Burnley vs Manchester City
Saturday 26th November 2016, 12.30
Burnley's three-match unbeaten run came to an end in a 4-0 defeat at West Brom on Monday night, the Clarets' first defeat in over a month. It's been a better week for Manchester City, who won 2-1 at Crystal Palace last Saturday before progressing into the knockout phase of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Sean Dyche's Burnley just didn't look themselves at the Hawthorns on Monday, conceding three goals in the first half alone and looking nervous and unorganised at the back. Salomon Rondon hit a fourth for West Brom just past the hour to condemn Burnley to their sixth league defeat of the season, four of which have come away from Turf Moor. They are yet to win a match away from home in the Premier League this campaign, highlighting their dependence on home fixtures, but they don't come much tougher than Saturday's challenge.
Manchester City are five matches unbeaten in the league after defeat at Tottenham in early October, the most recent of which was their 2-1 victory at Palace last weekend. Pep Guardiola handed Yaya Toure a shock first Premier League appearance of the season, and the big Ivorian came up trumps, netting both goals in City's success. His name was belted out from the away end inside Selhurst Park all afternoon; he always has and always will be a fan favourite among City's supporters. While it was a good afternoon for one City hero, it was another bad one for Vincent Kompany, who was left concussed after a collision with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The Belgian is yet to complete 90 minutes in any of his five City appearances this season, and he was missing from the side that drew 1-1 in Germany on Wednesday, a game in which David Silva's goal confirmed their progression into the Champions League knockout stages for the fourth successive season.
Burnley's home form is good, winning four out of seven games at Turf Moor this season, including a mightily impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool. However, their confidence will have taken a hit after their hiding at West Brom, and I see City dominating proceedings in the early kick-off.
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| Yaya inspired City to victory last Saturday (Getty Images) |
Burnley's home form is good, winning four out of seven games at Turf Moor this season, including a mightily impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool. However, their confidence will have taken a hit after their hiding at West Brom, and I see City dominating proceedings in the early kick-off.
Prediction: 0-2
Hull vs West Brom
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Hull have now lost seven of their last eight Premier League games after a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland a week ago. They remain in the bottom three, and host a West Brom side that have won back-to-back league matches for the first time this season after their 4-0 demolition of Burnley.
It's hard to believe that Hull won their first two games of the season. Since then, they have managed just one victory in ten games, a 2-1 victory over Southampton. That success was short-lived, though, as they lost 3-0 at the Stadium of Light to relegation rivals Sunderland. Hull have conceded the most goals in the league this season (27), have managed just ten league goals, joint-fewest alongside Middlesbrough, and also boast the worst goal difference in the league with -17. Quite simply, things aren't looking good for Mike Phelan's side, but they will have highlighted West Brom as one of the teams you have to be looking to beat if you are to remain in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Phelan, West Brom are in great form under Tony Pulis. A 2-1 victory at champions Leicester was followed by that 4-0 win over Burnley to leave the Baggies sat 9th in the table. Salomon Rondon was in inspired form on Monday night, scoring one and creating another, and he has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other WBA since the start of last season, scoring 13 and assisting 4. He is Pulis' talisman, a big game player, and he was unplayable on Monday as West Brom equalled their best ever margin of victory in a Premier League fixture.
Hull could drop to 19th if results go the way of Sunderland this weekend, and the Tigers need to start defending better if they're serious about staying in the Premier League. West Brom have lost just two of their last eight league games, and I think Pulis would happily take a point at the KCOM Stadium to make that two from nine.
Prediction: 1-1
Leicester vs Middlesbrough
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Both Leicester and Middlesbrough suffered defeats in Gameweek 12 ahead of Saturday's meeting at the King Power Stadium. Leicester lost for the second successive game as they went down 2-1 away to Watford, whilst Middlesbrough were narrow losers in a 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Leicester seemed set to fail after just 33 seconds at Vicarage Road as Etienne Capoue volleyed home for Watford. It was 2-0 after 12 minutes, and although Riyad Mahrez halved the deficit three minutes later, there were no goals in the final 75 minutes as Leicester became only the third reigning top-flight champions to start a title defence in a Premier League season without a victory in their opening six away matches, after Leeds and Blackburn.
