⛅️ Friday Forecast: North London derby and is the title race still on? | OneFootball

The FA Cup third round was great fun last weekend but now it’s back to the serious business of the Premier League.

And it’s time to make our predictions.

Game of the weekend 💪

Manchester City v Chelsea

It still feels way too early to confidently say that the title race is over, but it could well be over as far as Chelsea are concerned after this weekend.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were looking invincible before Manchester City inflicted their first defeat of the season upon them back in September.

Since then, the European champions’ armour has slowly disintegrated and City will smell blood as they move in for the kill on Saturday lunchtime.

We shouldn’t forget what happened when these sides met in last season’s Champions League final, however, and a winning goal at the Etihad to get Chelsea’s title challenge back on track would be a fine way for Romelu Lukaku to get back in his manager’s good books.

📊 Fun fact: This is only the second ever Premier League meeting between City and Chelsea as the top two sides in the division. The other came in January 2015, with second-placed City earning a 1-1 draw at leaders Chelsea.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

Potential upset 😨

Aston Villa v Manchester United

After their awful performance in that defeat to Wolves last time out in the Premier League, Manchester United weren’t entirely convincing as they snuck past Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

Everything looks slightly confused and laboured from Ralf Rangnick’s side at the moment, and a trip to Villa Park this weekend looks like a very tricky game indeed.

They say lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice and the Villans will be out for revenge after they were unfortunate to lose at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Not only that, but former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard could hand a debut to former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho here.

The Premier League script-writers are sharpening their pencils.

📊 Fun fact: Villa are winless in their last 22 home league games against United since a 3-1 victory in August 1995. It’s the longest winless home run one side has had against another in English Football League history.

🔮 Our prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United

Big favourites 👍

Liverpool v Brentford

If City do slip up against Chelsea on Saturday, Liverpool would have the chance to cut the gap at the top to eight points with a game in hand, and suddenly the title race would be looking a lot healthier.

Whether or not Chelsea uphold their end of the bargain, we can’t imagine Liverpool having too much trouble when they welcome Brentford to Anfield on Sunday.

The Bees made a brilliant start to their maiden Premier League voyage and with over half the season gone, they should be delighted to be sitting snugly in mid-table.

But Thomas Frank’s side have quietly gone off the boil lately and Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Southampton was the third in their last four Premier League matches.

Liverpool have to be looking at taking all three points here, even without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

📊 Fun fact: This is the first time Liverpool are hosting Brentford in any competition since March 1989, a 4-0 win in an FA Cup quarter-final.

🔮 Our prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Brentford

Too close to call 🤔

Tottenham v Arsenal

Arsenal’s festive form was so good that faint strains of the Champions League anthem could be heard all across north London.

But after shooting themselves in the foot in that defeat to Manchester City on New Year’s Day, they were shocking in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest, and suddenly it feels like Mikel Arteta’s side are back to square one.

It was a win over Tottenham back in September that felt like a real turning point for the Gunners and this Sunday the fierce north London rivals renew acquaintances again.

This will be Antonio Conte’s first north London derby in charge of Spurs and though they are undoubtedly in better shape than they were under his predecessor, there are a few long-standing problems the Italian is yet to solve.

We have no idea who is going to win this match, but you can guarantee it’s going to be a lot of fun for the neutral.

📊 Fun fact: Spurs are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Arsenal, their longest such run against their north London rivals since a run of nine between 1960 and 1968.

🔮 Our prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

The ex-Chelsea player has been involved in four goals in his last four Premier League matches against his former club, and we’re expecting him to have a big say in Saturday’s match too.

Other predictions