Premier League icon Michael Owen has had his say on the latest upcoming fixtures which includes a battle for fourth in Arsenal vs West Ham and his former side Liverpool's clash against Newcastle.
The Gunners welcome the Hammers to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta gears up to take on his former manager in David Moyes, both knowing all too well how crucial a win is for their respective hopes of Champions League qualification.
West Ham currently sit fourth, two points ahead of their Wednesday night hosts, knowing a win would put significant daylight between the pair of them; a defeat however could send the Hammers down to sixth, having played two games more than seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal come into the tie boosted by a dominant home win over Southampton last Saturday, putting three past the Saints with no reply courtesy of Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes.
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West Ham, meanwhile, came away with just a point from their last league outing - a 0-0 draw at Burnley on Sunday - in a game which they dominated.
Owen has predicted this clash at the Emirates to be a close, hard-fought affair, telling Bet Victor : "This should be a good game. I never quite know what to expect from Arsenal.
"They were poor at Goodison last Monday and then cruised to the win against Southampton. This is a great chance for them though, a win here will see them jump above the Hammers.
"Away trips to Burnley are never easy, but David Moyes will still be disappointed to have come away with just the one point. West Ham are still fourth, but the chasing pack is closing on them.
"West Ham will be desperate not to lose this game and will try and keep things tight. I can see them frustrating Arsenal and getting a point here."
Liverpool will be desperate to continue to breathe down the necks of league leaders Manchester City as Jurgen Klopp's side sit second, just one point behind Pep Guardiola's men.
They welcome struggling Newcastle to Anfield on Thursday, as the Magpies task of Premier League survival looks more unlikely with each passing match-week.
Owen predicts a long night in Merseyside for another one of his former sides in Newcastle, claiming: "Villa frustrated Liverpool for long periods at Anfield, but the win was all that mattered.
"They are really building up a head of steam and they’ll be eyeing a few goals here that’s for sure.
"After that huge win over Burnley, I thought Newcastle had turned a corner. They haven’t. That was a disaster against Leicester and defensively they were shocking.
"Eddie Howe will be desperate to get to January and hopefully get a few more players in. I can only see this going one way, 3-1 Liverpool."
Michael Owen's midweek predictions
- Norwich 0-1 Aston Villa
- Man City 4-1 Leeds United
- Brighton 1-1 Wolves
- Burnley 1-0 Watford
- Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton
- Arsenal 1-1 West Ham
- Leicester City 1-2 Tottenham
- Chelsea 3-1 Everton
- Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United
