Runaway leaders Liverpool have the opportunity to all but eliminate four-time defending champions Manchester City from the Premier League title picture when the top two face off at Anfield on Sunday.
That mouth-watering showdown, which could see Liverpool move 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's men, headlines gameweek 13 of the 2024-25 Premier League season, and this week Sports Mole takes on guitarist and Aston Villa fan Harry Southerton from West Midlands-formed, London-based indie rockers FEET to give their predictions for all 10 matches.
While most eyes will be on Anfield, there are plenty of other matters to be settled across the weekend before that, including a South Coast clash between the impressive Brighton & Hove Albion and their distinctly less impressive opponents Southampton to kick things off on Friday night.
There are two London derbies as West Ham United host Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur welcome Fulham - and Harry predicts a major shock in one of those - while his beloved Villa's shaky form in recent weeks has not dampened his optimism for their trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Ruben Amorim entertains Everton in his first home league game as Manchester United manager, and Leicester City begin life post-Steve Cooper away to Crystal Palace.
So will the title race be decided this weekend? Read on to find out our predictions, and Harry's, below!
Brighton vs. Southampton
Friday, 8pm
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Harry: Brighton 3-1 Southampton
Sports Mole: Brighton 3-1 Southampton
Southampton may be the Premier League's lowest scorers after 12 games this season, but they have found the net in each of their last seven visits to Brighton in all competitions, scoring 10 times in total and twice on three occasions, so they will fancy their chances of success in the final third on Friday.
Keeping the ball out at the other end has been a real issue for a mistake-prone Saints side, though, and it is difficult to back against a high-flying Seagulls outfit outscoring their opponents en route to securing all three points on home soil.
Brentford vs. Leicester
Saturday, 3pm
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Harry: Brentford 1-2 Leicester
Sports Mole: Brentford 2-1 Leicester
While Brentford's home form has been exceptional, they have conceded 10 goals across their opening five league fixtures at the Gtech, where they will next face a Leicester side who have netted in all but one of their away matches thus far.
Leicester's recent record against Brentford bodes well for Saturday's contest, but we are backing the Bees to put a sting in the tail of the Foxes for the first time as a Premier League club.
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle
Saturday, 3pm
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Harry: Crystal Palace 2-0 Newcastle
Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle
Four of the last seven meetings between these two teams have ended as a draw, while only one of those last seven have produced more than two goals, so a low-scoring and closely-fought contest could be in store this weekend.
Both sides are keen to return to winning ways, but taking into account Palace's poor home form and Newcastle's recent struggled on their travels to London, we can see the spoils being shared on this occasion.
Nott'm Forest vs. Ipswich
Saturday, 3pm
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Harry: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Ipswich
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Ipswich
As praiseworthy as Ipswich's performances against Spurs and Man United were, the Tractor Boys are still lacking the formula for defensive success and should not expect to leave the City Ground with maximum points.
However, with Forest picking up additional injury concerns in the final third and also losing their mean defensive streak, we can envisage McKenna's men holding out for another low-scoring draw as the Garibaldi's plight continues.
Wolves vs. Bournemouth
Saturday, 3pm
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Harry: Wolves 0-2 Bournemouth
Sports Mole: Wolves 2-1 Bournemouth
Wolves in the Premier League almost always means goals at both ends of the pitch, and while the hosts coped just fine in an injury crisis last weekend, Semenyo's absence for Bournemouth is a devastating blow.
Iraola's forward-thinking troops can still break down a permeable Wolves defence, but O'Neil's men have been clinical in the final third all season long and have received two massive shots in the arm in the last two gameweeks, so the hosts have our vote to extend their winning sequence.
West Ham vs. Arsenal
Saturday, 5.30pm
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Harry: West Ham 3-0 Arsenal
Sports Mole: West Ham 1-3 Arsenal
Gooners will fondly remember the early period of 2024, where Arteta's men were ripping defences open for fun, and Arsenal appear to have rediscovered that attacking mojo if their last two displays are anything to go by.
Consequently, even a West Ham side that stunted Newcastle should not keep the Gunners at bay for long this weekend, although there should be no repeat of last season's six-goal slamming if that is any consolation for the Irons faithful.
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Sunday, 1.30pm
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Harry: Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: To be confirmed - please check back later
Man Utd vs. Everton
Sunday, 1.30pm
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Harry: Man Utd 1-0 Everton
Sports Mole: Man Utd 1-0 Everton
As ineffective as Everton's attacking displays were in November, Dyche's resolute defensive unit are proving a tough nut to crack and will no doubt boast the fresher legs on the Old Trafford turf.
Two sides who are prone to low-scoring Premier League affairs may not serve up a terrific watch for the neutrals, but if there is going to be a decisive goal, it will surely go the hosts' way.
Spurs vs. Fulham
Sunday, 1.30pm
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Harry: Spurs 2-0 Fulham
Sports Mole: Spurs 2-1 Fulham
Spurs arguably could have had few qualms had Roma returned to Italy with all three points on Thursday, as Postecoglou's depleted backline conceded numerous opportunities to Ranieri's side and should be breached at least once by a goal-happy Fulham.
Attack should therefore be the best form of defence for the Lilywhites on Sunday, and while it may not be pretty, we still back the hosts to capitalise on their visitors' recent rearguard vulnerabilities to emerge triumphant and end Fulham's unbeaten derby run.
Liverpool vs. Man City
Sunday, 4pm
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Harry: Liverpool 2-0 Man City
Sports Mole: Liverpool 3-1 Man City
No matter how dire City's situation appears to be, Guardiola's side can almost always be backed to come good in the attacking third away from their Etihad headquarters, and their hot streak on the road should not cease here thanks to Konate's worrying blow.
However, Guardiola's defence is only one game away from its latest catastrophe, and with the lack of an omnipotent Rodri-like enforcer in the midfield, the champions should be conquered by the challengers in the most devastating blow to their title defence yet.
Harry Southerton Q&A
How did you come to support Aston Villa and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
The old man's been an Aston Villa fan all his life so passed the baton down to the rest of the family. The top memory for me has got to be beating Liverpool 7-2 during lockdown.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
Jack Grealish, Ashley Young, Emi Martinez, Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins
What's going on with the band at the moment?
We've just finished a long run of shows promoting our second album. Now it's time for us to write the third record, for release late next year.
FEET's latest track 'Number One' is available to stream now.
You can follow FEET 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)
= Chilli Jesson (3pts | Gameweek 11)
12. Soft Launch's Josh McClory (2pts | Gameweek 12)
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
