Premier League Preview: All you need to know ahead of kickoff of Matchday 13 games.

The Premier League take center stage this weekend after an action packed midweek that saw all of the English teams in the Champions League win and earn spots in the knockout rounds, while there are also wins for West Ham United and Leicester City in Europe.

Photo by fitimi

We take a look at the fixtures of an interesting weekend to come in English top-flight....

Arsenal vs. Newcastle United

Having lost their 10 games unbeaten run at Anfield last time out, Arsenal return to action this weekend and entertain visiting Newcastle United, who are still without a league win this campaign, in an early kickoff at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have enjoyed good results in recent time against the Baggies, winning each of their last seven games, including games that went to extra time, and have not lost to the Tyneside club since 2018, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Saint James’ Park.

Moreso, Arsenal have always seem to get the job done whenever Newcastle visit the Emirates. They have won each of the last ten games against Newcastle at home, with last loss coming in 2010, when a Andy Carrol header earned a 1-0 win for the visitors.

Arsenal head into this game with only Granit Xhaka the injury absentee while Newcastle United are also good with no regular player on the sideline. Manager Eddie Howe is still a Covid doubt and might not be able to take charge when his side make the trip to London on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal are favourite to win the game and move level on point with West Ham United, before David Moyes side travel to the Ethiad on Sunday.

Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa

Patrick Vieira’s Palace play host to an Aston Villa side looking confident again under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard. Villa pick up their first win last weekend at the AMEX in Gerrard's first game in charge, after a run of five straight defeats. A result that will give them much confidence heading into the game at the Selhurst Park.

Palace are unbeaten in their last seven games, winning just two, one of the two wins have come against Manchester City at the Ethiad, and now they are three points ahead of the visitors on the log, so a win can also see them move up to sixth, depending on results elsewhere.

Recent results between the two have been pretty even with both side winning three apiece in their last six meetings. Palace have won each of their last three home games against Aston Villa, they have never won four home games in a row against the Villains.

A pretty even contest on paper but the home advantage might give Palace the edge.

Liverpool vs. Southampton

There was a time, not too long when the clash between these two have been even. Southampton then, played their best games against Liverpool. However, The Reds have conquered the jinx and have won seven of the last eight meetings, with Southampton’s only win coming in the league last season at the Saint Mary’s.

Liverpool return to winning ways by thrashing Arsenal last weekend even without Andrew Robertson, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino. They also cruise to victory against Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday and a win this weekend against Southampton should not be a far fetch result.

Southampton suffered a defeat to lowly Norwich City last time out, ending a run of four league games unbeaten. Stuart Amstrong and Jack Stephens continue to recover from injuries and they will miss the trip to Anfield, where they are predicted to return without a win.

Norwich City vs. Wolverhampton Wonderers

After defeating Southampton last weekend, Norwich have won back to back Premier League games since over two years. The atmosphere seems to be getting better after the winning start under new manager Dean Smith and they have now move away from the bottom of the summit.

They face a tricky test against visiting Wolverhampton Wonderers who are also starting to life in the season. Wolves have lost just one in their last seven league games and have move up in the table to sixth. A win could see them move to fifth, depending on results elsewhere. The prospects are now looking good for them under Bruno Lage after a poor start.

Wolves are unbeaten in their last four games against Norwich in all competitions, winning three, this however was on the back of three straight defeats to Norwich City. However this weekend, Wolves are predicted to better their rivals with a narrow win at Carrow Road.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Leeds United

In the late kickoff on Saturday, Leeds travel to the AMEX looking for just a second win in seven games. Marcelo Bielsa side have just two wins in the league this term. They have not been helped by injuries to some of their regular players. Patrick Bamford for instance has played just five league games this season.

Brighton’s case is different but the Graham Potter's side are also in an awkward situation. After their explosive start to the campaign, that have surely faded away as the are now eight games without a win in all competitions. They have not been able to maintain their form at the start of the season and now they have gone down the table to place at ninth.

Coming into the match against Leeds with far superior record in previous meetings, losing just two and winning ten in 14 games against their rival, including eight wins in the last nine, so much to be proud of for the host ahead of this showdown, and they will look to capitalize and return to winning ways.

Leeds have injury boost ahead of the game as Raphinha and Luke Ayling are set to feature, and for Brighton, Enock Mwepu and Sanchez return from injury and suspension respectively.

