Premier League Predictions Column – Gameweek 16

Saturday 12 November

Manchester City v Brentford (12:30, BT Sport)

City haven’t been convincing in any of their last 3 games, but they’ve found a way to win all 3. Against Fulham they were dominant even with 10 men, but did need a Erling Haaland 96^th minute penalty to finally take 3 points and keep up with the Gunners.

I don’t think it’ll be this close this time.

Brentford are very much an on/off team. They’re coming off 3 draws in their last 4 games, without a win since almost a month ago. Their away form hasn’t been great, and they’re yet to win away all season, although they looked like they would rectify that against Nottingham Forest, until a 96^th minute own goal handed Forest a point. I don’t think they’ll improve here, although they’ll give it a good go, and they’re always fun to watch.

Prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Brentford

West Ham v Leicester City (15:00)

This is a tricky one to call. West Ham’s form of late hasn’t been great, but they’ve been playing relatively well. Jarrod Bowen’s poor form has seen him miss out on the World Cup, and he’ll come here today with a point to prove. Leicester have turned their form around from the beginning of the season, with 3 wins in their last 4, and are now above West Ham in the table, however even though Wout Faes has transformed their defence, there are still some holes. On the face of it, Leicester should take it but I’m actually going to go for David Moyes’ side to take this at home.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United (15:00)

Both these sides lost in midweek, however both were playing with rotated squads, so that can’t really be considered. Tottenham under Antonio Conte are a very interesting team. For some reason they just can’t seem to turn up in the first half. Leeds under Marsch look energised, and Marsch has done a great job with players like Crysencio Summerville. I really like the way Leeds play football, and they have performed in the big games this season, from beating Chelsea to a win at Anfield to probably deserving to beat league leaders Arsenal. Dejan Kulusevski is back for Spurs, which will be a big boost for them. This match will go one of two ways. Either Spurs will come out and absolutely smash Leeds, or Leeds will come out firing and score a few in the first half. The atmosphere in the Tottenham Hotspur stadium could turn very toxic. Conte’s football isn’t good but it gets results, until it doesn’t….

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Leeds United

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace (15:00)

Crystal Palace under Vieira seem to have the knack of not getting results when they play well, and getting results when they don’t. I really like the Palace attack of Eze, Zaha and Olise, and it’s been successful for them so far this season. Nottingham Forest are a weird team. They deserved their point last week, on the balance of play, and a 2-0 win over Spurs in the Carabao Cup will help them, but they are bottom of the table, and that’s what counts. I have a feeling that they’ll get something here, though. The City Ground will be roaring.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Southampton (15:00)

How Southampton ended up losing 4-1 against Newcastle United is beyond me, when they dominated much of the game. I’m not sure about the decision to sack Hassenhuttl. He had been a faithful servant of the club for many years, and had kept them in the Premier League. I think the appointment of Nathan Jones shows ambition, but he won’t have had long to work with his squad for this one. This is a tough first game. If Hassenhuttl was still in charge, I’d say they would lose 9-0, but I think the new manager bounce will mean it won’t be quite as bad this time.

As for Liverpool, I think they need to head into the World Cup break strong here. They are in a good position in the Champions League, but they are on/off in the Premier League, which isn’t good enough when you’re challenging for top 4. I think Klopp’s reign is coming to an end, and it could well end with a defeat in the Champions League to Real Madrid in February.

Prediction: Liverpool 8-0 Southampton

Bournemouth v Everton (15:00)

These sides met in midweek, and Bournemouth were 4-1 victors on that day. Although Bournemouth are struggling for league form, with 4 losses on the bounce, and have developed a habit of throwing away leads, they aren’t actually playing too badly. Everton, on the other hand, have struggled to impress this season. I like what Lampard has done to their midfield and defence, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out injured, and they desperately need him back. Bournemouth, on the other hand, I think will go down, especially if they don’t get reinforcements in January, but the job Garry O’Neill is doing is amazing. I am stunned that they aren’t giving him the permanent job. I hope he has success at Luton, where he is likely to go. I think it’ll be a great last hurrah here.

Prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 Everton

Newcastle United v Chelsea (17:30, Sky Sports)

This game will be another key marker of how far Newcastle United have come. At the moment they’re 6 points clear of Chelsea in the table, and everyone is firing. Kieran Trippier so far this season is a player of the year candidate, and Miguel Almiron is on his richest ever run of form. Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton are all having great seasons as well. Eddie Howe has done a supreme job with this squad, who look like strong top 4 challengers. If they strengthen in the right areas in January, the 3^rd place could be theirs to take. This game, at St James Park, will be very important for them.

On the other hand, Chelsea seem tactically clueless under Graham Potter. Playing Sterling and Pulisic as wingbacks is a novel idea, which does not appear to have worked in the Premier League, as well as it has in the Champions League. For all the publicity about Liverpool’s terrible start to the season, they’re only 2 points behind Chelsea, who could start this game as low as 9^th in the table if Liverpool and Crystal Palace win.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 Chelsea

Wolves v Arsenal (19:45, Sky Sports)

Arsenal have been simply fantastic this season. Gabriel Jesus has completely revolutionised their attack, and their wingers, Martinelli and Saka, are flying. Wolves finally have a new manager in Julian Lopetegui, but he won’t be in charge here. Arsenal will want to finish on a high, and I think they will.

Prediction: Wolves 0-3 Arsenal

Sunday 13th November

Brighton v Aston Villa (14:00, Sky Sports)

This is a hard one to call. I really like what Roberto Di Zerbi has done at Brighton, and their attack is always dangerous. Kaoru Mitoma looks like some player, and I’m excited to watch him for Japan at the world cup. Villa got a great win over Manchester United last week, and the Emery Era started with a bang. I think they’ll get something here, too. Their defence might not be too strong, but their attack can certainly score goals.

Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Aston Villa

Fulham v Manchester United (16:30, Sky Sports)

Fulham will be without their talisman Aleksandr Mitrovic for this one, and Carlos Vinicius has struggled to fill his void. Manchester United looked tired against Aston Villa, and will be disappointed to have drawn Barcelona in the Europa League. The break can’t come soon enough for them, and I think they’ll struggle again here.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Article Writer - LexaNews Journalist