Alan Shearer with a football pitch behind him
Alan Shearer previews this weekend’s Premier League action
There’s no doubting the highlight of this weekend’s Premier League action with Liverpool hosting Manchester City at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in the midst of a dismal run and simply cannot afford another setback at what has been a particularly unhappy hunting ground in recent years.
Arsenal, meanwhile, appear to be back to their best and will hope to cut the gap at the top to six points but West Ham, themselves, will be buoyed by Monday’s surprise win at Newcastle.
As ever, Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer previews the action for Metro.co.uk…
Brighton v Southampton
AFC Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier League
Brighton continued their good form with a win at Bournemouth last week
Brighton got a good win last weekend and Southampton put in a good performance against Liverpool. But with Brighton being at home, I’d think they’ll take the three points, so I’ll go with a Brighton victory. Prediction: Brighton win.
Wolves v Bournemouth
Fulham FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha has been in superb form this season
That’s a tough one because Wolves got a great result last weekend, being 1-0 down and going on to score four and with the form that Cunha is in, I’ll go for a Wolves win at home to Bournemouth with the form they’re in, not to mention the confidence and belief they’ll have after last weekend. Prediction: Wolves win.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Newcastle United FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Newcastle suffered a shock defeat against West Ham on Monday night
This is a tough one to predict. With what happened to Newcastle on Monday evening, they’ll have had a few days to reflect. There’s a vulnerability about Crystal Palace albeit they got a really good result last weekend against Aston Villa and perhaps deserved to win the game. I’ll go for a draw. Prediction: Draw.
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Ipswich Town FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Ipswich earned another encouraging point against Man Utd last week
I was really impressed with Ipswich against Man United. I thought they were really unlucky not to win the game. Has the bubble burst at Nottingham Forest? It’s a tough one to call but I’ll probably go for Forest to win as they’re at home. Prediction: Nottingham Forest win.
Brentford v Leicester
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists (outside the EU), club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images (+15 in extra time). No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications/services. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Conor Molloy/ProSports/Shutterstock (14888201cu) Ruud van Nistelrooy the interim Manchester United manager applauds the fans ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford, Manchester Manchester United v Leicester City, Premier League - 10 Nov 2024
Leicester City are set to appoint Ruud van Nistelrooy
(Credits: Conor Molloy/ProSports/Shutterst)
I was really surprised that Leicester got rid of Steve Cooper, and the timing of it. Something has obviously gone on behind the scenes because with Leicester being two places above the relegation zone, I don’t know where they think they should be. I’ll go for a home win. Prediction: Brentford win.
West Ham v Arsenal
Arsenal FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League
Martin Odegaard’s return has given Arsenal a major boost
It was a great result for West Ham on Monday. I was really impressed with the way they nullified Newcastle and Wan-Bissaka did really well. I thought Max Kilman was superb.
We saw Arsenal’s result in the Champions League and now going to West Ham, I think they’ll have too much quality in forward positions and will take the three points. Prediction: Arsenal win.
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Leicester City FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Nicolas Jackson has been in fine form this season
Aston Villa are on a bit of a tough run at the moment, they were very unfortunate against Juventus, and Chelsea are on the up and looking strong. I think I’ll go for a Chelsea win with the form they’re in. I think they’ll take the points. Prediction: Chelsea win.
Spurs v Fulham
Spurs will have too much at home, particularly after their win against Man City. The confidence they’ll take will go into the game this weekend, albeit they’ll have to do it without Vicario.
What Spurs have lacked is consistency. They get great results like the one against Man City and you look at the team and that performance and wonder how they can lose to Ipswich and Crystal Palace. That’s what Spurs’ problem has been. That result last weekend should give them the confidence to go on a long run now and consistently take points rather than being beaten by Ipswich.
I think Spurs will have too much for Fulham, and they need to follow up that great result last weekend. Prediction: Spurs win.
Man United v Everton
Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Conor Molloy/ProSports/Shutterstock (14953281bn) GOAL Rasmus Hojlund (9) of Manchester United celebrates scoring to make it 3-2 during the Europa League match between Manchester United and Bodo Glimt at Old Trafford, Manchester Manchester United v Bodo Glimt, Europa League., Matchday 5 of 8 - 28 Nov 2024
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in Man Utd’s Europa League win on Thursday
After the first two minutes of Amorim’s first game you thought ‘here we go’ but it all went a bit flat after two or three minutes and I thought they were fortunate to come away with a point. He’s had a few days to work on the system and they’ve played in Europe on Thursday, but I think with the home crowd, Man United will have too much for Everton, although it won’t be easy. It’ll be tough but they may just scrape the three points. Prediction: Man United win.
Liverpool v Man City
Enterprise News and Pictures 27/11/24 Pic shows: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola appears with numerous scratches on his head and a cut on the bridge of his nose in his post-match press conference last night on Prime Video after City drew 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League despite going 3-0 up. Guardiola had seen his side collapse from a comfortable position in the closing stages on Tuesday night, with the draw extending Man City's run to six matches without a win in all competitions. Concerned fans saw the Man City boss questioned in his post-match press conference about the scratches and cut on his nose, with Pep joking he wanted to "harm himself" because they blew a 3-0 lead. ???Yes, it's from my nail on my finger,' Guardiola said. 'I cut myself with my fingernail (during the game). "I want to harm myself", Pep added, before smiling to reporters and leaving at the conclusion of his press conference. Despite Guardiola's comment appearing to be a joke, concerns were expressed on social media by alarmed fans. See story...
Pep Guardiola looked worse for wear after Tuesday’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord
Unless City tighten up and strengthen up in midfield, Liverpool could overpower them there. There are so many great battles to look forward to. Whoever Pep decides to play at left-back has a huge challenge on hand also.
With the form that Man City are in, Liverpool at Anfield and the forward options they have, I can’t see anything other than a Liverpool victory. Prediction: Liverpool win.
For more from Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer, head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/alan-shearer/.
MORE: Chelsea vs Aston Villa: Latest team news, predicted line up and injuries
MORE: When is the FA Cup third-round draw? Date, start time, ball numbers and live stream
MORE: Owen Hargreaves fires Arsenal warning to Ruben Amorim after Manchester United win in Europa League