Premier League Week 13 Predictions: Highlighting the Most Thrilling Matchups

The domestic fixtures preceding a round of midweek European games always make for fascinating viewing. With Champions League and Europa League commitments looming for a host of teams, there is always the potential for some open contests, shock results and superb spells of football.

With that in mind, here are the highlights of the Week 13 matchups, all of which contain teams that are involved in Champions League and Europa League games:

Tottenham vs Manchester United

Spurs host the Champions in the early kick-off on Sunday. The North London outfit have had a pretty poor record in this fixture down the years, but they took four points off United last season.

In the corresponding fixture in the last campaign, Clint Dempsey netted a dramatic late equalizer and Andre Villas Boas will be hoping that his team can go one better this time round.

United are coming into this one having fallen into a good winning run, though. David Moyes looks to be settling in and with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in rampant form, they too will be hopeful of picking up three points here.

In Sandro and Paulinho, though, Tottenham have the ability to shut off the supply into the feet of the likes of Rooney and Shinji Kagawa. That will be hugely important if they are hoping to shut United out.

Chelsea vs Southampton

Jose Mourinho’s side have blown hot and cold so far this season, but they find themselves level on points with second placed Liverpool. 

Last time out they triumphed 3-0 over their city rivals West Ham United with Oscar playing a key role in the victory. The young Brazilian playmaker has been excellent so far this season and is a player who looks to be blossoming under Mourinho’s stewardship.

If Southampton are to have any chance of sneaking a result at Stamford Bridge then they will need to shut him down. Maurico Pochettino’s team will press the ball in typically relentless fashion and that could prevent Chelsea from finding the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard between the lines.

On the flipside, Chelsea have a team of players who are all comfortable and intelligent in possession. If they can play through the pressing, then the Saints will be left horribly exposed and at the mercy of Chelsea’s creative players. 

Southampton have good recent memories of this fixture. They came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge last season and beat Rafa Benitez's team at St Mary's.

Cardiff City vs Arsenal 

The Cardiff City stadium has already played host to some big games this season, and the newly promoted team have really relished these contests.

Cardiff have already beaten Manchester City and Swansea City on their own patch and their supporters will create a wholly hostile atmosphere for their opponents. They will certainly have to do so here, as they welcome the league leaders.

Arsene Wenger’s side are showing no signs of letting up, as they made light work of Southampton. With Champions League commitments in midweek, expect Wenger to make some changes and freshen up his squad. 

The key battle here will be how Cardiff’s Gary Medel handles the creative forces of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil. The Chilean has been a revelation in the centre of the Cardiff midfield with his feisty, ferocious style, but this will be a massive test of his credentials.