Premier League 2025/26: Gameweek 12 Preview and Predictions

Premier League action returns this weekend after the last international break of the year.

There are some mouthwatering fixtures in store, with Arsenal and Spurs set to write another chapter in the North London Derby, the Magpies coming up against the Cityzens, and the Red Devils hosting the Toffees. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for all matches of Gameweek 12 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Burnley vs Chelsea

Chelsea secured a comprehensive victory over Wolves in their last league fixture, while Burnley lost to West Ham. While the Blues have only one loss in their last five games, the Clarets are staring at another relegation scrap with three losses in their last five encounters. 

Both teams have injury issues coming into this game, with Burnley set to miss Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer, Zeki Amdouni, and Armando Broja, while Chelsea are without Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoît Badiashile, Roméo Lavia, and Dário Essugo. 

Chelsea definitely have the advantage here with a far superior squad, especially with their forward line. However, Burnley won’t be easy to break down and will rely on a low defensive block. This could be a tight game, but Chelsea should be able to secure the three points. 

Score prediction: Burnley 0–2 Chelsea 

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

This is an encounter between two teams that are massively struggling this season as opposed to the previous one. Liverpool have won only one Premier League game out of their last five fixtures, which came at home to Aston Villa, while Forest have somewhat turned around their form with a draw and a win in their last two games but remain in the danger zone with only two wins in 11 games in total.  

As for personnel, Liverpool will miss the services of Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic, while Forest have a long list of injured players, with Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood, and Angus Gunn all on the sidelines. 

Last season, Forest were able to grab all three points in this fixture at Anfield, but their form this season doesn’t breed that kind of confidence. Liverpool remain the superior team on paper, and at home they have lost only one game this season; they should be able to get the job done here. 

Score predictions: Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest 

Bournemouth vs West Ham United

The Cherries kicked off this season well, but off late their form has been concerning. Having lost their last two games while conceding seven goals, they don’t seem too confident of their defensive capabilities. West Ham, on the other hand, are on an upward trajectory after a horrendous start to the season, having comfortably won their last two league fixtures to get a huge shot of confidence.

The injuries have piled up for the Hammers, with Lukasz Fabianski, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Oliver Scarles, and Niclas Füllkrug all out, while Lucas Paquetá is suspended. As for Bournemouth, they may be without some critical players as well in the form of Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert along with Enes Ünal and Matai Akinmboni.

Bournemouth may have lost form, but they remain difficult to beat at home. Even though West Ham have turned around their form, away from home they’ve struggled to get points and remain defensively vulnerable. At home, Bournemouth should be able to take advantage and secure all three points.

Score prediction: Bournemouth 3–1 West Ham

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace

Wolves have endured an abysmal start to the season, and their early form suggests that they are most certainly going down, having a mere two points from 11 games. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are in a much better place, having returned to form after the narrow away loss to Arsenal.

The Eagles have a fair few injury concerns, with Marc Guéhi, Chadi Riad, Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucouré, and Edward Nketiah all unavailable for this game. As for Wolves, they have Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes sidelined for this game.

Wolves have struggled both at home and away. On the other hand, even with the injuries Palace don’t have too many starters missing and should be able to field a side strong enough to grab all three points at Molineux Stadium.

Score prediction: Wolves 0–2 Crystal Palace 

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Brentford

Brighton have struggled this season, proving dismal away from home while winning comfortably at the Amex. They have lost two of their last five games, while Brentford have been a revelation under new management and have won four of their last five fixtures, only losing away to Crystal Palace. 

While Brentford have all their first-choice players available for this game, the Seagulls have been decimated by injuries — James Milner, Brajan Gruda, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Adam Webster, and Solly March are all unavailable. 

Brighton have the home advantage here, but Brentford have been in unbelievable form and showing great mentality. Hence, this could be a high-scoring encounter that ends in a draw. 

Score prediction: Brighton 2–2 Brentford 

Fulham vs Sunderland

While Fulham have struggled this season, Sunderland have been a revelation and are currently sitting in fourth place in the league table. The Cottagers have three defeats in their last five games, while the Black Cats have lost only one game in their last five (away to Manchester United). Their most recent game was a thrilling draw against table-toppers Arsenal at home. 

Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz is out with a long-term hamstring injury, while defender Antonee Robinson also remains sidelined, with Saša Lukic suspended for this game. On the other hand, Sunderland’s situation with injuries is more concerning, with Ajibola Alese, Omar Alderete, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Habib Diarra, and Romain Mundle still fighting for full fitness. 

Fulham have produced decent results at home and do have a slight advantage coming into this game, though Sunderland have shown unrelenting mentality even in tough away games and could come up trumps here.

Score prediction: Fulham 1–2 Sunderland 

Newcastle United vs Manchester City

Historically, St. James’ Park has been one of the toughest away grounds in the Premier League, but Newcastle United have suffered this season even at home. Their defensive weaknesses and inability to score goals have let them down too often. That said, the Tyneside team have fared well at home comparatively, winning their last three home fixtures.

City, on the other hand, have been on a winning streak, having lost only one game in their last five and having beaten Liverpool convincingly in their last league fixture. 

Newcastle have also suffered this season with injury issues; Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon, William Osula, and new signing Yoane Wissa are all sidelined. City, meanwhile only await Mateo Kovacic and Rodri to return to full fitness. 

Even though the Magpies have home advantage, City have Erling Haaland in the form of his life. Based on form and quality of the two sides, this is City’s game to lose, though Newcastle have surprised them in this fixture in recent years.

Score prediction: Newcastle 1–2 Man City 

Leeds United vs Aston Villa

When Leeds United gained automatic promotion, everyone expected them to perform well, but Daniel Farke’s men have been disappointing for the most part. They’ve lost their last two league fixtures and don’t look capable of competing against a top side. Aston Villa, on the other hand, started slowly but have gained momentum in recent weeks, only losing to Liverpool away and winning the other two of their last three league fixtures.

As for player availability, Leeds have most of their squad fit except for Wilfried Gnonto and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Villa, meanwhile, do have a few injury concerns, especially in defence, with Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, and Matty Cash all doubtful for this game. They also have Jadon Sancho, Amadou Onana, and Andrés García sidelined.

Leeds have struggled to compete in the Premier League and look ripe for a relegation scuffle. Their recent performances do not suggest that they can give Villa a fight, despite this being a home game. Villa should continue their momentum and win this one despite their injury issues.

Score prediction: Leeds United 0–2 Aston Villa 

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

The Gunners have been the best team in the league so far with one of the meanest defences in Europe’s top five leagues. Their forwards are also scoring consistently and have helped the team remain unbeaten in their last five encounters. Though they stumbled against Sunderland in their last fixture, conceding a late draw, Arsenal remain comfortable league leaders.

In contrast, Spurs have produced inconsistent form and lost two of their last five games. Injuries have played a part in their performances, but Spurs have many of the same issues they had last season despite making decent signings over the summer.

Both teams have a long list of injured players. Arsenal have long-term absentees in Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus along with short-term knocks to Gabriel Magalhães, Noni Madueke, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Riccardo Calafiori. Spurs have James Maddison out for the long term, while Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall, Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, and Kota Takai will also miss this North London affair.

Arsenal remain unbeatable at home this season. With the kind of squad depth they now possess, injuries to some of their starters are not affecting them as much as they did in previous seasons. Given the two teams’ recent fortunes, Spurs will find it hard to compete against this Arsenal side.

Score prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Spurs 

Manchester United vs Everton

While Man United have slowly picked up form and look dangerous in attack, Everton haven’t performed particularly well in recent weeks.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last five games and secured a famous win against Liverpool at Anfield. As for the Toffees, they haven’t been consistent, though they did have a comfortable win at home against Fulham in their last game. If we look at their head-to-head record, United certainly hold the edge over the Merseyside Blues.

On the injury front, United have quite a few players out; Benjamin Šeško, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, and Lisandro Martínez are doubtful for this game, while Everton have two players injured in Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson.

Though United have won most games comfortably at home, David Moyes’ men are no pushovers and have the personnel to trouble the United defence. Being a physical side, and preferring defensive tactics away from home, Everton will make life difficult for United, though given that their attack is finally starting to click, Ruben Amorim’s men should be able to grab all three points on Monday night.

Score prediction: Man United 2–1 Everton