Middlesbrough gave another good account of themselves against one of the league's big boys, but Chelsea were ultimately the better side and moved top of the table after Diego Costa's 10th league goal of the season on Sunday. The defeat leaves Aitor Karanka's Boro in 15th of the league, and they were made to pay for a lack of creativity against the Blues. Middlesbrough's defence has drastically improved - they have conceded just 13 goals in comparison to Leicester's 20 - but a joint-low 10 goals scored needs urgently addressing if Boro are to start steering themselves away from the drop zone.
Leicester have more wins from five games in Europe (4) this season than they do in twelve Premier League matches (3), and progressed to the Champions League knockout stage as group winners at the first time of asking. That should give Claudio Ranieri's side a real lift ahead of Middlesbrough's visit on Saturday, and I fancy the Foxes to do the business.
Prediction: 3-1
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are unbeaten in ten Premier League matches since defeat to Burnley in August, after a 0-0 draw at Southampton last week. They face a Sunderland side on Saturday that have won their last two matches after suffering the worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Chelsea's win at Middlesbrough saw them move top of the table at the expense of Liverpool, but the Reds sit just a place and a point behind Antonio Conte's men and are the league's top scorers with 30 goals. They dominated at St Mary's and missed great opportunities through Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne, but Klopp will be pleased that on a day that his side couldn't find the breakthrough, they didn't throw the game away at the other end of the pitch, with Southampton failing to register a shot on target all afternoon against Loris Karius. I firmly believe that this is a game Liverpool would have lost in past seasons, and it's clear that they've become more resolute and disciplined under their German manager.
It's the worst time for Liverpool to be facing Sunderland, who have turned a real corner in the last couple of weeks. They hammered fellow strugglers Hull 3-0 at the Stadium of Light last Saturday, with Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe doing the business, just as they did at Bournemouth in their only other previous win. Defoe netted his 150th Premier League goal, a fantastic achievement, whilst Anichebe once again showed why David Moyes brought him to Sunderland, scoring his second and third goals of the season. A win at Anfield is a huge ask, but a shock result could see them climb out of the bottom three if other results favour the Black Cats.
Anfield has been a fortress so far this season for Liverpool, who have won four and drawn one of five at home, scoring 17 goals in the process. Sunderland are in good form and will offer a threat if Moyes is brave enough to start both Defoe and Anichebe again, which I think he has to, but Liverpool have more than enough quality in their squad to dampen David Moyes' spirits on Merseyside.
Prediction: 3-0
Swansea vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Swansea picked up only their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend, whilst Crystal Palace's losing run extended to five straight league matches following their 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Bob Bradley will be gutted that his side couldn't hold out at Goodison Park, and give him his first win as Swansea boss. The Swans led for much of the encounter following Gylfi Sigurdsson's first half penalty, but Seamus Coleman equalised for the Toffees with one minute left on the clock to leave the Welsh club rock bottom of the Premier League.
It was a similar story for Alan Pardew's Palace last Saturday, conceding an 83rd minute goal from Yaya Toure to leave them empty-handed at the full-time whistle. It looked as though substitute Connor Wickham's strike might have been enough to earn Palace an impressive point against Pep Guardiola's side, but a defensive lapse allowed Toure to nip in and poke home Kevin de Bruyne's low corner.
This should be a close game between two struggling teams. Crystal Palace are on the worst losing run of any Premier League club, and Bradley won't have a better chance than this to claim his first Swansea victory, and the club's first since the opening day of the campaign.
