The final international break of 2024 is almost upon us, but more important Premier League matters take precedence this weekend, as gameweek 11 of the 2024-25 season draws ever nearer.
The destiny of the crown changed hands once again last weekend, as Liverpool capitalised on Manchester City and Arsenal's dismal defeats to surge two points clear at the summit of the table.
Arne Slot's side face an intriguing test at home to Aston Villa in the 8pm game this Saturday, but Arsenal's away day headlines gameweek 11, as the Gunners square up to high-flying London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
This weekend will also mark Ruud van Nistelrooy's final game as interim Manchester United manager before he passes the torch over to Ruben Amorim; the Red Devils host Leicester City in one of four games taking place on Sunday.
Some pivotal battles are also taking place further down the standings too - none more so than 19th-placed Southampton versus 20th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers - while West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui is a man under pressure ahead of the Irons' clash with Everton.
Another Premier League gameweek means another Sports Mole prediction competition, and this week, we are facing off against singer/songwriter and Indie rocker Chilli Jesson, a supporter of Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers.
Read on to discover Jesson's and our predictions for gameweek 11, as well as finding out the results of our head-to-head with She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach last week.
West Ham vs. Everton
Saturday, 3pm
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Chilli: West Ham 3-0 Everton
Sports Mole: West Ham 2-1 Everton
West Ham's only positive results of late have been in the league at home, while Everton are notoriously among the worst travellers in the Premier League.
Handing Southampton their first win of the season last week shows that no matter the form of their opponents, Everton rarely look convincing, and against opponents they have struggled against in recent years, another concerning result could be on the cards that may ease the pressure on Lopetegui in the home dugout.
Wolves vs. Southampton
Saturday, 3pm
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Chilli: Wolves 1-1 Southampton
Sports Mole: Wolves 2-1 Southampton
The mood in the Southampton dressing room may be the most buoyant it has been all season, but the Saints are now pitting their wits against a Wolves side who never have any problems in the final third; the hosts are on an 11-game scoring streak across all competitions.
As the visitors lack the genuine firepower necessary to take advantage of the hosts' defensive failings, we can envisage O'Neil's men finally following in their visitors' footsteps from last weekend and earning their first league win of the season.
Crystal Palace vs. Fulham
Saturday, 3pm
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Chilli: Crystal Palace 1-0 Fulham
Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham
There has been little to separate these two teams in recent years and another closely-fought contest could be on the cards at Selhurst Park, potentially a low-scoring one as only 11 goals have been scored across Fulham's five away matches this season.
The Cottagers could arguably be considered as slight favourites for this one considering their early-season form and recent away record against Palace, but we can see the Eagles claiming at least a share of the spoils on this occasion.
Brentford vs. Bournemouth
Saturday, 3pm
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Chilli: Brentford 2-1 Bournemouth
Sports Mole: Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth
Goals galore at the Gtech Community Stadium has been the theme of the 2024-25 season for Brentford, who are seldom outfought on their own patch and make nets ripple for fun in West London.
A Bournemouth side struggling for consistency on the road should therefore fail to replicate their home heroics against Arsenal and City, but Iraola's in-form troops are more than good enough for a point, especially given the hosts' defensive vulnerabilities.
Brighton vs. Man City
Saturday, 5.30pm
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Chilli: Brighton 2-4 Man City
Sports Mole: Brighton 3-3 Man City
Could a Premier League classic could be on the cards? These two attack-minded teams are sure to pose a regular threat in the final third, while they also look vulnerable at the back. Indeed, Brighton have conceded more goals against Man City (40) than they have against any other PL opponent, while the Citizens have kept just five clean sheets in 17 competitive games so far this season.
Man City can ill-afford to slip further behind leaders Liverpool, or allow Arsenal to close the gap to the summit, but Guardiola's jaded squad is not performing at its best at present and they may be forced to share the spoils with the Seagulls on this occasion.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Saturday, 8pm
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Chilli: Liverpool 3-3 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa
Brugge aside, Villa almost always ask questions of the opposition backline and may have some joy in the final third against Liverpool, who had to survive a couple of scares for their midweek clean sheet.
However, Slot's side have been running defences ragged at Anfield for weeks and will also be working with an extra day's rest - not to mention playing at home rather than away in midweek - so the Reds should sit comfortably on their throne during the international break.
Man Utd vs. Leicester
Sunday, 2pm
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Chilli: Man Utd 4-0 Leicester
Sports Mole: Man Utd 2-1 Leicester
As emphatic as Man United's success over Leicester was in the EFL Cup, the Van Nistelrooy bounce has maybe worn off slightly since then, and the Foxes will likely set up to frustrate their hosts this weekend.
Cooper's men have lacked defensive nous on the road all season long, though, so Van Nistelrooy should go out on a high before passing the reins over to Amorim.
Spurs vs. Ipswich
Sunday, 2pm
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Chilli: Spurs 3-1 Ipswich
Sports Mole: Spurs 4-1 Ipswich
McKenna's men almost always carry a threat in the final third and can ask questions of a Spurs backline that is far from watertight, but the hosts' quality at the other end of the pitch should tell eventually.
A repeat of last weekend's 4-1 crushing of Villa is not beyond the realm of possibility, and Ipswich's excruciating wait for their first success of the season will surely go on.
Nott'm Forest vs. Newcastle
Sunday, 2pm
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Chilli: Nott'm Forest 0-2 Newcastle
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Newcastle
As scintillating as Forest were against West Ham, they were aided by Edson Alvarez's red card on the stroke of the break, and an 11-man Newcastle side will provide a much sterner test.
Regardless, we are struggling to back the Magpies to breach the Tricky Trees' resilient backline more than once, especially given their recent difficulties on the road, so it may be honours even at the final whistle.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal
Sunday, 4.30pm
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Chilli: Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
Sports Mole: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
The less said about Arsenal's attacking play in recent weeks the better, but the importance of Odegaard's return cannot be overstated, as Arteta's side will finally have somebody capable of picking defensive locks again.
A Chelsea side who seldom keep clean sheets at home may therefore have to settle for a point against their London rivals, especially if Palmer is not operating at 100%, although Maresca should certainly be the happier manager if the points are split.
Chilli Jesson Q&A
How did you come to support QPR and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
My Dad supported QPR and took me to lots of games as a kid, so I didn't really have much of a choice. Most of my mates were Chelsea fans at school, so one of my favourite memories was Shaun Wright-Phillips scoring the winning goal at Stamford Bridge.
Who have been your favourite five players for QPR? (Historically or currently)
Heidar Helguson
Adel Taarabt
Kevin Gallen
Ilias Chair
Gareth Ainsworth
What's going on for you as an artist at the moment?
Just cut a record in La Frette in Paris with Carlos O'Connell producing. My debut album will be out in 2025.
You can follow Chilli Jesson 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)
7. Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)
= proFESSional's Rob Hennebry (6pts | Gameweek 8)
9. Maddox Jones (4pts | Gameweek 9)
10. She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach (3pts | Gameweek 10)
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
