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Arsenal v West Brom features in Charlie Nicholas' Premier League predictions

Charlie Nicholas
Image: Charlie Nicholas offers up his views on the midweek action

Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the midweek Premier League games.

West Brom take the trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Thursday night.

Here's what Charlie is predicting in his Sky Bet tips...

Arsenal v West Brom (Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm)

Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Image: Yannick Bolasie's equaliser all but ended Arsenal's title hopes

I've actually got to the stage, and I have been for four and five weeks, where I'm not comfortable watching my team. I'm not at the edge of my seat. It's so predictable and it's always Mesut Ozil that has to create.

People criticise him because he's not quick and dynamic but that's not his job. Danny Welbeck's movement is good but his touch and his finishing is poor and Alexis Sanchez still isn't doing enough.

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West Brom may be safe but Tony Pulis won't do Arsenal any favours. The Emirates isn't a difficult place to go any more, because you know you can sit in and you'll get chances.

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Arsenal are in a really dangerous situation, with United potentially just a point behind by this stage. I'll start on the edge of my seat and end the game hiding behind it, with another seriously uncomfortable night, and I think it could be Mohamed Elneny - one of the few impressive players - to save Arsenal.

Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Elneny to score first - 80/1 with Sky Bet

Charlie's earlier predictions...

Liverpool v Everton

What do Everton do here? Do they go full strength or just rest up and take the hit? I don't think Roberto Martinez can afford to give Liverpool a free swing at this. Liverpool could turn them over quite badly and the Everton fans have already started to turn on their manager and they're fed up with his excuses. 

Putting all your eggs in the FA Cup basket is dangerous, especially as it's not going to help their confidence against Manchester United if they go into the semi-final on the back of a hiding from their rivals. 

For me, he has to go for the strongest team and, while I think Liverpool will win regardless with the way Jurgen Klopp's men are playing, it could be three or four if Martinez plays a weakened team. If I offered him a draw right now, I'd have no fingers left.

Charlie predicted: 2-1 and Divock Origi to score first - Result: 4-0

West Ham v Watford

I still think there's a bit of life in West Ham, even though the top four has gone for them, and they still have a lot more incentive to win here than their visitors.

I know they've been getting the bad luck with the referees' calls but they always seem to get into a position where they can take advantage of others' slip-ups and they stumble. It's as if there's a mental block and that has hurt them.

Watford have more than done enough in the league and with an FA Cup semi-final coming up, they've lost an edge. Odion Ighalo's goals have dried up. It will be an emotional final few games at Upton Park and that will keep driving West Ham on.

Charlie predicted: 2-0 and Manuel Lanzini to score first - Result: 3-1

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Palace have done well after slipping towards danger, grabbing another big draw at the Emirates and, while everyone at the club is saying they're not quite there, I don't see any of the bottom three catching them now.

United were really poor at the weekend, which was strange because of the improvements they've made and again, it's Marcus Rashford that gets them out of it. Villa were waiting to get battered and looked surprised when they realised they could have got something.

Louis van Gaal has to play Antony Martial and Rashford and I'd back them both to score if he does, but I'm not expecting them to run riot.

Charlie predicted: 2-1 - Result: 2-0

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