Predictions for the 15th round of the Premier League, December 6-8
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
The 15th round of the Premier League doesn't waste any time getting started. The first match is a big one! At Villa Park, participants in the title race will face off, and yes, the hosts can be counted among them as they are in third place, trailing Arsenal by just six points. The "Gunners" have stumbled twice since the beginning of November, while the "Lions" have secured eight wins in their last nine rounds. Unai Emery will try to throw a wrench in the works of his former team, and there is a chance for that, as the opponents have parity over the last five head-to-head meetings – with two wins each. Beating Arsenal will certainly be very difficult, but we believe the "Villans" are quite capable of scoring. Therefore, we expect both teams to score.
Match Prediction for Aston Villa vs Arsenal: both teams to score (yes)
Bournemouth vs Chelsea
The next fixture is no less intriguing. Here we see another London giant, as well as a crumbling Bournemouth, which has lost 4 of its last 5 matches. The favorite is clear, but Chelsea has a knack for giving fans unpleasant surprises, as seen in their last round's game against Leeds (1:3). Therefore, there is a feeling that Andoni Iraola's squad might bounce back. At their home "Vitality," they look decent, having lost only 1 of their previous 8 Premier League matches there. Moreover, the "Cherries" have a simpler schedule, as Chelsea needs to conserve energy for an important away game against Atalanta in the Champions League.
Match Prediction for Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Bournemouth not to lose
Everton vs Nottingham Forest
Once again, we have a meeting of a coach with his former team – Sean Dyche against Everton. Both the "Toffees" and the "Foresters" are in good form, having suffered only one defeat in their last five matches. Given the absence of European competition commitments, David Moyes' protégés look like the favorites, although they have suffered heavy defeats in two consecutive home games. The "Blues" cannot afford a third consecutive fiasco, so we expect them to play cautiously for the result. Looking at this fixture, it's hard to imagine many goals. In 5 of the last 6 head-to-head encounters, the total goals have been under.
Match Prediction for Everton vs Nottingham Forest: total under 2.5 goals
Manchester City vs Sunderland
We move to the blue part of Manchester, where things have been unsettled lately. Erling Haaland is breaking records, and Phil Foden is reminding us of his best form, but the "Citizens'" defense is falling apart, having conceded ten goals in the last four matches. Pep has a serious test ahead – an away game at the "Santiago Bernabéu," so the Spaniard will need to rotate the squad. Sunderland has not lost by more than two goals in any match this season. We believe the "Black Cats" will manage to avoid a thrashing at the "Etihad."
Match Prediction for Manchester City vs Sunderland: match Manchester City – Sunderland: Sunderland win with a handicap (+2.5)
Newcastle vs Burnley
Midweek turned out to be a disappointment for Newcastle – Eddie Howe's team missed out on a victory against Tottenham, conceding in the 95th minute. Their winning streak at St. James' Park was halted at six matches. However, in the 15th round, the "Magpies" face an opponent against whom they should start a new streak. Burnley has suffered five consecutive defeats, and all factors point to a sixth, as the "Clarets" have lost to Newcastle in their last six Premier League meetings.
Prediction for Newcastle vs Burnley: Newcastle win with a handicap (-1.5)
Tottenham vs Brentford
Thought the reunions with former teams were over? Not quite. Thomas Frank with his Tottenham will host Brentford. The Dane moved up in the summer, but you wouldn't know it from the league table, as both teams have the same number of points. It seems neither is contending for anything serious and they might exchange goals in their head-to-head, as they have done in 4 of the last 5 meetings. Yes, the "Bees" show weak results away, but they score regularly (in 7 of the last 8 rounds), while the "Spurs" consistently concede at home. Therefore, a bet on both teams to score seems logical.
Prediction for Tottenham vs Brentford: both teams to score (yes)
Leeds vs Liverpool
When will the reigning champions of England stop struggling on the pitch? It's an intriguing yet complex question. Apparently not in the upcoming round, as they face an away game at Elland Road. Leeds recently defeated Chelsea (3:1) and have generally found good form, having previously given Aston Villa (1:2) and Man City (2:3) a scare. Therefore, a Liverpool victory is in serious doubt, let alone a clean sheet. Especially considering the fact that a bet on both teams to score (yes) has won in the last five consecutive home matches for the "Peacocks".
Prediction for Leeds vs Liverpool: both teams to score (yes)
Brighton vs West Ham
A team from the top 7 meets one of the relegation contenders. Obviously, Brighton looks more favorable, even despite the defeat to Aston Villa in the last round (3:4). The "Seagulls" once again delighted with their scoring ability, netting more than 1.5 goals in 6 of the last 7 league matches. West Ham, on the other hand, rarely concedes less than one and a half goals. In this case, we see no substantial reason to argue with the statistics.
Prediction for Brighton vs West Ham: Brighton's individual total over 1.5 goals
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
The upcoming round will not be without a London derby. Modest in names, but still. There are nine places between the teams in the table, but should Fulham win, and the gap with Crystal Palace will be reduced to three points. But whether the "Cottagers" will achieve it is a big question, as they have been unable to defeat the "Glaziers" in seven consecutive home matches. Therefore, considering Oliver Glasner's team as underdogs solely due to their away status, as the bookmakers do, seems not entirely correct to us.
Match Prediction for Fulham vs Crystal Palace: Crystal Palace will not lose
Wolverhampton vs Manchester United
Finally, another long-awaited encounter. Matheus Cunha returns to "Molineux," where he will play against Wolverhampton, a team he carried on his shoulders last season. At Manchester United, the Brazilian hasn't been as impressive – injuries have been a hindrance, and the team itself has been struggling as usual. However, the "Wolves" are in a much worse situation. A series of eight defeats, not a single goal scored since the coaching change, and the last place in the table with two points – this is an inevitable relegation to the Championship. Yet, we believe that the hosts will break their goalless streak. When else to do it if not in a game against the "Red Devils," who have only one clean sheet in this Premier League season?
