Premier League Matchweek 12: Preview and Betting tips - Battle of the season at Anfield as Premier League leader Liverpool host defending champions Manchester City
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Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is fouled by Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
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(Jan. 2, 2019 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
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Battle of the season at Anfield… Premier League predictions
Liverpool stay winning, no one seems to be able to stop them and they’re doing it in style too.
They went down at Aston Villa and waited till the last few minutes to drown the hosts with a stray header from Sadio Mane.
But they will be tested this weekend, it’s the battle of the champions against the league leaders.
it’s no doubt the biggest of the lots so far this season, Manchester City will attempt to cut the leaders’ advantage to three points while the hosts would want to extend their lead to nine points which would no doubt tell you where the title is headed come May of 2020.
Talking statistics, Liverpool have the lion share when it comes to winning ratio between the two.
The reds have triumphed 22 whooping times out of 46 games against City while the Premier League champions have only won eight times.
The game is the last of this match week, What a way to head into the international break.
Regardless of the scoreline, fans would have enjoyed the best of quality football, two managers that love to attack and express cleanly, no conversations, no reservations, but where will the battle be won and lost?
It’s in the middle, City are struggling in defense with Fernandinho set to stand in again and we learned in midweek that should there be a need for a substitute goalkeeper for the Citizens, Kyle Walker will come through like a Kevin De Bryune pass.
United host Brighton as they look to get back to winning ways in the league
Manchester United lost at Bournemouth but triumphed in Europe with their front three registering a goal each, the ecstasy, however, must be for teenage sensation, Mason Greenwood who finally found the back of the net.
In the loss at the Vitality Stadium, United didn’t offer much going forward, didn’t deserve to win, and couldn’t complain and in all honesty.
They have to be better and that starts with the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford.
United must respond, they must win and they must do it convincingly, the Seagulls are a potential banana peel with their strong showing of late and they seem to enjoy playing Manchester United.
Although on another ground but of the five they have played in the league so far, each side has won when playing at home, how does that make United fans feel? We’re talking about Brighton here no disrespect.
Inconsistent Tottenham host organized Sheffield
Spurs, on the other hand, are unbelievable, they picked a point at Everton but had Heung Min Son Sent off which however has been rescinded by the independent body governing such issues.
They haven’t found their feet still in the league and with a very organized Sheffield next for them, they need to get their acts right.
Regardless of the summer acquisitions, the team is lean, they need more bodies and they need everyone fit and available for selection but the crux of their problems is on the instability in defense.
From trying Davison Sanchez, to trusting the highly erratic Serge Aurier, none has worked, to be honest.
Justin Foyth is their best bet at the moment but he’s injured, Walker-Peters isn’t ready either, they need to plan especially on how to stop Lundstram who has been nothing but sensational, a center-back being deployed in the middle and scoring for fun.
He scored a brace last weekend and kept a clean sheet, not sure he’d be a Blade player next season.
Crystal Palace are one of the most dangerous sides when they are playing away, Frank Lampard and Chelsea must be wary
Chelsea are doing their business just fine in the league, they had a huge scare in Europe and needed two red cards to earn a point against Ajax but look at what they’ve done in the league? Great isn’t it?
Up next is the visit of Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge and to be honest, The Eagles travel better and they defend quite well and do have a very rich history with the Blues and one more interesting thing, it’s also the return of Gary Cahill to the team where he won everything he has won in his career, would be great to see how he fares with the fire powers of the hosts.
It’s been here and there between the two with Palace enjoying a very interesting stat with the Blues, with Liverpool and City up against each other, the Blues can gain grounds on the leaders.
Watford chase their first Premier League win as two struggling sides open the weekend
Bottom of the table clubs, Watford and Norwich open the weekend with a clash at Carrow Road and it’s one that would interest the neutrals.
Two sides that play expansive football yet find it hard to record any kind of good result, not for lack of efforts but the two have been relatively unlucky, injuries and form problems have limited both sides.
But they also contribute to their failings, Andy Gray is the only recognized available striker for the Hornets while Norwich are without a host of regulars.
Regardless we expect both to give an account of themselves and give us a spectacle, but as football has become, it’s about the result.
The rave that followed Norwich’s win over Manchester City died long ago, they need something to give to their fans to cheer.
Watford on their part haven’t won a single game all season long, there’s no better time for them to fire hard and record a win.
Between the two it’s been pretty close, Norwich has won nine times and Watford 10, who wins on Friday night?
Ruthless Foxes set sight on Arsenal as their next prey
Let’s talk about Arsenal, maybe there’s nothing good to report about them, maybe their fans are waiting or hoping the management behind Unai Emery gets tired of his ineptitude and show him the exit door or would they still blame Granit Xhaka who didn’t play any of the last three which ended in stalemates?
All in which they had taken the lead. Scoring goals isn’t Arsenal’s problems, keeping the lead is, but with Leicester next for them away, it’s safe to say it’s another frustrating afternoon for the fans who would no doubt cry all 90 minutes.
Speaking of Leicester, they’re the best outside the top two, they score freely and shut teams out very firmly, their midfield is mesmerizing.
With Vardy getting sharper by the day, and a manager that is not afraid to go for it, it’s always going to be entertaining with a result to match.
This fixture used to be non-negotiable for Arsenal, they used to win every fixture against the Foxes anywhere but that ship has sailed and Leicester can believe.
West Ham visit Burnley and Marco Silva leads his Everton side to Southampton
Westham are away at Burnley, the Hammers are struggling and there’s huge pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.
But it’s not all smiles for Sean Dyche neither, 12 points from 11 games and lying in 14th on the table isn’t the plan and they have to make their home form count.
Everton are away to Southampton, another fixture that could be the end of either manager.
Everton have no business keeping Marco Silva if they lose at St Mary’s Stadium and should there be another massacre against the Saints, Ralph Hansselhutti should be jobless by the end of the weekend.
The international break is upon us after this round, the last for the year but we won’t be away for too long; until then, gamble responsibly and find below the Premier League predictions.
Fixture
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Verdict
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Player to watch
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Norwich vs Watford
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Over 7.5 corners
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Teemu Pukki
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Chelsea vs Palace
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Straight win Chelsea
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Tammy Abraham
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Burnley vs Westham
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Burnley to win or draw
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Ashley Barnes
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Newcastle vs Bournemouth
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Both teams to score
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Callum Wilson
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Southampton vs Everton
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Over 7.5 corners
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Nathan Redmond
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Tottenham vs Sheffield
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Tottenham to win or draw
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Heung Min Son
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Leicester vs Arsenal
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Leicester to win or draw
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Jamie Vardy
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United vs Brighton
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United to win or draw
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Marcus Rashford
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Wolves vs Villa
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Wolves to win
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Diogo Jota
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Liverpool vs City
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Both teams to score
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Sadio Mane
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Strictly the writer’s opinion.
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