jonjoward1998

Nov 26, 20219 min read

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 13

SATURDAY:

ARSENAL V NEWCASTLE

Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool was a reality check for them in terms of where they are as a team and how far away they are from the big teams. The result won't hit them hard because of the progress they've made since their terrible start but they're still along way behind the top teams in the league.

They should bounce back in this one as it's a more winnable game and with all their key players available, they should have no problems in winning this game.

Newcastle put in a promising performance against Brentford last time out by playing more on the front foot but didn't get the result they wanted. Eddie Howe may not have been in the dugout on the day, but you could see the impact he's had on the players since he's been there. They didn't get the win they wanted but Howe would still be proud of the performance his side put in.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I'm backing Arsenal to bounce back here because I think they'll be too strong for Newcastle. The Magpies will be looking to build on from their positive performance against but given the problems they have defensively, this should be a straightforward win for the Gunners.

CRYSTAL PALACE V ASTON VILLA

Crystal Palace were involved in arguably one of the games of the season so far last weekend and I have a feeling that this one will be similar. The Eagles have become an exciting team to watch this season under Patrick Vieira and this game could indeed suit them as Villa also like to attack which could make the game suit them as well.

Aston Villa got the Steven Gerrard era off to a good start last weekend with their win over Brighton which brought an end to their five game losing run. It was a massive result for both the team and the manager and it will give them plenty of confidence and belief going into this one.

PREDICTION: 2-2

This game will suit both sides as they both play a similar brand of football. I think it will be a very close game as both sets of players are similar in quality but I can't see there being a winner from the two.

LIVERPOOL V SOUTHAMPTON

I was surprised with Liverpool's team selection in midweek as they left out both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson who in turn made way for youngster Tyler Morton who to be fair did very well in the defensive midfield position. They did both come on in the second half with Henderson setting up the winning goal for Salah. But I was still surprised that neither of them started the game as I thought at least one of them would.

They got a much needed result against Arsenal last weekend and they'll be looking for another in this one in order to stay in touch with Chelsea at the top. They'll have all their big hitters available after some were rested in midweek and with that they should win here.

Southampton were in control for most the game against Norwich last weekend but came away with nothing. They were in good form going into that game with 3 wins from their previous 4 games which kick started their season following a tough start. But they couldn't make the most of their dominance on the day as they left empty handed.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I've got to back Liverpool for this one because they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. Their attacker are in good form and as Southampton have been wasteful on some occasions this season, I can see the reds keep a clean sheet.

NORWICH V WOLVES

Norwich finally have some much needed confidence on board following back to back victories from their last two games even though they had two different managers in charge for each of them. I like most people gave them no chance of turning their season around a few weeks ago but with these back to back victories, they may have a chance of getting themselves out of trouble.

Wolves are in a great place under Bruno Lage as they currently lie in 6th which nobody saw coming after a poor start. They've adapted well to a new style of play which did take time and that time had indeed paid off with the recent results they've had including their impressive win over West Ham last weekend.

They were dominant for most of the game against West Ham with the second half being their best spell. They created a lot of chances on the day and will surely get a similar amount in this one.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Wolves to win this one because I think they'll be too strong for Norwich. The Canaries may have some much needed confidence on board but I think Wolves will have more than enough to win this game.

BRIGHTON V LEEDS

Brighton have gone back to their old selves in recent games in having a lot of the ball but not having the killer instinct in front of goal. That has probably been the reason why they haven't won any of their last 7 games because they've been on top in most of them but haven't come away with the results they've deserved.

Leeds are arguably having similar problems and it could be the reason why they're down towards the wrong end of the table. They're still playing their usual style like they always do but they just haven't had that killer instinct in front of goal. They need to get Patrick Bamford back soon because they've really missed him this season.

PREDICTION: 1-0

This one will be a close contest as both sides are good to watch. But they haven't had their luck when it comes to scoring goals in recent weeks. As Brighton have the better defence, I'm going for them to take the points and end their winless run. Especially as Leeds do have floors in their backline.

SUNDAY:

BRENTFORD V EVERTON

Brentford were involved in one of the games of the season so far last weekend against Newcastle where they looked a bit more like their old selves. They were on the back of a four game losing streak going into that game and although they didn't defend well, going forward they looked a lot more sharper than they have done recently.

Everton appear to be having another typical season. A good start shortly followed by a poor run of form. They have had injuries which have played a part but they still need to get results because their manager is under pressure to get them. Benitez was winning the fans over earlier in the season because of the start they made and now they may start turning on him because of their poor form and recent performances.

