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    Premier League predictions – Gameweek 16: Guardiola and Amorim search for Manchester derby boost

    By John Smith

    Premier League predictions – Gameweek 16: Guardiola and Amorim search for Manchester derby boost

    Published: 23:20, 13 December 2024

    Premier League gameweek 16 is upon us and once again, there are some massive games with implications at both ends of the table.

    The highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the Manchester derby between two beleaguered teams, with City looking to recover from a shocking run of one win in their last 10 across all competitions and United losing their last two Premier League games.

    But there’s much more going on than that. Title rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea face Fulham, Everton and Brentford, respectively, while there is a feisty clash between Brighton and Crystal Palace to kick off Super Sunday. And can Spurs end their dreadful form away at bottom side Southampton?

    We’ve taken a look at all 10 matches from gameweek 16 and given our predicted scores.

    Arsenal vs Everton

    Everton’s final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was frustratingly postponed last weekend because of Storm Darragh, so next up is a trip to one of their worst hunting grounds: Arsenal.

    The Toffees have won just one of their last 28 Premier League away games against the Gunners, while Arsenal’s 102 top-flight wins over Everton is the most of any side against another.

    The omens are not good, but Fulham proved last week in their 1-1 draw that the Gunners are very much human, while Everton received a big confidence boost with a 4-0 win against Wolves in their last match.

    Either way, it’s going to be a battle of set-pieces, with eight of Everton’s 14 Premier League goals this season coming via that method (57%), the highest percentage by a team in a season since West Brom in 2014-15 (61%), while Arsenal have scored more goals from corners (23) than any other side since the start of last season.

    Ultimately, it’s a battle Arsenal should win rather comfortably.

    Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Everton (18/5 with BetMGM)

    Liverpool vs Fulham

    While their Merseyside and title rivals meet in north London, Liverpool will be focusing on dispatching Fulham at Anfield.

    As mentioned, the Cottagers held Arsenal to a draw last weekend, meaning they’ve now lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches to sit two points off fifth and four points adrift of the Champions League spots.

    Fulham have also proven a pest to Liverpool in recent times, beating them 1-0 at Anfield in March 2021, drawing 2-2 at home in August 2022 and only losing 4-3 in May 2023 after taking the lead in the 80th minute.

    All told, Liverpool will have their work cut out for them on Saturday. However, Arne Slot’s men have won 16 of their last 18 matches across all competitions, drawing the other two. Mohamed Salah is in red-hot form and it’s hard to see anyone stopping them right now.

    Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham (7/1 with BetMGM)

    Newcastle vs Leicester

    Newcastle are very much in danger of fading into obscurity this season, with just two points on the board from their last four games. A 4-2 defeat away at Brentford was their latest disappointment, seeing the Magpies slip to 12th in the table, seven points off the top four.

    By contrast, Leicester have made an excellent start to life under Ruud van Nistelrooy, following up their 3-1 win over West Ham with a 2-2 draw against Brighton, despite trailing 2-0 heading into the 86th minute.

    Both sides are scoring quite freely at the moment and have undoubted talent in the final third, so this should at least be an entertaining affair — much more so than the goalless draw the last time they met in May 2023.

    But home advantage should help Newcastle return to winning ways, while reminding Van Nistelrooy that he still has plenty of work to do to keep Leicester out of the relegation mix.

    Prediction: Newcastle 3-2 Leicester (19/1 with BetMGM)

    Wolves vs Ipswich

    Gary O’Neil remains in the Wolves dugout but he must surely win here if that is to remain the case. The Midlands side have lost their last three matches, conceding a whopping 10 goals along the way, despite not facing any teams inside the top seven.

    Ipswich are, of course, level on nine points with Wolves and have won just one Premier League match since returning to the top flight, with the bulk of their points coming in draws. But the Tractor Boys are also on a three-match losing streak, though in very different fashion with just one goal scored and four conceded.

    You get the feeling Ipswich have what it takes to frustrate Wolves, but lack the firepower to get the win.

    Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Ipswich (9/2 with BetMGM)

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    Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

    Staying in the Midlands, we have a relatively local meeting between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa to round off Saturday’s action.

    Forest have just maintained their strong start to the season, winning at home to Ipswich and away at Man Utd recently amid defeats to Newcastle, Arsenal and Man City. The Tricky Trees remain fifth and just two points off the top four and can still dream of an unlikely return to European football.

