The Barclays Premier League will resume once again after the International break this weekend. In the previous matchday, the two Manchester sides locked horns at the Etihad Stadium, where City dominated and stamped their authority once again on the title race.
Liverpool did their share bit to keep up the pace with Manchester City at the top by beating Fulham 2-0. However, both Chelsea and Arsenal dropped points at home against Everton and Wolves respectively. Spurs came away with a narrow win at the Selhurst Park keeping their hopes of a top-four finish alive.
Both Newcastle United and Cardiff registered their second win of the season while Fulham's defeat at Anfield led to the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as their new manager.
Gameweek thirteen will see two London sides - Spurs and Chelsea going head-2-head in what promises to be an absolute cliffhanger. Jose Mourinho will hope to get back to winning ways as Manchester United host Palace at Old Trafford. City, Liverpool, and Arsenal have tricky away fixtures in which they are expected to come through with flying colors.
With a lot to look forward to, here are the Previews and Predictions from matchday 13 of the Barclays Premier League.
#10 West Ham United vs. Manchester City
The Hammers will face their biggest test of the season yet, while Pep Guardiola's Man City will look to keep their unbeaten run going at the London stadium. A former City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, will know some of his ex-players well but will need a massive performance from his current side to get anything out of the game.
Wilshere is likely to return from injury for West Ham while Yarmolenko, Lanzini and Winston Reid are still long time absentees. Pep Guardiola will be without his key defender, Benjamin Mendy who underwent surgery during the International break. Guardiola might need to change his formation to accommodate for the absence of the left back.
Prediction: West Ham 0 - 3 Man City
#9 Brighton vs. Leicester City
Brighton's biggest win of the season was against Manchester United, but since then Chris Hughton's side hasn't been able to make much progress. Currently twelfth in the table, a win would take them equal in points to their opposition this weekend.
The mood around Leicester City for the past few weeks has been a bit gloomy following the unfortunate passing of their owner Vichai in a helicopter crash. However, the Foxes managed to win emphatically against Cardiff in the game following the incident and would want to dedicate another victory to their late owner in this fixture as well. Harry Maguire is likely to miss the tie for Claude Puel's side after picking up a knock on England duty.
Prediction: Brighton 1 - 1 Leicester City
#8 Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace
The game against Manchester City at Etihad indicated how far Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are from their noisy neighbors. United lacked creativity and didn't pose any threat to Pep Guardiola's side. However, after the International break, the game against Palace is a good chance for the Red Devils to get back to winning ways at Old Trafford.
Roy Hodgson's side is struggling to score this season with just eight goals from the opening twelve matches. They are currently sixteenth in the league and just above the relegation zone by a better goal difference.
Prediction: Man United 2 - 1 Crystal Palace
#7 Everton vs. Cardiff City
Neil Warnock's side has won just two games so far and is languishing at the eighteenth position in the table. The victory last time out against Brighton was not enough to keep them out of the relegation zone.
Marco Silva has done a great job so far at Everton. The hard-fought draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge would have given the team a whole lot of confidence going into this game. The Toffees could go three places above at sixth with a win this weekend.
Prediction: Everton 3 - 1 Cardiff City
#6 Watford vs. Liverpool
Despite Manchester City's dominance, Jurgen Klopp's side is doing just enough to keep the pace with City at the top. However, the Reds have not been up to the level they were last season, and the manager knows there is room for improvement. They are still unbeaten in the League, mainly thanks to their defense which has leaked only five goals so far.
Javi Gracia's Watford started the season brightly winning the first four games but has fallen off the pace since then. Currently sitting seventh in the league, they will have their task cut out against a formidable Liverpool side this weekend.
Prediction: Watford 1 - 2 Liverpool
#5 Fulham vs. Southampton
It would be interesting to see how Fulham starts their season under the new manager Claudio Ranieri. They are currently at the bottom of the league with just one win so far. The high-quality players the club bought in the summer haven't done enough to justify their price tag yet.
The same could be said about Mark Hughes's Southampton as well. The lack of goals is a huge cause of concern for the manager who desperately needs a win to avoid falling into the relegation zone at the end of this gameweek.
Prediction: Fulham 1 - 1 Southampton
#4 Bournemouth vs. Arsenal
Bournemouth has exceeded everyone's expectation this season. Eddie Howe's side have been praised for their ambitious style of play. Against Manchester United, the Cherries were the better team but were unlucky not to get anything out the game. However, the defeat against Newcastle last time out has taken the shine off of their brilliant start to the campaign.
The Cherries will be up against an Arsenal side who are unbeaten in their last ten league games and are genuine contenders for a top-four place. Unai Emery hasn't taken long to instill his philosophy which has reflected in their performances as well.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2 - 2 Arsenal
#3 Wolves vs. Huddersfield
Another team along with Bournemouth which has impressed this season is Wolves. The draw at the Emirates in the last gameweek will give the players good confidence going into this game. A win could take them into the top half of the table.
On the other hand, Huddersfield is struggling to put the ball at the back of the net with David Wagner's men scoring the least number of goals so far in the Premier League this campaign. The Molineux stadium is a fortress, and the Terriers will have to be at their very best to get something out of the game.
Prediction: Wolves 2 - 1 Huddersfield
#2 Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea
This fixture has produced some memorable matches down the years, and this iteration promises to be no different. Maurizio Sarri's side is unbeaten in the League and is looking good to finish above Tottenham by the end of the campaign. Players like Eden Hazard and Jorginho have performed exceptionally for the Blues.
However, despite being fourth in the table, Pochettino's side have been far from their best and looked to be surrounded by all kinds of off-field controversies. Their most significant win of the season was against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Since then, Spurs have lost against Liverpool and Manchester City. They will be in for a tough test against an attacking Chelsea side.
Prediction: Spurs 2 - 2 Chelsea
#1 Burnley vs. Newcastle United
Newcastle United registered their second win of the season last time out against Bournemouth. The back-2-back wins have taken Rafa Benitez's side out of the bottom three to fourteenth in the table.
Burnley is playing like a shadow of the side they were last season and are currently level on points with the Magpies. However, a win would take them above Newcastle at the end of the matchday 13.
Prediction: Burnley 1 - 1 Newcastle United