PREDICTION: 2-0

With Everton out of form and with a lot of injuries in their side, I fancy Brentford to win this one. The Bees got their attacking groove back against Newcastle last time out and I can see them carry that performance in to this game.

BURNLEY V TOTTENHAM

Burnley's draw with Crystal Palace was very unlike Burnley because we never see them so open. It was probably the most open I've seen them under Sean Dyche. They have been thumped by teams over the years but in most of the games they play they look difficult to play against and hard to beat. Their game against Palace was not one of those games.

The Clarets have picked up some good results over the last few weeks but carrying that run into this one will be difficult as they'll be without James Tarkowski through suspension. Tarkowski is one of the main reasons why Burnley are a tough team to play against because of his partnership with Ben Mee and without one of them in their backline, the Clarets aren't as solid defensively. I can see his absence being felt in this one.

Antonio Conte's half time team talk worked well for Spurs in their win against Leeds last weekend as it inspired them to put in a much better showing than they did in the first half. They looked very flat in that first half like they have done in most of the games they've played this season and you could tell that Conte said something to them at half time by the reaction they gave in the second half.

With that first league win out of the way, Conte will now be looking to build some confidence and momentum within his team so he can get his side moving up the table. A win here would be a good start to doing exactly that.

PREDICTION: 0-2

Spurs were flat in Europa Conference League last night, but I still think they'll bounce back with a win in this one. With Burnley without Tarkowski in their defence, Spurs should definitely win here.

LEICESTER V WATFORD

I really don't know why Leicester haven't been able to get themselves going this season. They did have key players missing earlier in the season through injury but since they've come back their form hasn't exactly improved. They should get better as the season progresses but at the moment I see no sign of them improving.

Claudio Ranieri will be returning to the King Power for the first time since he was sacked by Leicester back in 2017 months after achieving the impossible with them. He'll surely get a good reception from the crowd because of the job he did but mainly he'll want to get one over his old team who he'll know quite a bit about.

Watford under Ranieri have been a team who have had a good performance one week but a completely different one the next. Their win over Man United will give them plenty of confidence going into this game and with Leicester currently out of sorts, the hornets might get something from this one.

PREDICTION: 1-1

With both sides in patchy form and struggling to find consistency, I'm going for a draw in this one. Leicester are yet to get themselves going whilst Watford have been a rather in and out under Ranieri. If both problems carry on into this game I really can't see much between them.

MAN CITY V WEST HAM

Man City put in a professional performance in midweek against PSG where they secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. They showed good character to come from behind and it was overall a good team performance from them. That win was a statement of intent from them in that specific competition.

Raheem Sterling has come into some form recently following goals in his last two games against Everton last weekend and PSG in midweek. He hasn't got much of a look in this season because of the attacking options that City have and those goals will do his confidence the world of good and also convince Pep to play him more. I reckon he'll play in this one and possibly score.

I was very surprised with West Ham's performance against Wolves last weekend because they didn't really look in the game at all. They've been in most of the games they've played this season for them to produce a performance like that was very surprising.

They'll definitely respond in this one because of the team they're facing in Man City and the standards they've set themselves over the past year. But as they've been playing in Europe this week and they're playing a possession based team in City, getting a result in this one could be difficult.

PREDICTION: 2-1

West Ham will definitely show some kind of reaction in this one as they always do whenever they take on the big boys. But I think City will just edge it because of the quality they have in all areas.

CHELSEA V MAN UNITED

Chelsea are absolutely flying at the moment. They're top of the league and are full of confidence after dismantling Juventus 4-0 in midweek. Their performance in midweek was probably the best we've seen of them this season as they were solid at the back and always a danger going forward with the players they had on the pitch.

They'll have Romelu Lukaku back for this one which will be a massive boost and especially in a game like this one. The Belgian will want to prove a point against his former club in this game and I think he will whether he starts or comes off the bench having just returned from a month long injury.

Man United responded to Solskjaer's sacking with a good win and performance against Villarreal in midweek which they really needed. They did have to rely on Cristiano Ronaldo again like they have done all season in Europe but they still did enough to win the game and book their place in the last 16.

This is likely to be Michael Carrick's final game in the dugout with Ralph Rangnick on the way which looks like a good appointment for them. But the main thing for this game is another good result and performance because they need results and fast because of where they are in the league. But I can't see them getting one here.