    But Aston Villa are hot on their tails, only trailing them by a single goal after ending an eight-game winless streak with victories against Brentford and Southampton. Villa also beat RB Leipzig 3-2 away in the Champions League on Tuesday which, although surely fatiguing them, will surely build even more confidence.

    Villa haven’t won at the City Ground since Forest returned to the Premier League but with Unai Emery’s men back on the horse, that could change here.

    Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Aston Villa (19/1 with BetMGM)

    Brighton vs Crystal Palace

    Super Sunday kicks off with one of the most unusual rivalries in English football as Brighton host Crystal Palace.

    Brighton have faltered of late, winning just two of their last eight matches across all competitions in a run that’s seen them exit the EFL Cup and slip to seventh in the Premier League. The Seagulls have taken just two points from their last three games and, as mentioned, blew a 2-0 lead in the final few minutes against Leicester last weekend.

    Palace, meanwhile, have well and truly turned a corner after a dreadful start, losing just one of their last eight across all competitions, climbing out of the relegation zone in the process. The Eagles drew 2-2 with Man City last week but will feel they did more than enough to justify the win.

    Brighton have dominated this rivalry recently, unbeaten in six and winning two of the last three meetings, including 4-1 at home in February. We expect another Brighton win this time, although nowhere near as comfortably.

    Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace (11/2 with BetMGM)

    Manchester City vs Manchester United

    Sky’s portion of Sunday’s action concludes with the clash of the weekend as Man City welcome rivals Man Utd to the Etihad.

    As mentioned, both sides are in desperate need of the result, with City’s awful run leaving them eight points off the top of the table, while United are languishing down in 13th, only two points further away from the relegation zone than they are from the top four.

    In the Premier League, at least, Man City have managed to take four points from their last two games, thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 at home before battling to a 2-2 draw at Palace last week. Erling Haaland ended a three-game league drought in the latter and boasts a record of six goals in four Premier League appearances against Man Utd.

    It’s hard to see the Norwegian not scoring against one of his favourite opponents, but you’d also back the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho to cause problems for City’s leaky defence.

    A fun score draw could be on the cards, although that result wouldn’t really benefit either side.

    Prediction: Man City 2-2 Man Utd (10/1 with BetMGM)

    Southampton vs Tottenham

    Sunday’s action isn’t finished, with TNT Sports’ customary match of the week switching from their usual Saturday lunchtime slot.

    Ange Postecoglou must be praying for a win at this point, with his side managing just one of those in their last eight matches across all competitions, slipping to 11th in the table in the process. Supporters will accept nothing less than a victory against bottom side Southampton, as well.

    Saints suffered a harrowing 5-1 loss at home to Chelsea recently, but only lost by a one-goal margin against Aston Villa and Liverpool, while they’ve drawn against Brighton and beaten Everton since the start of November.

    This won’t be a gimme for Spurs but they’ll get over the line, easing the pressure on Postecoglou, if only a little.

    Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Tottenham (21/2 with BetMGM)

    Chelsea vs Brentford

    There’s one more game on Sunday, with Chelsea given a few extra hours rest before taking on Brentford following their long trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana in the Conference League on Thursday.

    If this were at the Gtech Community Stadium, you’d back Brentford for the win. After all, the Bees are the Premier League’s best home team right now with seven wins and a draw from eight games this season. However, it’s a completely different story away from home, where they’ve taken just one point from seven matches.

    Chelsea have only lost once at Stamford Bridge in any competition this season and despite a ruthless travel schedule, they’ll maintain that run here.

    Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford (7/1 with BetMGM)

    Bournemouth vs West Ham

    Monday night football comes from the south coast this time around as Bournemouth host West Ham.

    The Cherries are enjoying themselves right now, winning their last three Premier League matches to climb to eighth in the table, just three points off the Champions League spots.

    West Ham will also be a little relieved after beating Wolves 2-1 last time out, although Julen Lopetegui knows he’s still bang under pressure.

    The Hammers haven’t lost a competitive match against Bournemouth since January 2019 and have managed a respectable eight points on the road this season. Those two things combined could see them battle it out for a much-needed draw.

    Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham (6/1 with BetMGM)

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