwhile are in splendid free-scoring form bar their recent blip to Leicester.
So an away win makes all kinds of sense here but we shouldn’t forget that Norwich pose an attacking threat too. Only two teams have scored more who reside in the bottom half of the table. If this one ends scoreless we’ll eat our hat. Thankfully our hat is made out of sausagemeat.
Swansea to beat Crystal Palace Feb 6th
The Jacks’ hard-fought victory at Goodison last weekend hints of a feel-good factor in the making following the recent arrival of Francesco Guidolin in the technical area.
For Palace it’s now four straight defeats on the bounce, a sudden decline that was preceded by two goalless stalemates (one of which was to Swansea on December 28th).
All that made the south London side vibrant and exciting prior to the festive period has now seemingly deserted them and it will be interesting to see how Pardew’s men respond. This though looks a tall ask.
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Chelsea to beat Newcastle Feb 7th
The title holders have only won four from twelve home games this season, a staggering figure that continues to raise the eyebrows. Furthermore just three days after this teatime kick-off they travel to Paris for a Champions league clash with PSG that represents their best chance of redemption this term.
Surely then Guus Hiddink will rest key personnel and Newcastle will fancy their chances of becoming the latest side to leave Stamford Bridge happy?
The Blues though have epitomised this topsy-turvy Premier League season and always seem to do precisely the opposite of what is expected of them.
Arsenal to beat Leicester Feb 14th
Roses are red, violets are blue, Leicester have Liverpool and Manchester City in the games leading up to this, they’ll lose this one too.
This Valentine’s Day shoot-out at the Emirates will rightfully be termed a title six-pointer which is of enormous credit to the Foxes. You have to feel though that with so much of their game based on high-intensity running and endeavour their previous two tough tasks will have taken the wind out of them.
Expect the Gunners to pick the visitors apart as they ramp up their title bid.
Newcastle to beat Manchester City Feb 28th
A midday kick-off that comes just four days after City travel back from Kiev in their crucial Champions League last 16 clash it is not far-fetched to imagine the Blues leggy and off the pace against a Newcastle side that seem to reserve their best for the big televised games.
