Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 11

SATURDAY:

TOTTENHAM V MAN UNITED

This game is a rematch of the Europa League final from last season which Spurs went on to win in Bilbao.

Spurs won all four of their games against United last season and have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons.

But their home form this season has been very poor with just one win at home all season which came on the opening day against Burnley.

They win at home in midweek though against Copenhagen which they won rather comfortably and played very well.

A lot has been said during the week about there being a better mood around Man United and understandably so as they are on a decent run of form.

But how long will it last as they've had spells where they've been on a good run and the mood around the place has been positive, only for them to soon go on a poor run and see the feelgood factor diminish and a lot of people have a go at the way the club is being run.

The United fans do have the right to feel optimistic at this moment in time, but they shouldn't get too ahead of themselves as it could all turn in the opposite direction very quickly.

I think Spurs will put an end to that optimism in this game because of their recent record against United in this fixture.

They have struggled at home this season, but I still think they'll end up on top here because of their recent record in this fixture.

PREDICTION: 1-0

EVERTON V FULHAM

These two teams have the same issue. They're both lacking a consistent goal scorer.

Everton's problems in front of goal don't really surprise me as they've lacked a clinical no.9 for a number of seasons now.

They missed some good opportunities against Sunderland on Monday night including that chance Thierno Barry had at the back post in the first half which he really should've score.

Barry and Beto have just one goal between them this season and unless they start firing soon, Everton need to get a centre forward in January.

Fulham got a much needed win against Wolves last weekend which brought an end to their four game losing streak and gave them some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

Going back to the first point, I think they're also lacking a clinical centre forward because they've had games where they've had a lot of chances but haven't taken them.

I think both team's teething problems will be on show here and because of this I'm going for a draw.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WEST HAM V BURNLEY

West Ham picked up a much needed win last weekend against Newcastle and they'll be hoping that win will be a turning point in their season.

They had more energy about them in that game and they'll need to show more of it in their next number of games if they're to start climbing the table.

Burnley have just one win on the road this season which came the last time they played away from home against Wolves, a fellow relegation rival.

It's the wins against teams around them that matter the most for Scott Parker's side and most of the games they've won this season have come against the teams who are in and around them.

West Ham have had their struggles at home this season, but after earning their first home win last weekend against Newcastle I'm backing them to bag another one here as I think they'll have enough quality to come away with the points.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SUNDERLAND V ARSENAL

Sunderland are still unbeaten at home this season and have easily been the surprise package of the season as they come into this game in 4th place.

This game will be their first big test as they're up against the league leaders and the majority of people's favourites for the title in Arsenal.

This game will also be a test for Arsenal as Sunderland have proven that they can give any team a game and the Gunners are also without one or two key players including Viktor Gyokeres who picked up a knock against Burnley last weekend.

Mikel Merino did what he did last season in leading the attack against Slavia Prague in midweek and will probably lead the attack again in this one.

Sunderland will definitely look to make it difficult for Arsenal in this one, but I think the Gunners will find a way to win as they have done on a few occasions this season and I'm backing their goal to come from yet another set piece.

PREDICTION: 0-1

CHELSEA V WOLVES

Chelsea were rattled by Qarabag in midweek where they made a number of changes and I read a stat saying that they've made 85 changes in all competitions.

Enzo Maresca does have a big squad to choose from and wants to give opportunities to players but when you make that many changes, it could lead to a lack of cohesion which could in turn affect how the team performs.

Wolves sacked Vitor Pereira last weekend and the decision didn't at all surprise me because of where they are in the league and how poor they've been all season.

In terms of who they choose to replace him, I have no idea who they'll go for because I don't see there being an outstanding candidate for the role.

Whoever they choose to take over, I don't see the next manager making a massive difference as they're pretty much good as gone after picking up just two points from their opening 10 games.

I can only see their miserable continuing here as I think Chelsea will have more than enough to beat them here.

PREDICTION: 3-0

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V BOURNEMOUTH

Aston Villa were disappointing against Liverpool in that they didn't cause them too many problems or get Ollie Watkins in the game to make those runs in behind.

Bournemouth saw their brilliant run come to an end last weekend following their loss at Man City which they'll take heart from as they did have some good moments in the game.

Both teams will definitely go for it here as they're both attack minded teams who will want to play on the front foot.

But I'm backing Villa to take the points as they're at home where they have a good record and especially in this fixture.

PREDICTION: 3-2

BRENTFORD V NEWCASTLE

This prediction should be a straight forward one because one team is strong at home and the other is poor away.

Brentford have lost just once at home this season and their home form since they've been in the Premier League has genuinely been very good.

Newcastle are winless on the road this season and have scored just twice on their travels all season.

I haven't predicted a Brentford win all season and that is now about to change as I'm backing the Bees to come away with the points here because of their strong home form and Newcastle's poor away form.

PREDICTION: 2-0

CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON

Palace come into this game off the back of playing in Europe during the week and might feel tired as a result of it.

They've lost both of their games after playing in Europe this season and have looked tired in both as well because of them being in Europe.

Being in Europe was always going to be a challenge for them this season because of their lack of squad depth which was evident in both games against Everton and Arsenal.

Brighton have been poor on the road this season with just one win to their name all season and their form this season overall has been rather inconsistent.

They've had some good results at home but for some reason they haven't been able to take their home form with them on their travels.

They might however fancy their chances of getting a rare away win in this one because of Palace likely to feel a bit tired after playing in Europe during the week.

But because of their poor away form I don't see them making the most of Palace being slightly off the pace.

PREDICTION: 1-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LEEDS

Forest put in the kind of performance I was expecting from them against Man United as they showed fight and were more up for it than they were against Bournemouth.

One reason I expected that performance form them was because they were at home and it's at home where they up their performance levels due to the atmosphere inside the City Ground.

This game represents a very good chance for Sean Dyche to get his first win in charge of Forest as they're both at home and are playing against a fellow relegation rival.

Leeds have been decent at home this season but their away form has been nowhere near as good as they've lost all but one game on their travels this season.

That one game was a win at Wolves which was also the only game they've scored in on the road this season as well as the only away game they've won.

Daniel Farke's side will be competitive in this one like they have been in a lot of their games this season. But I fancy Forest to come out on top here and get Sean Dyche his first win charge.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL

Man City looked very good against Dortmund in midweek and it was good to see players other than Erling Haaland get on the scoresheet.

A lot has been said about them being heavily reliant on Haaland this season but in midweek they showed that they can spread the goals out around the team.

Liverpool might be beginning to turn a corner following back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid with the latter easily being their best performance of the season so far.

A win for them here would definitely cap off a very good week for them but not necessarily mean that they're turning a corner because in order for a team to turn a corner, they need to win more games.

If this game took place a few weeks ago, I would've had City to win rather comfortably because of the state Liverpool were in at the time.

But now I think this game will be a lot closer because of Liverpool beginning to find some form and their performances beginning to improve.

I however think that City will come out on top because of them being at home and the fact that I think they'll have just enough quality to win the game.

PREDICTION: 2-1