Our Premier League GW13 Predictions

Another international break is over, which means the Premier League is back for the famously busy festive period. Here are our predictions ahead of another huge round of upcoming games:

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Having a game of this magnitude kicking off proceedings after the international break should give us some drama. City were stopped in their tracks by a late Cole Palmer penalty last time out against Chelsea, whilst Liverpool have been quietly establishing themselves as a title threat.

Jurgen Klopp’s team has undergone a lot of personnel changes in a relatively short space of time, but are starting to find their groove especially in the middle of the park. However, with Andy Robertson out, I expect City to target the wide areas to try and get some joy in behind. 

If this tie was later on in the season I would predict a City win but at this early stage they do still look mortal, and I believe the spoils will be shared.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool

Joe Simpson

Burnley vs West Ham

Sitting firmly rooted at the bottom of the table, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have attained just 4 points from their opening 12 games in this Premier League season. This afternoons 3pm kick off sees the Hammere’ take a trip to Turf Moor to try and capitalise if their bad form, and continue their decent run so far this season.

Sat in 9th with 17th points, David Moyes’ side have lacked consistency this season but have played some great, great football. The combination of European football and the league can be somewhat draining for the players, with the schedules causing fatigue easily. However, off the back of an international break, this fixture could be fair game in terms of squad fitness. Based on the fact that more West Ham have had slightly more players find themselves in the International teams during the break, I’m backing Burnley to produce a strong performance here, and do their upmost to spoil West Ham from climbing up the table into the European positions again.

Score Prediction : Burnley 1-1 West Ham

Harvey Marwood

Luton vs Crystal Palace

This Saturday afternoon kick-off could provide an interesting tie. Luton were expected by many to go down due to their lack of squad depth and Premier League talent, but they find themselves still in the fight. After a draw with Liverpool and a narrow defeat to Manchester United, they have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the established names. However, they lack goalscorers, and no clean sheets this season are telling. This team are fighters, but the likes of Andros Townsend, Ross Barkley, and others with experience need to step up.

Palace meanwhile are having a typically average season. While they have the likes of Eberechi Eze to blow teams apart and Odsonne Édouard to bang home the goals, that defence is lacking. Despite having England international Marc Guéhi at the back, they looked very static against Everton, which cost them the three points. I’m also not entirely convinced by Sam Johnstone, who I still wonder why he gets in the England squad ahead of others. The Eagles will be hoping the return of James Tomkins will sure up the back line.

This will be a gritty game and probably not pretty to watch, but I expect Palace to come through. There is just too much quality in that team, and while the Hatters won’t make it easy, the away side will get the job done.

Score Prediction: Luton 1-2 Crystal Palace

Tom Atkinson

Newcastle vs Chelsea

If there’s any team coming back from the break with serious optimism it’s Chelsea FC. Their display in their 4-4 thriller at home to Manchester City certainly put the league on high alert. However, the cliche that you’re only as good as your last game feels pertinent and by 5pm UK time on Saturday that same optimism could have been completely eroded.

Personally the City game didn’t feel like a page turned on Chelsea’s goal scoring woes but rather an outlier. The Blues however have shown a particular capacity to match teams that like to go balls to the wall and no other team does that as well as Newcastle. 

Newcastle themselves will be looking to make a statement heading into the break with back to back defeats. Injuries have not been kind to Eddie Howe and his side who are in a precarious position in their Champions League group, and if they want to make a second go of the competition next year, taking points from fellow Champions League hopefuls is the way to go. 

Score Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea

Jesse Williams

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton

While disruptive, international breaks can also serve as a good reset point for teams struggling with form. That certainly applies to Brighton who have failed to win a single prem game in over a month. Injuries have plagued Brighton especially in defence, so there is a level of sympathy I feel for them but their run of form is simply unacceptable. It also feels a bit like the Brighton of the past who struggled to convert chances has returned. 

While they still remain a team to admire, De Zerbi is in desperate need of three points this weekend. Forest away is no easy fixture with the home team possessing a host of threats but the Seagulls can’t leave The City Ground with anything other than a win.

