The Premier League returns following the final international break of the year, and we predict five things we think will happen this weekend.
It feels like a lifetime since the last round of league games took place, but we now have wall-to-wall domestic action until March.
Liverpool face Man City at the Etihad on Saturday evening, which provides a great opportunity for Jurgen Klopp‘s side to outline their top-four credentials.
There are interesting matches everywhere you look, and plenty of talking points are sure to emerge from the action over the next few days.
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Here are five things we predict will happen in Gameweek 13.
Roberto Firmino to open his Liverpool account
It hasn’t exactly been a lightning-fast start to life on Merseyside for Roberto Firmino, but there are signs that the 24-year-old is starting to come into his own.
Some silky performances in recent weeks have really the caught eye, most notably his Man of the Match display against Bournemouth in the League Cup.
The one thing escaping the Brazilian at Liverpool so far is a goal; something he provided a consistent flow of while at Hoffenheim.
You feel as if he is due one, and what better place to start than away to City tomorrow evening.
Eden Hazard to end goal drought
In 2014/15, Eden Hazard was untouchable. He inspired Chelsea to the Premier League title, and deservedly took home the coveted PFA Player of the Year award.
Things have not gone to plan for the 24-year-old Belgian this season, however, and he is yet to score in the league. In fact, his last goal came against Crystal Palace in early May.
Hazard hasn’t become a bad player overnight, and Saturday’s home game against Norwich City is the perfect opportunity for him to end his drought.
Whether Jose Mourinho’s struggling side pick up all three points remains to be seen, but he will find the back of the net against the Canaries.
Leicester and Vardy’s bubble bursts
Leicester City‘s 2015/16 campaign has been remarkable so far, with new manager Claudio Ranieri guiding his side to third in the table, just a point behind City and Arsenal.
The key to this run has been the form of striker Jamie Vardy, who leads the scoring charts and has found the net in his last nine consecutive league appearances.
Both Vardy and Leicester have done themselves proud, but all good things come to an end at some point. Saturday could well be that day.
On paper, a trip to struggling Newcastle is far from the most daunting game, but the Foxes are due a defeat and Vardy is not fully fit. The international break came at the wrong time for Ranieri’s men.
United to win with a clean-sheet
It’s fair to say that Man United have become a fairly boring team of late, and a far cry from the fluent, attack-minded sides of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
That’s not to say they haven’t been effective, however, and their miserly defence has been a big reason for them being just two points of top spot currently. Just eight goals have been conceded in 12 league matches.
Chris Smalling has been particularly outstanding, but the likes of Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind also deserve a pat on the back.
Louis van Gaal’s side visit Watford in the weekend’s first game, and it has a gritty, professional win written all over it. 1-0 or 2-0 looks most likely.
Spurs to do a Spurs
Tottenham have always been a team with the ability to fall apart at any minute, but they are showing signs of sterner stuff this season.
They have not lost in the league since the opening day of the season, at United, at their performance away to Arsenal in their last outing was excellent.
Despite this, they face a West Ham side on Sunday who have already picked up away victories at the Emirates, Anfield and the Etihad this season. They will fully believe they can win in north London.
Slaven Bilic’s side are a dangerous outfit on their day, and a post-international break hangover may well see Spurs lose for the first time in 12 league games. It would be such a Spurs thing to do.
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Let us know your predictions for the weekend in the comments below.
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