Michael Owen: Premier League Matchday 13 Preview

With 3 defeats in 4 games, it looks like Wolves’ lack of firepower is finally catching up on them. Replacing Diogo Jota was always going to be difficult and when you add that to the long term absence of Raul Jimenez, it’s no surprise goals have dried up.

They played nice football at times against Aston Villa, however, they came away with nothing after conceding a late penalty and subsequent goal.

Chelsea were odds-on favourites to beat Everton on Saturday night. The game itself provided us with a stark reminder of how nothing is a given in the Premier League as the Toffees took all 3 points. That would’ve been a blow to Chelsea. They certainly had the wind in their sails after a run of impressive results and Frank Lampard will want to get 3 points on the board here to immediately bounce back.

Molyneux is a tough place to go for any side, however, the lack of goals in this Wolves side is a huge concern. Until the problem is rectified, I think they may struggle. Chelsea come here with an abundance of firepower, and I can see the Blues taking full advantage on the road.

Life doesn’t get any easier for West Brom as they travel to the Etihad to take on Manchester City.

The Baggies suffered another defeat when Newcastle left it late to take the points at the weekend.

City come into this having registered 3 clean sheets in their last 3 Premier League matches which will come as a welcome sight for Pep Guardiola. These are the type of games where City are known to pile it on. A 5-1 win at home to Burnley followed by a 2-0 win against Fulham come as stark reminders of how difficult this could be for West Brom.

The visitors have lost 5 of their last 6 away matches, and I can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win here.

Leeds took the lead against West Ham but came away empty handed after a late Angelo Ogbonna header ensured the points were heading back to East London.

It’s now 1 win in 6 matches for Marcelo Bielsa’s side with home form a big concern.

Newcastle got there in the end against West Brom. They left it late but will be happy to get a result after a couple of chaotic weeks.

Interestingly, the Magpies have lost only once on the road this season. That said, I don’t think there’s much between these two, and I think Leeds should have enough here to get a point.

Where do we start with Arsenal? The Gunners have lost their last 4 home matches and failed to score in 6 of their last 8. If they were to suffer another defeat here, Mikael Arteta will be under serious pressure.

Southampton’s form has been the opposite. They are flying and have looked very accomplished so far this season. Ralph Hasenhüttl has his side well drilled and will no doubt be relishing this fixture with the Saints in such good form.

Arsenal simply must avoid defeat and although I am a big fan of Southampton, I think they may have to settle for a point in this one.

Leicester have their eye on potentially hitting top spot if they can defeat Everton. The Foxes ran out comfortable winners against Brighton and I think if they can play at a similar level, they’ll have every chance in this match.

Everton got a much needed result against Chelsea on Saturday night. The Toffees looked far better than in recent matches and seem to have adapted to being without James Rodriguez.

This fixture traditionally provides us with goals. There have been over 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 6 in all competitions between the pair. I think this could be the case again with the home side just edging it.

If it wasn’t for a late penalty; Fulham may have taken all 3 points at home to Liverpool on Sunday. Nevertheless, it was a great result and Cottagers fans will be hoping it could be the springboard to a good run of form.

Leicester were comfortable winners against Brighton on Monday. It was the poorest I’ve seen the Seagulls this season, however, I do feel they will fare better here.

Both these sides have been involved in a few high scoring matches this season and I think this could be the case again with both sides sharing the points.

This should be a cracker! As much as I have been impressed with Spurs this season, they come up against a Liverpool side that are undefeated in their last 65 home matches in the Premier League, a quite incredible stat.

This is Spurs’ acid test. Undefeated in their last 11 games, Jose Mourinho’s side will come into this hopeful they can get a result.

I’m expecting them to sit in and go through a bit of pain with the intention to hit on the counter-attack.

Although I think that could work to a certain extent, I reckon Liverpool simply have too much quality going forward.

Sadio Mane is playing wonderfully at the moment. He could be the main man in a narrow home win for the Liverpool.

West Ham welcome London rivals Crystal Palace after a fantastic result away to Leeds on Friday night. Palace themselves had a good result of their own, claiming a valuable point at home to Spurs.

I think this could be tight. Palace are full of pace on the counter, however, when West Ham put it all together, they are a dangerous side.

One man that has stuck out for me is Tomas Soucek. I have no doubt he will add a few to his goal tally this season and I could see him doing just that here in a narrow home win.

Despite Arsenal’s problems, you can take nothing away from Burnley’s win at the Emirates on Sunday. It was a huge result for Sean Dyche’s side. The Clarets are close to returning to full strength and I think they’ll start getting enough points to ensure they finish outside the relegation zone this season.

Villa’s smash and grab victory at Wolves felt quite familiar. It’s not the first time they have perfected their counter attacking qualities this season. That said, I don’t think they are quite as effective on home soil.

They have lost their last 3 home matches and face a side here that can be frustrating to play against.

I think this could be another tight match and I’m going for a draw in a low scoring affair.

Plenty of people never gave Manchester United a chance in their match against City at the weekend. It wasn’t a classic, however, Ole Gunnar Solkjaer will most likely have taken a draw before kick-off.

Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Sheffield United. They simply can’t buy a win at the moment.

Being at home, I naturally see the Blades playing on the front foot here. If that materialises, it could play into United’s hands. I’ll be going for an away win and Manchester United to make it 10 wins on the bounce on the road.