A highly entertaining international break, which saw the final teams secure their berth in Brazil, has now made way to the club action action we have all missed. It is now set up nicely to going back to predicting the scores for the Premier League. 1 point is awarded for the correct outcome and 3 points for a perfect score.

Here’s a reminder of last week’s action and results and the overall points tally for the three of us so far.

Previous Matchday Scores:

Our lowest scoring week. Chelsea, City, and Tottenham all not getting the three points has really cost us in last weeks predictions as well as Arsenal playing Man Utd which was a 50-50 game. We need to step up this time around:

Matchday 12 Predictions:

Saturday November 23rd:

*Game of the week: Merseyside Derby*

“You are either Blue or Red” there is no purple. The Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool is a spectacle that all premier league fan boys around the world tune in to watch. It is always an exciting and exhilarating affair between two eternal rivals. The city is divided down the middle and the tensions rise high. This is a great game to start off this weekend’s premier league action and get us on our way! Lets hope for an ever exciting game with goals galore and a possession based duel that both managers preach. Game on!

Everton vs Liverpool:

Bernie: The merseyside derby should be a delight to watch this year. Moyes was a successful coach with Everton but they were never really easy on the eye. Martinez has brought flair and attacking verve to the blue side of Liverpool. On the red side of things, Brendan Rodgers has done exactly the same thing. His philosophy is embedded within the team and led by the SAS, Liverpool are playing well and winning games. I could keep on waxing lyrical about both teams but time to predict. 1-1 draw.

Mohaned: Everton have had a great season so far under Martinez while trying to play attractive football. In ther last fixture though they have not been impressive against a strong tottenham side. I feel Everton will be charged up for this game due to its derby nature but might lack the overall quality to better Liverpool. If the liverpool big boys in Suarez, Coutinho, Sturridge, and Gerrard step up then Liverpool should be able to take Everton. I will go with a 2-1 Liverpool win.

Rishay:  Everton are in buoyant form this season, but their attack has been blunt in their previous two fixtures, coming off back to back 0-0 draws. Their star Belgian contingency has had a rough couple of international games as well. How they come back to their club form could make a big difference. Liverpool’s hit men are a danger on any ground, and this one will definitely have goals at either end. Liverpool will have the attacking advantage, but Everton will have home advantage. In derby games, form goes out the window, and I see this one being a tight contest, with shared spoils. 1-1 draw.

Arsenal vs Southampton:

Bernie: Arsenal are coming off a 1-0 loss to Man United away from home. Luckily for the gunners the international break should have helped heal that wound. Unfortunately for the gunners though they face Southampton. The Saints have been fantastic and will go all out to beat the gunners. Llalana and Lambert need to be watched closely by the gunners faithful. 2-1 Arsenal.

Mohaned: Most of the Arsenal players are coming back from the International break on a high. The french contingency made it through to Brazil while Mertesacker scored the winning goal for Germany against the English. This is the first time in a while that Arsenal come out of the international break without major injuries. Returning to fitness is Theo Walcott who i feel will have an impact on the score line. Southampton have been in good form recently themselves but i feel Arsenal will have a good performance here. Ill go with a 2-0 Arsenal win.

Rishay:  Southampton have fewer losses this season than Arsenal, and have the best defense in England. They will be tough to break down, which is how they are usually. Their front men, with Lambert in particularly good form, will be keen to attack the Gunners on the counter, and this one could be a tight affair. Arsenal will want to get back to winning ways after their loss to Man United before the international break, and will be ready to score goals in this one, but will be tested against an organized Southampton back line. 1-0 Arsenal with a late winner.

West Ham vs Chelsea:

Bernie: In the corresponding fixture last season West Ham rolled over Chelsea 3-1. However, you don’t make predictions based on the season prior. This season, Chelsea aren’t convincing but with West Ham you wonder where the goals are going to come from. The Chelsea midfield should shackle Ravel Morrison’s talents so I see a professional Chelsea win here. 2-0 Chelsea

Mohaned: In every prediction week where chelsea come off a dissapointing result i say the same thing. “Mourinho wont allow it to happen again”. This time they have lost 5 points of their last possible 6. Chelsea are definitley not in good form and after a long international break the players might not be fresh. This is a tough away fixture and may be another banana skin for chelsea. With all that said i cant predict anything but a chelsea win here. 3-1 Chelsea

Rishay:  Mourinho has been rather quiet lately, has anybody noticed? Well, in either case, this is another interesting derby game to look forward to this weekend. The hammers are always a bogey team on their own patch but I expect Chelsea to be able to handle them. The blues have been playing well as a team but have lacked the striking flair to pile up the goals. They should win the battle in the middle of the pitch, provided their players aren’t jet lagged. 2-1 Chelsea.

Sunday November 24th:

Man City vs Tottenham:

Bernie: Big game! Not just because these are two big names in the premier league but because these two teams have had mixed fortunes of late. Both are coming off lacklustre results and will have a point to prove. Ordinarily I’d say this game would end in a tie but because Spurs don’t score and City are perfect at home I’m going for a 1-0 City win.

Mohaned: Tottenham are struggling for goals while City cant stop scoring. At the same time Tottenham’s defence has been very solid this season. The problem I have is that Silva is missing for City and without him they can sometimes look toothless and un-creative. What I know for sure is that Tottenham better not give away any free kicks around the 18 yard box as Yaya has been ON FIRE! I feel Tottenham will struggle to create and City will have most of the possession.  3-1 City.

Rishay: The Spurs are not up to par this season and will be the underdogs in this one. City have been perfect on their home patch and could run away with this one if an early goal is scored. I expect City to be more creative and control the game, and Spurs will be lucky to get on the score-sheet. 2-0 City.

Cardiff vs Man Utd:

Bernie: Cardiff City are one of my favourite teams amongst the league’s strugglers. Maybe it’s because they beat City or maybe it’s because they have Nigerian forward Odemwingie in their team. However, even with so many injuries United should build on their recent good form and beat the welsh side. It won’t be easy so 1-0 United

Mohaned: Going to an away game in Wales is never an easy task. It can be quite daunting. ManUtd have picked up their form recently, but unlucky for them, this has now coincided with Carrick getting injured. Im not sure how influential that will be on their game as no one else in the squad can control the tempo for them like he can. With that being said, i think the wingers and the Rooney-RVP partnership will prevail in the end. 2-0 United.

Rishay: United have been 9 games unbeaten in all competitions but have started to sweat on injuries, with Carrick out for 6 weeks and Jones with some niggles as well. Their reliance on their front men might shine through once again, but they should be able to handle Cardiff, provided they play with heart. Cardiff will fancy getting on the score-sheet and parking the bus, but who knows what they are capable of if they beat Man City! 2-1 United.