Experts predict Man City will 'handle' Liverpool

Sky Sports journalist Lewis Jones said that playing away at Etihad Stadium at noon in round 13 of the Premier League put Liverpool at a disadvantage and they suffered a big defeat.

Man City - Liverpool : 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 25 (Hanoi time). This is clearly the most notable match of round 13 and the fact that it takes place at 12:30 p.m. on November 25, London time, could affect the result. Liverpool supporters may point to the two recent wins against Wolves and Everton at this time, to believe in something favorable for Jurgen Klopp's team. But I don't think so.

The battle of wits between Klopp and Guardiola is the spice of the crucial match in round 13. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool's 3-1 win over Wolves ended a run of six consecutive games without a win when kicking off at 12:30. But their first-half performance was worrying. Liverpool failed to score in the first half when they beat Everton 2-0, meaning Klopp's side have failed to score in the first half of seven of their last eight games played at 12:30 on a Saturday.

That's enough to suggest a slow start for the visitors, and it would be dangerous to do so at Man City's Etihad Stadium. I'm backing the home side to win, both in the first half and full-time.

I also believe Bernardo Silva will make the difference. In a game where City are likely to find space behind Liverpool’s full-backs on a regular basis, Silva is likely to score, especially if Pep Guardiola deploys him as a right-sided striker. Silva scored twice against Bournemouth earlier this month in that position, and has scored five times in his last three home games as a striker.

Newcastle v Chelsea : 10pm Saturday, 25/11. It's no coincidence that Chelsea's form has improved since Reece James returned. He's a great all-round player and some people may forget that. I'd be surprised if James doesn't start England's Euro 2024 opener.

James has started three Premier League games this season against Liverpool, Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea, winning five points. Unbeaten against such big opponents, there's no reason why Mauricio Pochettino's men can't do the same at St James' Park.

James after the Brentford match at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on October 28. Photo: Reuters

With Newcastle vulnerable to injury and a busy fixture list, it's no surprise that Chelsea's chances of winning are high. However, I think this is a risky proposition, and I think the focus should be on James' impact on the game.

Pochettino has used James as the main attacker on the right flank, with Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling playing more centrally on the left. So I'm looking forward to seeing the defender make his mark in the coming rounds. James assisted a goal against Man City and almost scored in the last two games. With Newcastle missing Dan Burn on the left, Chelsea will certainly focus more on attacking in that position.

Nottingham Forest - Brighton : 10pm Saturday, November 25. Despite being hailed as one of the most talented coaches in the world right now, Roberto De Zerbi is facing a difficult problem as Brighton has not won in the last six rounds. The "Seagulls" attack stats are going down.

Of course, European competition and injuries to key players like Pervis Estupinan, Solly March and now Lewis Dunk, Karou Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, have been key factors in the instability of De Zerbi's side. At their best late last season, Brighton averaged 2.22 goals, 22.23 touches in the opposition box and 11.91 shots in the box per game.

However, that efficiency in the final third has dropped significantly over the last six games, even against the likes of Fulham and Sheffield United. Their average goals per game ratio has dropped to 1.39, their touches in the opposition box have dropped to 24 and their shots in the box have dropped to 7.33.

Those stats make me think of Nottingham Forest. They have lost just two of their 20 Premier League home games. Even the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City have failed to leave the City Ground with three points. They have also beaten Brighton here. I predict a 2-1 home win.

Brentford - Arsenal : 00:30 Sunday, November 26. Arsenal are no longer a team worth watching if you are looking for entertaining, high-scoring games. But they are very difficult to concede. Mikel Arteta probably doesn't like drama anymore, so he will try to give his team the most comfortable away win.

The return of Gabriel Jesus could help Arsenal's attack score regularly again. Photo: Reuters

Looking at the Brentford defence, you can see the tactical shift by Thomas Frank. Injuries to full-backs Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey have forced the Brentford manager to play Kristoffer Ajer on the wing. The defender plays in a similar style to Newcastle’s Dan Burn, with his clumsy one-on-one tackling. But overall, Ajer can give opposing wingers a tough day.

However, Ajer’s tendency to get into 50-50 duels makes him prone to fouls. He has been booked in three of his last four starts. The clash between Ajer and Gabriel Martinelli is certainly worth watching and the 30-100 odds on the home defender getting booked are equally appealing. I’m tipping Arsenal to take the three points but it will be a tight affair and a 0-1 draw.

Tottenham - Aston Villa : 9pm Sunday, November 26. This will likely be one of the highest scoring matches this round. And the two teams' offside trap-raising style could give the two linesmen a tough day.

For me, Son Heung-min is worth the 7/2 bet to score and be caught offside at least twice. The South Korean striker was caught offside four times as Villa beat Tottenham 2-1 at the end of last season.

Son has been deployed as a centre-forward more often this season, which has helped him perform better. The 31-year-old has scored eight goals in nine games. Son is one of the best players at absorbing the movement to escape the offside trap, so he will be a weapon against Villa's high offside trap.

With the goal in front, there are few strikers I have more faith in than Son in one-on-ones, so the odds of him scoring at 8/13, a double at 8/1 and a hat-trick at 1/40 are all worth considering. As for the scoreline, I think it will be a 2-2 draw.

Everton - Man Utd : 11:30 p.m. Sunday, November 26. Everton have been docked 10 points for breaching financial fair play rules. This is the heaviest penalty in Premier League history, causing outrage among Merseyside fans. Although Sean Dyche has never admitted it, this penalty is not necessarily a bad thing for his team in the long run.

Man Utd could lose nine players, including key striker Rasmus Hojlund, when they visit Everton. Photo: Reuters

That could be the catalyst for Everton to unite even more with their home fans. And with Dyche and his team in fine form, taking 10 points from their last five games, I wouldn't be surprised if Man Utd collapse at Goodison Park. I believe the visitors will lose 0-1.

I also expect a tense match between the two teams. Referee John Brooks has an average of 4.63 cards per game in the Premier League.

Vinh San (according to Sky Sports )

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