Prediction: 2-1
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Saturday 26th November 2016, 17.30
Chelsea top the Premier League following their 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday, their sixth straight league victory without conceding. They face a Spurs side still unbeaten in the league this campaign thanks to some late heroics from Harry Kane last weekend, but one who crashed out of the Champions League in midweek at Monaco.
Chelsea are the best team in the league right now, and they have been totally revitalised by Antonio Conte. The Blues haven't conceded since a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on the 24th of September. Conte's shuffle to three-at-the-back has royally paid off, allowing more freedom for the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Pedro to roam, and Costa scored his 10th league goal from 12 games this season in the 1-0 success at Middlesbrough.
Tottenham edged a topsy-turvy game at White Hart Lane versus West Ham a week ago, a match in which they trailed until the 89th minute. Harry Kane prodded home, before scoring a match-winning penalty two minutes later after Havard Nordtveit fouled Son-heung Min in the box. That result left Mauricio Pochettinho's men with six wins and six draws from their opening 12 league games, and they will be looking to keep up their impressive league form in this massive London Derby.
Tottenham suffered a bitter disappointment on Tuesday night as their exit from the Champions League was confirmed in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco. The men from North London need to put that setback behind them fast if they want to gain anything from Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea's form is good right now, and I think that they'll inflict a first league defeat of the season upon Spurs on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-1
Watford vs Stoke
Sunday 27th November 2016, 12.00
Watford put a 6-1 humiliation at Anfield behind them at the first attempt with a 2-1 victory at home to champions Leicester, whilst Stoke lost for the first time in six games, 1-0 at home to Bournemouth.
Watford have enjoyed an impressive start to the season under Walter Mazzarri, and sit 8th after victory over Leicester, their fifth win of the campaign. Etienne Capoue scored after just 33 seconds to set the Hornets on their way to victory, and Roberto Pereyra curled home a magnificent second. Watford showed great resilience to hold onto the lead under late pressure from the Foxes, and will be looking to claim another impressive home scalp. Troy Deeney remains on 99 goals for the club, and he'll be eager to make it a century in front of the Vicarage Road faithful.
Mark Hughes will have been disappointed at his side's result last weekend. The Potters had the chances to get back into the game following Nathan Ake's opener, but Bojan failed to convert a penalty and that set the theme for the rest of Stoke's afternoon. They will be hoping that they can put that defeat to Bournemouth behind them quickly and continue their surge up the table, but they will be without key-player Joe Allen, who is suspended on Sunday.
This is a really tough game to call, and I don't think there will be much between the two sides. However, Watford's home form has been good so far this season, and I believe Allen will be a massive miss for the visitors.
Prediction: 1-0
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Sunday 27th November 2016, 14.15
Arsenal rescued a late point at Old Trafford last Saturday to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 matches, and also confirmed progression into the Champions League knockouts in a 2-2 draw with PSG at the Emirates on Wednesday. Bournemouth won at Stoke to end a run of two straight league defeats.
Olivier Giroud was the hero for Arsenal last weekend, heading home with a minute left to snatch an undeserved draw at Manchester United. It was the Gunner's first effort on target in the match, but good teams pick up points even when they're not playing well, and Arsenal are certainly looking resilient under Arsene Wenger this season. They were on the receiving end of a late equaliser in midweek, but their draw with PSG was enough to secure both team's progression in Europe, so a good week for Wenger all-round.
Eddie Howe's men edged a tight affair at Stoke, courtesy of Nathan Ake's header. They rode their luck at times, and Simon Francis will have been a relieved man after he fouled Bojan in the penalty area. The Spaniard crashed the resulting penalty against the crossbar, and gave the Cherries a big three points that lifted them to 10th in the table.
Bournemouth look a fairly solid team again this season, but the Emirates is a daunting place to go and Arsenal are in brilliant form in the Premier League. I fancy them to win to nil against the Cherries.
