Friday 4 December 2015 15:55, UK
Jeff Stelling is back with his Soccer Saturday Super 6 predictions, offering support for all but one of the favourites in the Premier League this weekend.
The Soccer Saturday host is siding with the masses as four of the top five feature in this week's line up, with £250,000 up for grab's in the free-to-play prediction game.
Here's what Jeff makes of the most popular predictions so far...
Arsenal v Sunderland
Most popular prediction 2-0 (32%)
I'll start by going with the majority for this one. Even though, in theory, Sunderland will never have a better chance to beat Arsenal with the injuries they've got. However, they've not won in the red side of north London since 1983 and, despite all the absentees, man for man I'd still prefer Arsenal's squad over Sunderland's. Jermain Defoe's absence is as big a blow as Alexis Sanchez and I can't see Sunderland getting anything here.
Jeff predicts: 2-0
Manchester United v West Ham
Most popular prediction 2-1 (31%)
Well Manchester United have only conceded once in the league at home this season so I'm not going to agree with them conceding but I do think they'll win. West Ham look a very different side to the one that went to Manchester City and Chelsea and won. They've been disappointing without their key players, Dimitri Payet in particular, and I can see another win for United here.
Jeff predicts: 2-0
Southampton v Aston Villa
Most popular prediction 2-0 (32%)
And again I'm going with the majority. Aston Villa will look at that 6-1 defeat to Liverpool and think, 'That is an opportunity'. Liverpool were brilliant but Saints were awful and I'm really not sure what was going on with Victor Wanyama playing at centre-back in the second half. Ronald Koeman's side are going through a concerning period and they miss Jose Fonte, there's no doubt about that, but they've still got enough going forward. Villa have lost their last seven on the road and I think it will be eight on Saturday.
Jeff predicts: 2-0
Swansea v Leicester
Most popular prediction 1-2 (35%)
I'm going with that as well! Leicester are simply irrepressible at the moment, with Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy maintaining their fantastic form. They have scored 21 Premier League goals between them, that's seven more than the entire Swansea squad have scored. That's the big issue for the Swans, they aren't scoring goals, with none in three of their last five. If you stop Andre Ayew then there doesn't seem anyone else capable of finding the net right now.
Jeff predicts: 1-2
Watford v Norwich
Most popular prediction 2-1 (25%)
The thing about Watford is they are far better away from home, although they're certainly not the only Premier League side in that category. The pace of Odion Ighalo in particular is important and they like to sit tight and be a solid defensive unit. However, they're vulnerable when they have to come out and attack themselves. Norwich can take advantage of that. They've got a good record against the Hornets, scoring in the last 16 meetings, and they do always look like they're going to score and impressed against Arsenal. I fancy an upset of sorts here and am going against the majority and backing Norwich.
Jeff predicts: 0-2
West Brom v Tottenham
Most popular prediction 1-2 (32%)
Blimey. This is the first time ever I've agreed with nearly all of the most popular scorelines. I'm back with the majority here, backing Spurs to go unbeaten for 14 league games for the first time since the 1984/85 season. They've got a good record at the Hawthorns and West Brom were appalling in the first half versus West Ham. They've been a Jekyll and Hyde side this season, both brilliant and terrible at times. I'm interested to see whether Tony Pulis goes with Rickie Lambert and Salomon Rondon this weekend as they looked a lot more threatening with both on at Upton Park. However, if he does start with them both then he will be aware that leaves them vulnerable and outnumbered in midfield. Spurs are proving the dark horses right now and I've got to stick with them to get the win here.
Jeff predicts: 1-2
