Norwich vs Liverpool live on Sky Sports on Saturday; Watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs Newcastle on Super Sunday; Chelsea vs Manchester United live on Monday Night Football
Saturday 15 February 2020 17:06, UK
It's the winter break for a few Premier League sides but with six games this weekend, Charlie Nicholas is back with his latest predictions.
It is needs must in the Premier League for Aston Villa, despite reaching the Carabao Cup final.
If you were to say to Dean Smith this could be the game to keep you in the Premier League, while you would lose the Carabao Cup final, despite being underdogs anyway, I think he would take it. And I think the majority of Villa fans would too.
A trophy is important to breed winners and confidence, and gain the credibility that Villa are back, but we have seen before that teams have won it and have gone down. The global interest is in the Premier League, so they have to go after it.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have not been convincing but are getting the results. They have to go after the top four, especially after the recent signings, chasing the likes of Sheffield United and Chelsea. It will be another cracking game of football here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-3 (25/1 with Sky Bet)
It has been an intriguing break for Arsenal. For the first time, Mikel Arteta can go and properly work with the players for an extended period of time. He is still trying to get his point across but Arsenal are more together and more understanding of what is expected of them, in terms of the commitment and togetherness.
It is not bang on though. They are becoming a side that is hard to beat but Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still do not have the balance right in terms of scoring goals. People will question about whether Aubameyang likes playing on left. Lacazette also has no confidence at the moment, but let's hope it is more positive after the break. The unity and organisation at the back is still key, while we will have fresh players once more.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been very good away from home under Steve Bruce. He will go to frustrate Arsenal and will look to counter-attack with Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton, who has improved a lot.
It will be a tough afternoon, but Arsenal seem to have some drive back. The negative could be waiting around for Aubameyang and Lacazette to kick back into form. Gabriel Martinelli has been in great form, but we need to start seeing more from Nicolas Pepe. The Gunners are not good enough to make the top four, but they must have a go at it. For that reason they will be firing and up for this game in order to come away with the three points.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
We have another very intriguing match on the cards on Monday.
The race for the top four is fascinating. Can Chelsea make it? Again, they are a side who are quite awkward at home.
Tammy Abraham had a few niggles before the winter break, while Mason Mount was left out for the game against Arsenal and these things can start to take a strain. Willian has been class but went cold for a few games, so the break may have come just at the right time for them so that they can get back to the basics.
Manchester United will have got some of their players fit during the break. They were excellent when they went to Manchester City twice, but they are showing no consistency. This is why people are still backing, and hoping for, Mauricio Pochettino to come in.
I do think Chelsea will have enough, but they will need to focus on getting their style right and doing the basics effectively.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
