The Premier League's traditional 'Big Six' will all be kept apart in gameweek 22, but title-chasing Arsenal may still face a sterner test than some members of that exclusive club might provide.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta faces up to his predecessor Unai Emery when Aston Villa rock up at the Emirates on Saturday evening, prior to which leaders Liverpool - whose advantage at the summit has been cut down to four points with a game in hand - seek a first Premier League win of 2025 away to goal-happy Brentford.
Potentially forcing their way into the title conversation too, Newcastle United commence the weekend's action at home to Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime, while Nottingham Forest will be expected to further their own chances of a shock slice of glory against Southampton on Sunday.
Both Manchester clubs are also in action on January 19 - Manchester City travel to Ipswich Town while Manchester United host Brighton & Hove Albion - before Chelsea close out the gameweek on Monday evening at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Another mouthwatering weekend of Premier League football means another Sports Mole predictions competition, and this time around, we are pitting our wits against Bria Keely, the lead singer of alt-pop band Better Joy and a recently-suffering Man City supporter.
Read on to find out Bria and Sports Mole's predictions for gameweek 22, as well as discovering the winner of our head-to-head with singer-songwriter Alex Spencer from the midweek round of matches.
Newcastle vs. Bournemouth
Saturday, 12.30pm
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Bria: Newcastle 3-0 Bournemouth
Sports Mole: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth
Four of the last five Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Bournemouth have ended level, and another closely-fought contest could be on the cards this weekend.
As impressive as Bournemouth have been this season, it is hard to ignore Newcastle's sensational winning streak, as well as the prolific form of Isak, so we are backing the Magpies to collect another three points in front of a fired-up St James' Park crowd.
Brentford vs. Liverpool
Saturday, 3pm
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Bria: Brentford 2-2 Liverpool
Sports Mole: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
Goals at both ends are almost always a guarantee at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford should sense an opportunity against a Liverpool side who have failed to carry their 2024 ruthlessness into 2025 so far.
However, Slot is not short of options for change whatsoever, and Brentford still have not kept a single clean sheet at home this season, so the Reds should be able to fight fire with fire and get their title pursuit back on track.
Leicester vs. Fulham
Saturday, 3pm
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Bria: Leicester 1-2 Fulham
Sports Mole: Leicester 1-3 Fulham
The fact that Fulham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games should give Leicester confidence of ending their three-game goal drought on home soil this weekend.
However, their defensive frailties remain a concern and we are backing the Cottagers, who boast a strong head-to-head record against the Foxes, to outscore their opponents en route to collecting all three points at the King Power.
West Ham vs. Crystal Palace
Saturday, 3pm
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Bria: West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace
Fourteen of the last 15 Premier League meetings between West Ham and Crystal Palace have seen both teams score, with three or more goals scored on 10 of those occasions, so goalmouth action at both ends can be expected this weekend.
The Hammers and the Eagles both have reason to be confident of success here, but there is little to separate these two teams, so an entertaining score draw could be on the cards in East London.
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
Saturday, 5.30pm
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Bria: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
Arsenal's beating of Spurs in midweek might have been merited, but the lack of a clinical striker is still sticking out like a sore thumb, and they may not create such a large volume of chances against a more defensively-sound Aston Villa outfit.
The Gunners should not be in any danger of losing their unbeaten home league record, but Emery's in-form side are more than capable of taking a point back to Villa Park as Arsenal are sent crashing back down to earth.
Everton vs. Spurs
Sunday, 2pm
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Bria: Everton 1-2 Spurs
Sports Mole: Everton 1-3 Spurs
While Everton cannot score, that is certainly not Tottenham's problem, because the visitors have netted nearly three times as many goals this season, and unless the Toffees can get attacking reinforcements through the door, that is not going to change.
Even their often stingy defence has been breached far too often for their liking recently, leaving Everton in a perilous position, so they may be looking for favours from other teams this weekend.
Man Utd vs. Brighton
Sunday, 2pm
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Bria: Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
Sports Mole: Man Utd 1-1 Brighton
Hurzeler's Seagulls are yet to be kept at bay on the road this season, while Man United were nothing short of embarrassing against Southampton and cannot rely on 22-year-old Diallo to bail them out forever.
Not a single previous Premier League meeting between the Red Devils and Brighton has finished level, but given the visitors' propensity for one-pointers and fatigue on both sides, we expect that streak to be snapped on Sunday.
Nott'm Forest vs. Southampton
Sunday, 2pm
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Bria: Nott'm Forest 3-0 Southampton
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 2-0 Southampton
Not since their days in the second tier in 1935 have Southampton been beaten in four straight matches against Nottingham Forest, but that sequence will surely be snapped at the City Ground.
The hosts are working with two days' more rest, while their visitors have concerns over the fitness of their star name in attack, so another Tricky Trees success is the only outcome we can envisage.
Ipswich vs. Man City
Sunday, 4.30pm
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Bria: Ipswich 1-3 Man City
Sports Mole: Ipswich 0-2 Man City
Do not be surprised to see Ipswich switch to a back five for Sunday's game - such an approach very nearly paid dividends against Arsenal in December - and City might also shuffle the pack ahead of a crucial Champions League fixture.
However, Guardiola's men will undoubtedly break through eventually, and as McKenna's men go in search of the leveller, space should open up for the champions to exploit as they quickly return to triumphant ways.
Chelsea vs. Wolves
Monday, 8pm
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Bria: Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
Sports Mole: TBD
Bria Keely Q&A
How did you come to support Man City and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
I grew up in a big City household, my dad was a season ticket holder at Maine Road so I knew nothing else! I'd say a standout memory as a fan is that "Agueroooooooooooo" moment. We were watching that game at the house with a few Man United fans which made it even better to gloat..ha!
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
Gundogan, Foden, Aguero, John Stones and Vincent Kompany
What's going on with the band at the moment?
Just released a single 'waiting on time' and announced my debut EP 'heading into blue', so that'll be out in March. First time hearing anything of mine on vinyl will be epic, I can't wait! On top of that, we've got a headline tour coming up in March and April plus a few festivals lined up too, so it's looking to be an exciting year!!
'waiting on time' by Better Joy is available to stream now.
You can follow Better Joy on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).
2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)
Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.
1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)
2. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
3. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
4. Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu (10pts | Gameweek 5)
5. Trampolene's Jack Jones (9pts | Gameweek 4)
= Kneecap's Mo Chara (9pts | Gameweek 6)
= The Slow Readers Club's James Ryan (9pts | Gameweek 20)
= Alex Spencer (9pts | Gameweek 21)
9. Feet's Harry Southerton (7pts | Gameweek 13)
= IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker (7pts | Gameweek 15)
11. Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)
= proFESSional's Rob Hennebry (6pts | Gameweek 8)
13. Maddox Jones (4pts | Gameweek 9)
= The Farm's Peter Hooton (4pts | Gameweek 18)
15. She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach (3pts | Gameweek 10)
= The Now's Shane Callaghan (3pts | Gameweek 17)
= Chilli Jesson (3pts | Gameweek 11)
18. Soft Launch's Josh McClory (2pts | Gameweek 12)
= My First Time's James Mellen (2pts | Gameweek 14)
= Apollo Junction's Ben Hope (2pts | Gameweek 16)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends' Max Lewin 15-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 3: Kyle Starkey 16-13 Sports Mole
Gameweek 4: Trampolene's Jack Jones 9-9 Sports Mole
Gameweek 5: Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu 10-11 Sports Mole
Gameweek 6: Kneecap's Mo Chara 9-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 7: Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty 6-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 8: proFESSional's Rob Hennebry 6-7 Sports Mole
Gameweek 9: Maddox Jones 4-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 10: She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach 3-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 11: Chilli Jesson 3-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 12: Soft Launch's Josh McClorey 2-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 13: Feet's Harry Southerton 7-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 14: My First Time's James Mellen 2-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 15: IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker 7-2 Sports Mole
Gameweek 16: Apollo Junction's Ben Hope 2-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 17: The Now's Shane Callaghan 3-6 Sports Mole
Gameweek 18: The Farm's Peter Hooton 4-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 19: N/A
Gameweek 20: The Slow Readers Club's James Ryan 9-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 21: Alex Spencer 9-7 Sports Mole
Ben Knapton
