Last season, with their midweek schedule clear, both Liverpool and Chelsea were able to fling themselves into every Premier League match before the turn of the year.
They go head-to-head this weekend in what has developed into one of the division’s most fearsome rivalries, though both teams have had European commitments to negotiate in the week. It gives Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte more to ponder ahead of this fascinating occasion.
And for both sides, if there are any realistic aims of mounting a title challenge, three points is a must. Especially with Manchester City serenely pushing forward; they go to Huddersfield Town on Sunday with an eight-point lead over Manchester United and a nine-point buffer to Chelsea.
Elsewhere, there are crucial contests across the Premier League that’ll have significant connotations in every part of the table.
Read on for a line on the Week 13 fixtures and a prediction for all 10 games to come from English football’s top flight. Picks are in bold, odds and bookmaker in italics.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
While meetings between the top six in the Premier League are always accompanied by a significant amount of hype, there’s something extra special about showdowns between Liverpool and Chelsea.
There are an abundance of differences between these two sides that prompt supporters into incessant baiting of one another. Yet there are many similarities too; both have vibrant coaches, both are seeking to recover after slow starts and both will feel there’s an exciting future on the horizon.
A victory here for either side would enforce the latter and you sense it’s something Liverpool need after their midweek antics. Klopp saw his side somehow toss away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 in Sevilla. And while the Reds should still progress from their Champions League group, the match pulled old weaknesses under the microscope again.
The attacking potency of this team is scary for any opponent, though. And in former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah, the Reds have a player who will be doubly determined to show what he’s about. He already has 14 goals this season and heads into the weekend as the Premier League’s top scorer.
Chelsea have a player rejuvenated of their own in Eden Hazard. The Belgian has rediscovered his world-class best in recent outings, with the injury woes suffered in pre-season seemingly well behind him. If cracks remain in the Reds defence, he has the class to exploit them.
It’d be a surprise to see the Blues adopt an ultra-defensive blueprint as Manchester United did at Anfield earlier in the campaign. That’ll make for a more open encounter, though it’s tough to separate these two evenly matched outfits. 1-1 (7.50 William Hill)
Burnley vs. Arsenal
After losing Michael Keane and Andre Gray in the summer, Burnley were tipped as favourites for relegation by plenty of pundits. After 12 games they sit comfortably in seventh in the Premier League table.
Manager Sean Dyche deserves an immense amount of credit for the work being done at Turf Moor. The Clarets have made improvements across the field this season, remain incredibly organized and when chances do drop in the penalty area, they’re so clinical.
If they were to win on Sunday against Arsenal, they’d move ahead of the Gunners in the table. And given the away day woes Arsenal have endured for much of the 2017-18 term, there’ll be confidence among the Clarets fanbase that this group of players can spring yet another surprise in the top flight.
Arsenal turned in their finest performance of the season in their last match, though, as they rattled past north-London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The movement of Alexandre Lacazette, the dynamism of Alexis Sanchez and the guile of Mesut Ozil left one of the division’s best defensive setups in a daze.
If that trio can turn on the style in similar fashion on Sunday then there’ll be problems for Burnley. But in a game that’ll see Arsenal have a lot more of the ball and a much more compact opponent to deal with, some more patience may be required if they’re to scythe their way to goal.
The home side will be happy to sit in, soak up the pressure and try to hurt Arsenal with their direct attacking football. It’s tough to completely trust the Gunners in these types of encounters, though after such a comprehensive effort against Spurs, they should have enough to edge home here. 1-2 (8.00 SkyBet)
Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City
Put yourself in David Wagner’s position. If you’re the Huddersfield manager, how would you go about stopping the Manchester City juggernaut?
Sit deep and the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne will pull you apart with precision passing. Fly forward and leave space, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane can rip you to bits on the counter-attack. It’s a conundrum that’ll face many coaches this season and one the majority will struggle to crack.
Huddersfield will still be confident, as they always are under Wagner. Plus, with a win against Manchester United already in the bag at the John Smith’s Stadium this season, this team have proven they have what it takes to topple the big sides.
Still, City are a different proposition to the rest of the Premier League at the moment. So far this season Pep Guardiola’s side have overcome every type of challenge that’s been put in front of them. They’ve cut opponents apart, dealt with physical tactics and stemmed opposition counter-attacks with ease.
They smother sides in a relentless fashion before delivering critical blows. For Huddersfield, if they’re to get anything here, they need to find a valve that can relieve that pressure, otherwise, it’ll be a long afternoon.
Against United, that release came in the form of defensive errors from the Red Devils in the first period. It’s difficult to see this City side making similar mistakes at the moment. 0-3 (7.00 Ladbrokes)
West Ham United vs. Leicester City
This feels huge for David Moyes, as it’s an opportunity to get a disillusioned fanbase back onside. Leicester’s aim will be to quieten down the fans, slowly edge their way into the game and pick their hosts off on the counter-attack when the chances present themselves. The Foxes have shown enough lately to suggest they can execute that gameplan. 1-2 (12.00 SkyBet)
Manchester United vs. Brighton
A defeat away at Basel in the Champions League may have knocked some belief out of United, although they’re a different beast at Old Trafford. Brighton continues to impress after their promotion and have the tools to make this a test for the Red Devils, but Jose Mourinho’s men have too much firepower. 2-0 (5.50 Unibet)
Swansea City vs. Bournemouth
As the weeks tick by Swansea look less and less like a team equipped to stay in the Premier League. By contrast, Bournemouth have found something and after their 4-0 hammering of Huddersfield Town last time out, they’ll be relishing this one. They won’t run riot, but the Cherries will continue their recent resurgence. 0-2 (14.00 Betfair)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion
Spurs shook off the disappointment of their north London derby defeat with a fine performance in midweek at Borussia Dortmund. West Brom supporters will be hoping for a reaction from their players now they’ve been de-Pulised. Still, Spurs have got their feet under the table at Wembley and will have far too much for the Baggies. 3-0 (8.00 Betfair)
Southampton vs. Everton
Southampton are sinking lower and lower in the Premier League, with Mauricio Pellegrino’s side looking increasingly limp in front of goal and devoid of cohesion at the back. Everton have four points from their last two outings and have battled back from behind in both, despite not performing that well. That spirit will see them to a vital win over their dispirited opponents. 0-1 (9.00 Ladbrokes)
Calculators
