Premier League Week 11 Predictions: Matches Sure to Come Down to the Wire

The Premier League has been characterised by tight contests this season, and Matchweek 11 promises to be no different.

Table toppers Arsenal will look to extend their nine-game unbeaten run in the league when they clash with old foe Manchester United in Sunday’s evening kick-off.

But before this weekend’s blockbuster fixture gets underway, there are plenty of other enticing matchups to sink our teeth into.

With many teams struggling for goals this season—11 sides have averaged just one goal or less per game—it has been the minute details that have decided contests, and it will be a case of more of the same this weekend.

Here’s a full slate of predictions and a roundup of three matches that will likely come down to the wire.

Date, time	Home	vs.	Away	Prediction
Nov. 9, 3 p.m. GMT	Crystal Palace	vs.	Everton	Everton win, 0-2
Nov. 9, 3 p.m. GMT	Liverpool	vs.	Fulham	Liverpool win, 3-1
Nov. 9, 3 p.m. GMT	Chelsea	vs.	West Brom	Chelsea win, 2-1
Nov. 9, 3 p.m. GMT	Southampton	vs.	Hull	Southampton win, 1-0
Nov. 9, 3 p.m. GMT	Aston Villa	vs.	Cardiff	Draw, 1-1
Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m. GMT	Norwich	vs.	West Ham	Draw, 1-1
Nov. 10, 12 p.m. GMT	Tottenham	vs.	Newcastle	Spurs win, 2-1
Nov. 10, 2:05 p.m. GMT	Sunderland	vs.	Man City	City win, 0-3
Nov. 10, 4:10 p.m. GMT	Swansea	vs.	Stoke	Swansea win, 2-0
Nov. 10, 4:10 p.m. GMT	Man United	vs.	Arsenal	United win, 3-2

Southampton vs. Hull

Southampton and Hull have been two of the Premier League’s early-season surprise packages, with both clubs situated in the top half of the table.

Mauricio Pochettino and Steve Bruce have set their sides out in a way that makes them difficult to break down. Hull have conceded 10 times in their opening 10 games, while the Saints, who have leaked just four goals, boast the best defensive record in the league.

Both teams look solid in defence, and their organisation at the back offers them a good base to work from as the season progresses.

This weekend’s match should be a cagey affair, but Southampton will be expected to come away with the spoils.

Hull have yet to score more than once in a game this season, and their lack of a proven goalscorer to finish off chances will be a worry going forward.

Southampton are better than the Tigers at the back, and they have talent at their disposal in the attacking third of the pitch.

If Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo, who have mustered just four goals between them since the start of the season, can start firing, then Southampton will begin to look an even more complete side. 

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Hull

Swansea vs. Stoke City

It won’t take much to settle the match between Swansea and Stoke.

Michael Laudrup’s free-flowing side have looked rusty at times this season, and they have failed to find the net in three of their last four league outings.

If that sounds like a shortage of goals, then Stoke’s return resembles a drought. Mark Hughes’ side have found the net just seven times this season, and when your goalkeeper is your joint highest goalscorer after 10 games, then it’s probably time to reassess your attacking options.

Unlike Hughes, Laudrup has the personnel at his disposal to turn things around in front of goal. Michu has looked a shadow of the player who lit up the league last season, and it’s no coincidence that his poor form has coincided with Swansea’s barren spell. 

If the Spanish forward and Wilfried Bony can begin to rediscover their goalscoring touch, then they should lift Swansea further up the table.

After defeat to Cardiff in the Welsh derby last weekend, the Swans will be eager to put things right at home to Stoke.

Prediction: Swansea 2-0 Stoke City

Aston Villa vs. Cardiff

Aston Villa and Cardiff are two more sides that have scored less than a goal a game this season, and there will be little to separate the clubs when they face off on Saturday.

Paul Lambert’s side have failed to find the net in their last four league games, and their only out-and-out goalscorer, Christian Benteke, has struggled of late.

After four goals in four games to start the season, the Belgian has failed to find the net since, and Villa will be desperate for him to start firing if they are to reverse their fortunes.

Cardiff will arrive in Villa Park full of confidence after clinching a 1-0 win in the Welsh derby on Sunday.

Malky Mackay will be wary of not getting carried away, however. The Cardiff players have given everything in the commitment stakes in recent weeks, but they have managed an average of just three shots on target in their last four league outings.

Both Lambert and Mackay will be keen to inject some added creativity in the attacking third, but expect this to be yet another tightly contested encounter.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Cardiff