Premier League Predictions, Week 13
Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! After a couple weeks away, European action returned over the last few days, setting the stage for some dramatic final group matchdays. But it's back to the Premier League slate tomorrow.
Blame the turkey, blame the holiday stupor, blame the 7:30 AM Guinness on Saturday....whatever it was, I pitched my first real stinker of the season last weekend. A late Kai Havertz winner spared me some blushes, ensuring Arsenal's victory would get me 1 win on the week. But that was all; Manchester City failed to beat Liverpool, and Newcastle, Manchester United and Aston Villa all did beat their opponents, which went against what I had predicted. My 1/5 week dropped me to a more daunting 32/45 mark on the year.
Now, the matches are less than 12 hours from kicking off, so let's not waste any more time snowballing. Here are your 5 for Week 13!
Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Between Tottenham's stumble and City and Liverpool sharing the points, Arsenal were able to reclaim top spot in the league after an ugly late win at Brentford. They'll probably have to play better this weekend to hang on to the league lead, with Gary O'Neill's Wolves playing much better of late, but I expect they will do so at home.
The Pick: Arsenal, 2-0
Newcastle United vs. Manchester United
Don't look now, but both these clubs, who had high hopes coming into this season after a Top 4 finish last year, are starting to resemble a real threat to replicate that standing. Newcastle dominated Chelsea in the 2nd half at St. James' Park, while Man United pulled out a tough road win in a classic trap game scenario at Everton, and now, despite ugly starts to the season, the two sides are in 6th and 7th place, only a few points outside the Top 4. I think this has potential to be a really good game, but not only are the Magpies at home, I think I trust their turnaround a little more than I do United's.
The Pick: Newcastle, 2-1
Chelsea vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea is experiencing a similar season thus far as last year; every time it seems a turnaround or a good run of form is on the way, they falter again. Case in point: after a stretch that saw them take 5 points from matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham, they returned from the international break with a capitulation on the road at Newcastle. Brighton's brutal November nearly nullified their terrific start to the season, but with two wins in Europe and a thrilling victory at Nottingham last weekend, the Gulls are back in a grrove. Chelsea is at home, and still has more talent, but I trust De Zerbi and Brighton enough to almost expect them to get a point at Stamford Bridge.
The Pick: Draw, 2-2
Liverpool vs. Fulham
Rarely for a side of Liverpool's stature does a draw feel like a win, but the Reds' stalemate at the Etihad last weekend felt like the kind of result that keeps title hopes well and truly alive. Jürgen Klopp's men have scored 2+ goals in all 10 of their home matches this season, and it's not hard to see that streak continuing against a Fulham back line that has been very leaky this year, despite the best efforts of American heroes Tim Ream and Jedi Robinson,
The Pick: Liverpool, 3-1
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
How quickly has the clock struck midnight on Ange Postecoglou's fairytale start at Tottenham? At the start of last month, Spurs were unbeaten and top of the league. Now, after three consecutive losses, they have fallen out of the Top 4 and in order to avoid a fourth consecutive loss, now must get points at the home stadium of the three-time reigning champions. I actually expect Tottenham, a seemingly annual bogey side for Manchester City, to hang tough for a while. But ultimately, I think City's quality will be too much, especially because a failure to win means three straight matches dropping points, which would be almost unfathomable for the reigning treble winners.
The Pick: Man City, 3-1
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