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Before we go into the Premier League predictions for the weekend, I just want to talk about Liverpool. I can't believe what I'm seeing from them now. Nine losses in the last 12 games, nobody saw this coming! I don't know if you remember, but after the Community Shield, I said Liverpool could struggle at the back. I'm not saying I predicted this run but I knew there was a problem.
With all due respect to PSV, this was the perfect game for Liverpool to bounce back before a relatively good run of upcoming fixtures in the Premier League. Now they've fallen off the track and it may even be impossible to catch Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's men have a huge fixture coming up at Stamford Bridge and without further ado, let us dive straight into predictions for gameweek 12 in the Premier League.
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Brentford vs Burnley
This is a huge game for both teams. If Brentford win, they will be nine points ahead of Burnley. But if they lose at home, there will just be three points between these two teams! So whoever loses this game, you'd be worried for them.
Brentford have the fifth-best record at home. in the Premier League this season. I don't think Burnley can challenge them in this game. I'm going for a comfortable win to the hosts, which will drag Burnley further deep into the battle to avoid relegation.
Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Burnley
Sunderland vs Bournemouth
Sunderland were very competitive in that 1-0 loss to Fulham last weekend. But losing a game is never a good result, especially considering the kind of start they have enjoyed since returning to the top-flight this season. This is a dangerous game for Sunderland because Bournemouth are fresh off the back of a comeback, where they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against West Ham.
If you look at the table now, Sunderland are eight points clear of the relegation zone. Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle are all below them! Who would've thought that at the start of the season? The problem for Sunderland is that they face Liverpool, Manchester City (twice), Newcastle and Tottenham in their next six games after this weekend. If they get beat here against Bournemouth, fortunes can change quickly for them with such a tricky run ahead.
I have a feeling that the Bournemouth that turned up for the second half against West Ham will turn up once again and beat Sunderland in this game.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Leeds United
I couldn't work out Manchester City's team selection the other day. This is not the City of five or six years ago, when they had two £60 million-worth players for each position. I would have been fine with City making so many changes in the loss to Leverkusen if they were facing Arsenal or Liverpool at the weekend. But they're facing Leeds United!
Talking about Leeds, I really worry for them this season. Five losses in the last six games and they are not an exciting team. When they were in the Championship, they had the X-factor in Dan James. That's not the case anymore because James is the type of player who is too good for the Championship but not up to the mark in the Premier League!
Leeds have been poor away from home and they have a really tough run of fixtures coming up with games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of seven days! Nothing but a comfortable win for City.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Leeds United
Everton vs Newcastle United
I don't know what's up with Newcastle. They play like they did against Manchester City and in the next game they lose to Marseille, despite taking the lead! Newcastle's away form in the Premier League has been quite poor and they next face Everton on Merseyside. This is a tough game coming up for Newcastle, no doubt about it.
Everton were outstanding against Manchester United. I know United produced a rotten display, but you have to tip your hat to Everton for scoring with 10 men and securing that win away from home. David Moyes won't be too worried about the Idrissa Gueye incident with Michael Keane, which led to the midfielder's red card. As a manager, you secretly want that fight between players. When I was playing, these fights used to happen in every training session! If I were a manager, I wouldn't mind my players pushing each other like that.
But it was still the right decision to send Gueye off. These players are huge role models to kids across the world. If he walked away without any punishment, then kids would start doing the same in their games on Sunday mornings. That's why it was important to set an example by taking action against Gueye.
Everton look like a much-improved side and don't sit back and play defensive football anymore. Newcastle have won just one game away from home this season and I don't know how I can back them in this game.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham
Tottenham are a nightmare to predict! I thought they were blown away by Arsenal last weekend, it was just embarrassing. That was Tottenham's biggest game of the season. I know Arsenal are the better team but that doesn't mean you can't make it hard for them. Fans would have wanted Tottenham players to run through brick walls in this game but that didn't happen. Spurs made it a walk in the park for Arsenal and even if they beat Fulham 16-0, it won't make up for that derby loss!
Even against PSG in the Champions League, Tottenham took the lead twice and still lost 5-3. If they have a go at opponents, they score three goals and end up conceding five in return. If they hold back, they lose 4-1 like against Arsenal. Spurs are not able to find the right balance and that is a worrying thing.
