Premier League Predictions: Week 15

Another weekend of exciting top-flight action is just around the corner and I will be giving my thoughts and predictions before it all kicks off.

In two weeks' time the Premier League will take an extended break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and predictions will continue on major group and knockout games, as well as breaking news in the build-up to the massive tournament!

Make sure to get involved with your own predictions down below or on my social media: https://twitter.com/Warren__Bishop

Let's get started!

Saturday 5th November 2022:

Leeds United vs Bournemouth (KO: 15:00)

What a huge result it was at Anfield last weekend for Jesse Marsch. Four straight defeats left the American very much under the cosh, but an inspired performance from goalkeeper Iiilan Meslier and a first Premier League goal for Crysencio Summerville propelled The Whites out of the relegation zone with a much needed three points.

Meanwhile, for Bournemouth it was a case of how it got away from them against Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium. A brace from Kieffer Moore had the Cherries 2-0 up against Antonio Conte's men but three goals conceded in the last 33 minutes, including an injury time winner from Rodrigo Bentancur ensured Gary O'Neil's men slipped to their third successive defeat this season in a rough patch under the caretaker manager.

Both sides desperately need a result to steer them further clear of relegation danger, but I'm sure both managers will stress how they must not lose it either. For that reason, I'm going for a score draw at Elland Road.

Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Bournemouth

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton and Hove Albion (KO: 15:00)

A lack of a potent forward continues to haunt Wolves so far this campaign, only 6 goals scored from their opening 13 league games, and half of those have come from midfielder Ruben Neves, who is the clubs leading scorer. This wasn't helped with the sending off of striker Diego Costa in the 1-1 draw at Brentford, which now means he will not return to competitive football until Boxing Day. There has been some more positive news this week for a change however, as the club close in on appointing the former Spain national team coach Julian Lopetegui as their new manager. For now, though, the club is languishing in 19th position, and desperately needs a couple of positive results before the international break.

It was a weight off the shoulders for Roberto De Zerbi, who finally claimed his first win as Brighton manager with a 4-1 dismantling over Graham Potter's Chelsea. The atmosphere was bouncing at the Amex last weekend, and the football didn't disappoint either, with The Seagulls showcasing the quality which had them in and around the top 4 earlier on in the season.

With the contrast of the attacking prowess of both teams, I simply cannot go for anything else but a comfortable away win here.

Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (KO: 15:00)

The highs and lows of football can come at you quite quickly, and this was certainly the case for Forest boss Steve Cooper, who from the elation of a 1-0 win over Liverpool, would have wanted to be anywhere else but watching his side take a battering away to Arsenal last weekend.

Back on home soil though, the Welshman will be eyeing up the last two fixtures before the World Cup as big opportunities to take points from as they are the only side yet to hit double figures for points and remain at the bottom of the table.

Similarly, Brentford will be looking to return to winning ways and shake off a bad spell, with Thomas Frank's men winless in their last three games, with only one goal scored in that time.

Matters are not helped in the slightest, with top scorer Ivan Toney suspended, so responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa to arrest the slide.

Both teams will be looking to get back to basics, and maintain solid defensive structures, which have gone missing recently.

Steve Cooper and his Forest side need a win, and are so dependent on their home form, and I'm going to back them to get three important points.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Brentford

Manchester City vs Fulham (KO: 15:00)

Manchester City come into this fixture aiming to extend their unbeaten run at home to 15 games in all competitions after Wednesday's night's 3-1 win over Sevilla in the Champions League.

The Citizens remain in second place in the league, two points behind the leaders Arsenal, after Kevin De Bruyne's stunning free kick saw them beat Leicester City 1-0 last week.

Pep Guardiola had to go into that game without star striker Erling Haaland, and he will continue to sweat on the fitness of the Norwegian, who remains a doubt with a foot problem sustained at Borussia Dortmund over a week ago.

Meanwhile, for Fulham, they are flying high in 7th place, but couldn't make it three successive wins on the bounce after a 0-0 draw with Everton last weekend. The result left boss Marco Silva frustrated as he was left to rue numerous missed chances.

If the Cottagers are to rely on getting anything out of this game, Alexsandar Mitrovic will surely have to be back firing as he looks to add to the 9 goals he's tallied up so far this campaign.

Haaland or not, I think City have far too much quality despite the good form of Fulham, and I'm expecting another masterclass from De Bruyne.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Fulham

Sunday 6th November 2022:

Chelsea vs Arsenal (KO: 12:00pm)

The Sunday PL programme starts off with a bang as Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in a London derby.

After a bitterly disappointing result at Brighton, Graham Potter's men responded in perfect fashion by beating Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 to top their Champions League group.

An intriguing part of this game will be the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against his former club, after his controversial exit and public bust up with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal also responded after slip ups against Southampton and PSV, romping to victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend, with Reiss Nelson putting in a MOTM performance on his opening PL appearance, bagging a brace.

He replaced the injured Bukayo Saka, who hobbled off early on in the first half of that game with an ankle issue.

The club will be hoping he will be fit enough to return, with more news to be revealed tonight as they host FC Zurich in the Europa League.

Chelsea are yet to taste defeat this season at home, but with the league leaders visiting, this record could be strenuously put to the test.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

Tottenham vs Liverpool (KO: 16:30)

Another blockbuster is in store, this time to round off GW15 as Spurs host Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Antonio Conte's side will be aiming to make it three wins on the spin in all competitions after a late winner from Emile Hoijberg ensured Tottenham made it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Marseille.

Those were similar circumstances with the win over Bournemouth in the Premier League last week too, with the side impressing Conte with their willingness to fight until the end.

For Liverpool, they'll be looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats in the league against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

However, there seems to be no issue in the Champions League, after they registered a 2-0 win over Napoli on Tuesday, to ensure qualification to the knockout stages.

Liverpool will simply have to be better at the back to have any chance of getting a result, after they were worryingly open against Leeds United, which saw them slip to defeat late on.

I don't think that will change though, and I can see goals in this game, but I'll back Liverpool to get a point in North London.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Liverpool

OTHER PL PREDICTIONS:

Everton 2-1 Leicester City

Aston Villa 1-3 Manchester United

Southampton 1-1 Newcastle United

West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace