Last week may well have been the end of the international fixtures for 2021, but there are still a whole host of matches to be played in the Premier League over the winter months. In fact, the period from now until February will be the busiest part of the season for the teams.
This weekend’s full set of games for Matchday 12 in the EPL will herald the start of a busy period of games that not only features a number of midweek Premier League matchdays, but also the busy Christmas and New Year period for games and of course, the start of the FA Cup for many top teams when the Third Round kicks off in January.
We also have the latter stages of the Football League Cup to play through too, with quarter finals of the competition set to be played over the 21
st and 22
nd December.
So it is an incredibly busy period of action for teams and one which will test their squad strength to the full and it all kicks off this weekend with a number of key games in the Premier League, including Liverpool taking on Arsenal at Anfield in arguably the biggest game of Matchday 12.
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Let’s take a look now at the games that will be played this weekend and we will of course give you our top tips for each one.
Premier League Fixtures – Matchday 12 – 20th & 21st November
Saturday 20th November
Leicester City v Chelsea
Leicester City have endured a very inconsistent season, winning well in some games but then losing others you would expect them to win. Chelsea in contrast have been hugely consistent and deservedly sit at the top of the Premier League table. If Leicester were in form, I’d give them a real chance here of causing an upset, but they are not and as such, I think Chelsea have enough talent to get the job done here.
- Tip – Chelsea to win (3/4)
Aston Villa v Brighton
Steven Gerrard’s first game in charge of Aston Villa will be a home game against Brighton. The ex-Rangers manager will need to put a quick end to Villa’s run of five successive defeats to avoid his team becoming embroiled in a relegation battle. Brighton are no slouches as they have proved this season with a superb start and I can’t see the Seagulls losing here but I do think Villa will get a new manager bounce and end their run of defeats by picking up a point.
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Both these teams have seen improved form of late but both are also draw specialists somewhat in the Premier League with 11 draws between them in the games that they have played this season. You can probably tell where I am going with this one then! I do feel Palace have the better team and attacking players but Burnley at home are always a tough nut to crack and I think that the draw is the sensible betting option here.
Newcastle United v Brentford
Will Eddie Howe be able to galvanise Newcastle enough to move them away from the relegation zone? We will be able to tell a bit more affer this crucial home game against a Brentford side whose recent form has been a bit sketchy after an excellent start in the Premier League. Even so, I think the Londoners have a great chance of recording an upset win here against a Newcastle side in a state of flux.
- Tip – Brentford to win (7/4)
Norwich City v Southampton
Dean Smith wasn’t out of a job for long as Norwich City snapped him up after he was sacked at Aston Villa. I think that is a smart move by the Canaries but I think it is going to be hard for Smith to make an immediate impact after an international break and against a Southampton side that are generally in very good form at the moment. The Saints do blow hot and cold, but I am backing them to continue their improved performances with a win here.
- Tip – Southampton to win (21/20)
Watford v Manchester United
Manchester United need to bounce back after another defeat at home to Manchester City, however their win at Spurs does give them real hope of another win on the road here. Watford have blown hot and cold this season, especially at home, and I think that the Hornets are going to be up against it against a United side sure to be fired up to get the points in the bag here.
- Tip – Manchester United to win (9/20)
Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United
After their win over Liverpool on the last weekend of Premier League action, West Ham will be full of confidence heading into this game against a Wolves side that are also in pretty good form. The home side did not start the season well but their more recent form has been much more impressive and I think they are going to give the Hammers a real game here. I can’t see West Ham losing though so I feel a draw is the most likely option.
Liverpool v Arsenal
After losing their first game of the season to West Ham, Liverpool will be desperate to get back to winning ways here. They face an Arsenal side though that have not been beaten in eight Premier League games and with Liverpool missing a few first team stars through injury, this could be a tough one for the home side, although I still feel that they will have just enough quality to win the game, given that it is at Anfield.
- Tip – Liverpool to win (9/20)
Sunday 20th November
Manchester City v Everton (2pm)
Manchester City have won all of the last eight contests between these two teams and so Rafa
Benitez’s Everton side will have to try and end their run of five games without a win against the current Champions and recent history. I can’t really see a way for the Toffees to do that given the form City have shown at home in general this season and after that loss to Palace in their last home game, City won’t slip up again here.
- Tip – Manchester City to win (1/7)
Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United (4.30pm)
Two teams who have not done as well as expected this season meet in London on Sunday. Leeds form has been patchy and so has Spurs, but I think that with a change of manager and striker Harry Kane coming back from scoring seven goals in two games for England, that the home side will have the advantage here and I am backing them to get back to winning ways with a victory against a Leeds side still missing a number of key players.
- Tip – Tottenham Hotspur to win (7/10)
*All games kick off at 3pm unless otherwise stated. All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing but may have changed in the meantime.