Charlie Nicholas offers up his views on the midweek action

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

Relegation battlers Newcastle host Manchester City as Sky Sports 1 HD brings you six games over the next seven days, including Wednesday’s Merseyside derby and then West Brom’s trip to Arsenal on Thursday.

Here’s what Charlie is predicting in his Sky Bet tips…

Newcastle v Manchester City (Tuesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm)

Rafa Benitez enjoy his first win as Newcastle manager on Saturday

Newcastle desperately needed the win over Swansea and it gives them hope. We all looked at each other in the Soccer Saturday studio when we heard their team come through and Rafa Benitez looked surprised when he was asked about making five changes, but it was his bravery to switch things up that reaped the rewards.

However, City have started to flex their muscles and, with fourth place not guaranteed, that’s bad news for Newcastle. Sergio Aguero’s firing again, Yaya Toure’s back and Vincent Kompany is on the brink.

Newcastle vs Man City

April 19, 2016, 7:00pm

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You’d think if they can win their next couple, then top four is all but certain and then they can focus on winning the Champions League. I think they’ll pick Newcastle off as they go searching for another win and I could see Aguero scoring another couple with his sights set on the Golden Boot.

Charlie predicts: 1-2 and Aguero to score first – 20/1 with Sky Bet

Charlie’s Sky Bet tips

Agree with Charlie? Follow his Sky Bet tip here.

Liverpool v Everton (Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm)

Everton are winless in six Premier League games

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. 

Liverpool vs Everton

April 20, 2016, 7:30pm

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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 predicts: 2-1 and Divock Origi to score first – 22/1 with Sky Bet

West Ham v Watford

West Ham held leaders Leicester to a 2-2 draw on Sunday

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 predictions: 2-0 and Manuel Lanzini to score first – 33/1 with Sky Bet

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Marcus Rashford’s solitary strike sunk Aston Villa at the weekend

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 predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

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

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.

Arsenal vs W Brom

April 21, 2016, 7:00pm

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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.

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