Brentford vs. Everton

Both team mounted a good start to the season but that is now a thing of the past as Brentford now has just one win in their last six games while Everton are yet to win in their last six.

A real headache for both managers going into this contest. While this is set to be the first league meeting between the two since Everton won 6-1 in a League Division Two back in 1954, it is a record that gives no vote of confidence and both will have to write history come Sunday.

Both Brentford and Everton have a long list of players on the sideline. Goalkeeper, Jose Raya, who has been ruled out until February will be the most significant miss for the host while for Everton, Alan, Doucouré, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, Andre Gomes are all injured, while Richarlison and Mason Holgate are suspended.

With these lengthy injuries for Everton, this might as well have turn the tide in favour of the host, and leave the Merseyside club still without a win in seven games.

Burnley vs. Tottheham Hotspur

Burnley have just one win in their last 15 games against Tottheham Hotspur in all competitions, losing 10. Coming up against Tottenham is surely not one of their favourite games. The only positive result they have recorded in their last five meetings is just a draw.

Tottheham won their first league game under Antonio Conte at home to Leeds last weekend but disappointingly lost to Mura in the Europa Conference league on Thursday, but they should be able to make their dominance count on Sunday against Burnley.

Argentina duo of Christian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso still out injured for Spurs while Ashley Barnes is injured and both Ashely Westwood and James Tarkowski are suspended.

Leicester City vs. Watford

The return of Claudio Ranieri is the headline as Leicester City clash with Watford this weekend in the league. The Italian led Leicester to the league title in 2016 and return to the English league last month, taking charge at Vicarage Road.

So far he has won two and lost three of his first five game since returning and comes up against his former side, who have endured a horrendous season having just four wins after 12 games in the league.

Leicester City are unbeaten in their last seven homes games against Watford in all competitions, winning six, a run which put them in a good position to pick up a positive result against The Hornet on Sunday.

Sunday's game will come too soon for the likes of Youri Tielemans, Ricardo Pereira, Wesley Fofana and James Justin. Watford have injury concern of their own as Oghenekaro Etebo continues to recover from a long term injury.

Manchester City vs. West Ham United

Another tough game awaits Pep Guardiola side on Sunday as they look to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the table. City have once faced West Ham this season and that was their last action in the Carabao Cup this season, when they lost on penalties to the David Moyes side.

Both are placed well on the log and a win for West Ham will see them go level on point with their host. City though have a superior head to head record against West Ham, losing just two and winning 20 of their last 26 meetings.

Moreso, City have won each of their last six home games against West Ham and on the back of a 2-1 win over PSG in the Champions League, they will be brimming with confidence when they take to the field on Sunday. West Ham also recorded a mid-week win in Europe but City will be expected to pick up maximum points in this clash.

Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Chelsea host Manchester United in the biggest fixture of the Premier League this weekend on Sunday evening. Judging by the recent performances from both sides, it will be predicted that United will not be much of a tough nut to crack for Thomas Tuchel side but the Premier League always has surprises in stock, so games are not as easy as they are on papers.

Nonetheless, Chelsea are favourites going into the clash. Both clubs had a successful mid-week whence they secured qualification into the knockout rounds of the Champions League with Chelsea beating Juventus 4-0 in London, while United defeat Villarreal 2-0 in Spain in what was Michael Carrick’s first test as the man in charge.

The former United player will also lead them out when they face Chelsea this weekend. Chelsea have only lost one league game this season, a 1-0 home loss to United’s City rival and are currently top of the table, unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions.

The same can not be said of United, whose bad form has costed Ole Gunnar Solskjær his job. But Carrick will also be looking to leave a statement, before the imminent arrival of Ralf Rangnick.

United are unbeaten in each their last five games away to Chelsea, winning three, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s good record against the big side was one of the good memories of his days at the club, and that is a good one for Manchester United to look forward to, heading into this weekend's clash.

Ben Chilwell is out of the game due to a suspected injury to his ACL and he will be out for at least six weeks, before more will be know how the severity of his injury. N'Golo Kanté and Matteo Kovacic will also miss the game. Romelu Lukaku was on bench on Tuesday and will be expected to lineup against his former employer.

Harry Maguire is suspended for United while Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Rafael Varane remain on the sideline. Mason Greenwood remain in isolation for Covid reasons.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan