The Etihad is the place to be for this weekend's Premier League main event, where faltering giants Manchester City and Manchester United collide in Ruben Amorim's first Manchester derby.
The Mancunian matchup is not the only close encounter on this weekend's menu, as title challengers Chelsea also host Brentford in what is shaping up to be an intriguing West London derby, while Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace face off in the so-called M23 derby.
Before all that, though, Liverpool seek to solidify their position at the top of the rankings when they host Fulham at Anfield, while Arsenal hope to avoid a monumental slip-up at home to Everton.
Saturday also sees a crucial basement battle between Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, before basement boys Southampton welcome an out-of-sorts Tottenham Hotspur to St Mary's on Sunday.
Bournemouth vs. West Ham United concludes Premier League gameweek 16, where Sports Mole are taking on Ben Hope - bass player for electro indie rock band Apollo Junction and an avid Leeds United fan - in this weekend's prediction competition.
Read on to find out how we forecast this round of Premier League matches playing out, as well as discovering the winner of our head-to-head with IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker in gameweek 15.
Saturday, 3pm
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on November 23, 2024© Imago
Ben: Arsenal 4-0 Everton
Sports Mole: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
As masterful as Arsenal have been from dead-ball situations this term, Everton have scored 57% of their Premier League goals from set-pieces, suggesting that Saturday's game could very well be won and lost from the corner flag.
Arteta's men will no doubt come up against a a quintessential Dyche low block, but their open-play sequences on Wednesday were significantly improved, and they should wear down the Toffees eventually before seeing out a routine win.
Saturday, 3pm
Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on November 24, 2024© Imago
Ben: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
Sports Mole: Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
Fulham can be one of the most dangerous teams in the division if they are underestimated, but Liverpool have evidently learnt from their defeat to Forest and been ruthless in the Premier League so far.
Playing a day earlier than Chelsea will give Liverpool the opportunity to reinstate their seven-point lead at the summit, and with nine wins in 12 against Fulham in the league, they are well worth their favourites tag.
Saturday, 3pm
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe on August 25, 2024© Imago
Ben: Newcastle 3-2 Leicester
Sports Mole: Newcastle 2-1 Leicester
Only one of the last five meetings between Newcastle and Leicester have seen both teams score, and another closely-fought contest could be in store this weekend.
However, taking into account the defensive frailties of both sides, we can see the net rippling at either end on this occasion, with the Magpies just getting the better of the Foxes in front of a pumped-up St James' Park crowd.
Saturday, 3pm
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil in December 2024.© Imago
Ben: Wolves 1-1 Ipswich
Sports Mole: Wolves 2-2 Ipswich
Both Wolves and Ipswich will view Saturday's contest as a strong opportunity to pick up maximum points, with the onus being on the former to turn up in front of the Molineux crowd and ease the pressure on O'Neil's shoulders.
Neither side have looked strong from a defensive perspective this term, so goals at both ends could be on the cards, but we feel that the Tractor Boys will do enough to frustrate the hosts and pick up a point on their travels, a result that would not massively benefit either team.
Saturday, 5.30pm
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo in October 2024.© Imago
Ben: Nott'm Forest 1-2 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Aston Villa
Expect a tussle as tight as the Premier League table would suggest, as Aston Villa are managing midweek fatigue and have failed to keep the back door shut away from home all season long.
Emery's men are in a good way at the minute, though, and as Forest are still prone to inconsistency on home soil, Santo's men may have to settle for the one point on this occasion.
Sunday, 2pm
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler on November 9, 2024© Imago
Ben: Brighton vs. Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: TBC
Sunday, 4.30pm
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on December 7, 2024© Imago
Ben: Man City 2-2 Man Utd
Sports Mole: Man City 3-2 Man Utd
City's diminished defence, Man United's propensity to gift goals to the opposition and the visitors' shoddy form away from home all points to a Manchester derby living up to the pre-game billing, and for the second time this season, Guardiola and Amorim could witness their outfits share five goals between them.
However, a repeat of the Portuguese's 4-1 pummelling with Sporting is surely out of the question; we do back the Red Devils to breach a depleted City backline more than once, but the champions remain an attacking force to be reckoned with at home and can capitalise on their visitors' Thursday night fatigue to prevail in an exhilarating encounter.
Sunday, 7pm
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca on September 21, 2024.© Imago
Ben: Chelsea 3-1 Brentford
Sports Mole: TBC
Sunday, 7pm
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured on December 8, 2024© Imago
Ben: Southampton 0-0 Spurs
Sports Mole: Southampton 1-3 Spurs
As Spurs' defence has been decimated and the Lilywhites are missing two banned midfield enforcers, do not expect Southampton's magnificent scoring streak against Tottenham to end on Sunday, but Martin's men will surely be restricted to the one consolation effort.
The trip to St Mary's represents a perfect opportunity for a troubled Tottenham to right their recent wrongs, and Postecoglou's men should prove their point to alleviate the pressure on their manager's shoulders, while at the same time putting Martin's job in even more jeopardy.
Monday, 8pm
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui during a press conference on November 30, 2024© Imago
Ben: Bournemouth 1-0 West Ham
Sports Mole: TBC
Ben Hope Q&A
How did you come to support Leeds and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
My family are Spurs but I chose Leeds. I was a child when Leeds won the first division in 1992.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club? (Historically or currently)
In my lifetime...
1. Pablo Hernandez
2. Raphinha
3. Rio Ferdinand
4. Jermaine Beckford
5. Mark Viduka
What's going on with the band/for you as an artist at the moment?
We are currently recording our fourth studio album and a new tour is incoming.
'Falling' by Apollo Junction is available to stream now.
You can follow Apollo Junction on Instagram.
2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)
Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.
1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)
2. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
3. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
4. Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu (10pts | Gameweek 5)
5. Trampolene's Jack Jones (9pts | Gameweek 4)
= Kneecap's Mo Chara (9pts | Gameweek 6)
7. Feet's Harry Southerton (7pts | Gameweek 13)
= IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker (7pts | Gameweek 15)
9. Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)
= proFESSional's Rob Hennebry (6pts | Gameweek 8)
11. Maddox Jones (4pts | Gameweek 9)
12. She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach (3pts | Gameweek 10)
= Chilli Jesson (3pts | Gameweek 11)
14. Soft Launch's Josh McClory (2pts | Gameweek 12)
= My First Time's James Mellen (2pts | Gameweek 14)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends' Max Lewin 15-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 3: Kyle Starkey 16-13 Sports Mole
Gameweek 4: Trampolene's Jack Jones 9-9 Sports Mole
Gameweek 5: Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu 10-11 Sports Mole
Gameweek 6: Kneecap's Mo Chara 9-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 7: Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty 6-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 8: proFESSional's Rob Hennebry 6-7 Sports Mole
Gameweek 9: Maddox Jones 4-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 10: She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach 3-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 11: Chilli Jesson 3-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 12: Soft Launch's Josh McClorey 2-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 13: Feet's Harry Southerton 7-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 14: My First Time's James Mellen 2-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 15: IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker 7-2 Sports Mole
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