Owen’s New Year’s Premier League predictions including Man Utd and Liverpool

Michael Owen has backed Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to all kick-off 2021 with a win.

The festive period has shaken up the Premier League table and the games continue to come thick and fast.

United have taken advantage of successive draws for Liverpool and can draw level on points with the Reds.

They play before the defending champions and Owen has backed them to see off a spirited Aston Villa side who got a point at Chelsea last time out.

He told Bet Victor: "It’s been a Christmas to remember for Manchester United fans. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side sit in 2nd and if they win their game hand, they’ll be joint top of the Premier League.

"It’s been quite the turnaround with the Red Devils now undefeated in their last 9 Premier League matches.

"They welcome an Aston Villa side that are in decent form of their own. Undefeated in their last 5 Premier League matches, the Villains will no doubt set up to sucker punch United on the counter-attack.

"However, Dean Smith hasn’t had the luxury of being able to rotate his side.

"If fatigue is an issue here it may be their undoing with United proving so quick and powerful moving forward. So, I’ll be going for Manchester United to take the points."

Liverpool will be able to regain top spot with a win at Southampton.

Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled on the road but Owen is still predicting a win for them at St Mary's.

He said: "Liverpool arrive here after dropping 4 points in their last 2 matches. They come up against a Southampton side that have also drawn successive matches, both ending 0-0.

"I think Liverpool will have enough here. Southampton simply aren’t scoring enough goals at the moment and I could see the Reds winning this one comfortably."

Arsenal have got themselves back to winning ways and are targeting a third straight success.

They take on a West Brom side who shipped five last time out and Owen can't see anything but a Gunners win.

He continued: "Arsenal travel to West Brom with their tails up after back to back wins. That said, The Hawthorns hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal recently.

"They’ve failed to win on their last 3 trips there, however, anything other than 3 points on this occasion would be a big disappointment for Mikel Arteta.

"West Brom got a great result when drawing 1-1 at Anfield, but it’s been at home where they’ve struggled most. I’m expecting Arsenal to continue their good run and come away with all 3 points again."

Owen though is expecting something of an upset at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have only won one of their last five while Manchester City are slowly building momentum.

But the Blues won this fixture last term and the former Liverpool striker is backing them to do so again.

He said: "The Christmas period hasn’t been kind to Chelsea, having won just 1 of their last 6 matches.

"It’s no surprise that the heat has been cranked up a notch on Frank Lampard, however, a win here is just the remedy he needs.

"These are the types of matches Chelsea seem to thrive in, and with City not at full strength, I could see the Blues’ nicking it in an entertaining match."

There will also be a meeting of minds across London as Jose Mourinho's Tottenham host Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds.

Owen though has predicted a home win with defence beating attack on this occasion.

He claimed: "It’s now 4 games without a win for Spurs. Jose Mourinho’s men suffered late heartache against Wolves on Sunday and must get back on track here against Leeds.

"Leeds make the trip to North London for the first time since 2003. They arrive here fresh from a 5-0 win away to West Brom, making it 3 wins in 4 Premier League matches.

"Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been a hard team to get a handle on this season. I reckon they will cause Spurs some problems but considering that they have lost half of their away games in the league, I think Spurs may just have too much here."

Owen has also backed Everton and Burnley to pick up three points but thinks Leicester and Newcastle will share the spoils.

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