After surviving another period of FIFA’s shameless money-grabbing selfishness, we can all return to enjoying normal life. The next international break isn’t until mid-March (praise God), so that means it’s time for the objectively, undisputed, best time of the year: the beginning of run of Holiday fixtures. While leagues can’t be won during this time, they can certainly be lost—and on the opposite end of the spectrum, those fighting for survival may find themselves free-falling hopelessly closer to Championship football. A host of interesting fixtures welcome us back to the league’s resumption, so kick your feet up, grab a pint, and enjoy some Match Week 12 predictions.
Leicester City vs. Chelsea
12:30, Saturday, November 23rd, The King Power
The Foxes return to the King Power to take on the Blues in the half-noon kickoff on Saturday. Steve Cooper’s side have found themselves in a run of poor form as of late, with their last league win coming over a month ago at Saint Mary’s. Leicester currently sit three points above the drop zone, and they will surely be looking to claw any points on offer—specifically in matches played at the KP. On the flip side, Maresca has seemedto have turned Chelsea around 180 degrees from what we saw for large stretches of last season. The never-ending carousel of bodies has been narrowed to a clear first and second XI, and the manager has both sets playing appealing football. A hard-fought draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge prior to the break will have been a boost of confidence to those still unconvinced by the opening 11 matches, and I think that Maresca’s men will continue rolling at the weekend.
Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea
First Goal Scorer: Pedro Neto
Anytime Goal Scorer: Noni Madueke
Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
15:00, Saturday, November 23rd, Vitality Stadium
A clash on the South Coast on Saturday sees a clash of Pep slayers (who would have thought that we’d be saying that 8 weeks ago) in a match that could see Brighton climbing as high as third in the league with a victory. This match is interesting to me, as it’s two sides who have greatly outperformed expectations this season. While we knew that Brighton possessed quality in bunches, the large question mark came in the form of manager Fabian Hurzeler, who thus far has proven that age is indeed just a number, and that Brighton are indeed a good football team. Bournemouth thus far has been a thrill-filled roller coaster of a watch—with notable victories over City and Arsenal at home. While Bournemouth look world-beaters at times, inconsistency does rear its ugly head at others—evidenced by losses to Leicester and, more recently, Brentford prior to the international break. It seems that these performances tend to come away from home, making this match all the moreexciting—and a perfect chance for me to sit on the fence.
Prediction: 2-2
First Goal Scorer: Evanilson
Anytime Goal Scorers: Danny Welbeck, Ryan Christie, Joao Pedro
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest
15:00, Saturday, November 23rd, The Emirates
The Gunners return to action at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon to take on Nuno’s Tricky Trees. While the Trees sendoff before the break started brightly against Newcastle, with Murrillo putting the hosts ahead early doors, the magic that Forest have enjoyed thus far seemed to rapidly fade in the second half. Newcastle hit three past Nuno’s men in quick succession, leaving us all to wonder if the insane run of form that Forest have been on may just be beginning to dip. I can only hope that the answer to this question is a resounding no, as I’d love nothing more than to see them go to the Emirates and take points off Arteta. Arsenal picked up a point at Stamford Bridge prior to the break, with Martinelli drawing first blood in the 60th minute. Thankfully, Neto equalized in the 70th, meaning that we were only subjected to 10 minutes of Arteta’s time-wasting, feigning of injury, and otherwise disgraceful anti-football antics. The two sides currently sit level on points, and while I could see all three results at the conclusion of this one, I’ll stay true to myself and remain firmly planted on my fence.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Chris Wood
Anytime Goal Scorer: Gabriel
Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace
15:00, Saturday, November 23rd, Villa Park
Villa return home on Saturday desperately trying to break the poor run of form that they have found themselves in. The Villanshave lost their last 4 in all competitions, with their last win in the league coming October 19th at home against Fulham. After a strong start, Emery’s men seem to be fading, and the hope will be that the international break will provide a brief period of rejuvenation for the struggling side. This fixture may present the perfect opportunity for Villa to get back on track, as Palace’s struggles have seemed to return after their first win of the year. The Eagles were soundly defeated at Selhurst Park by Fulham prior to the break, and currently sit 17th in the table. While I’m still not convinced that Palace are as poor as they’ve made themselves out to be thus far, I can’t see them getting anything from what will be a rocking Villa Park.
Prediction: 3-1 Villa
First Goal Scorer: JP Mateta
Anytime Goal Scorers: Ollie Watkins (x2), Amadou Onana
Everton vs. Brentford
15:00, Saturday, November 23rd, Goodison Park
Everton played West Ham before the break in what can only be described as one of the worst games of football I’ve ever subjected myself to watch. The game ended nil-nil, and to be frank, I felt disgusted and ashamed of myself at full time that I had watched it in its entirety. I can only hope that Saturday will provide some form of entertainment. Thankfully, due to the presence of Thomas Frank and Brentford, I’m fairly certain that it will be decent viewing—and I know that it can’t possibly be as poor as the match against West Ham was. While Brentford are another side that have been relatively inconsistent, they constantly look a threat going forward, even though the defense may leave something to be desired. As we all know, Everton are usually respectably tough to play at the Old Lady, but for no reason other than a rogue feeling in my gut, I think that Brentford scores early, and holds onto win this game. I’m notoriously poor at predicting the Ev, so be warned: take this with a grain of salt.
