EPL Match Week 13 Preview

Written By: Mahdi Farahikia

After a round of mid-week matches, it is time to focus on the weekend games, as Chelsea will host Manchester United in an expectedly interesting head-on. Manchester City were the only team that didn't have a mid-week game in either EPL or Europe and will host Brighton. After their mid-week defeat, Tottenham look to redeem themselves in a predictably tough match at home against Newcastle. Here is EPL Match Week 13 Preview.

Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool: The two sides haven't met in EPL since 1999. Their last match-up in recent history was in the FA Cup, which Liverpool won by a goal. Liverpool showed an excellent game against Man City and beat West Ham in Anfield, thanks to Nunez. Forest's record away from home hasn't been promising. With one win out of eleven games, Forest do not look like a threat to Liverpool. The visitors will get the three points of this match. Five Thirty Eight: NFO: 9%, LIV: 76%, Draw: 15% Odds Shark: NFO: +1000, LIV: -400, Draw: +500

Everton vs. Crystal Palace:

The hosts don't look in good form. They lost the mid-week game to Newcastle on the road, whereas Palace turned a 0-1 defeat into a 2-1 victory against Wolves at home. Everton have not lost this fixture at home. Playing in Goodison Park is not an easy task, which Viera is probably aware of.

Palace have not beaten Everton in this fixture for the last few seasons, and although the hosts are in crisis, the visitors' away record has been without a win. While they have played one less game, Palace sit five places above Everton in the table with a three-point advantage. Zaha can exploit Everton's defensive mistakes, but Palace have conceded their fair share of goals, too. This close match will likely end in a draw. Five Thirty Eight: EVE: 38%, CRY: 34%, Draw: 28% Odds Shark: EVE: +150, CRY: +200, Draw: +255

Manchester City vs. Brighton:

Having rested in mid-week, playing at home to a side that has yet to win under their new manager, Man City look for redemption after their loss to Liverpool. The truth is they have what it takes to win this game. Brighton's defense will have a high hill to climb if they want to stop De Bruyne, Haaland, and Foden. This one will go for the hosts. Five Thirty Eight: MCI: 74%, BRI: 10%, Draw: 16% Odds Shark: MCI: -500, BRI: +1200, Draw: +575

Chelsea vs. Manchester United:

Only one point separates the 4th-place Chelsea from 5th-place United. While Chelsea failed to beat Brentford, the Red Devils showed off a smooth game and broke several records as they beat Tottenham mid-week. It's fair to say that United are finding their identity, whereas the Potter era has just begun in Chelsea. Four of the last five match-ups between these sides ended in a draw. United beat Chelsea in February 2020 when games were played behind closed doors due to COVID.

With Eric Ten Hag, Manchester United are showing better games. However, they failed to score against Newcastle. So, the ultimate question is whether we will see the United against Spurs or the United against Magpies. The Red Devils have shown they can beat the big teams this season (except City) and may be able to snatch a narrow win as Potter experiments with Chelsea. A draw is also a possibility. Five Thirty Eight: CHE: 50%, MUN: 26%, Draw: 24% Odds Shark: CHE: +110, MUN: +240, Draw: +240

Aston Villa vs. Brentford: Villa have only played Brentford twice in EPL, both of which happened last year. Brentford managed to earn one point in this fixture. Villa have significant issues in scoring goals and defending against the attacks. The Bees don't have scoring problems, but they also have a hard time defending their goals.

Aston Villa's record home and away has been woeful. Brentford are seemingly awakening but haven't done great on the road so far. If Brentford play as they did against Chelsea, they can win this match. Otherwise, a draw is possible. Five Thirty Eight: AVL: 47%, BRE: 27%, Draw: 26% Odds Shark: AVL: +110, BRE: +250, Draw: +240

Leeds vs. Fulham: Historically, things are pretty even between these teams. Leeds beat Fulham on away turf last time around. Both teams are in bad form, separated by three points (before Leeds' midweek game.) Fulham will find it difficult to break their losing track in this fixture and may lose yet again to Leeds. Five Thirty Eight: LEE: 51%, FUL: 25%, Draw: 24% Odds Shark: LEE: +105, FUL: +255, Draw: +255

Southampton vs. Arsenal: The last time these teams played this fixture, it went for Southampton. However, the current forms of the two sides suggest that history may not repeat itself this weekend. Sitting at the top of the table, four points ahead of second-place Man City, Arsenal seem too much for the 14th-place Southampton. It is hard to imagine any result other than a win for the Gunners in this match. Five Thirty Eight: SOU: 20%, ARS: 58%, Draw: 22% Odds Shark: SOU: +450, ARS: -182, Draw: +320

Wolves vs. Leicester:

Both sides go to this match sitting in the relegation zone. Wolves recently changed management, while Rogers' position is shaky. Neither side has been able to win on the road. Foxes are capable of scoring goals, but they fail to defend them. Wolves, however, have problems scoring but have also conceded ten games less than Leicester. Although Ward is not a reliable keeper for Leciester, the lackluster Wolves offense does not look like a prominent threat. Leicester can snatch a narrow win on the road. Five Thirty Eight: WOL: 40%, LEI: 34%, Draw: 27% Odds Shark: WOL: +125, LEI: +225, Draw: +225

Tottenham vs. Newcastle:

Spurs seek to put their mid-week defeat behind them. Their sit-back-and-counterattack strategy doesn't always play well, though. The game against United was a case in point. Newcastle's form has improved following a streak of draws. Spurs have struggled against teams that press and attack. That's something Newcastle can benefit from.

While Spurs have enjoyed victories in three of the previous five head-ons with Magpies, things don't look as easy for a Tottenham win in this game. However, if Lloris can produce the same style of saves he did against numerous United shots and the Kane-Son duo can generate its magic, a close win for Tottenham is possible. Five Thirty Eight: TOT: 52%, NEW: 24%, Draw: 24% Odds Shark: TOT: +105, NEW: +255, Draw: +250

West Ham vs. Bournemouth:

Both sides lost their mid-week games; West Ham against Liverpool away, and Bournemouth against Southampton at home. West Ham won the last match against Bournemouth at home, but they have also lost this fixture. Both sides have scored almost equal goals, whereas Bournemouth have conceded twice as many as West Ham. With Rice, Bowen, and Soucek, West Ham seem to have the advantage in this home fixture to snatch the three points. Five Thirty Eight: WHU: 60%, BOU: 16%, Draw: 24% Odds Shark: WHU: -180, BOU: +475, Draw: +310