Manchester derby headlines Score Predictor Matchweek 15 – top stats and facts ahead of weekend action!

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Here we’ve collected some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture this Matchweek to help inform your decisions, as well as our own predictions.

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa

A meeting of former European champions promises to be a competitive affair on Saturday afternoon.

There was a huge gulf in class between these two sides last season when Forest finished 17th while Villa qualified for the Champions League but it’s a different story this time around.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently fifth in the table, level with the Villains on 25 points.

Forest have actually earned more points on the road this campaign but Murillo and company have conceded just six goals at the City Ground – only Liverpool have shipped fewer league goals at home.

One important factor to consider here is that Unai Emery’s men have only won one of their five league games immediately after a Champions League fixture and that was back in September.

With Villa having won an energy-sapping game against RB Leipzig in midweek, it feels all set up for Forest to claim another big scalp.

Our Prediction: 2-1 to Nottingham Forest

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Chris Wood has scored ten league goals this season[/caption]

Brighton v Crystal Palace

A heated rivalry not based on geography here.

The Eagles haven’t claimed bragging rights in this fixture since 2021 although four of the six meetings since have finished 1-1.

The Seagulls thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the corresponding game last season with a 4-1 win and Fabian Hurzeler’s side are one of just three top-flight teams still undefeated on home soil this campaign, which bodes well for this Sunday.

That being said, Palace have solidified in recent weeks with their defeat to Fulham last month being their only loss in their last eight games in all competitions.

43% of Score Predictor users have opted for a 2-1 home win at this stage and we’re inclined to agree.

Our Prediction: 2-1 to Brighton

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Brighton are just three points off fourth after 15 league games[/caption]

Manchester City v Manchester United

A proper local derby stands out as the headline match-up this weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side used to be a guaranteed source of points for Score Predictor users and it was usually just a question of how many goals they would score but they’ve fallen off a cliff lately.

A 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League means City’s 3-0 result against Forest remains the only win in their last ten games – an unprecedented rough patch for a side that have hoovered up trophies in recent years.

Although it’s not as if the Red Devils are in the best shape to take advantage of their neighbours’ poor form.

The Ruben Amorim era started with three games undefeated but losses to Arsenal and Forest have come as a reality check this month.

Man United are due to face Viktoria Plzen in Czechia later today which will limit their preparation time for Sunday’s game at the Etihad.

This one is massively dividing Score Predictor users.

Our Prediction: 3-2 to Man City

Reuters

City’s slump continues[/caption]

Southampton v Tottenham

It’s hard to avoid repetition when discussing Spurs; they pack a punch going forward but a soft underbelly makes them far more vulnerable than Ange Postecoglou would like.

The North Londoners are yet to win a game since they thrashed Man City 4-0 at the Etihad with recent defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea prompting waves of criticism from the fans.

But Son Heung-min and friends couldn’t have asked for a more favourable opponent this weekend as Saints are rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points to show for their efforts since promotion.

Russell Martin’s side have conceded 31 league goals this term, the same number Spurs have scored.

The visitors have serious defensive problems of their own with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies all sidelined with injury meaning we might see a centre-back partnership of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin.

Spurs have the small matter of a trip to Ibrox to negotiate first but surely they won’t slip up at St Mary’s.

Our Prediction: 4-2 to Spurs

Reuters

Van de Ven has been ruled out with another hamstring injury[/caption]

Bournemouth v West Ham

It’s the Monday night slot again for the Hammers and while victory over Wolves last time out relieved the pressure on Julen Lopetegui to some degree, fans will need to see a spell of sustained improvement before they are convinced.

The Spanish head coach will have his work out on the south coast as the Cherries are currently third in the form table having seen off Man City, Wolves, Spurs and Ipswich since the start of November.

Only the current top four of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and City have won more league games than Bournemouth this season – a superb effort.

Arne Slot’s league leaders are the only team to have generated more xG than Andoni Iraola’s side while Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester are the only teams to have conceded more xG than West Ham.

If Bournemouth bring their shooting boots it could get very messy for the visitors.

Our Prediction: 3-1 to Bournemouth

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