Newcastle United perspective on today’s Saturday Premier League fixtures

Looking at these Premier League fixtures on Saturday in this round of matches.

Seeing the other games from a Newcastle United perspective.

Eddie Howe and his players not playing until 3pm on Sunday at home to Crystal Palace.

Which is one of six Premier League fixtures tomorrow.

Now on Saturday though, as a Newcastle United fan, have a look at the four Premier League fixtures today and have a think about what you’d like to happen and what is most likely in terms of results.

My conclusions and predictions on Saturday’s matches

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (12.30pm)

Last season, Villa finished one place and one point above Forest.

A ‘little’ difficult to think at the moment, that if Forest had won at home to Chelsea on the final day of last season, then Nuno and Forest would have finished fourth top and be in the Champions League currently.

Instead, Forest are on their third manager in charge this season and are fourth bottom fighting relegation.

Forest had a decent new manager bounce with Sean Dyche, his first six PL matches in charge bringing three wins, a draw and two defeats. However, their last five PL games have brought four defeats and a home win over Spurs.

Aston Villa actually made a WORSE start to the season than Forest, Villa with three points from the opening five PL matches compared to five points for Forest.

Villa then though going on a remarkable run of 12 wins and only one defeat in their next 13 Premier League matches.

Aston Villa then got stuffed 4-1 at Arsenal in midweek and whilst I am not forecasting them falling apart, I do think that Villa’s winning form owed a lot to luck, fine margins and individual Morgan Rodgers brilliance. In that run of 12 wins in 13, only one of the victories was by more than a one goal margin. When watching Villa I often thought/think that they look average at best but have somehow found a way to win.

Forest lost 2-0 home to Everton in midweek and with the formlines of the two clubs, pretty much everyone will see this as a home win. However, I think we could well see a typical ultra defensive Sean Dyche set up clawing a point from this. No surprise if it ends goalless!

Brighton v Burnley (3pm)

Another match where I would guess the gut reaction of most will be that the home side are sure to win.

However, Brighton won none of their six games in December and only picked up three points from a possible eighteen.

Burnley had lost seven PL matches in a row and then got a draw at Bournemouth and one at home to Everton. We then saw Newcastle United put under a lot of pressure in the second half on Tuesday by Scott Parker’s side but Eddie Howe’s team kept them out for the win.

A draw is very possible here.

Wolves v West Ham (3pm)

Their combined 38 Premier League matches this season have brought only three wins.

They finished fourth bottom and sixth bottom last season, this time they are rock bottom and third bottom.

I would be amazed if they don’t both end up getting relegated and Wolves will see this as possibly their best chance of getting a win this season. They got a draw at Old Trafford last time out for their third point of the season and a bit unlucky to lose 2-1 at Anfield the game before.

I have a funny feeling Wolves could get that win at last today, though any result is possible between these two strugglers.

Bournemouth v Arsenal (5.30pm)

Another game with a huge favourite and no surprise if Arsenal make it five PL wins in a row.

However, whilst Bournemouth haven’t won any of their last 10 PL games since October, they have drawn four of their last five.

Whilst they still have talisman Semenyo that gives them a big threat and hopefully they can get another draw here against Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.