Premier League predictions: Gameweek 16

Another weekend of Premier League mayhem is inbound as teams around the country start to feel the pinch of the hectic December schedule.

The festive period so often proves significant at both ends of the table by the season’s conclusion, with title challengers Arsenal and Chelsea hoping to make another dent in Liverpool’s lead at the top over the coming days.

Down at the bottom, points are desperately needed for the likes of Ipswich Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, with all three in danger of being cut adrift.

With that in mind, here’s how 90min sees Gameweek 16 panning out.

Saturday 14 December

There are no 12:30 GMT kick-offs on Saturday this weekend, so there’s enough time to run those silly errands and get back for a quartet of 15:00 fixtures.

Arsenal couldn’t capitalise on the postponed Merseyside derby last week, being held at Fulham. However, they convincingly swatted Monaco aside in midweek and should be able to do a similar job when Everton, fresh having not played a game in ten days, visit the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool showed a few signs of rustiness but still got the job done in the Champions League against Girona and now have to make sure their four-point advantage in the Premier League isn’t reduced by Fulham, who impressively shackled Arsenal last weekend.

Newcastle United are four games without a win after a defensive horror show against Brentford. The Magpies have been awfully inconsistent and a clash Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City, who are unbeaten under the Dutchman so far, could be entertaining viewing.

Gary O’Neil retains some backing from those in charge at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but a fourth league loss in a row could see the former midfielder given his marching orders. Their duel with Ipswich Town is a real three-pointer and the Tractor Boys won’t be pushovers, having lost their last three matches by one-goal margins.

Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa being placed fifth and sixth respectively feels like a 1980s throwback and both will be buoyed by landmark victories last time out. Forest may well keep the feel-good factor going with home advantage on their side, but the Villans won’t be deterred having picked up three wins in a row.

Sunday 15 December

The majority of Sunday’s action uniquely arrives in the evening, but there are still two matches earlier in the day for fans to feast their eyes on.

Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace‘s rivalry isn’t really appreciated by the rest of the Premier League but the genuine animosity between the clubs should be palpable at the AMEX Stadium, making this ‘derby’ compulsory viewing.

That should be a great warm-up for what is undoubtedly the headline act of the weekend. Manchester City suffered a seventh defeat in ten games and their vulnerability could be exploited by local rivals Manchester United. Ruben Amorim has already got one over Pep Guardiola this season after Sporting CP battered City in Europe but his new team may not be ready to add to the Catalan’s woes with such a hefty victory of their own. They could still leave the Etihad Stadium with a point, though.

There’s a wonderful London derby in the offing under the lights at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea‘s kids won again in the Conference League but Cole Palmer and co will be back in the starting lineup and confident of besting a Brentford outfit that has been incredibly strong at home but poor on the road.

It’s truly anyone’s guess what will happen when Tottenham Hotspur travel to the south coast to meet Southampton. Spurs have only been outscored by Chelsea in the league and have their attacking stars fit, but their defence remains shambolic and the Saints will be waiting to claim any early Christmas presents the visitors offer them.

Monday 16 December

West Ham United are in Monday night action for the second week in a row when they make the journey down to Bournemouth. The Hammers eased the pressure on Julen Lopetegui by winning ‘El Sackico’ but the Cherries are in rampant form and have beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium this season.

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