Premier League Predictions, Week 13/14

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! We've reached the penultimate week of the Premier League's 'fall season,' before the unprecedented month-plus break for the Winter World Cup, and with the Champions League and Europa League wrapping up group stage play this week, the matche have been coming thick and fast.

I was out of commission last week, strictly because I was on a weekend away with some friends, and "not" because I was licking my wounds from back-to-back unexpected Liverpool losses. So if you can't remember that far back, my last time out was actually a decent outing! Sure, Liverpool losing to Nottingham took me completely by surprise, as did Newcastle full-on beating Tottenham in London. But I accurately forecasted Manchester City's and Arsenal's wins, and got my 1-1 draw prediction for Chelsea/Man United dead on! That was good enough for a 3.5/5 week, bringing my season total to a slightly rosier 21.5/40.

But hey, the games are less than 12 hours away, so no time for celebrating minor victories. Here are your 5 for what is Week 13 for some, Week 14 for others!

Manchester City vs. Fulham

Despite Fulham's recent downturn in form (the Cottagers have won just 2 of their last 6), one thing had stayed consistent up until their scoreless draw with Everton last weekend: the team is equally capable of scoring and conceding goals. Expect them to revert to that norm against Manchester City, whose only small vulnerability (the defense) is more than offset by an incredibly strong attack.

The Pick: Man City, 3-1

Chelsea vs. Arsenal

The marquee matchup of the weekend sees a very high-stakes London derby at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal's lead atop the table is more tenuous after their surprise draw with Southampton two weeks ago, while Chelsea-- winless in their last three matches --needs 3 points in the worst way. Arsenal is unquestionably the better team at this point in time, but the truth is they haven't been very good away from home, their sole road victories coming against opponents in and around the relegation zone. The Gunners are finally for real, but I still won't believe they can beat a good team on the road until I see it.

The Pick: Chelsea, 2-1

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United

Unai Emery makes his long-awaited debut as Aston Villa manager on Sunday, and what a fixture to mark as your introduction! Villa have been a bit of a mess this season, and Manchester United, in the heat of the Top 4 race, are clearly the superior side, so I can't bring myself to predict defeat for the Red Devils. But I do think the new manager bounce is going to be very real for Aston Villa, and Villa Park can be a particularly difficult place to win.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1

Southampton vs. Newcastle United

Newcastle has had the potential from the start, but are finally in the top 4, and more importantly, are consistently playing like a Top 4 team. They're undefeated in their last 8, a stretch that includes a road draw against Manchester United and a road win against Tottenham. They're on the road once again, but it's hard to see relegation-threatened Southampton being the ones to end the Magpies' great streak.

The Pick: Newcastle, 4-2

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

This typically high-stakes clash has lost its luster somewhat thanks to Liverpool losing their last two and slipping to 9th place, and Tottenham losing the two before that and slipping out of the title race (for now). But make no mistake about it, both teams— and maybe especially their fans —will be desperate to win this one; Tottenham will feel this is an ideal time to finally get one over on their rivals (their last victory over Liverpool— and only one in the Klopp era —was in 2017), and Liverpool will feel like a win here keeps their Top 4 odds well and truly alive. My Reds have kept up their Jekyll and Hyde act, and their typical performances against good teams give me a little hope that they’ve got a shot, but if I’m being honest, I’ve seen nothing from this season that makes me confident that this Liverpool side can get points off a tough opponent in an away game.

The Pick: Tottenham, 3-2