Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: Premier League GW12 Predictions & Analysis

Managing Pressure

I think this is going to be an ongoing situation for Arsenal, because I do see it as a two-horse race, and City are now really warming up nicely. Arsenal just need to cope with the pressure. That season a few years back, when they went close, they’ve got that under the belt.

Those players they’ve experienced it. They’ll remember it. And you would hope that a couple of years on that they would be better for it, and they’d be able to handle the pressure better. I think they are ready to handle that kind of challenge. So we’ll see.

It’s one of those weekends where, if City get the win up at Newcastle, then the North London derby becomes even more important. Certainly, Arsenal want to keep that nice little gap between the two sides.

Ben White and Martinelli

I think in an ideal world, Arsenal would want to keep them because you want to keep that squad whereby you’ve got at least a couple of players for each position. But with that come problems. Ben White’s been a regular for a few years before this one. Now he’s playing second fiddle to Timber, and Trossard’s been doing well. Eze can play in Martinelli’s position too. Madueke can play on the left.

But I think Arsenal want to keep them, but maybe financially they would need to sell them as well, because they’ve obviously laid out a lot of cash in the summer. So, from the PSR point of view, perhaps they would need to offload a few players, but they’re two very good players, as they’ve shown for Arsenal. So I’m sure Arteta would like to keep them, but it’s not easy if those boys aren’t the first choice, because they will feel that they could be the first choice somewhere else.

David Raya

I think he’s one of the best keepers in the world. He’s in great form. He doesn’t make many mistakes at all. His reactions are razor sharp. And obviously, he’s brilliant with the ball at his feet. That’s one of the main reasons he was brought into the club. But it’s proven to be a shrewd signing.

Donnarumma, of course, he’s right up there. Such an imposing keeper, world-class. So, those two are certainly vying for the best keeper in the world title.

Prediction

I think Arsenal just have too much for Spurs, despite Tottenham’s good away record. 2-0 for the Gunners.

Arsenal 2 – 0 Tottenham

Newcastle’s Problems

Strange one. I did the Brentford game last time out for Newcastle, and they went a goal up and ended up losing. They had no response when Brentford came back at them, and that was a worry, I’m sure, for Eddie Howe. Things clearly aren’t quite right.

It’s strange because they’ve done well at home, really, in the league and the Champions League. So I do think they will come back to something like what they can be, but the longer it goes on, the more doubts creep into the dressing room and into the manager. So we’ll see. I don’t see them staying where they are for too long, but he’ll be scratching his head about that away form for sure.

Bruno Guimarães and Livramento

This is the problem. If you’re not successful, your best players are going to want to leave, pure and simple, and top players want Champions League football, never mind about just European football. So that would be a concern.

Obviously, Bruno Guimarães has been brilliant for Newcastle. He’s the leader; fans love him. The players look up to him. Livramento has had his injury worries, but he’s clearly a talented fullback. So that would be a concern if they don’t continue to be successful and then suggest that they can actually challenge for the title, then they’re not going to be able to attract the top top players. And those that they’ve got will be maybe looking elsewhere.

Prediction

Good game, this. Hard to call. I think it’ll be 2-2.

Newcastle 2 – 2 Manchester City

Manager Situation

I’m not sure they would improve if Farke were let go. They haven’t got the squad, I don’t think, to compete, to make a dent in a lot of teams. They haven’t got the attack. They’ve done okay at home at times. Elland Road has not been an easy place to visit.

So I don’t know what the situation is with the manager. It would be a big call, and they’d certainly have to get the right man. But when you look at the problems up front, he dropped Calvert-Lewin for that defeat at Forest, and Nmecha scored. I don’t think he’s the answer, so whether they can do something in January to give themselves half a chance, we’ll have to wait and see.

Josh Sargent Rumours

When he came to Norwich, they were in the Premier League, and it was hard for him then and hard for him this season because Norwich has been so poor. They’ve got to gamble on somebody, perhaps like that.

Leeds are not going to be able to afford or attract a tried-and-tested top-class striker, so they need to have a look carefully at what’s available and try and strengthen that attack. So we’ll see. On the face of it, you wouldn’t predict that Josh Sargent would be the answer, but who knows?

Aston Villa’s Form

Emery is such a driven coach, and his attention to detail is second to none. Although they’ve looked like they are short in terms of options at centre forward, except for Watkins, they have got really good players. Buendía’s come back into the mix and are doing well. Onana looked brilliant against Bournemouth last time out. Tielemans as well.