Score Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Brighton

Jesse Williams

Sheffield United v Bournemouth

Bramall Lane hosts a crucial game for both sides at the end of the table. Sheffield United have largely unimpressed this season, with many tipping them to be one of the worst Premier League sides in history. They have had a positive turn in form with a win over Wolves and a draw against Brighton, but they have not been convincing. Brighton cut their defence open time and time again, and even after the red card, the Blades did not take advantage of the chances presented to them. Wes Foderingham looks decent in goal, but there is very little to shout about in Sheffield right now.

Meanwhile, on the coast, Andoni Iraola is starting to get Bournemouth going. After that absolute battering by Manchester City they comfortably swept aside a very good Newcastle team. Dominic Solanke is looking hot again, and he will be crucial to their success. The likes of Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier are also dangerous on the wings, with Luis Sinisterra also available to bring off the bench. I am still not entirely convinced by Bournemouth’s defence who do concede a lot, but Neto is very good in net and the return of Philip Billing will sure up the midfield.

The team from Yorkshire has had a decent couple of games, but that run ends on Saturday. They lack any real quality going forward or defensively and this Cherries side will eat their defence alive. Without any real attacking quality, even the potential return of Oli McBurnie shouldn’t cause the away side too much worry.

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 0-3 Bournemouth

Tom Atkinson

Brentford vs Arsenal

Arsenal visit Brentford this Saturday evening in a 5:30 kick off at the Gtech Community Stadium – a game which will not be smooth sailing for either side.

On paper, the majority of people will look to Arsenal to take all three points here with ease. Just 2 points off the top spot, Mikel Arteta’s side have been one of the most consistent performing teams this season. However, Thomas Frank’s Brentford are no stranger to an upset in the league. Having only beat them 1-0 in the cup earlier this season, Arsenal are fully aware that Brentford are a tough side to break down.

Being extra critical of Arsenal, on occasion they sometimes lack a cutting edge in the final third and have found themselves behind chasing a game, albeit showing great morale to turn the game around late on. I fear that if Brentford take the lead at the Gtech tonight however, the home advantage will lift them to causing yet another upset in the league.

Score Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Arsenal

Harvey Marwood

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

Ange Postecoglou was brought back down to earth with a bump after a late flurry of goals from Wolves saw Spurs slump to back to back losses. Injuries of course have played a part, but the front foot style of the Australian has left Tottenham exposed at times.

Aston Villa may be the perfect team to exploit this. The pace of Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins, as well as Leon Bailey can see them expose the high line of Spurs and get some joy bearing down on goal. Both teams seem evenly matched and I expect this fixture to be one of the most entertaining this weekend.

Score Prediction: Spurs 2-3 Aston Villa

Joe Simpson

Everton vs Manchester United

Sean Dyche would have been reasonably happy with his start to the season before Everton’s points deduction, which has left them languishing at the bottom of the table.  Despite this, many believe this season is the best time to take this penalty given the poor quality of the teams at the bottom.

Manchester United continue to be in a constant state of flux, with countless injury worries and rumours of a rift between Raphael Varane and Erik Ten Hag. An uninspiring start to the season has left the side with a job to do in terms of securing Champions League football. 

Given the feeling on Merseyside regarding the points deduction, it is fair to expect a raucous atmosphere at Goodison Park which I think will work in Everton’s favour. I think Sean Dyche’s underdog mentality will power the Toffees to a famous win.

Score Prediction: Everton 2-1 Manchester United

Joe Simpson

Fulham vs Wolves

Fulham can count themselves lucky that the promoted teams in the Premier League this season are so poor. Marco Silva’s men have failed to impress and in any other season would find themselves in a relegation scrap.

Gary O’Neil has made a strong start to his Wolves career and will be looking to build on that going into the Christmas period. If there is one thing he’d like to add it would probably be a reliable goalscorer, something both these sides are lacking.

Under the lights at Craven Cottage, Fulham will be hoping to kickstart their season. At this stage however I do think Wolves have more quality and should be able to take something from this game.

Score Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Joe Simpson