Prediction: 1-0 Brentford
Only Goal Scorer: Bryan Mbuemo
Fulham vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
15:00, Saturday, November 23rd, Craven Cottage
Wolves travel to London to take on high-flying Harry Wilson and the Cottagers. The Welshman has scored three times in Fulham’s last two league games—both of which after being brought on as a late substitute, and both of which Fulham won as a result. Gary O’Neil and Wolves managed to pick up their first victory of the campaign leading into the international break following a 2-nil win over (guess who, no, not Spurs) Southampton. Wolves have managed to claw themselves from dead bottom all the way to 19th following 3 consecutive league games without a defeat, and while it’s been nothing short of a nightmarish start for the side from the Black Country, hope remains that it can be turned around. Much like Palace, I think that this Wolves side does have much more to offer than we have seen thus far, but to make up for ground lost in the opening two months, games such as these will be seen as imperative to come away with something—and continue the climb out of the relegation zone—I think they just may continue to scrape their way back this weekend.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Mattheus Cunha
Anytime Goal Scorer: Rodrigo Muniz
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
17:30, Saturday, November 23rd, The Etihad
For the first time with Pep in charge, City have lost four games straight. Unfortunately for the rest of us, only two of those have been in the league. It must be said that the blue side of Manchester has been decimated by injury in recent weeks; however, given City’s standard of performance over the last seven years, I’m kind of shocked that it’s had such a noticeable effect. In recent weeks, they haven’t shown the systematic, robotic ruthlessness that we’ve become so accustomed to, and while it’s been glorious while it’s lasted—and I hope that it lasts forever—it’s the hope that kills you. I fully expect to see City back to their best at some point in the near future, and it will indeed be a sad day for everyone else when these days return. Spurs, for the second time in three weeks, gifted a winless side their first victory in the league, falling at home to Ipswich prior to the break. While this may be seen as a major cause for concern going into a game at the Etihad, given Spurs’ extremely erratic nature, this result actually fills me with more confidence in Spurs getting a result at the weekend. Big Ange’s side has recently encountered injury struggles of their own, with Micky Van De Ven and Cristian Romero both a doubt for Saturday’s clash, and if the two central defenders are indeed sidelined, the false confidence that I just mentioned immediately evaporates. Here’s to hope.
Prediction: 2-2
First Goal Scorer: Sonny
Anytime Goal Scorers: Erling Haaland (x2), Dejan Kulusevski
Southampton vs. Liverpool
14:00, Sunday, November 24th, Saint Mary’s
Arne Slot’s Reds travel to the South Coast for the Sunday afternoon kickoff. The ultimate irony would be us dropping points after I’ve incessantly shit on Southampton for the first three months of the season, but come on, surely not. A few early goals and a stress-free Sunday afternoon would do nicely, but I’m sure that it will not be so straightforward—we rarely make it straightforward. The Saints have had two weeks to lick their wounds following the beating they’ve taken over the first 11 games, and I’m sure that Russell Martin will have a trick or two up his sleeve come Sunday. Luckily for us, I don’t think that it will be anything that we can’t cope with.
Prediction: 3-0 Liverpool
First Goal Scorer: Mohammed Salah
Anytime Goal Scorers: Virgil Van Dijk, Luis Diaz
Ipswich Town vs. Manchester United
14:30, Sunday, November 24th, Portman Road
Now that Erik Ten Hag’s memory has been erased, it’s time for me to start my campaign of disdain towards United’s new boss, Ruben Amorim. The man who was essentially rejected by West Ham in favor of Julen Lopetegui has finally found his way to the Premier League; let the circus commence. United supporters would be thrilled with Sporting Lisbon’s 4-1 thrashing of City in the Champions League several weeks ago; however, Sporting Lisbon has a host of class footballers, something that United lack in abundance. I can only hope that Amorim shares the same fate as the ever-growing list of post-Fergie bosses—and for fun, I’ll list them all: Moyes, Giggs, LVG, Mourinho, Ole, Carrick, Ragnick, Ten Hag, Van Nistelrooy, and now Amorim—take a big ole swig of that poisoned chalice, my friend. Ipswich went to Spurs and won two weekends ago, so why not give Amorim a taste of what life will be like until he’s inevitably sacked at some point in the next 24 months.
Prediction: 1-0 Ipswich
Only Goal Scorer: Liam Delap
Newcastle United vs. West Ham United
20:00, Monday, November 25th, St. James’ Park
The Toon take on the Irons in the Monday evening kickoff. Eddie Howe’s side did the unthinkable by going to the City Ground and trouncing Nuno’s immovable Forest prior to the break, on the back of defeating Arsenal at St. James’ Park the weekend before. It seems that, for all intents and purposes, there is once again life on Tyneside. West Ham participated in one of the worst football games I’ve ever had the displeasure of watching two weekends ago against Everton, and to be completely honest, this follows a trend of nearly every Irons game that I’ve watched this season (apart from the one that got Ten Hag sacked). Dreary, bleak, dull football— ironically resembling the London Stadium in many ways; and that’s being as positive as I can be.
Prediction: 3-0 Newcastle
First Goal Scorer: Alexander Isak (x2)
Anytime Goal Scorer: Anthony Gordon
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