Southampton vs. Nott'm Forest (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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A pivotal Premier League basement battle takes place at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday night, as Southampton welcome Nottingham Forest to the South Coast.
The Saints suffered an agonizing 2-1 defeat to Fulham in their most recent battle, while Steve Cooper's side deservedly hung on for a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
We say: Southampton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
A revitalized Nottingham Forest can end their abysmal goalscoring failures on the road against a leaky Southampton defence, but Cooper's side are crucially working with a day's less rest before a long trip south.
Jones's men have not had much trouble finding the back of the net during their own poor stretch of results, and with both teams wary of defeat in this relegation six-pointer, we can anticipate a low-scoring stalemate at St Mary's.
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Leeds vs. West Ham (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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West Ham United will aim to end a five-game winless run in the Premier League when they travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds United on Wednesday evening.
The Hammers went down 2-0 to Brentford just before the New Year, while the hosts ended 2022 in impressive fashion, holding Newcastle United to a goalless draw.
We say: Leeds United 0-0 West Ham United
West Ham's propensity for away-day failures will hardly serve them well at Elland Road, but Moyes's side have rarely capitulated defensively on the road and have plenty of competent options for change in the rearguard.
Moyes has also had an extra day to prepare his crop for Wednesday's game, which we believe could very well end without the net rippling once amid Leeds' propensity for failures against teams from the capital.
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Aston Villa vs. Wolves (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Fresh from an impressive and thoroughly deserved victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa return to the West Midlands to tackle local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in Wednesday's Premier League derby.
Unai Emery's side posted a 2-0 victory over the Lilywhites in their most recent match, while the visitors were undone in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
We say: Aston Villa 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves should fancy their chances of causing Villa a couple of problems if Luiz and McGinn are not quite at full fitness, while Traore in particular ought to feel confident of getting the better of Lucas Digne out wide.
A continued lack of goal threat should bedevil Lopetegui's side once more, though, and with the feel-good factor in full effect around Villa Park, we expect Emery's men to further their top-half charge and deepen Wolves' relegation woes further.
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Crystal Palace vs. Spurs (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Having been on opposite ends of 2-0 scorelines in their most recent Premier League contests, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur reconvene for a London derby at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night.
Patrick Vieira's side eased to victory at Bournemouth last time out, while the lacklustre Lilywhites were nullified in a two-goal defeat to Unai Emery's Aston Villa.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Crisis mode could be activated if Tottenham fall to yet another defeat on Wednesday, but the potential return of Kulusevski to the final third would be gold dust for Conte, who could also welcome a well-rested Eric Dier back to the rearguard.
Despite posting a paltry set of home results against capital clubs, Palace are generally a force to be reckoned with on their own patch, but we have faith in Tottenham to finally snap their streak of conceding multiple goals and return to base with a point.
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