Premier League Week 13 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions
Premier League leaders Chelsea meet the division's only unbeaten team, Tottenham Hotspur, in a London derby to highlight the fixtures in Week 13.
Chelsea and Spurs meet in the late game on Saturday, after fellow title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City have both been in action. The second-placed Reds will host relegation candidates Sunderland at Anfield, while City will get the week's fixtures started with a tricky trip to Burnley.
Sunday's most notable game is fourth-placed Arsenal hosting a Bournemouth team defying expectations.
Here are the fixtures, along with predictions:
| Date | Time (GMT / ET) | Match | Prediction |
| Saturday, November 26 | 12:45 p.m. / 7:45 a.m. | Burnley vs. Manchester City | 0-3 |
| Saturday, November 26 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Hull City vs. West Bromwich Albion | 2-1 |
| Saturday, November 26 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Leicester City vs. Middlesbrough | 0-0 |
| Saturday, November 26 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Liverpool vs. Sunderland | 2-0 |
| Saturday, November 26 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Crystal Palace | 1-1 |
| Saturday, November 26 | 5:30 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. | Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 2-1 |
| Sunday, November 27 | 12 p.m. / 7 a.m. | Watford vs. Stoke City | 2-1 |
| Sunday, November 27 | 2:15 p.m. / 9:15 a.m. | Arsenal vs. Bournemouth | 4-1 |
| Sunday, November 27 | 4:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Manchester United vs. West Ham United | 2-1 |
| Sunday, November 27 | 4:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Southampton vs. Everton | 1-1 |
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
No game stands out more than this one. The obvious place to start is the battle pitting Chelsea's irresistible and rampant attack against Tottenham's stingy back five.
Spurs own the meanest defence in the division, per the league's official site. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is a key figure, as is Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen.
However, it's the protection this group gets from midfield that really makes Spurs tough to break down. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is never shy about putting a robust holding midfielder on the toes of his defenders.
Whether it's Eric Dier or Victor Wanyama acting as a shield, Spurs' protected defence doesn't afford teams many chances.
Of course, Chelsea don't need many opportunities when they possess a striker as lethal and efficient as Diego Costa. He tops the Premier League scoring charts with 10 goals, according to WhoScored.com.
Costa's ably supported by the flair, intelligent movement and industry of Eden Hazard and Pedro. He's also supplied by the direct pace and power of wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso.
Since manager Antonio Conte switched the Blues to a 3-4-2-1 formation, Chelsea have been too much for any Premier League defence to handle.
Something is sure to give when miserly Tottenham and free-flowing Chelsea meet.
Arsenal vs. Bournemouth
Arsenal's home game with quietly impressive Bournemouth is all about connections. The most notable one is the presence of Jack Wilshere in the Bournemouth ranks.
He was sent on loan to the Cherries by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in the summer. The 24-year-old playmaker has responded well to the move.
He thrived during the recent 1-0 win away against Stoke City, according to the Daily Telegraph's Jon Culley: "His energy and commitment, not to mention his skill and vision, were a key factor in Howe's team winning away for the first time in seven months."
Culley also credited one man in particular with Wilshere's revival in both fitness and form: "And that he was still running and chasing, eager to have the ball and make one more telling pass, right to the last of six additional minutes on a high-tempo afternoon is testament to the prudent planning that Howe and his staff have applied in bringing him back to his current level of fitness."
Speaking of Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth boss has been widely tipped to replace Wenger at Arsenal in the near future. Back in September, Neil Ashton of the Sun reported how the Cherries chief is Arsenal's top choice to replace Wenger. The Daily Star's David Woods made a similar report earlier in July.
Wilshere is unlikely to feature against Arsenal, due to his loan arrangement. Yet Bournemouth still possess enough guile in midfield to create chances and own the ball.
Bossing possession used to be the Gunners' forte, but things have been different this season. Wenger's current squad prefers to strike on the break.
Chilean Alexis Sanchez has been a crucial part of the strategy. However, Wenger could rest the South American, as he's anxious to give him a winter break, per Sami Mokbel and Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail.
Resting Sanchez and playing target man Olivier Giroud would force Arsenal into a different, more patient style of buildup.
Bournemouth have steadily moved into the top 10, but the Gunners have enough firepower to wear them down at home, regardless of who starts up front.
The title picture is so tight, it's sure to change week to week. This one will be no different, with all the main contenders set to win, but an outsider like Spurs may see their chances dented further.
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Draft Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Fans React to Simpson Pick 😱")
.jpg?w=600 "McVay's Reaction to Ty Simpson Pick 😅")