SK Predicts: Looking ahead to all the European fixtures of the weekend beginning 18 November 2016

Premier League

(FILE PHOTO - EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image Numbers 177996036 (L) and 452339145) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho (L) and Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger. The Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea takes place on December 23, 2013 at the Emirates Stadium, London, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal and Olympique de Marseille at Emirates Stadium on November 26, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger resume their rivalry on Saturday

Saturday, 19^th November

♦ Manchester 2-2 Arsenal (6:00 PM)

While this fixture doesn’t have the tension of a title clash of late, thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, it still remains one of the most contentious games in the Premier League season. There is added spice to this game now that Jose Mourinho is the Red Devil’s manager – while it is no Keane vs Vieira, Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have no love lost between the pair. Expect the touchlines to be lit up with fireworks, if not the pitch.

Arsenal are favourites when it comes to overall form recently, but history heavily favours Manchester United, with the Gunners’ last win at Old Trafford in the league coming a decade ago in 2006, although Danny Welbeck did give Arsenal a win in the FA Cup. Expect Mesut Ozil to continue his great scoring form, while Marcus Rashford will probably torment the Arsenal yet again, much like his two-goal salvo in the 3-2 win last year.

Sunderland 3-2 Hull City (8:30 PM)

Watford 2-1 Leicester City (8:30 PM)

Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City (8:30 PM)

Everton 2-0 Swansea City (8:30 PM)

Stoke City 0-0 AFC Bournemouth (8:30 PM)

♦ Southampton 2-2 Liverpool (8:30 PM)

The Reds are top of the Premier League, but continue to leak goals in defence. The Liverpool juggernaut could come crashing to a halt against Southampton, with their most important player, Philippe Coutinho a doubt for the game, while the Saints have a good record at the Stadium of Light in the league.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United (11:00 PM)

Sunday, 20^th November

♦ Middlesbrough 1-4 Chelsea FC (9:30 PM)

Chelsea FC can go top of the Premier League with a win – Antonio Conte’s side will be the last of the big boys to play this weekend and will have the advantage of knowing their rivals have slipped up going into the game. There are a couple of injury doubts, but Conte’s 3-4-3 system is looking more fluent as the season goes on. Expect some great goals, with the Riverside fans likely to go home unhappy.

Tuesday, 22^nd November

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Burnley FC