Premier League 2018/19: Match previews and predictions for Gameweek 12

The game week eleven saw one of the Premier League classics as Arsenal and Liverpool went head to head in what was a testament to fast attacking football. Manchester United came from behind again to win against Bournemouth in the stoppage time.

While Chelsea won comprehensively, Spurs were made to sweat by Wolves. Pep Guardiola's side is looking like the big deal at the moment and thrashed Southampton by six goals handing the Saints the worst defeat in their Premier League history.

It was an emotional afternoon for the Foxes, but they managed to carve out a win and dedicate that victory to the late Vichai. Good news for the Huddersfield fans as the club registered their first win of the season against Fulham.

If the last weekend was exciting, this is going to get even better as both the Manchester clubs lock horns for the 177th time in all competitions. Manchester City is by far the best team in the Premier League and looking good to defend their title whereas United are flying high after two back-to-back comebacks away wins including beating Juventus at Turin in the Champions League.

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs have tricky fixtures while Liverpool should have a regular game against Fulham at Anfield. Leicester City would be back after the funeral following the game last weekend and would be hoping to continue the winning run against Burnley. With a series of mouthwatering fixtures ahead, let's look at the previews and predictions for all the games from matchday 12.

#10 Cardiff City vs Brighton

Glenn Murray would be crucial for Burnley.

Cardiff City are finding life difficult in the Premier League. Neil Warnock's side has just won one game so far and is languishing at the nineteenth position in the table. Last time out, they lost at home against a Leicester side who didn't have enough preparation before the game. If Cardiff can't sort out their issues right now, it won't be long before they find themselves playing in the Championship again next season.

Chris Hughton's side lost handsomely at Goodison last time out and would want to get back to winning ways. As like Cardiff, goalscoring is also an issue for Brighton and the club should invest in a striker in January.

Prediction: Cardiff 0 - 0 Brighton

#9 Southampton vs Watford

Mark Hughes is not getting good results.

It would take something extraordinary for the Southampton players to move on from the last week thrashing at Manchester City. Though the City game cannot be a reason to judge the quality of the team, Mark Hughes knows his side needs to do a lot more than what they are doing now. The Saints are one point above the relegation zone and already fighting for Premier League survival this early in the season.

Watford suffered a shock defeat against Newcastle last time out and would want to shrug that disappointment off. Javi Gracia's side was better in most parts of the game but paid for their missed chances to score. They are in a good position in the league and have an excellent opportunity to finish in the top half of the table at the end of the campaign.

Prediction: Southampton 0 - 2 Watford

#8 Leicester City vs Burnley

It's a difficult time at the King Power Stadium as the players, and the fans are still recovering from the incident of the shocking demise of their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Despite not able to prepare much for the game, Leicester managed to win at the Cardiff City last weekend and would want to repeat the same against Burnley as well.

Sean Dyche's men are far off from the performance they put last season. Burnley is currently fifteenth in the league and just two points above the relegation zone. They are already fighting for survival and would need a big performance against the Foxes at the weekend.

Prediction: Leicester City 1 - 0 Burnley

#7 Huddersfield vs West Ham United

David Wagner's side is struggling to score goals.

Huddersfield must be upbeat after their first win of the season last time out. However, David Wagner knows his side are still struggling to score goals and relying mostly on set pieces for one.

On the other hand, the Hammers put up a dominating display against Burnley last weekend scoring four goals in the process. That victory came after a run of some winless games, but now they need to hold on to it and start winning more matches along the way.

Prediction: Huddersfield 0 - 2 West Ham United

#6 Newcastle vs Bournemouth

Rafa Benitez won his first game of the season last weekend.

Like Huddersfield, Newcastle United also registered their first win of the season against Watford. Though the Magpies were the second best in the match, when the chance came, they took it with both hands. Despite the win, Rafa Benitez's side is far from convincing and needs to improve their style of play.

Eddie Howe's side's good run of games came to an end after they lost to Manchester United last weekend. Bournemouth was far better in the first half and should have been out of sight, but Jose Mourinho's side came back in the second half and grabbed a winner in the injury time which was the least that Bournemouth deserved from the game. Still, they have impressed a lot this season, and against Newcastle, the Cherries should fancy themselves to get all three points.

Prediction: Newcastle 0 - 2 Bournemouth

#5 Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Crystal Palace are two points above the relegation zone and have won just two games this season. Roy Hodgson's side were poor against Chelsea in the previous game, but at home, they came back to draw against Arsenal couple of weeks back. Palace should consider a chance to cause an upset against Spurs this weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur have been far from convincing this season. Against top sides like City and Liverpool, Pochettino's team has already lost this campaign and are fighting desperately to finish in the top four. Selhurst Park is a tricky place to visit, and with the form that the Spurs are in, the game could go either way.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Spurs

#4 Liverpool vs Fulham

Klopp would be disappointed with his team's performance in the midweek.

Liverpool are going through a slightly rough week after drawing against Arsenal in the Premier League and losing to Red Star in midweek in the Champions League. Klopp himself knows his side has still not hit the quality they showed last season, and there is a lot of room for improvement.

Despite the hype, Fulham have performed below the expectations in the Premier League. The quality of players they have got and the money spent in the transfer market has not done justice to their play. Jokanovic's side are languishing at the bottom of the table, and it's looking like a long way back for them to save relegation.

Prediction: Liverpool 3 - 0 Fulham

#3 Chelsea vs Everton

It's the battle of Blues where the club from London are the favorites given their recent form. Sarri will be delighted seeing Morata scoring goals and gradually getting back to form. The dynamic of Chelsea has changed since the Italian took over and they are a formidable force in the League this season along with Manchester City and Liverpool.

Marco Silva has done a decent job so far at Everton. The summer signings of Richarlison and Bernard have given good performances for the club. They are still without a top quality striker which might haunt them later in the season and also against Chelsea this weekend.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 - 1 Everton

#2 Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Lacazette scored a delightful goal against Liverpool.

The Gunners are unbeaten in all competitions since the first two games of the season. Unai Emery didn't take long to instill his philosophy, and it's reflecting in their performances as well.

Both the forwards are in excellent form along with Mesut Ozil who has been expectational in the last few games. The League title might be too far at the moment, but a top-four finish would undoubtedly make it a successful season for them.

Wolves have impressed everyone with their style play and are not afraid to take the game to any opposition. Last weekend they were 0-3 down but showed the resolution to pull two goals back. Against Arsenal, Nuno's side have to do the same if they were to get anything out of it.

Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

#1 Man City vs Man United

Pep Guardiola would be wary of what happened last season.

Manchester City are the best team in the Premier League by a large extent. They are miles ahead of everyone and are well on their way to defend the league title. Pep Guardiola's side are yet to drop a single point at home this season in the Premier League and are almost humiliating opponents at ease.

However, their last defeat at home came against Jose Mourinho's side who were 2-0 down at halftime but came back to win 3-2 in the second half. Manchester United are flying high at the moment after two away victories back-2-back.

Winning against Juventus at Turin was a monumental task which Mourinho successfully masterminded. Though Manchester City is favorites for this one, in a derby, anything can happen.

Prediction: Man City 2 - 1 Man United

Edited by Abhinav Munshi