The Premier League is back with a bang this weekend after it took its final international rest of 2024.
Before the break it was Liverpool who took a commanding lead at the top of the league, with a five points gap between them and second-placed Manchester City.
Since then Pep Guardiola has signed a new deal to stay at the club, and we go into this weekend with a new dawn set to begin at Manchester United.
Here's how Harry Redknapp told BetVictor how he thinks things will go down on Matchday twelve.
Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham
What a game this could be. Two sides who can score plenty, but two sides who’ve been sloppy at the back. I can’t believe Manchester City’s form right now; it shows how much they miss Rodri. I don’t care how good he is, a side with this talent should manage to survive. I think they’ll improve as the season goes on, particularly because I think they’ll be busy in the January window.
I can’t make this Tottenham side out either, it’s unbelievable. They get a fantastic win at home to Aston Villa and then go and lose at home to Ipswich the next week! I like Ange Postecoglou, but there’s a lot of pressure on him now.
It sounds like Pep Guardiola has agreed a new deal and that’s bound to give everyone a lift. I think City win this.
One to watch – Erling Haaland was in superb form for Norway during the break and will really like his chances against a Spurs side that gives away plenty of opportunities!
Ipswich 1-1 Manchester United
I can’t wait for this one. I’ve got to say, I was happy for Ipswich to get that win against Tottenham. They’d been so unlucky in a lot of games this season, it’s very easy to lose hope. The likes of Liam Delap and Sammie Szmodics are always a threat.
Well, here we go, the Ruben Amorim era starts now! I’ve been very impressed from what I’ve seen and heard from him, but I’ve probably said the same thing about previous Manchester United managers! He needs time to implement his style on this side and more importantly, bring in his players. That will determine his success, if you can’t get the right players in, you’ve got no chance.
This league always delivers upsets and storylines. I just have a feeling that Ipswich will give Amorim a shock. I think they’ll score, and I think they’ll get a point.
One to watch - Bruno Fernandes is bound to be a big player for Amorim. He looked in great form before the break and United’s captain will be their main man here.
Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest
This is such a key part of the season for Arsenal, they’ve been dropping too many points. Defensively, I don’t think they’ve dropped off too much but going forward, Mikel Arteta’s got to be concerned.
Nottingham Forest will head to London full of confidence and will fancy getting something. They’ve had an incredible start to the season, led of course by Chris Wood’s goals. He was firing them in for New Zealand during the break, he’s probably in the form of his life.
Forest have been very organised and only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals. I still think Arsenal get the win though.
One to watch - It has to be Martin Odegaard, the difference is night and day when he’s in the side. He’s a wonderful player but a side that’s chasing titles shouldn’t be this reliant on him.
Southampton 0-3 Liverpool
Losing away to Wolves was a real blow for Southampton. I don’t like judgements too early in the season but it’s not looking good for them. They’ve got some very tricky fixtures coming up as well, starting with this one.
I don’t think Arne Slot in his wildest dreams would have thought he’d be five points clear at the top in November, what a start! They play with a real authority and composure; they probably go into every game thinking they will win.
I can’t see how Liverpool don’t win this. Southampton are dodgy at the back and Mohamed Salah has been as dominant as ever.
One to watch - Curtis Jones has really come of age this season. He was terrific for England and he’s becoming a mainstay in this side. He’s always been a talented player but he’s going up a level this season.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
So far this season, Leicester have been decent against the sides in and around them but have struggled against the top sides and haven’t really laid a glove on them. I think that will continue here.
That was a decent point for Chelsea against Arsenal, particularly after going behind. With the attacking options they’ve got going forward, they’ll always score goals. I still have a few concerns about them at the back, particularly with Reece James getting yet another injury, he can’t catch a break.
I only see one winner here. 2-0 Chelsea, a routine win.
One to watch - I thought Noni Madueke was excellent for England during the break. He probably goes under the radar a little bit but he’s a very good player and he’s making that wide right position his own.
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Aston Villa 2-1 Crystal Palace
On paper, this should be a routine win for Aston Villa, I’m not so sure it will be though. Crystal Palace knocked them out of the League Cup, we’ll see another close one here. Villa are going through a tough spell at the minute, they need a win to give the squad a lift.
Palace have struggled all season. Their defensive record is quite decent, they just don’t score anywhere near enough goals.
Despite their recent form, I think Villa narrowly get the win.
One to watch - Ollie Watkins got a goal for England during the break and will look to keep up his good form.
Newcastle 2-0 West Ham
This could be a good game. Newcastle have won two in a row, and it was great to see so many of their team playing well for England. All that can only help the mood in the dressing room and suddenly, Newcastle are well in this top four race.
West Ham always feel like they’re one bad game away from a crisis! It’s not been a great start to the season, and they sit quite far off the top six, but things can change quickly in football. Julen Lopetegui needs a good result on the road though, it’s just not been good enough in that regard.
There’s a real feel-good feeling around Newcastle again, I think that win over Arsenal kick started their season. There’s just too much attacking quality here for West Ham to deal with, 2-0.
One to watch - Alexander Isak had a superb break for Sweden and looks fully fit and right back to his best. Everyone knows just how talented he is when he’s fit and firing on all cylinders.
Fulham 2-0 Wolves
It’s been a great few weeks for Marco Silva’s Fulham, they entered the break as one of the form teams in the league. He’s got a very good squad here; this is a side that should be comfortably in the top half of the table.
Wolves got that massive win against Southampton, but they really need to start showing more form on the road. I still think this side should have enough attacking quality to climb the table, but they need to start getting points.
I can only see a home win.
One to watch - Harry Wilson has been in sensational form for his country during the break. He was the hero off the bench against Brentford and he’s got to be in contention to start here.
Everton 1-1 Brentford
Everton certainly don’t score many but they’re a hard side to beat, particularly at home. It’s been a good run of form for them, but they can’t get complacent, it’s so easy to start falling down this league again.
Brentford’s games have been unbelievable of late! They score so many goals but look shaky at the back at times. They’ve been getting late wins though and are well-positioned to have another good season.
I don’t think this one will be a typical Brentford thriller, that won’t happen against a Sean Dyche side! 1-1.
One to watch - There’s some good attacking talent on both sides, I’m highlighting Yoane Wissa here. He was the hero in that win against Bournemouth and his pace and finishing always make him such a threat.