It’s Matchday 12 of the English Premier League and game are going to start coming thick and fast during this Christmas period. The Manchester Derby is a highlight of the weekend as Manchester United take on Manchester City, whilst Chelsea faces a tough trip to Everton. Can Jose Mourinho’s ‘pony’ continue their title charge? We take an extended look at this weekend’s fixtures.
Leeds United vs West Ham United
West Ham pay a visit to Elland road to take on Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in the first game of Matchday 12 of the English Premier League. Both teams go into this on the back of 3-1 losses to Chelsea and Manchester United, they’ll both be keen on getting a response in this one. David Moyes’ side has had a brilliant season so far and will be confident of getting a result against a Leeds side that have been impressive going forward but looked porous defensively.
Leeds United 1-2 West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa
Saturday’s early kick-off sees Nuno Espirito Santo’s side take on Dean Smith’s Villains. Aston Villa‘s game against Newcastle was called off due to a Coronavirus outbreak so they would have had slightly more time to prepare for this one and should be much fresher coming into this one and will once again rely heavily on Jack Grealish to provide the spark against a well-drilled Wolves side; especially with Ross Barkley unavailable for this one. Wolverhampton Wanderers were thrashed by champions Liverpool in their last game and will have to once again do without talismanic forward Raul Jimenez in this one and it will be interesting to see if they fare any better than they did last time out.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle vs West Brom
It is unclear who exactly will be available for Newcastle after a Coronavirus outbreak left them with a hugely depleted squad. They’ll fully fancy their chances against a West Brom side who got thrashed last time out by Crystal Palace and will have to play without key man Matheus Pereira who got sent off in that game. Steve Bruce’s men got a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace the last time they played and we expect more of the same when they face the Baggies.
Newcastle 2-0 West Brom
Manchester United vs Manchester City
The standout fixture of the English Premier League Matchday 12, Manchester United come into this one desperate for a response after getting knocked out from the UEFA Champions League during the week. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side won both meetings in the league when the two sides faced off last season but United have had a dismal home record so far this campaign and it is debatable how well they’ll fair if they do go behind in this one; as they have done in most of their games lately. Pep Guardiola’s side has gradually climbed up the table after a tough start to the season and has kept five clean sheets in all competitions since their 2-0 loss to Tottenham with the duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri offering the defence more protection and City also getting some semblance of stability at the back.
Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City
Everton vs Chelsea
Everton has won the last two home meetings against Chelsea but has been in abysmal form lately with only one win in their past six matches and with several important personnel currently out injured; Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman being particularly crucial absentees. Carlo Ancelotti can still call on the likes of James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin but they’ll be coming up against a Chelsea team with one of the best defences in the league. Chelsea has been in scintillating form lately and look well placed to come away with all three points in this one but will have to cope without the services of Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech and will be hoping fellow new signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner step up against the Toffees.
Everton 1-3 Chelsea
Southampton vs Sheffield United
The Saints came from behind last time out to get a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion with Danny Ings coming off the bench to get the decisive winner and ensure that Ralph Hassenhutll side’s bounced back with a win after throwing away a two-goal lead against Manchester United. Sheffield United, on the other hand, conceded late to hand Leicester City their first win in five games and also ensure that Sheffield stays at the bottom of the table with only a point so far this season. Southampton is playing some beautiful football and look set to continue their goalscoring form in front of their fans.
Southampton 3-1 Sheffield United
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace welcome their fellow London neighbours to Selhurst Park for what promises to be an exciting encounter between the two London sides. Spurs come into the one off the back of a tough fixture schedule that saw them take on Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all in the space of three weeks. Jose Mourinho’s men will have a lot more of the ball than they’ve had in their past three fixtures with Palace likely to sit deep and look to hit Spurs on the counter. Harry Kane and Wilfried Zaha will be crucial for both sides with Roy Hodgson’s men likely to be a potential banana skin for this brilliant Spurs side.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham vs Liverpool
Scott Parker would have been hoping for some sort of reprieve after seeing his side take on Everton, Leicester and Manchester City in their past three fixtures, but it doesn’t get any easier for Fulham as they play host to a Liverpool side that looks to be finding their feet slowly after having several players out. Jurgen Klopp’s men have had to deal with injuries to key players but have coped fairly well up till now and even came away with a resounding 4-0 win last time out. Fulham has been porous at the back with one of the poorest defensive records in the league so far and they look set to continue their struggles against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
Fulham 0-3 Liverpool
Arsenal vs Burnley
Arsenal needs to start getting points on the table with the London club losing three of their last four league matches since their win against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta’s side should fancy their chances against a Burnley side that have been poor so far this season, although they did earn a point last time out against Everton but have struggled so far this season and currently sit 18th in the English Premier League standings albeit with a game still yet to be played. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled to get in amongst the goals even in the past two matches when he’s played as the centre-forward; Aubameyang looks set to be on the scoresheet when both sides clash at the Emirates.
Arsenal 2-0 Burnley
Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brendan Rodgers’s side absolutely needed the three points last time out after a tough couple of matches saw them lose three out of four matches in all competitions. Graham Potter’s side continues the poor habit of dropping points while not necessarily playing badly. Brighton is a very decent side on their day and will fancy their chances of causing the Foxes an upset in this one, although the records suggest Leicester to come away with all three points from this one with Brighton yet to win against the Foxes since gaining promotion to the English top-flight in 2017.
Leicester 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
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