Premier League Predictions, Week 11/12

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! The soccer is coming so fast and furious these days in the run-up to the World Cup, that I can't even keep track of all the matches; gameweek 10/11 came and went in the middle of the week, with several matches over Tuesday and Wednesday.

After my bounce-back week two weeks ago, I came crashing back to Earth somewhat this week in my predictions. I'll congratulate myself a little for the correct forecast that Manchester United and Newcastle would draw, and a little less for the obvious pick of Tottenham defeating Everton. But my two other draw predictions did not pan out, as Arsenal and Chelsea ended up winning their matches, and my prediction that Man City would end Liverpool's Anfield unbeaten streak went in the complete opposite direction, with Liverpool winning. As I'm sure you can imagine, though, I did not particularly mind missing that one :)

Still, it all resulted in a 2/5 week, bringing my season total to 18/35, barrrrely hanging out above .500. But hey, the games are just 12 hours away from resuming, so no time for clinging desperately on to hope. Here are your 5 for what is Week 10 for some, Week 11 for others!

Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool

I've been burned by thinking Liverpool had officially turned the corner a few times this season already. But pulling out two thrilling 1-0 victories this week, first unexpectedly over Manchester City on Sunday, and then avoiding a letdown over West Ham on Wednesday, is the most tangible indication that psychologically the Reds have turned this around. Road match and all, early kickoff and all, injuries and all, if Liverpool can't get 3 points against this Nottingham team, I'm not sure the corner-turning is going to happen.

The Pick: Liverpool, 2-0

Manchester City vs. Brighton

Brighton is not the ideal opponent to try to bounce back against from your first league loss of the season. But I don't expect too much of a hangover from Manchester City; they're likely to enter tomorrow's match more angry than demoralized. Besides, the early returns from Brighton in the post-Graham Potter era are not promising. The Gulls have slipped out of Top 4 contention rapidly, and I expect that slide will continue tomorrow.

The Pick: Man City, 4-2

Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Last weekend, Chelsea snagged 3 points while Manchester United had to settle for a draw with Newcastle. Then, just a few days later, the teams swapped, with United scoring a crucial victory over Tottenham whilst Chelsea disappointed against Brentford. Erik Ten Hag has already demonstrated the ability to get his team up for the biggest matches in this young season, and his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo's antics suggests an impressive command of the locker room. But I think Chelsea's talent and home advantage will tilt the scales back somewhat, and the Blues will be able to get at least a point, if not all three.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1

Southampton vs. Arsenal

The good vibes tour continued for Arsenal this week. The Gunners held on to a tight win at Leeds in a match that frankly, they did not necessarily deserve 3 points from, and immediately afterwards, saw their lead at the top of the table widen with Liverpool beating 2nd-place Man City. Southampton's been a bogey team for top opponents in the past, but I don't see this particular iteration of the Saints being good enough to trip up the Arsenal bandwagon.

The Pick: Arsenal, 2-0

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United

Arsenal understandably drew the majority of the attention from Man City's loss to Liverpool, but lost in the discussion was that their North London rivals Tottenham had actually pulled into a tie for 2nd place as a result. That remains true, even with the Spurs' loss at Old Trafford a few days ago, but now they have an incredibly tall task as a Newcastle team that finally seems to be playing up to their potential comes to town. The Magpies are a Fabio Carvalho 98th-minute winner away from being undefeated on the season, and though I think Tottenham are a better side still, that proves they're not afraid of the big moment.

The Pick: Draw, 2-2