Our Premier League GW12 Predictions

As we near yet another international break, the Premier League is starting to hot up before the congested festive period. Here are our predictions ahead of this weekend’s action:

Wolves vs Spurs

Tottenham’s flawless start to the season ended with the north London side tasting defeat against bitter rivals Chelsea on Monday. Despite shipping four goals at home, receiving two yellow cards and losing multiple players to injury the general mood around Spurs has remained extremely positive. Ange Postecoglu won the admiration of many with his unwavering belief in his tactical approach, however it did ultimately prove suicidal, allowing a poor Chelsea side to run up a flattering scoreline.

While most Spurs fans have bought in on Angeball, some more judicious observers were a bit more wary of the ideologue’s all or nothing approach. While against Chelsea it may have almost worked would this same cavalier attitude to game management be applied against Man City or Liverpool per se? With the fairytale over it’s now time for Ange and Spurs to show what they’re made of! 

Wolves suffered a controversial defeat to Sheffield last week and will be eager to bounce back and should be looking at this fixture with optimistic eyes. An early kick off, away from home with key players missing across the board, it sounds like the perfect recipe for Tottenham’s second loss of the season, right? 

Prediction: Wolves 2-2 Spurs

Jesse Williams

Arsenal vs Burnley

After losing their first game of the season, the pressure is on the Gunners to get back to winning ways. After victory in Europe in mid-week, this Arsenal squad will not be as fresh but there is plenty of quality in this team. Players like Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard continue to provide the goals and assists that made the North London club title challengers last season. Declan Rice has been the cherry on top, providing better cover to the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel. However, the goalkeeping situation seems to have worsened with the arrival of David Raya and a top-class CF is the missing key to making Arsenal unstoppable.

The Clarets meanwhile are very desperate, and the pressure is mounting on Vincent Kompany. James Trafford and the Burnley defence are conceding goal after goal and need to find structure and grit to keep out their opponents. The lack of goals up front is also a problem with Jacob Bruun Larsen and Co. needing to step up to the plate. With Lyle Foster taking time out for mental health issues, the Lancashire side will have another reason to play at their best.

Home advantage will be key here, but this won’t be a straightforward victory. Burnley have a lot to play for and will be fresher. However, form and talent are key in football and those are both in the home side’s favour.

Tom Atkinson

Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Burnley

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Both teams will b coming into this fixture in relatively high spirits after Crystal Palace recorded a strong away win against Burnley last time out. Everton meanwhile secured a solid point at home against high flyers Brighton, opening up more of a gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Roy Hodgson and Sean Dyche pride themselves on defensive resilience, and I can see this game becoming a war of attrition. Set pieces can be crucial with the likes of James Tarkowski and Joachim Andersen on the field, and it would not surprise me to see this game settles by a single goal. I’m backing the home side to just sneak this one as they possess a bit more flair in the attacking positions.

Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton

Joe Simpson

Manchester United vs Luton

The situation at Manchester United has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks. Lacklustre football on the field has been exacerbated by trouble off it, both amongst players and the owners at Old Trafford, and it feels as if Erik Ten Hag’s credit with the board is beginning to run dry. It has to be said however that the media hounding of Marcus Rashford after his red card in midweek does seem harsh.

Luton on the other hand should be in fine spirits after a valiant point against Liverpool last weekend. The Hatters have surprised a lot of people with their willingness to battle and should be licking their lips at a potential upset here.

I expect a tense, nervy game for the home side but with Manchester United just prevailing in this one.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Luton

Joe Simpson

Bournemouth vs Newcastle

It really has been one step forward and two steps back for Andoni Iraola since he has taken over at Bournemouth. After finally picking up a first Premier League victory against Burnley a fortnight ago, a trouncing at Manchester City couple with a long term injury to midfield maestro Alex Scott has offered something of a setback.

The return of Eddie Howe to the south coast is always great to get the Vitality Stadium rocking, while Newcastle have their fair share of injury worries. If Bournemouth are to kickstart their season they need to capitalise on opportunities where their opposition have been weakened, but the lack of confidence for the Cherries at the moment might make this one a bridge too far.

Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Newcastle

Joe Simpson

Aston Villa vs Fulham

Following a 2-1 win against AZ in the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa host Fulham in what I imagine will be a tightly contested fixture on Sunday afternoon. Currently sat in 5th, Unai Emery’s side happened to find themselves on the losing end of a 2-0 victory for Nottingham Forest last weekend, a result that was somewhat unexpected.

Fulham also have quality in their side, however haven’t had the best start to the season currently sat in 15th. Marco Silva’s men are certainly capable of achieving a result – however if Villa can showcase their strengths then I think they’ll comfortably win this one.

Score Prediction – Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham

Harvey Marwood

Brighton vs Sheffield United

Brighton host Sheffield on Sunday afternoon following a huge 2-0 away win at Ajax on Thursday evening – momentum they’ll be looking to capitalise on in their 2 o’ clock kickoff. Sheffield only sit with 4 points from 11 games firmly rooted at the bottom of the league – whereas Brighton look to push towards the European slots again, currently in 7th with 18 points.

With loanee Ansu Fati now settling in to the club, his ability and form is something that Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping can continue over this weekend. I imagine this should be a comfortable win for Brighton, however with the Seagulls having only played 3 days ago when it comes to match day, hopefully fatigue doesn’t play a huge part in the game.

Score Prediction: Brighton 2-0 Sheffield United

Harvey Marwood

Liverpool vs Brentford

At Anfield, this Sunday, is an exciting encounter that will provide enthralling football. The Reds were almost undone by Luton last week and were beaten by Toulouse in Europe this week. After these two shock results, the pressure is on Liverpool, in particular their defence which isn’t the most secure. Whoever is partnering Virgil van Dijk. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will have to keep the middle secure, as well as start the attacks. After missing some key chances recently, Darwin Núñez has a lot of expectation to deliver this time out. Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, and last week’s hero Luis Díaz can easily step up to the plate if necessary.

Brentford meanwhile seem red hot in attack and a danger to anyone they face. Winning three on the trot is no mean feat and Mbeumo, Maupay, and Wissa are currently a terrifying trio. Christian Nørgaard and Mathias Jensen are still fantastic in the middle and Nathan Collins has solidified the defence. Mark Flekken is looking a bit better after a shakey start but the Liverpool attack could use this to their advantage.

These two know how to put on a show and it will be a thrilling affair. Liverpool will use recent results to motivate themselves to victory, but I predict a shock. The Bees are looking deadly at the moment and while they’ll concede, I expect a late winner will keep the good times going.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-3 Brentford

Tom Atkinson

West Ham vs Nottingham Forest

After a slump in league form, West Ham got back to winning ways in midweek in the Europa League. Forest meanwhile notched a huge result against Aston Villa at home last time out and Steve Cooper’s men will be looking to build on such a positive performance.

Both these sides possess real dynamism across their forward positions and will be looking to cause their opposing defences trouble. I can see this game being a high scorer with West Ham just edging it, owing to their prowess and aerial ability from set pieces.

Score Prediction: West Ham 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Joe Simpson

Chelsea vs Manchester City

Who would’ve thought winning 4-1 in a London derby would do more reputational damage than good. Well, for anyone watching Chelsea beat Spurs on Monday, the lasting impression the Blue’s left did not match the scoreline. While Tottenham conspired to hand Chelsea the game, Chelsea looked hellbent on not taking up on that generous offer. Understandably Chelsea are a work in progress no doubt but on the evidence shown so far they are a lot further away from the elite than most would’ve thought. Ironically this weekend they line up against another team who have spent £1bn in player recruitment. 

City represent everything Chelsea aren’t. Resourcefulness coupled with coherent strategy which has led to one of the greatest eras of dominance English football has ever seen. There isn’t much to say about City, while everyone else waivers they still have that aura of inevitably about them. One thing I will give the west London side is that under Pochettino they possess a moderately effective game plan for big 6 clashes but the gap in quality between the two this week is far too big. Anyone betting on a Chelsea win will make A LOT of money if that comes through on Sunday.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City

Jesse Williams