Prediction: 3-0
Manchester United vs West Ham
Sunday 27th November 2016, 16.30
Jose Mourinho will be a frustrated man after Arsenal's late equaliser at Old Trafford last week, a result which leaves his side 9 points adrift of former club and league leaders Chelsea. West Ham threw away a 2-1 lead at Tottenham in the dying minutes, a result which leaves them 17th in the table, hovering just one point above the drop zone.
Manchester United deserved to beat Arsenal, but were made to pay for not taking their chances. Juan Mata scored a beautiful goal for the Red Devils, and he was on target again on Thursday night as they kept their Europa League campaign alive in a 4-0 win over Feyenoord, a game in which Wayne Rooney became United's all-time top scorer in European competition.
Slaven Bilic will be furious with Havard Nordtveit after he pulled back Son to give Harry Kane a golden opportunity to complete Spurs' comeback last weekend. The Hammers led twice courtesy of Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini, but not for the first time this season showed defensive vulnerability to throw away a precious three points. Even a draw would have been a fantastic result for West Ham, but they, and Nordtveit, were made to pay by the in-form England striker.
If Manchester United play like they did against Arsenal last weekend, then they'll win comfortably. Juan Mata is becoming a match-winner for Jose Mourinho, and I can see him inspiring United to victory over a struggling West Ham.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton vs Everton
Sunday 27th November 2016, 16.30
Both teams drew in their respective Gameweek 12 fixtures. Southampton held Liverpool to a 0-0 at St Mary's, whilst Seamus Coleman's late header clutched a point for Everton at home to Swansea.
Southampton were camped in their own half for much of the second half against Jurgen Klopp's Reds, but stood firm and earned a really good point, inspired at the back by Virgil van Dijk. They lost on Europa League duty on Thursday, 1-0 at Sparta Prague, meaning they face a final matchday showdown with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in order to progress to the round of 32.
Everton were booed at Goodison Park at the final whistle on Saturday despite Coleman's last-gasp equaliser. The Toffees have won just once in seven Premier League matches, but remain 7th in the table, level on points with 6th-placed Man United. I think Ronald Koeman will achieve good things at Goodison Park, and he'll be hoping for a big win at former club Southampton to prove his move to Merseyside was the right decision.
This is another close game to call, and the Koeman-factor should play a big part. I think it will fire up Southampton, who have started life under Claude Puel very well, and I can see Koeman being left disappointed upon his return to St Mary's.
Prediction: 1-0
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are unbeaten in ten Premier League matches since defeat to Burnley in August, after a 0-0 draw at Southampton last week. They face a Sunderland side on Saturday that have won their last two matches after suffering the worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Chelsea's win at Middlesbrough saw them move top of the table at the expense of Liverpool, but the Reds sit just a place and a point behind Antonio Conte's men and are the league's top scorers with 30 goals. They dominated at St Mary's and missed great opportunities through Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne, but Klopp will be pleased that on a day that his side couldn't find the breakthrough, they didn't throw the game away at the other end of the pitch, with Southampton failing to register a shot on target all afternoon against Loris Karius. I firmly believe that this is a game Liverpool would have lost in past seasons, and it's clear that they've become more resolute and disciplined under their German manager.
It's the worst time for Liverpool to be facing Sunderland, who have turned a real corner in the last couple of weeks. They hammered fellow strugglers Hull 3-0 at the Stadium of Light last Saturday, with Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe doing the business, just as they did at Bournemouth in their only other previous win. Defoe netted his 150th Premier League goal, a fantastic achievement, whilst Anichebe once again showed why David Moyes brought him to Sunderland, scoring his second and third goals of the season. A win at Anfield is a huge ask, but a shock result could see them climb out of the bottom three if other results favour the Black Cats.
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| Defoe and Anichebe have struck a good partnership for Sunderland (Getty Images) |
Anfield has been a fortress so far this season for Liverpool, who have won four and drawn one of five at home, scoring 17 goals in the process. Sunderland are in good form and will offer a threat if Moyes is brave enough to start both Defoe and Anichebe again, which I think he has to, but Liverpool have more than enough quality in their squad to dampen David Moyes' spirits on Merseyside.
