With no international football to puncture domestic schedules until a set of March friendlies, the Premier League will be the focus of English football fans for the considerable future.
This weekend kicks off a frantic spell of matches for those involved in the competition too, with a flurry of fixtures packed in to the festive schedule and before the end of 2017. It’s the part of the campaign in which teams will typically determine what they’ll be competing for come the end of the term.
So starting this segment well is important and after the international break, there should be 20 teams itching to get out of the traps. That’s especially pertinent in the case of a derby match, something Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will fling themselves into on Saturday.
Read on for a line on the Week 12 fixtures and a prediction for all 10 games to come from English football’s top flight. Predictions are in bold, odds and bookmaker in italics.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
If you asked an Arsenal supporter if they held any real concerns about Tottenham’s recent rise, they’d most likely answer “no” somewhat brazenly. But there’ll be fears simmering.
Spurs head to the Emirates Stadium as the dominant force in north London and at this point in time, the side who look more likely to challenge for major honours. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have beaten Real Madrid, finished second in the Premier League last term and have the personnel to take apart any side in Europe.
What they don’t have yet is the killer mentality of champions. It’s why they haven’t got over the line in pursuit of silverware under Pochettino yet and why their record away from home against the rest of the division’s top six has been underwhelming. You sense three points here would embolden them going forward.
Arsenal won’t be doing anything to help their rivals along their way, though, and they have a perfect home record to protect in the Premier League this season.
Additionally, while the Gunners have been a little inconsistent for much of the season, they have the chance to propel themselves up into the top-four battle. They’d be a point behind Tottenham with a win in the north-London derby.
It’ll be intriguing to see how Arsene Wenger sets his side up for this one, especially after how poorly his side defended against Manchester City last time out. These matches are typically open affairs, though, and with the attacking talent on display here it’s tough to see this one being any different. 2-2 (13.50 in some green listed bookmakers)
Leicester City vs. Manchester City
Leicester supporters on their way to the King Power Stadium on Saturday will be thinking “Manchester City’s incredible run has to stop at some point, doesn’t it? Why can’t we be the team to end it?”
Why not indeed. After all, the Foxes appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks under Michael Appleton and now Claude Puel. Plus, in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Leicester have the counter-attacking tools to exploit a City side that’s going to boss a lot of the ball on Saturday.
Still, Leicester remain massive underdogs against the league leaders and based on their composed display in the 3-1 win over Arsenal in their previous Premier League match, they aren’t slowing down any time soon.
In that encounter, somewhat ominously, there was a feeling as though City had gears to go through too. Having gone two goals ahead, an Alexandre Lacazette strike threatened to make the game a contest. At least until Pep Guardiola’s side quickly stepped things up again to restore their two-goal advantage.
At the moment it’s so difficult to bet against the sky-blue juggernaut, as they are finding it so straightforward to pick their way through Premier League defences.
If Sergio Aguero isn’t on form, Gabriel Jesus will find a way through. If Leroy Sane has an off day out wide, Raheem Sterling can do damage on the other flank. And in Kevin De Bruyne, at the moment City have the finest player in the division on their books. Factor in the extra robustness they’ve shown in defence this term and they’re looking like the complete package.
Leicester have the players to cause trouble for Guardiola’s side when they can escape forward. But City’s relentless pressure will see them to victory. 1-3 (11.25 10Bet)
West Bromwich Albion vs. Chelsea
After some shrewd signings in the summer, West Brom started the Premier League season with a real sense of positivity. That was further fuelled by a couple of wins from their first two matches.
But they’ve yet to win in the top flight since, with four draws and five defeats following. Tony Pulis may well be a manager that many believe ensures a side stays in the top flight, though the Baggies currently sit in 16th in the table and supporters are beginning to get a little nervous about what awaits the team this season.
The combativeness and organisation that West Brom have typically operated with under the Welshman has been noticeably scarce this term. And for a manger that’s been so strict in his principles, finding another way to win feels like a difficult ask.
Chelsea will be hopeful of taking advantage of that and finally building some consistency in a campaign that’s seen major oscillations in form. The Blues have been way short of the standards they set a year ago, but the 1-0 win over Manchester United proved there are still facets of this Chelsea team to fear.
Based on the pace City have set out in front, manager Antonio Conte will also be aware that his side don’t have much room for error either, even at this early point in the campaign. It means that while West Brom can often be a tough place to go, this is very much a must-win.
With some key players returning, Alvaro Morata back in form and confidence high after beating the Red Devils, they’ll do just enough. 0-1 (6.00 William Hill)
Bournemouth vs. Huddersfield Town
After winning in the last minute at Newcastle last time out, Bournemouth will be hoping to kick on with a winnable game at the Vitality Stadium. Huddersfield were also winners in the last match before the break, overcoming West Brom at home. This one feels like an encounter in which home-ground advantage will hold the key. 2-1 (8.50 William Hill)
Burnley vs. Swansea City
Burnley will be confident of extending their incredible start to the season with three points at home to a struggling Swansea side. Sean Dyche remains in charge despite some speculation linking him with a move to Everton and the Clarets appear to have a group that will remain focused despite the links. 1-0 (6.00 Betfair)
Crystal Palace vs. Everton
Despite losing to Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago, there’s a sense things are starting to click into gear at Palace under Roy Hodgson and Selhurst Park will be abuzz with anticipation for the visit of the Toffees. Everton battled to a dramatic win against Watford last time out and should be confident here as a result. This seems to have draw written all over it. 1-1 (6.50 William Hill)
Liverpool vs. Southampton
Liverpool enjoyed a big upturn in form ahead of the international break, winning three games in the space of six days. With Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana all set to be fit, they have an array of different ways in which they can approach the challenge posed by Saints; the visitors, who are struggling in front of goal, will have little to offer in return. 2-0 (7.50 William Hill)
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United
Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez went through a stint where their sides met regularly, and the rivalry between the two simmered. But this will be the first time in 11 years they’ve set up teams against one another. While the Red Devils have lost two of their last three in the Premier League, Newcastle have fallen into a rut and don’t have the firepower to trouble United. 2-0 (6.00 William Hill)
Watford vs. West Ham United
David Moyes begins his controversial tenure in charge of West Ham up against a Watford side in danger of losing their early-season momentum. Marco Silva has also reportedly been approached by Everton and after seeing his side surrender a two-goal lead to the Toffees it’ll be interesting to see how they respond. An even game looks to be on the cards here. 1-1 (8.50 10Bet)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Stoke City
Having been written off by plenty after a slow beginning to the season, Brighton are beginning to look increasingly at home at this level, with a win at Swansea their latest impressive result. Stoke remain an unknown quantity, but have improved in their last two matches. It’s easy to see this one being tight and neither side really pushing hard for a win late on. 1-1 (6.50 William Hill)
Calculators
