The Premier League is back in action after being temporarily stopped by European football. We head into game week 13 and are fast approaching the half way point of the season. Arsenal still lead the pack, with six points separating them and Chelsea in 2nd. Manchester City and Aston Villa make up the rest of the top four. At the bottom of the table we have Wolves, Burnley and Leeds. Two of which can see themselves jump out of the relegation zone with a win.

The first kick off of the day is at 3PM (GMT) which will feature three games. Brentford will host Burnley, Manchester City will welcome Leeds and Bournemouth will travel to Sunderland. We then move into a 5:30PM fixture between Everton and Newcastle. To round off the action on Saturday will be an 8PM kick off that will see Tottenham Hotspur against Fulham. Five fixtures for Sunday’s action, the first of which will be at 12PM when Crystal Palace go up against Manchester United. Following that will be three 2:05PM kick offs. Aston Villa vs Wolves, West Ham vs Liverpool and Nottingham Forest will face Brighton. To end the weekend will be the heavyweight clash between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Brentford vs Burnley

A battle between two ‘B’s. Brentford have made a decent go of it recently and it’s seen them steadily rise up the table. Three wins in their previous five games is good going and they were very close to making it one loss in five games. Igor Thiago missed a stoppage time penalty to ensure a 2-2 draw against Brighton, but fate intervened for the Seagulls and they subsequently beat Brentford. For Burnley it’s now three defeats in a row after they were beaten by Chelsea at the weekend. Despite pushing the West London side all the way, they were unable to prevent a loss. Despite being one of the clubs in the relegation zone, Burnley can rise to 16th with a win. But, that’s only happened once in six away games, whereas Brentford have only lost once at home in six games.

Keith Andrews knows very well that this is a fantastic opportunity to stick some more points on the board and help his side completely forget about a relegation battle. 19 points could be enough to put them in the top 10 and that would be an incredible achievement for his side. For Scott Parker it’s a case of halting the downward spiral, three defeats in a row is tough for any team to take. It also doesn’t help that an away fixture is Burnley’s kryptonite, having conceded 18 on the road. I do think Brentford will make it four defeats in a row for Parker’s men.

Predicted Result: Brentford 2-0 Burnley

Manchester City vs Leeds

After a couple of disappointing performances for City, they’ll be looking to turn things around against Leeds. The Manchester side lost to Newcastle last time out and even lost in the Champions League, in the week, after Bayer Leverkusen beat them 2-0. That spells trouble for Leeds as they could be on the receiving end of an angry performance. It couldn’t be a better opportunity for City to regain form as Leeds are lingering in the relegation zone after losing four games in five. Leeds also have a dreadful away record, having only won on the road once.

Pep Guardiola knows that games like this can end up being banana skins as it’s almost like the team expect to win without trying. Daniel Farke will certainly be hoping that a lazy City team turn up as his side can damage teams, despite being in the relegation zone. Having said that, Erling Haaland is now two games without a goal and that’s unheard of this season, so you’d expect him to knock in a couple. Unfortunately I just do see City battering Leeds.

Predicted Result: Manchester City 5-1 Leeds

Sunderland vs Bournemouth

These two sides probably wouldn’t have expected this game to be considered a ‘top 10’ clash at the beginning of the campaign. But, that’s exactly what we’ve come to associate these two sides with. Sunderland have been extremely impressive and actually find themselves above Bournemouth, on goal difference. It’s been the form at the Stadium of Light that’s drawn the plaudits as they still remain unbeaten. They’ll feel confident they can extend that good home form against Bournemouth, The Cherries have a pretty poor away record. They’ve had one solitary win away from The Vitality Stadium. Andoni Iraola will also be well aware that Sunderland held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at home, just a few weeks ago.

Regis Le Bris has given his side a formula to cope with the intensity of Premier League football. It could be considered negative, but he won’t care as it’s generating results. The decision to buy Granit Xhaka was also inspired as he’s been a rock in midfield for them. Bournemouth do play attractive football and it generates them goals, 19 in the league is certainly respectable. However, they’re vulnerable at the back, having conceded the most goals in the top 10 with 20. I do think Sunderland’s physical approach will almost bully Bournemouth into submission, but we know Iraola has tricks up his sleeve

Predicted Result: Sunderland 2-2 Bournemouth

Everton vs Newcastle United

The battle between the two sides that beat the Manchester clubs last weekend. Newcastle rallied together to beat Manchester City meanwhile Everton dug in and eased themselves to a win over Manchester United. However, there won’t be any love shared between these two sides as they’re both desperate to maintain winning form. Everton are slowly turning the screw, in terms of form, as they’ve now won two in a row. Newcastle are still battling their ability to yo-yo between winning and losing on alternating weekends. European football wasn’t kind to Newcastle in the week either, Marseille were able to beat them 2-1. This could be damaging to the morale amongst the squad, so a win here would be immense for Eddie Howe.

David Moyes insists that his side are just realising their potential after suffering a dip in form. They can crack the top 10 with a win, but Newcastle can leapfrog Everton if they beat them by more than two goals. The Geordie’s need to start proving that they’re a Champions League level club and it needs to start now. Goals have dried up for Nick Woltemade in the league, but Harvey Barnes has been on form and that’s actually something that needed to happen. Sharing the goals was an issue at the start of the season, now they just need to blend it all together and Howe’s men will rise up the table.

Predicted Result: Everton 1-1 Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham

The first London derby of the weekend, but not one which carries that much weight. It’s North against West. But, it’s probably the West London side that arrive into this fixture in better form, only losing twice in five games. Spurs have succumbed to three defeats in five games, the most recent being a demoralising crushing at the hands of their rivals, Arsenal. They also suffered a taxing midweek venture after losing 5-3 to Paris Saint Germain. Fulham will be excited by that, but also the fact they’re playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground that the home side struggle at. Yes, Spurs struggle in their own stadium having won only once this season. This will give Fulham huge encouragement, that is until you realise that their away form is actually worse. Marco Silva’s men haven’t won a single game away from Craven Cottage.

