Gameweek 13 is here and all the teams and managers are ready to go after an international break that has seen many players picking up injuries. This article assesses these important players and how things might go down this week in the Premier League.
Brighton vs Leicester
Brighton aren’t doing too badly in the Premier League. However, last time out they lost away against a struggling Cardiff side. Leicester City played out a very boring draw against Burnley at home last weekend and will want to get back to winning ways. Goalscoring has not been an issue for the Foxes and hence they could snatch a win in this fixture.
STAR MAN: Jamie Vardy (9.0m)
It’s been a while since we’ve had a goal from him and Leicester will be desperate to see their talisman score this weekend.
PREDICTION: Brighton 1 – 1 Leicester
Everton vs Cardiff
Everton, currently ninth in the table, have been inconsistent with their performances this season but they slowly seem to be finding some form and they are up against a Cardiff team this weekend who find themselves in the relegation zone. Cardiff have won just two games so far this season and find it hard to score away from home. They surely need to find their shooting boots if they are to stay in the league.
STAR MAN: Richarlison (6.9m)
He has to be the key from midfield considering that Sigurdsson might not be able to take part in the game.
PREDICTION: Everton 2-0 Cardiff
Fulham vs Southampton
Fulham are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table and don’t seem to be improving at all. They have won just one game all season and have scored just 11 goals so far which is the joint fourth worst tally in the league this season. Southampton aren’t doing too well themselves having not won any of their last five games and having the second worst goal scoring tally this season with just 8 goals.
STAR MAN: Aleksandr Mitrovic (6.6m)
The only spark in this Fulham team who has scored 5 of their 11 goals this season.
PREDICTION: Fulham 1-1 Southampton
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Manchester United cannot afford any more slip-ups this season as they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils already sit 12 points off the pace in eighth place, with four defeats – including a damaging 3-1 defeat to rivals Man City before the international break – in their opening 12 games, leaving the club in real danger of missing out on Champions League football next season. Palace have never beaten United in the Premier League, but Wilfried Zaha will be desperate to impress against his former club and break that winless streak.
STAR MAN: Anthony Martial (7.6m)
Has begun to impress and getting on the scoresheet even more regularly now. He is key to United in games like these.
PREDICTION: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Watford vs Liverpool
Liverpool are hot on the heels of champions Manchester City as Jurgen Klopp takes his title chasers to Watford on Saturday afternoon. Klopp’s men have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the 2018-19 league season, and have conceded just five goals in 12 games to sit two points behind pace-setters Man City. Javi Garcia’s perfect start to life at Watford had to come to an end at some point, but the Hornets still sit seventh – ahead of Manchester United on goal difference – and will provide a stern test for Liverpool.
STAR MAN: Mohamed Salah (13.0m)
The Egyptian will be looking to get back onto the scoresheet and help maintain his teams unbeaten record.
PREDICTION: Watford 1-2 Liverpool
West Ham vs Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini takes on his former club on Saturday as West Ham host champions Manchester City in East London. Pellegrini led City to the 2013-14 Premier League title, but made way for Pep Guardiola two years later – and City have gone from strength to strength since then. The Chilean has had a disjointed start at West Ham with the club sitting 13th, though Pellegrini’s side will fancy their chances of causing City problems having already beaten Manchester United and drawn against Chelsea at the London Stadium this season.
STAR MAN: Leroy Sane (9.2m)
He must be fresh after the international break and keen to make an impact after not starting the previous game.
PREDICTION: West Ham 0-2 Manchester City
Tottenham vs Chelsea
Tottenham and Chelsea face off at Wembley on Sunday as Maurizio Sarri gets his first taste of a fiery London derby against Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs. There is little love lost between the bitter rivals, and Saturday’s meeting is bound to be another tempestuous clash with just one point separating the clubs in the table. While a defeat would be by no means an end to either side’s respective title challenge as early as November, any dropped points will make it that much harder to catch champions Manchester City in pole position.
STAR MAN: Harry Kane (12.4m)
He will be determined to score against the London Rivals as he so often does in these big games.
PREDICTION: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Arsenal are seeking to end a run of three Premier League games without a win as they head to the south coast to play Bournemouth. Unai Emery’s Gunners are unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions, but have drawn their last three league matches to slip eight points behind table-toppers Manchester City. To break that drawing streak, Arsenal will have to be on their guard as they face a Bournemouth side sitting four points behind in sixth place, with Eddie Howe’s Cherries back to their free-flowing best.
STAR MAN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (10.9m)
Aubameyang’s goalscoring record away from home is impressive and he could just be the man to down the Bournemouth defence.
PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
Wolves vs Huddersfield
Wolves have won just one of their last five fixtures and have slipped down into 11th place. However, it’s not all bad news as they have conceded just 13 goals so far this season whilst their opponents Huddersfield have the worst goal scoring tally in the league. This should be an easy win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team after an unfortunate draw last time around against the Gunners.
STAR MAN: Raul Jiminez (5.8m)
He puts in the most effort up-front for his team and will be looking to get onto the scoresheet more often for his team.
PREDICTION: Wolves 2-0 Huddersfield
Burnley vs Newcastle
Burnley are winless in their last five games and have won just two so far this season and hence find themselves just a point above the bottom three. Newcastle on the other hand were winless until gameweek 10, after which they have managed to find their shape and have won two games on the spin. Rafa and his men will be looking to carry forward this momentum and make it three wins out of three.
STAR MAN: Ayoze Perez (6.1m)
He is bound to score if the Newcastle attack clicks and his smart style of play will get him in behind the Burnley defence.
PREDICTION: Burnley 1-2 Newcastle
Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)
