The Premier League resumes this weekend and that spells the end of international breaks until March. That means there’s around four months of uninterrupted Premier League action and this period in time is when we’ll work out where teams will end up landing in the league. Football will come thick and fast, so enjoy the ride. 

Getting us back underway will be Burnley up against Chelsea which will take place on Saturday at 12:30PM (GMT). We then have five fixtures at 3PM. Bournemouth will host West Ham, Brentford will travel to Brighton, Fulham will welcome Sunderland, Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest and Wolves will battle Crystal Palace. Newcastle vs Manchester City will be the evening kick off (5:30PM). Super Sunday will see Leeds United welcome Aston Villa at 2PM and then the big clash of the weekend, The North London derby. Arsenal will wage war on Tottenham Hotspur at 4:30PM. To round of GW12 will be Manchester United versus Everton which will take place on Monday night at 8PM. 

Burnley vs Chelsea

Burnley will be looking to revive their form that saw them win two games in a row, before losing to Arsenal and West Ham. Scott Parker will understand that any points will be absolutely crucial to his sides survival and the six they got against Leeds and Wolves are testament to that. It keeps them just out of the clutches of the relegation zone, on goal difference. Prior to the international break, Chelsea were becoming accustomed to steamrolling any side that stood in their way. 11 goals in their previous five games, in all competitions, is very good going and is symbolic of their style of play. Attack is the best form of defence. Despite scoring 11, they’ve shipped six which somewhat exposes their fragility at the back. 

Enzo Maresca knows his side are more than capable of sweeping most teams to one side, but they won’t be used to coming up against a low block. Scott Parker knows the strength of his team lies in its defensive structure, however, away from home that has let his side down. Of the 22 goals they’ve conceded, 18 have come on the road compared to the four at Turf Moor. Both Arsenal and Liverpool struggled to dispatch Parker’s side with any sort of conviction. But, Chelsea have scored the second highest amout of goals in the league, so they won’t be intimidated by Burnley’s home record. It’ll be tight, but I do think Chelsea salvage a win. 

Predicted Result: Burnley 0-1 Chelsea

Bournemouth vs West Ham United

Bournemouth were upto 2nd in the table a couple of gameweeks ago, but have fallen down to 9th after suffering two defeats back-to-back. That shows how volatile the league is. For most teams, three points will guarantee you moving up the table. Lose three points and you’re almost guaranteed to start sliding down. A win for West Ham, in this tie, will prove just that as they can climb four spaces into 14th. However, Bournemouth can see themselves rise into 3rd with a win. This sets this game up nicely as crucial for both sides to grab three points. 

West Ham will have a renewed confidence having won their last two games, this is coming off the back of one win in nine attempts. Nuno Espirito Santo may have found a formula to propel his side up the table, but Andoni Iraola will always be a tough opponent. Home advantage will also be helpful for Iraola as they haven’t yet lost at the Vitality Stadium. I think that unbeaten streak will continue, but we’ll see signs of life within West Ham. 

Predicted Result: Bournemouth 2-1 West Ham

Brighton vs Brentford

A battle of the B’s. But, it’s also a battle of mid-table dominance. They sit in 11th and 12th in the league and can threaten to crack the top 10 with a win. They have the same points, same number of goals scored, but are separated by Brighton conceding two less. While the total form of these two sides can be hardly told apart, it’s Brentford that enter this clash in much better form. Keith Andrews will be delighted with how his team have turned things around as they can boast four wins in five games in all competitions. This run of games includes wins over Liverpool and Newcastle. Brighton, on the other hand, have only won twice in their previous five fixtures. While the contrast in form isn’t major, it’ll certainly give Brentford that extra slice of confidence. 

Andrews has transformed his team’s fortunes and has done that by allowing them to play to their strengths. Jordan Henderson has been a revelation, Igor Thiago has been one of the most clinical strikers in the league and Michael Kayode has found success in his long throws. Brighton will have a lot to contend with, but it’s not like they’re without their own secret weapons. It’s going to be an interesting battle, but I think it’ll be honours even. 