Thomas Frank and Marco Silva are both feeling the pressure at their respective jobs. A win for Silva will be enough to keep the wolves from the door, but for Frank it won’t necessarily change the state of pressure. He knows more is needed and a home win over a struggling Fulham side will only help a tad. But, I’m not sure pressure is what Frank should be under. A win could send Spurs back to fourth and they’re in position to qualify for the later stages of the Champions League, that’s not bad going to be honest. I do think Spurs win this one, but it’ll be with a European hangover.

Predicted Result: Spurs 1-0 Fulham

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

The future is now and Palace are the European club, not United. However, with this means that the South London side are playing a lot of football and that’s tough to balance. However, domestic form has been superior to their European form and that’s trouble for Ruben Amorim, especially as United haven’t won at Selhurst Park since 2020. But, both of these teams have only recorded one loss in their previous five fixtures, so this game promises to be a thrilling encounter. Palace find themselves 5th in the table with United back in 10th, but a win for United will send them above the London side, proving how tight the league is.

Oliver Glasner is seemingly saving his best for the Premier League as his European form sees his side down in 18th, just above the disqualification zone. Ruben Amorim had seemingly changed the fortunes of his sleeping giant, but a loss against the ten men of Everton is a real sucker punch. I can certainly see United struggling against Palace.

Predicted Result: Palace 2-1 United

Aston Villa vs Wolves

At one stage in this season, these sides were neighbours in the table and not at the good end of the table. However, since being neighbours, Aston Villa have climbed to fourth in the table. In the time it’s taken them to do that, Wolves have still not won a game. I’m not sure what’s a more incredible feat. But, Unai Emery has transformed Villa back into one of the top sides in the league and they’ve done that with hard work and consistency. Four wins in their last five games is great form and Villa Park has turned into a fortress once again. Wolves now face the daunting prospect of trying to get their first win of the season at Villa Park.

For a team that sit bottom of pretty much every single statistic, the most interesting is that they’ve conceded less goals away from home. But, within that is the fact they’ve scored just once. It’s all gearing towards another three points for Villa, but like I said on the City vs Leeds game, it can be a banana skin of a fixture. In my opinion, no banana skin will be present here and it’ll be another comprehensive victory for Villa.

Predicted Result: Villa 3-0 Wolves

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton

Sean Dyche has turned Forest around and has already lifted them out of the relegation zone. He completed that objective last weekend with a win over Liverpool at Anfield, a huge win. They’ve had no defeats in their last five games in all competitions, which includes two wins in the Premier League. Brighton have also been in decent form, having won two of their last three games. Brighton’s win, last weekend, actually moved them up to 6th in the league which proves their good form. But, they do struggle away from home, having won just once in six attempts.

It’s going to be an interesting encounter and I’m torn between outcomes of this game. Dyche sets his teams up not to lose, but if they can grab a win then they definitely will. He’s got some very exciting players to work with and the win against Liverpool will give them that air of superiority over any opponent. Fabian Hurzeler is tactics driven and will be looking at ways to expose Dyche’s system. I think it will be a case of old school cancelling out a more modern approach.

Predicted Result: Forest 1-1 Brighton

West Ham vs Liverpool

I predicted last weekend that Liverpool would either smash Forest 5-0 or draw 0-0, I can believe that I was wrong, but not in the way I expected. That home defeat for Liverpool is perhaps the worst of the lot, that was until they welcomed PSV to Anfield and suffered a 4-1 loss. To sum up, the Merseyside club have conceded 7 goals in two home games against Nottingham Forest and PSV. Imagine saying that a year ago. West Ham will probably feel a little tingle of excitement that they can actually get something from this fixture, but will be very wary that Liverpool are still Liverpool. Arne Slot’s men have suffered a lot recently, but they’re still a great team and capable of tearing any team to shreds on their day.

Slot will be aware of the mounting pressure, as they now sit below their neighbourhood rivals, Everton, in 12th. However, Nuno Espírito Santo will be quietly confident that his resurgent West Ham side can pile even more pressure on Slot. With only four teams separating them, Nuno will use this fixture as a line in the sand for the West London club, it only gets better from here. Part of me can’t believe that Liverpool have stooped this low, but part of me is also quite worried about them if they suddenly gain momentum. They strike me as a wounded beast, left licking their wounds. I think West Ham can keep them subdued, but I’m not sure how many more teams after this will be able to.

Predicted Result: West Ham 2-2 Liverpool

Arsenal vs Chelsea

To end the weekend will be a top of the table clash between Arsenal and Chelsea. Both of these sides are in form and come in off the back of dismantling big European sides. Arsenal had two weeks to stew on the fact they knew that Spurs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea were awaiting them after the international break. 7 days, 3 big games, 2 down, 1 to go. If Arsenal do secure a win then they’ll move nine points clear of Chelsea. Only Aston Villa and Manchester City can reduce that gap. City down to seven and Villa down to eight. But, you’d think that the pressure is more on Chelsea as Arsenal do still have a three point buffer if they were to lose.

This game is incredibly hard to predict as I can see both these sides winning. I think Arsenal’s physicality could get them over the line as they certainly have that edge over the West London side. However, home atmosphere, coupled with a passionate belief that they’re one of the best sides around is a recipe for a tough evening for Arsenal. Maresca vs Arteta, Rice vs Caicedo, Cucurella vs Saka, Enzo vs Zubimendi. Big battles all over the park.

Predicted Result: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal