The Premier League enters week 13 as three major contenders have emerged, with daylight separating the chasing pack.
The round gets underway in the capital as the Gunners attempt to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat to Liverpool last time out.
Elsewhere, Gerrard looks to go two from two when Villa travel to Selhurst Park, Man City plays host to West Ham in a top-four showdown, and Michael Carrick leads United into battle against league leaders Chelsea.
as always we’ve previewed all 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend and provided our best betting plays below!
Newcastle remains the only side inside the top four flights of English football yet to register a win this season (6D,6L)!
The Toons have endured a dreaded time at the Emirates in the past, losing nine straight PL away fixtures to the Gooners, dating back to 2010!
The Gunners impressively outscored Newcastle 27-5 across that trip, and have kept a clean sheet against the Toons in each of their previous six meetings in all comps!
Following their humbling defeat to the Reds last time out, this represents a perfect rebound fixture for Arsenal, who like every other side in the league, should be able to put a few goals past a comical Toons’ defence.
The Reds are set to play their third game in a week when they welcome the Saints to Anfield.
Klopp has been forced to rely on the depth of his squad as the injuries begin to pile up, and the bench has been delivering!
Liverpool dominated the Gunners 4-0 last time out, a scoreline which could’ve blowout further if not for the heroics of Aaron Ramsdale.
The Reds have won seven of the last eight matches against the Saints, six of which victories came without conceding!
The Merseysiders are the only side to have scored in every game this season, a streak that runs back 22 games across all comps!
Klopp’s side has looked terrific across the park of late, and I’m backing them to pick up three points along with their eighth clean sheet of the season.
Norwich are no longer bottom of the pile!
Dean Smith made an instant impact upon his arrival at Carrow Road, guiding the Canaries to their second league win of the season.
This will come as little concern to the Wolves, who have lost just once across their last seven league outings (5W,1D), most recently knocking over the high flying Hammers.
The Wolves won on their previous two trips to Carrow Road across all comps, while they have also bettered a Dean Smith coach Villa on the road earlier this season.
The Canaries may be experiencing an uptick in form of late, though Wolverhampton will provide a far sterner task than the likes of Brentford and Southampton.
With Jimenez rediscovering his form in front of goal, Wolves look like an absolute steal at the current H2H price.
Stevie G is the only Premier League manager with a perfect record!
The Liverpool legend led his side to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a well-managed Brighton unit, with Ollie putting his hand up for future selection.
Gerrard and Vieira were both incredible forces through the middle of the ground, meeting on nine occasions in the league, Steven holds a slight edge over his Gunners counterpart, winning four times over the trip (3D,2L).
Though it is Vieira and the Eagles who hold the current longest unbeaten run in the league (2W,5D), only falling to defeat against Liverpool and Chelsea this season!
I’m backing the home side to build on their undefeated run, plus over 1.5 goals to be scored in their 11th straight fixture.
Brighton and Leeds will both be out to turn around their fortunes when the two sides meet at Amex Stadium on Sunday morning (AEST).
Following a rapid start to the season, the Seagulls have gone their last seven league matches without tasting victory (5D,2L).
While Leeds have only returned two wins on the season and are struggling to find their way to goal.
Brighton has won eight of their last nine fixtures against the Whites, winning both matches last season to nil.
I’m backing the home side to get back to winning ways at the expense of a tired-looking Leeds squad.
Watford float into their clash against the Foxes, buoyed by the confidence of their 4-1 lashing of Manchester United last weekend.
If nothing else, you know you’re in for a show when the Hornets are playing, with just one of their fixtures this season finishing in a draw (4W,7L).
Since a 1-0 victory over the Wolves in. GW!, the Foxes have failed to keep a clean sheet in the following 11 fixtures!
Meanwhile, Watford are one of two sides yet to register a clean this season.
I’m backing both sides’ defensive woes to continue in a match that could ultimately fall either way.
The Bees and the Toffees, the two sides with the worst form in the league are set to lock horns at Brentford Community Stadium this weekend.
Everton are winless across their last six Premier League outings (2D,4L), with their last victory coming against the Canaries.
Compounding the Toffees miseries is the fact that most of their squad is indisposed, with three of their top four goalscorers set to miss this fixture.
Despite a horror run, Brentford has still been able to find the back of the net on a consistent basis, scoring in their last five games across all comps, all of which saw over 2.5 goals scored.
I’m backing these sides to throw everything at this contest, with plenty of chances to be created at both ends of the park.
Considering the standard of defending here, I’m happy to take the value on offer for the Overs.
Tottenham are out to go three league games without defeat under Antonio Conte when they travel to Turf Moor.
Burnley has only recorded one win on the season (6D,5L) against the out of sorts Bees, only managing to secure two from a possible 18 points against sides sitting inside the top nine.
Conte has found success at every level, and in every league, he has been involved with, and although there is much work to be done to improve his current squad, I can’t see him dropping points against a relegation contender here.
Game of the week arrives on Sunday night (AEST) when Manchester City plays host to giant slayer West Ham United.
The Hammers find themselves in the top four, just three points shy of City, following victories against Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton, and Leicester!
David Moyes has constructed his team to break fast on transition, a ploy which could prove very effective against a possession-based outfit like City.
Though Sky Blues fans should not be too concerned, their side has bettered the Irons in nine of the pairs’ last ten meetings (1D), outscoring their opponents 28-5 across the trip!
City are too short in the H2H market for mine, instead, I’ll be backing the goals to flow in what should be an entertaining contest!
Game week 13 comes to a close when Michael Carrick leads Manchester United out to battle against table-toppers Chelsea at the Bridge.
United has responded well since that sacking of club legend Ole, progressing through to the knock-out round of the UCL via a 2-0 victory over Villarreal.
It’s clear that Carrick has already employed a more defensive-minded structure, opting for three CM’s, while leaving offensive weapon Bruno Fernandes on the bench.
This fixture has traditionally been quite cagey, with the previous two league meetings resulting as scoreless draws, while over 2.5 goals has hit just once across their last five PL fixtures.
I believe Carrick will be looking to limit the damage on his first and last league game in charge of United, with the Unders appearing to be a huge value play.