Predicted Result: Brighton 2-2 Brentford

Fulham vs Sunderland

You’d be forgiven for taking a double look at the Premier League standings when searching for these two sides. Fulham had a pretty decent campaign last time out, but find themselves mixing with relegation contenders. Sunderland find themselves brushing shoulders with other top four contenders which is the surprise of the season. But, as we witnessed against Arsenal, Sunderland will be a tough customer for any team. Regis Le Bris has organised his side so well that there’s no difference between home and away form which is one of the biggest signs of sustained success in the league. 

For Fulham it’s one win in five games in all competitions, but that includes three losses. Sunderland only have two wins in their last five, but the contrast in form comes from the fact that The Black Cats have only lost once. Two wins, two draws and a loss makes up their previous five ties. It’ll be hard to see where Marco Silva turns it around for Fulham, but it’s only him that’ll be able to do it. I do think it’ll be a struggle for Fulham, even with home advantage. 

Predicted Result: Fulham 1-1 Sunderland

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

It was starting to look marginally better for Liverpool, until they came up against Manchester City prior to the international break. That 3-0 drubbing sent shockwaves through the club and certainly brought the Merseyside club down a peg. Arne Slot had earned two wins back-to-back which gave the club a breather in terms of pressure, especially after beating Real Madrid. But, that’s still three defeats in five games in all competitions and that is not championship winning form. It could be argued that Forest are actually in better form as they have only lost once in their last five, which includes two wins. Sean Dyche has stamped his authority on the side from Nottinghamshire and has certainly given Forest fans more to celebrate in recent weeks. 

This is an extremely important game for Slot as he needs to start building momentum, resuming Premier League football with a win will be crucial to that. For Forest it’s a chance to earn a statement win, a win that can draw a line in the sand and kick the club on. Dyche knows all about Liverpool and will set his team up accordingly. Liverpool need to break down Forest quickly, if they can get one goal then they can make it a cricket score. However, if Dyche can keep it tight for a long period of the game then it could end with Forest escaping with a point. It’ll be 1/0-0 or 5-0, no in-between. 

Predicted Result: Liverpool 5-0 Forest

Wolves vs Crystal Palace

11 games into the season and Wolves have still not enjoyed a win, outside of the EFL Cup. Every single game week I think they just have to win at some point, but despite home advantage, I can’t see them breaking down Crystal Palace. Palace had a slump in form a few weeks ago, though they’ve now made it three wins in five in all competitions and only have only lost once. That was an away fixture against Arsenal and they only lost 1-0. Despite the good form, Palace still find themselves down in 10th and it’s due to the volume of games they end up drawing. They’ve played out the most draws in the league, with five, and that will be a concern for Oliver Glasner. Wolves might look at that and sneak some sort of confidence from it, but Palace can still be ruthless. 

Wolves will have a new manager at the helm after Rob Edwards landed the role. Edwards does have Premier League experience as he came up with Luton a couple of seasons ago. He gave it a good go with Luton, but he did end up getting relegated and that’s not a good omen. Wolves needed a survival expert and there’s a few dotted around the football pyramid, active and without a club. Edwards isn’t that. However, Wolves needed a reset and could start with a win. One win and that could do wonders for the morale and belief around the club. Glasner will be well aware of that, but his side are well drilled enough to cope with it.

Predicted Result: Wolves 1-2 Crystal Palace

Newcastle vs Manchester City 

This is a huge game for both sides. Newcastle need to translate their European form to their domestic campaign as they still languish down in 14th. Three defeats in five league games is not good form and they face a very in form City side next. However, Newcastle away is a tough prospect for any team and City are not excluded from that conversation. Arsenal and Liverpool have both beaten Newcastle this season, at St James’ Park, and City will want to prove their title credentials with a win. Eddie Howe needs to tap into the kind of football they were producing last season, which they have shown in flashes. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently sitting on four wins in five games and they’ll be looking to extend that good work. A win over Newcastle will bring them to within a point of Arsenal who won’t play until Sunday, adding that extra dose of pressure. 

Newcastle, under the lights of St James’ Park, is a daunting prospect. They battle hard and the fans add that 12th man, sometimes it feels like a 13th man. Pep knows his side are newly built and perhaps lean towards technical quality over physical. Newcastle will look to physically intimidate, but City are technically superior and they need to make sure they don’t lose sight of that. The roaring crowd will punish any loose pass and failed attempt so a cool head will be required. However, when you have a player like Erling Haaland then anything is possible.

Predicted Result: Newcastle 2-3 Manchester City 

Leeds United vs Aston Villa 

Aston Villa’s campaign almost feels like it’s been two different teams competing. The start of the season was an unmitigated disaster and it left them in the relegation zone right up until the 7th fixture of the season. However, four wins in the last five games has catapulted them up the table into 6th and, with a win against Leeds, they can push themselves into 3rd. That’s an incredible transformation and it will certainly worry Daniel Farke of Leeds. The West Yorkshire side have had a polar opposite run of results in that they’ve lost four out of their last five in the league. 

Leeds are staring at the relegation zone with two sides ready to push past them. The only thing that can pull them further away from the zone will be a win and that can be achieved as they have only lost once at home in five attempts, pair that with Villa only winning once on the road. Villa have struggled for goals and that’s evidenced in the fact that they’ve got the lowest goal total in the top 10, in fact you have to drop to 13th before you find a team with less goals. Villa are on their way up, Leeds are on their way down and I think this game will prove that.

Predicted Result: Leeds 1-2 Villa

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

The big fixture of the weekend, The North London derby. Both of these are battling at the top end of the table, but with perhaps slightly differing objectives. Of course both of these sides will feel they have enough to win the title, but it leans more towards Arsenal as the ones with that feeling of it being achieveable. Arsenal were on an unbelievable run of form prior to the Sunderland game, they beat everyone and weren’t conceding. However, Sunderland brought them crashing back down to earth with a gut punching 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. The Gunners showed fight to respond to the 1-0 setback, but were ultimately forced to pay in the dying minutes. By coincidence, Spurs also played out a 2-2 draw in their last fixture. Again, a last minute equaliser made them pay for not burying the game sooner. It’s fair to say both of these outfits will be looking to get back to winning ways and what a chance to do it against your noisy neighbours. 

Thomas Frank is probably quite glad they’re playing away as their home form in dreadful. In fact, their away form is the best in the league. It’s something that Mikel Arteta will be well aware of, but the Emirates is somewhat of fortress right now, only Manchester City can claim a better home form. Having said that, Arteta’s men have only conceded once at home all season and that was against City. With all that being said, it’s an injury minefield for both of these sides. Arsenal and Spurs are both projected to have a considerable amount of their workforce out with injury, but I’m sure last minute checks will be conducted. The pressure is certainly on Arsenal, Spurs will only lose bragging rights in this fixture and perhaps a couple of spots in the standings. The Gunners have Manchester City breathing down their necks and will need to maintain distance, but it’s a different Arsenal team this year. They seem more determined and you can’t bet against them turning Spurs over. 

Predicted Result: Arsenal 2-1 Spurs

Manchester United vs Everton

The end the weekend of football will be a Monday night fixture between two of the old guard of Premier League football. Though not direct rivals in location or achievements, there is certainly plenty of history between these two clubs. United are going through a revival which has seen them climb up the rankings, to the point where they were in 3rd a couple of weeks ago. Fast forward to the present day and they find themselves in 7th, but could rise to 3rd again with a win. Everton, on the other hand, are going through a slump in form which has left them 13th in the league. They did earn three points in their last fixture with a win over Fulham, so that will have certainly helped the morale. 

David Moyes is still struggling to find a real bagsman up top for his side. Iliman Ndiaye is the club’s top scorer this season, but behind him is a defensive midfielder and a centre back. Goals are spread through the team which is nice, but having that man they can rely on up top is key. United will be confident they can nullify the threat that Everton pose, but they have still shipped seven goals in their last five fixtures. They have knocked in 12 at the other end which will alleviate some fears. Attack seemingly the best form of defence again. I think that’ll be the case in this fixture too. 

Predicted Result: United 3-1 Everton