Premier League Preview: Gameweek 12

I had a busy week on the golf course and the racecourse and I’m really looking forward to another weekend of Premier League, including the always entertaining North London derby.

On the golf course, I got my first hole-in-one at Royal St David’s Golf Club (Harlech) midweek, playing with Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson followed by a spin around Wolverhampton racecourse aboard Calder Prince, my horse for my first charity race at Ascot later in the month.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal have won their last ten PL games at the Emirates but if there is to be a winner in the north-London Derby I expect it to be Spurs in what should be a terrific game of football.

There are normally goals when these two sides meet and I would be surprised if both teams didn’t find the back of the net, but I am leaning towards the visitors with Harry Kane and Dele Alli likely to be fit having missed England’s recent high-profile friendlies with Germany and Russia.

Tips:

Spurs Draw No Bet

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 

Bournemouth v Huddersfield Town

Since scoring three at Selhurst Park on the opening weekend of the season, Huddersfield have not scored in four away games and I fancy Bournemouth will keep the points at the Vitality Stadium.

Jermain Defoe was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the recent international friendlies and the striker will be chomping at the bit to get an opportunity against the Terriers. Only Frank Lampard (39), Andy Cole (38) and Alan Shearer (37) have scored against more PL sides than Defoe (36) has and I hope he gets the chance to add to that impressive tally on Saturday.

Tips:
Bournemouth to win  

Bournemouth v Huddersfield Town 2-1 

Burnley v Swansea City

Swansea have won all four PL games against Burnley including two 1-0 wins at Turf Moor and one goal might be enough for either side again this weekend.

Tips:

Under 1.5 goals at 

Burnley v Swansea City 1-0 

Crystal Palace v Everton

Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last four visits to Selhurst Park but I feel the Eagles will find the back of the Blues net in a game Palace, arguably, cannot afford to lose.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was excellent for England against Germany on Friday but Roy Hodgson must have been bitterly disappointed to see him go off injured against Brazil on Tuesday. Everton may have been flattered to beat Watford last time and have not kept a clean sheet since the first weekend of the season.

Tips:
Both teams to score at 

Crystal Palace v Everton 2-1 

Leicester City v Manchester City

Leicester won the corresponding fixture 4-2 last season, courtesy of a Jamie Vardy hat-trick, and there are likely to be plenty of goals at the King Power again on Saturday although I think it will be the league leaders who take the points.

City have scored 24 times in the second half of games so far this season – that is more than any other side has scored in 90 minutes. Pep Guardiola’s exciting team have won their first five PL games on their travels so far this season and I can’t see the Foxes halting their 100