Prediction: 3-0
Swansea vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 26th November 2016, 15.00
Swansea picked up only their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Everton last weekend, whilst Crystal Palace's losing run extended to five straight league matches following their 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City.
Bob Bradley will be gutted that his side couldn't hold out at Goodison Park, and give him his first win as Swansea boss. The Swans led for much of the encounter following Gylfi Sigurdsson's first half penalty, but Seamus Coleman equalised for the Toffees with one minute left on the clock to leave the Welsh club rock bottom of the Premier League.
It was a similar story for Alan Pardew's Palace last Saturday, conceding an 83rd minute goal from Yaya Toure to leave them empty-handed at the full-time whistle. It looked as though substitute Connor Wickham's strike might have been enough to earn Palace an impressive point against Pep Guardiola's side, but a defensive lapse allowed Toure to nip in and poke home Kevin de Bruyne's low corner.
This should be a close game between two struggling teams. Crystal Palace are on the worst losing run of any Premier League club, and Bradley won't have a better chance than this to claim his first Swansea victory, and the club's first since the opening day of the campaign.
Prediction: 2-1
Chelsea vs Tottenham
Saturday 26th November 2016, 17.30
Chelsea top the Premier League following their 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday, their sixth straight league victory without conceding. They face a Spurs side still unbeaten in the league this campaign thanks to some late heroics from Harry Kane last weekend, but one who crashed out of the Champions League in midweek at Monaco.
Chelsea are the best team in the league right now, and they have been totally revitalised by Antonio Conte. The Blues haven't conceded since a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on the 24th of September. Conte's shuffle to three-at-the-back has royally paid off, allowing more freedom for the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Pedro to roam, and Costa scored his 10th league goal from 12 games this season in the 1-0 success at Middlesbrough.
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| Which forward will come out on top on Saturday? (Getty Images) |
Tottenham edged a topsy-turvy game at White Hart Lane versus West Ham a week ago, a match in which they trailed until the 89th minute. Harry Kane prodded home, before scoring a match-winning penalty two minutes later after Havard Nordtveit fouled Son-heung Min in the box. That result left Mauricio Pochettinho's men with six wins and six draws from their opening 12 league games, and they will be looking to keep up their impressive league form in this massive London Derby.
Tottenham suffered a bitter disappointment on Tuesday night as their exit from the Champions League was confirmed in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco. The men from North London need to put that setback behind them fast if they want to gain anything from Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea's form is good right now, and I think that they'll inflict a first league defeat of the season upon Spurs on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-1
Watford vs Stoke
Sunday 27th November 2016, 12.00
Watford put a 6-1 humiliation at Anfield behind them at the first attempt with a 2-1 victory at home to champions Leicester, whilst Stoke lost for the first time in six games, 1-0 at home to Bournemouth.
Watford have enjoyed an impressive start to the season under Walter Mazzarri, and sit 8th after victory over Leicester, their fifth win of the campaign. Etienne Capoue scored after just 33 seconds to set the Hornets on their way to victory, and Roberto Pereyra curled home a magnificent second. Watford showed great resilience to hold onto the lead under late pressure from the Foxes, and will be looking to claim another impressive home scalp. Troy Deeney remains on 99 goals for the club, and he'll be eager to make it a century in front of the Vicarage Road faithful.
Mark Hughes will have been disappointed at his side's result last weekend. The Potters had the chances to get back into the game following Nathan Ake's opener, but Bojan failed to convert a penalty and that set the theme for the rest of Stoke's afternoon. They will be hoping that they can put that defeat to Bournemouth behind them quickly and continue their surge up the table, but they will be without key-player Joe Allen, who is suspended on Sunday.
This is a really tough game to call, and I don't think there will be much between the two sides. However, Watford's home form has been good so far this season, and I believe Allen will be a massive miss for the visitors.
