⛅️ Friday Forecast: Arteta v Klopp; Banana skin for Ten Hag? | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta and Jürgen Klopp renew their rivalry, there could be another TV inquest into Manchester United and Erling Haaland is probably going to score again.

Here’s what to expect from the Premier League this weekend.

Game of the weekend

Arsenal v Liverpool

There is a different feeling going into this fixture this weekend than usual.

Arsenal haven’t had much joy coming up against Liverpool in recent times and lost 2-0 on two separate occasions to them at the Emirates last season, with one of those defeats coming in the EFL Cup.

In fact, the Gunners have beaten their opponents this weekend just once over 90 minutes in their last 14 meetings since 2015.

But this is a different Arsenal, and albeit a different Liverpool, to the ones that have played out this battle over the past few years.

Mikel Arteta’s side are the ones top of the league in the midst of an upwards trajectory with supporters starting to believe their team is capable of a title challenge.

While it’s just two wins in eight for Jürgen Klopp’s team who have stumbled out of the blocks in 2022/23.

This will be a statement win for either side. If Arsenal get it then the Emirates train will gain insurmountable speed, but if Liverpool come away with three points then talk of their demise might be premature.

Fun fact: Diogo Jota has six goals in eight PL games against Arsenal, averaging a goal against them every 67 minutes.

Our prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Potential upset

Everton v Manchester United

United’s renaissance under Erik ten Hag received a reality check in the Manchester derby last weekend, and they were given a scare against Omonia Nicosia in Europe in midweek.

A trip to a packed Goodison Park on a Sunday night isn’t the ideal set of circumstances when you’re aiming to get back on the horse following a defeat.

There’s a feel-good factor around the Toffees at the moment following the 2-1 win at Southampton which extended their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions and Frank Lampard’s side have the best defence in the league currently.

What might be reassuring for Ten Hag is that Everton haven’t beaten United in successive games since the 2013/14 season, a record they are looking to overcome following the 1-0 victory they achieved the last time the sides met.

Fun fact: Manchester United have won just one of their last seven games against Everton – a 2-1 away win in November 2020.

Our prediction: Everton 1-0 Manchester United

Big favourites

Manchester City v Southampton

There have been reports this week claiming Southampton are going to dismiss Ralph Hasenhüttl in the coming weeks.

Making the visit to Manchester City doesn’t lay down much hope of a potential fond farewell, although perhaps the Saints board are waiting to get this game out of the way to give their new boss an easier welcome.

Southampton did manage to remain unbeaten in their two games against the Champions last season, but this is a fact that Pep Guardiola is very well aware of – which is the reason he took Erling Haaland off at half-time during the Champions League win over Copenhagen.

It’s 14 goals in eight games for the Norwegian following the Manchester derby hat-trick and now his legs have been rested.

Pray for the Saints.

Fun fact: Southampton haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 18 league away gams – the longest current run in the competition.

Our prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Southampton

Too close to call

Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

Things don’t seem to be clicking for Spurs right now, and Antonio Conte realises this, insisting that ‘he is not an idiot, he doesn’t want to lose.’

His team have looked toothless in attack in their last two games against Arsenal and Eintracht Frankfurt and the optimism that dominated at the start of the campaign is starting to falter the other way.

Roberto De Zerbi’s reign at Brighton got off to an astonishing start and they were unlikely not to pick up all three points at Anfield last weekend.

The Italian looks more than capable of continuing Graham Potter’s good work, and a statement victory over one of the ‘big six’ in his first home game in charge is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Fun fact: De Zerbi has never beaten Conte has manager, losing three and drawing one of their four meetings together.

Our prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea v Wolves)

Aubameyang added to his first league goal for Chelsea against Palace last Saturday with one against Milan on Wednesday.

The ‘Potterball’ effects are starting to pay dividends and they should have a home banker against managerless Wolves on Saturday. The former Barcelona striker will be rubbing his hands at facing Rúben Neves at centre-back.

Other predictions

Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester

Newcastle 1-1 Brentford

Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds

West Ham 1-1 Fulham

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Aston Villa