Premier League predictions: Gameweek 14

The countdown to the 2022 World Cup is on, with just three weeks left until the start of the tournament and the bizarre mid-season club hiatus that comes with it.

Premier League clubs have been pedal to the metal since early August to allow for the break, especially those competing in European competitions, and there is no let up just yet.

On Halloween weekend, all 20 clubs are in action over the course of Saturday & Sunday, with everything to play for at both ends of the table.

There are sure to be a few frights somewhere along the way.

Saturday 29 October

Leicester vs Man City

Things have turned round for Leicester of late. Since succumbing to a humbling thrashing by Tottenham in September, the Foxes have won three of their last five Premier League games to surge off the bottom of the table, albeit only as high as 17th.

Leicester have also enjoyed some landmark wins over Manchester City in recent years. But their good form and general record will be severely put to the test here.

Erling Haaland is a doubt, which will blunt City's attacking output, but not by much when you consider everyone else that Pep Guardiola has it his disposal.

Prediction: Leicester 0-2 Man City

Brentford vs Wolves

Brentford were surprisingly hammered 4-0 by Aston Villa last time out, the victims of new manager bounce following Steven Gerrard's sacking. But they now get a chance to return to winning ways against a Wolves side for whom new manager bounce was only very brief.

Wolves have kept faith in interim boss Steve Davis for the time being. But since a narrow win over Nottingham Forest, they have been beaten by Crystal Palace and heavily at home by Leicester.

For a team as well drilled as Brentford, this is the perfect opportunity to claim three points.

Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Wolves

Brighton vs Chelsea

Brighton vs Chelsea marks a swift return to the Amex Stadium for Graham Potter less than two months after the former Seagulls boss was poached by this weekend's visitors.

Chelsea have had a great run in the Champions League under their new boss, with three straight wins securing top place in their group. But domestic form has been slightly more patchy, frustrated by Brentford recently and failing to hold on to a lead against Manchester United.

Brighton haven't actually won since Potter upped sticks and moved to London. However, that doesn't mean they have had only bad results. They secured a 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield and gave Manchester City a decent only last weekend.

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Chelsea

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

The wheels have somewhat fallen off for Tottenham in the last week and a half. Back-to-back Premier League defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle was followed up by frustration in the Champions League and a last gasp disallowed goal against Sporting CP.

It means their place in the Champions League knockout stages is still far from assured and they have lost ground on Arsenal and Manchester City in the early Premier League title race.

Bournemouth had recovered from their 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool earlier this season by going six Premier League games unbeaten. But that momentum has since ended with successive defeats to Southampton and West Ham.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Tottenham

Crystal Palace vs Southampton

Crystal Palace have been the ultimate in inconsistency this season, with successive draws in late August and early September the only time they have managed the same result in consecutive Premier League games.

You never quite know what you might get from Patrick Vieira's side. But then Southampton have also had a bit of that unpredictability about them.

The Saints have spent chunks of the campaign up in mid-table and some of it in the relegation zone, before recently climbing out. They are three games unbeaten at the moment.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton

Newcastle vs Aston Villa

It was fairly damning that within days of sacking Steven Gerrard immediately after a heavy defeat to Fulham, Aston Villa enjoyed their own thumping win over a usually strong Brentford.

The question is how long that actually keep going for. New manager Unai Emery won't officially take charge until November, which interim Aaron Danks has this game to sign off his short reign with.

Newcastle are doing as well as people might have expected this season. The Magpies have only lost one of their 12 games and have more recently found a way to translate draws into wins. It is 13 points from the last 15 on offer for Eddie Howe's team and it shows in their league position.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa

Fulham vs Everton

Marco Silva has managed both of these clubs and it is his current side who are doing much better as it stands, with Fulham sitting pretty in the top half and Everton with only three wins in 12 games.

Fulham have only been beaten once at home this season, making a statement at Craven Cottage as early as day one when they frustrated Liverpool. They have also won two of their last three overall.

Everton have won three and lost three of their six Premier League fixtures, including a run of three defeats in a row against Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Everton

Liverpool vs Leeds

The clash between Liverpool and Leeds won't kick off until Saturday evening because of the Reds having Champions League commitments next Tuesday - the game was originally going to be played on Sunday but was brought forward. It does, however, present Leeds fans with a transport problem.

On the pitch, Liverpool are lurching between the good, the bad and the ugly this season. They have remarkably only won four Premier League games from 11 so far and suffered the ultimate embarrassment of defeat to a Nottingham Forest side bottom before kick-off last weekend.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is under pressure from fans and he knows it. His team started well, winning two of their opening three games back in August, but it was been just two points from a possible 18 since them to leave them in the relegation zone.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Leeds

Sunday 30 October

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

This is a first Premier League meeting between these clubs since 1999 when Martin Keown scored the only goal in a narrow Arsenal win. But they have met a number of times in cup competitions in the intervening years, with Forest causing upsets in both 2018 and as recently as nine months ago.

Arsenal must lick their wounds after falling to a comprehensive defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday but are still the team to beat in the Premier League this season.

Forest have at least improved since manager Steve Cooper was handed a new contract and should be high on confidence after beating Liverpool last weekend.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Man Utd vs West Ham

Manchester United have got Cristiano Ronaldo back and scoring ahead of their clash with West Ham on Sunday, having been dropped altogether for the trip to Chelsea last weekend.

Ronaldo may not start here, having done so in the Europa League on Thursday, but Erik ten Hag has insisted he is confident the 37-year-old will continue to score goals, even if his future beyond the end of the season is increasingly unclear.

For West Ham boss David Moyes, a return to Old Trafford will always dredge up unsavoury memories from the past. His team haven't been in the greatest form this season but have at least won three of their last five Premier League games and made it five wins in Europe on Thursday.

Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 West Ham

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