With the final international break of the year behind us, the Premier League gets its wheels back in motion with the 13th round of fixtures this weekend.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique put two of this week’s key fixtures under the microscope, giving their insights on Manchester City versus Liverpool and Everton versus Manchester United.
Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.
Manchester City v Liverpool
Jose Enrique:
I think Manchester City have to be the favourites for this game given that they are playing at home, plus looks like Erling Haaland is going to be fit.
The key thing for me is that Liverpool are just too weak on the right-hand side. Pep Guardiola will know better than anyone how to exploit that side and I’m sure he is going to do it – it is Liverpool’s main weakness.
It is definitely going to be tough for Liverpool, but I am still positive and I believe they can beat Manchester City. I think they should start with a front three of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota – that could cause City some real problems.
I desperately want Liverpool to win, but I can’t see them being able to take all three points away from the Etihad. City didn’t manage to beat Chelsea in a high intensity game and I think it this game could have a similar outcome
Score prediction: Manchester City 2 – 2 Liverpool 11.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah 39/20
Jamie O’Hara:
Liverpool are a strong side and they have been impressive so far this season, but I think this game might be a step too far for them. Despite that, I think Liverpool are closer to City than any other team and these will be the two teams fighting for the title.
This is a massive game and I have missed it a bit because it wasn’t the same calibre last season as it has been for the past few years. Liverpool are back now and this game is the one that we have all loved watching for the last four or five seasons.
I expect them to go toe-to-toe and for it to be a really exciting watch. One unique asset that Liverpool have is Darwin Nunez because he scares defenders with his speed and physicality. I think he is going to come good.
I think this is going to be a Premier League classic with bags of goals. Liverpool are a top side but I can just see Manchester City edging this one at home.
Score prediction: Manchester City 3 – 2 Liverpool 16/1
Anytime goalscorer: Erling Haaland 11/20
Everton v Manchester United
Jamie O’Hara:
I think the 10-point deduction was very harsh on Everton. The saving grace for them is that they stated the season really well and there are at least three teams who are definitely worse than them. Sean Dyche has done a really good job and I think they will stay up.
I actually fancy Everton to get a result in this game. Manchester United have been poor and Erik ten Hag has dug himself out of a few holes to keep them where they are. On paper they are an in-form team but they are still rubbish! The only reason they’ve got results is because they’ve been playing bad teams. In terms of their performances, I’m still not convinced that they’re any good.
Dyche and Everton will be looking at this game thinking that Manchester United are there for the taking – I think Everton are going to win. Goodison Park will be rocking in reaction to the punishment and it is going to be a really tough day for Manchester United.
Score prediction: Everton 2 – 1 Manchester United 9/1
Anytime goalscorer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 39/20
Jose Enrique:
Everton are heading into this one of the back of a punishment that I think was unfair, but I still think they are going to escape relegation. They are not far off safety at the moment because they were doing so well before and they are good enough to stay up.
Manchester United are not playing well at the moment and with the game being at Goodison I can’t see them being able to take all three points. I think Everton have a better chance of winning this game than United do but they are not the most potent in attack.
The Everton fans and players will be fired up and with Casemiro not having his best season United look weak in midfield; I could see Abdoulaye Doucoure exploiting that weakness and adding to his four-goal tally this season.
Score prediction: Everton 1 – 1 Manchester United 5.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Abdoulaye Doucoure 5/1
GW13 Predictions
Predictions Current Scores:
Jose Enrique 46 – 52 Jamie O’Hara
Manchester City v Liverpool
Jose Enrique: Draw 7/2
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City 7/10
Burnley v West Ham
Jose Enrique: West Ham Evens
Jamie O’Hara: West Ham Evens
Luton v Crystal Palace
Jose Enrique: Crystal Palace 11/10
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 49/20
Newcastle v Chelsea
Jose Enrique: Newcastle 31/20
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 5/2
Nottingham Forest v Brighton
Jose Enrique: Draw 27/10
Jamie O’Hara: Nottingham Forest 11/5
Sheffield United v Bournemouth
Jose Enrique: Draw 13/5
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 13/5
Brentford v Arsenal
Jose Enrique: Arsenal 3/4
Jamie O’Hara: Arsenal 3/4
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa 15/8
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 29/10
Everton v Manchester United
Jose Enrique: Draw 5/2
Jamie O’Hara: Everton 37/20
Fulham v Wolves
Jose Enrique: Wolves 41/20
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 12/5