Prediction: 1-0
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Sunday 27th November 2016, 14.15
Arsenal rescued a late point at Old Trafford last Saturday to extend their unbeaten league run to 11 matches, and also confirmed progression into the Champions League knockouts in a 2-2 draw with PSG at the Emirates on Wednesday. Bournemouth won at Stoke to end a run of two straight league defeats.
Olivier Giroud was the hero for Arsenal last weekend, heading home with a minute left to snatch an undeserved draw at Manchester United. It was the Gunner's first effort on target in the match, but good teams pick up points even when they're not playing well, and Arsenal are certainly looking resilient under Arsene Wenger this season. They were on the receiving end of a late equaliser in midweek, but their draw with PSG was enough to secure both team's progression in Europe, so a good week for Wenger all-round.
Eddie Howe's men edged a tight affair at Stoke, courtesy of Nathan Ake's header. They rode their luck at times, and Simon Francis will have been a relieved man after he fouled Bojan in the penalty area. The Spaniard crashed the resulting penalty against the crossbar, and gave the Cherries a big three points that lifted them to 10th in the table.
Bournemouth look a fairly solid team again this season, but the Emirates is a daunting place to go and Arsenal are in brilliant form in the Premier League. I fancy them to win to nil against the Cherries.
Prediction: 3-0
Manchester United vs West Ham
Sunday 27th November 2016, 16.30
Jose Mourinho will be a frustrated man after Arsenal's late equaliser at Old Trafford last week, a result which leaves his side 9 points adrift of former club and league leaders Chelsea. West Ham threw away a 2-1 lead at Tottenham in the dying minutes, a result which leaves them 17th in the table, hovering just one point above the drop zone.
Manchester United deserved to beat Arsenal, but were made to pay for not taking their chances. Juan Mata scored a beautiful goal for the Red Devils, and he was on target again on Thursday night as they kept their Europa League campaign alive in a 4-0 win over Feyenoord, a game in which Wayne Rooney became United's all-time top scorer in European competition.
Slaven Bilic will be furious with Havard Nordtveit after he pulled back Son to give Harry Kane a golden opportunity to complete Spurs' comeback last weekend. The Hammers led twice courtesy of Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini, but not for the first time this season showed defensive vulnerability to throw away a precious three points. Even a draw would have been a fantastic result for West Ham, but they, and Nordtveit, were made to pay by the in-form England striker.
If Manchester United play like they did against Arsenal last weekend, then they'll win comfortably. Juan Mata is becoming a match-winner for Jose Mourinho, and I can see him inspiring United to victory over a struggling West Ham.
Prediction: 2-0
Southampton vs Everton
Sunday 27th November 2016, 16.30
Both teams drew in their respective Gameweek 12 fixtures. Southampton held Liverpool to a 0-0 at St Mary's, whilst Seamus Coleman's late header clutched a point for Everton at home to Swansea.
Southampton were camped in their own half for much of the second half against Jurgen Klopp's Reds, but stood firm and earned a really good point, inspired at the back by Virgil van Dijk. They lost on Europa League duty on Thursday, 1-0 at Sparta Prague, meaning they face a final matchday showdown with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in order to progress to the round of 32.
Everton were booed at Goodison Park at the final whistle on Saturday despite Coleman's last-gasp equaliser. The Toffees have won just once in seven Premier League matches, but remain 7th in the table, level on points with 6th-placed Man United. I think Ronald Koeman will achieve good things at Goodison Park, and he'll be hoping for a big win at former club Southampton to prove his move to Merseyside was the right decision.
This is another close game to call, and the Koeman-factor should play a big part. I think it will fire up Southampton, who have started life under Claude Puel very well, and I can see Koeman being left disappointed upon his return to St Mary's.
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| Ronald Koeman returns to Southampton with Everton on Sunday (Getty Images) |
Prediction: 1-0
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