Tottenham have been poor at home and they are very panicky when they are expected to go and win a game of football. This is one such game against Fulham and I don't expect them to win.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Fulham
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Manchester United were shocking last week. Everton went down to 10 men and still scored to win that game at Old Trafford. That was a really poor performance from Ruben Amorim's team. If United are looking for a new manager, then they must be keeping an eye on Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner. He plays the same system as Amorim. The only difference is that while Glasner has the players to deploy that system, Amorim doesn't and is being too stubborn about not playing any other way!
When United went and got Amorim, they brought him in for the way his Sporting team played. He has been there for a year now and you would think they have had enough time to adapt. But unfortunately, Manchester United are far from being consistent. I think they will lose again.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester United
West Ham United vs Liverpool
This is just unbelievable because I should really be saying Liverpool, yet I'm not so sure now! Trying to make a case for West Ham but they aren't great either. I have a feeling West Ham could win by the odd goal or Liverpool might win 3-0 or even 4-0! There's no in between in this fixture!
If Liverpool had scored first against Nottingham Forest, they would have won that game easily. West Ham score first here and Liverpool could crumble again like last weekend. This is literally a first goal wins game in my opinion.
When Liverpool were at their best, they used to press so high. They don't do that anymore. I saw Salah last night and for one of the PSV goals, someone just skipped past him and he was still walking back. That would have never happened two or three years ago.
We're at the end of November and I don't think Arne Slot knows his best team yet. He has to figure that out quickly. When he brought all these players, he must have had a vision in mind. It is time to deliver now. I believe Slot should be given time though. You can't win the league every year. It's not like he's entitled to win the league just because he won it last time around.
I don't want to use this as an excuse, but we should also take into consideration what happened with Diogo Jota. I just feel that must have had a big effect on these players. When you see someone like Virgil van Dijk struggling, you start to think if the problem is more than just football!
Like I said before, whoever scores first, the referee can just blow the whistle and call them winners! Backing Liverpool since they have the better players all over the pitch.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa vs Wolves
I don't think Wolves can win this weekend. It looks like Derby County's record for lowest points will be under threat from Wolves this season. Aston Villa are flying in the league, they are up to fourth now. After first five gameweeks, I still remember, Villa were in the relegation zone. Got to give them credit for this revival.
If you look at Wolves' results, they have lost to all three promoted teams. The upcoming run of fixtures don't look easy for them either. Before you know it, Wolves could be dead and buried in this relegation battle.
I can't give Wolves a chance here, it feels like too much for them. Comfortable win for Villa.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Wolves
Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion
This will be a really good game. Brighton produced a good comeback win last weekend even though they were a bit fortunate that Igor Thiago's penalty was a bit soft. I just think Nottingham Forest are turning a corner now. They rode their luck at Anfield but you have to do that at places like Liverpool.
Once Forest were 1-0 up, they just steamrolled Liverpool and I expect that to continue here. Brighton will score in this game, but Forest to snatch the win.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea vs Arsenal
If Arsenal win, the title race is over! I expect Manchester City to win this weekend, but even then, a win for Arsenal puts everything to bed. I saw Chelsea against Barcelona and they completely blew Hansi Flick's team away even before the red card to Ronald Araujo. Arsenal also beat Bayern Munich quite comfortably, with their second half performance being mind-blowing!
I don't think Enzo Maresca needs to win this game. His objective is to finish in the top four and have a cup run this season. If Chelsea win this game, they automatically become title contenders. Then the expectations from this team changes and I'm not sure it will suit them. We saw how Chelsea were front-runners around December last season and they suddenly fell off.
So can Chelsea beat Arsenal? I don't think so. I'm a Chelsea fan and I watch this team all the time. I just don't think Arsenal will lose this game. Chelsea have a very young team and are always up and down in terms of result. I don't believe Chelsea have the experience to win a league title just yet.
This game will also witness the battle of Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice, two of the best midfielders in the world. I can't wait to watch that battle! It will also be interesting to see what team Maresca will play. Could he be tempted into using a false nine like he did against Barcelona? Arsenal are better at the back, but I just think Chelsea can get a point.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
