Premier League predictions: Gameweek 12

And that’s that. The final international break of the calendar year has concluded and the joys of life have returned.

The Premier League is back with a bang this weekend and won’t be halted by internationals until next March, much to the relief of millions across England and beyond.

The English top flight serves up some gargantuan clashes on its return, with Manchester City locking horns with Tottenham Hotspur and Ruben Amorim taking charge of his first Manchester United manager away at newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

It wouldn’t be a Premier League weekend without some hopeful (and always 100% accurate, of course) predictions. This is how 90min thinks Gameweek 12 will pan out.

Saturday 23 November

There are a fair few reunions in Saturday’s early kick-off between Leicester City and Chelsea. Enzo Maresca returns to King Power Stadium for the first time since leaving his post there over the summer period, while the likes of Wesley Fofana, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei and Ben Chilwell have all donned Leicester shirts over the years. It could be a feisty affair in the East Midlands.

There are five 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs to follow the battle of blue at the King Power, including a south coast duel between Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion. Both sides have been impressive this season and the intense approach of the Cherries and the Seagulls should lead to a goal-fest at the Vitality Stadium.

Arsenal have been disappointing at the start of the new season and will have been relieved for the November break to arrive. A visit from in-form Nottingham Forest, who have the same number of points as the Gunners, will put Mikel Arteta’s side to the test, but home advantage should see the north London side bring their three-game winless run to an end.

Crystal Palace got the best of Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup fourth round but their dismal Premier League form suggests they won’t be smiling when leaving Villa Park this Saturday. The Eagles currently find themselves in the relegation zone and Unai Emery’s side will be eager to pour more misery on Oliver Glasner’s team.

Brentford have somewhat surprisingly been the strongest home side in the division this term but they have lost all five of their away games. Everton will be pleased to hear that as they prepare for a visit from the Bees, with Sean Dyche’s side having lost just one of their last seven matches after putting some poor early season form behind them.

Speaking of poor form, Wolverhampton Wanderers are also in action on Saturday afternoon. The Old Gold have made a disastrous start to the campaign under Gary O’Neil but are unbeaten in their last three matches, including a recent win over struggling Southampton. Fulham hope to bring that unbeaten streak to an end.

The day’s late kick-off provides the most mouth-watering clash of the weekend as Man City, fresh from four straight defeats, host Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites won their earlier meeting in the Carabao Cup fourth round but injuries to their first-choice centre-back pairing mean an out-of-form City side will still be significant favourites for this one. Pep Guardiola will want to celebrate his new contract in style.

Sunday 24 November

There are just two matches on Sunday but both are primed to entertain. First we see league leaders Liverpool travel to bottom of the table Southampton, with Russell Martin’s side attempting to pull off the shock of the season. Depending on results on Saturday, Liverpool could extend their five-point lead at the summit even further on the south coast.

All eyes will then turn to new Man Utd head coach Amorim as he takes control of his first game with the club. The exciting Portuguese coach spoke well in his first English media appearance on Friday but must do his talking on the touchline at Portman Road against a spirited Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys won their first Premier League match since 2001/02 at Spurs before the international period and will want to spoil Amorim’s big day.

Monday 25 November

There may be no Friday night football but there is an intriguing clash on Monday evening in the top flight. Two Premier League staples collide when West Ham United make the long journey north to face Newcastle United.

Irons boss Julen Lopetegui is under immense pressure after a dismal start to the campaign and may only have a couple of matches to save his job. A resurgent Newcastle side, who have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and Forest in their last three, could hammer one of the final nails in the Spaniard’s coffin.

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