Premier League Predictions, Week 12

© Micah Veldkamp, 2025

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Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! It was a long meander through the wilderness, but we finally made it through the last international break until March!! Which means, apart from the World Cup draw in a couple weeks, we've got only domestic league (and Champions League) action to focus on all through the holiday season and first few months of 2026.

But, given how exciting this most recent break was and how bad the last Premier League weekend was, maybe I should be striking a less celebratory tone :( As if it wasn't bad enough that my beloved Liverpool went back to their losing ways (and once again were on the short end of an officiating disasterclass), I also pitched my worst week of predictions in some time. Ironically, that Manchester City win over Liverpool helped salvage my results, as did Aston VIlla's emphatic victory over Bournemouth. Those at least gave me 2 right, after I started my weekend by striking out on three draws by Tottenham, Arsenal and Crystal Palace, rather than wins. That 2/5 week sinks my total thus far to 29/40, a season average that's quickly turning back downward.

But, the matches are less than 12 hours from kicking back off, so let's not waste any more time trying to once again right the ship. Here are your 5 for Week 12!

Burnley vs. Chelsea

Burnley have done an admirable job keeping their head above water, but they're only out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone. Chelsea were much better in back-to-back weeks and seem to be rounding into the form most everyone thought they were capable of prior to the season. Never easy to return from the international break with an early kickoff on the road (just ask Liverpool), but Chelsea takes this one.

The Pick: Chelsea, 2-0

Fulham vs. Sunderland

Sunderland pushed their unbeaten streak out to 4 with the impressive draw vs. Arsenal, but it has now been barely a month since their last league win. A struggling Fulham the perfect opportunity for the Black Cats to right the ship, and I imagine they'll do just that.

The Pick: Sunderland, 1-0

Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest

Nottingham have been dismal this season but finally got a big win right before the International Break. Liverpool got a 3-0 drubbing, and came out of the break with their first injury crisis of the year. Yet, through pure sheer will power and perhaps delusion, I remain optimistic about Liverpool's future, at least enough to think they will win this one in front of a partisan crowd. Which, based off my read of them this season, means they probably won't do it, but oh well.

The Pick: Liverpool, 2-1

Newcastle United vs. Manchester City

The battle between two of the wealthiest clubs in the world has been an oft-entertaining affair the last few seasons. I expect no different this time, even if the circumstances are different: Manchester City's big win over Liverpool put them back squarely in the title conversation and Newcastle have struggled to even stay in the top half of the table. The new-look Magpies have had their extended stretches of good play, though, both in the league and Champions League, and have been a stern test for the biggest of big boys yet again. But, just as it was in last-minute losses to Arsenal and Liverpool, I expect Newcastle's hearts to be broken late by a good, title-chasing Man City team.

The Pick: Man City, 2-1

Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Most of the significant matches will be played tomorrow, but Sunday gets the biggest match of the weekend, the latest rendition of the North London Derby. With Arsenal comprehensively out in front in the table, a rivalry win fresh off an international break would be another sign that this really may be their year. Tottenham, meanwhile, have cooled a little bit after such a bright start to the season, with just 2 wins from their last 5. All signs obviously point to Arsenal, and there's no sense in trusting Tottenham in a big match. But I don't know; funny things happen in rivalry matches, and even if Spurs fans have already abandoned hope, I'm still a believer in Thomas Frank. I think this Spurs team will be able to pop up and surprise when it's least expected.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1