They’ve got some good, talented, attack-minded players, so you didn’t expect them to struggle for too long. So now the challenge is to stay up there and maybe grab a top-four place because it could be on for Villa if they keep improving.

Prediction

2-1 to Villa.

Leeds 1 – 2 Aston Villa

Sesko Injury

They’ve spent 70 million on him. It didn’t sound like the injury was particularly serious, and he’s had an international break, Sesko, to get fit. I’m not saying he’s going to be fit for this one. But, no, I don’t think they will be looking at a replacement. Cunha’s played as that kind of false nine at times. And with Mbuemo, Fernandes and even Mount joining in. I think they’ll just mix and match it and get by until he’s back.

Midfield Reinforcements for United

The midfield has looked better at United this season. Casemiro was looking like the player we thought he was when he arrived. I mean, he’s quality. You don’t achieve what you did at Real Madrid without having great quality. And he’s always got a goal in him as well, Casemiro, so that’s eased the problem, I think, in the middle of the park.

I’m sure they will want to strengthen, though. January’s always difficult, as we know. Baleba is constantly linked, but I’d guess that they’d wait till the summer before trying to sign him.

Scott McTominay Rumours

I’m sure he could replicate his Serie A form in the Premier League. I think it was a mistake for Utd to let him go. I’m not sure he’d want to go to Everton. I think now he’s setting his sights higher. If indeed he wants to leave Italy, it looks like he’s loving it out there. Serie A player of the year, wasn’t he, in winning the title with them, and did brilliantly for Scotland as well. He’s in the form of his life. So, some of the top clubs might be looking at him. Never mind about Everton.

He’s only been at Napoli for a season. So I imagine he’d want to play for a bit longer out there. It looks like he’s really enjoying his football. So it’s probably out of the reach of a club like Everton to sign him.

Prediction

I think United will have too much. 2-0 to United.

Manchester United 2 – 0 Everton

Cole Palmer Return

Chelsea have coped okay without him; they’re third in the table, but he does bring something special to the team. And as for Burnley setting out plans to cope with him, to try and nullify him, I think it’s so difficult because he’s such a clever player. If you man mark him, he can knock the ball off first time and go for a little wander, he’s really difficult to tame.

So, Chelsea, if he is back, they’ll be absolutely delighted. But as I say, they have been a little bit unpredictable, Chelsea. But the table looks favourably upon them. So to get Palmer back would be a big, big boost.

Prediction

I’ve actually got a fighting draw for Burnley, 1-1.

Burnley 1 – 1 Chelsea

Semenyo Transfer

It’s take your pick for who will be after him. I think all the top clubs would be involved here and abroad because he’s such a fine player. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s so skilful, he’s consistent as well, he’s adaptable, and can play on both sides. So, you could put him anywhere.

Liverpool, with Mo Salah showing signs of slowing down, he’d be a sensation on the right-hand side for them, but he can play on the left. Man City will be having a look. They all would. Maybe Arsenal, well, with Saka and Madueke, would they go for Semenyo? But as I say, he could play on the left.

That 65million release clause – it’s going to be a snip for somebody like him these days. So it’d be a real scrap, I think, to get hold of his services.

Potential Banana Skin

Sean Dyche has done very well in the last two games, but I know he’s in the bottom three. He seems to have rejuvenated Morgan Gibbs-White, who’s been on the score sheet. I still see it as a tough one, though, for Forest. Liverpool have lost five of the last six, but at home here, after the international break, I’ve got them down as 2-1 winners.

Prediction

Liverpool 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest

Sunderland’s Success

I think they’ve been really positive, forthright. They’ve tried to take the game to the opposition. They’ve not played with any fear in this back five; get the wing-backs forward. Obviously, the home crowd at Sunderland has been brilliant and a big asset. And it’s been a great way forward.

The signings have mostly been successful. So it’s been good to see, and maybe a blueprint for other teams coming up now and in future. Been really good to see.

Prediction

Fulham need to bounce back after a poor day at Everton. 1-0 to Fulham.

Fulham 1 – 0 Sunderland

Brighton vs Brentford

Brighton, I think I’ve got goals in, and I think it’ll be 3-1 to Brighton.

Brighton 3 – 1 Brentford

Bournemouth vs West Ham

Bournemouth, I see them bouncing back after getting trounced at Villa. 2-0 to Bournemouth.

Bournemouth 2 – 0 West Ham

Wolves vs Crystal Palace

They’ll be looking for a new manager bounce. I’m not sure they’ll get one. I think Palace will win 1-0.

Wolves 0 – 1 Crystal Palace