Premier League Predictions Week 23: Chelsea and Manchester City to share spoils as Carroll returns to haunt Liverpool

After a weekend of FA Cup shocks and Capital One Cup semi-finals, it’s back to Premier League action for the first time in a fortnight this weekend.

The games include a tantalising clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, a former Liverpool striker returning to Anfield with a point to prove, and a couple of new managers eager to maintain their flying starts.

Lamps back for Mour

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City

In the top-of-the-table showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, Frank Lampard will be out to haunt his old club again.

Both teams were dumped out of the FA Cup by lower league opponents. City at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough and Jose Mourinho’s men were humbled by League One Bradford in one of the biggest cup shocks in years.

Although Chelsea bounced back in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool, the game going to extra-time in midweek could take its toll and they’ll be without suspended Diego Costa who’s serving the first of a three-match ban for his stamp on Emre Can.

Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero will have another week of training under his belt for a fully-rested City. Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony are unavailable for Manuel Pellegrini but Lampard could help them earn a valuable point.

Carroll’s singing

Liverpool 1-1 West Ham

Andy Carroll also returns to a former club as West Ham make the trip to Anfield. The Hammers hitman – who’s netted five goals in eight league games – could also be the difference against Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers’s side have struggled in front of goal without Daniel Sturridge and misfiring Mario Balotelli, whereas Carroll has been in good form for Sam Allardyce’s team.

The Reds are short-priced favourites to win but they’re clearly toiling in front of goal having failed to score in their last two matches, which is in contrast to their defensive issues earlier this season.

The hosts should be able to breach West Ham’s defence but it may be a struggle to net more than one and with Diafra Sakho back to partner the Carroll up front, I see Hammers taking a point on Merseyside.

Tony Award

West Brom 2-1 Tottenham

West Brom are undefeated in three league games under new boss Tony Pulis ahead of facing Capital One Cup finalists Tottenham at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

Spurs beat Sheffield United 3-2 (agg) on Wednesday, thanks to a last-minute Christian Eriksen goal. But wouldn’t it be just typical of Mauricio Pochettino’s inconsistent men to lose this weekend?

Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe are in fine goalscoring form for Baggies, while Joleon Lescott looks unflappable at the back. Spurs couldn’t wish for a worst team to come up against than one that is managed by Pulis.

Pard to beat

Crystal Palace 2-0 Everton

Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace have been fantastic to watch over the last few weeks and I reckon his winning start will continue against struggling Everton.

Eagles won away at Southampton in another surprise result after Pardew started with four attacking players including Wilfried Zaha, who’s thriving under the former Newcastle boss. They have options with everyone else vying to play off in-form Dwight Gayle.

Meanwhile, the Toffees strikers are drawing blanks and after the Kevin Mirallas penalty debacle two weeks ago, they need some positivity. But with Samuel Eto’o gone, the burden increases on a Romelu Lukaku struggling for service.

The fixture finished goalless last year but Everton’s defence has been poor and Palace’s strikers are flourishing, so the hosts should edge ever closer to safety this afternoon.

Swan dive

Southampton 3-0 Swansea

Saints toiled as they were beaten 3-2 at home to Palace in the fourth found of the FA Cup, despite taking the lead twice. They’ll hope to make amends by upping their bid to finish in the top four with victory against Swansea on Sunday.

The Swans saw goal hero Gylfi Sigurdsson turn villain after he was red-carded as they were dumped out the cup by Blackburn. Now they’ve lost the Icelandic ace to suspension and sold Bony to City, it seems that they are falling apart.

They could do without a trip to St Mary’s right now, with Saints boss Ronald Koeman and his team unlikely to give an inch to any of the chasing pack for Champions League football. The hosts should pick up three points easily this weekend.

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