Premier League Week 12 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions for Matchday 12
Very few fixtures in Premier League history have proved as consistently dramatic as Arsenal's clashes with Manchester United over the years.
While the encounters have cooled somewhat of late given the reduced competitiveness of the Gunners—and now United—for the title, Sunday's match between the sides is undoubtedly the highlight of the Premier League weekend.
Following the international break, Chelsea will also look to continue their unbeaten season as they host West Brom while Swansea's clash with Manchester City is a must-win for the Sky Blues.
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Read on for a rundown of the fixtures for Week 12 and predictions for each match as well as a closer look at some of the weekend's top picks.
| Date | Time (GMT/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Chelsea vs. West Brom | 2-0 |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Everton vs. West Ham | 1-1 |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Leicester vs. Sunderland | 1-2 |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Man City vs. Swansea | 2-1 |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Newcastle vs. QPR | 3-1 |
| Nov. 22 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Stoke vs. Burnley | 1-0 |
| Nov. 22 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Arsenal vs. Man Utd | 2-2 |
| Nov. 23 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool | 1-2 |
| Nov. 23 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Hull vs. Tottenham | 1-1 |
| Nov. 24 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Southampton | 1-3 |
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
While these two Premier League behemoths will undoubtedly not be fighting for the title this season, they may well be contesting each other for the Champions League spots.
The sixth-placed Gunners currently sit one point and one place ahead of United in the table, meaning a win for Louis van Gaal at the Emirates on Saturday would see the Red Devils leapfrog Arsene Wenger's men.
Both teams have had a mixed season thus far, and defensive issues at each club point to a high-scoring game in north London, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:
Indeed, as Sky Sports News HQ points out, injuries leave United with only youngsters to call on at the back for the Emirates clash while Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy are still set to be missing for the Gunners:
Arsenal's recent record against United is poor—they haven't beaten them since 2011—and the Gunners come into the clash on the back of a loss to Swansea last time out.
It is likely to be a fascinating occasion between the two auspicious sides. A high-scoring draw looks the most likely outcome.
Prediction: 2-2
Chelsea vs. West Brom
Only a controversial, last-minute penalty from Eden Hazard in last season's corresponding fixture prevented West Brom from claiming all three points at Stamford Bridge just over a year ago.
It was also a draw when Jose Mourinho's Blues travelled to the Hawthorns in February, but the league leaders are undoubtedly favourites for the win on Saturday.
Mourinho's men have yet to lose so far this season in the English top flight and look to be on a different level than the rest of the Premier League, per ESPN FC's Ian Darke:
Star men Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa—the former with nine league assists already this season, the latter with 10 goals, per WhoScored.com—should both be fresh having missed out on Spain's international matches in the break.
With the Blues having beaten Liverpool last time out and the Baggies losing to Newcastle, form and home advantage both point to an easy Chelsea win as they march on in their quest for the title.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester City vs. Swansea
City hit some bad form before the international break, as they won just one game in six in all competitions, crashing out of the League Cup and performing poorly in the Champions League.
A response is needed. With Chelsea looking unstoppable, the Sky Blues have to keep pace, as they currently sit eight points off top spot in third.
Swansea present a difficult proposition, with Garry Monk's side having beaten Arsenal last time out to move into fifth in the Premier League, just three points behind Manuel Pellegrini's men.
Gylfi Sigurdsson will hold the key for the Welsh outfit. The Iceland international has hit a fine vein of form since returning to Swansea, per the Premier League:
However, City certainly have the quality to respond to their recent malaise, and in Yaya Toure, Fernando and Fernandinho, they have midfielders capable of negating Sigurdsson's productivity.
Sergio Aguero will once again be relied upon to bag the goals—he has netted eight of City's last 10 in the league—but the Sky Blues should prevail at the Etihad, although it will likely be marginal.
Prediction: 2-1
