Premier League GW23 predictions: Man United to lose again as Arsenal get title challenge back on track

Arne Slot's side are top of the division, six points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand, and the Merseyside giants will be bidding to record their 16th league success of the campaign when they host struggling Ipswich Town on Saturday.

High-flying Nottingham Forest are in action away to Bournemouth, while Arsenal will be bidding to return to winning ways in England's top flight when they travel to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The standout clash in the latest gameweek comes from the Etihad Stadium, with the reigning English champions Manchester City hosting Chelsea in Saturday's late start.

On Sunday, the biggest fixture comes from Craven Cottage, as Fulham welcome a Manchester United side that will be bidding to bounce back from last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Another Premier League gameweek means another Sports Mole prediction competition, and this week, we are facing off against Falkirk FC fan Lewis White - lead singer of Scottish alt-rock band Danko.

Read on to discover Lewis's and our predictions for gameweek 23, as well as finding out the results of our head-to-head with Bria Keely - the lead singer of alt-pop band Better Joy - from gameweek 22.

Bournemouth vs. Nott'm Forest

Saturday, 3pm

Lewis: Bournemouth 2-3 Nott'm Forest

Sports Mole: Bournemouth 1-1 Nott'm Forest

The spirits are high in both camps ahead of Saturday's contest and they will back themselves to come away with maximum points having already pulled off some impressive scalps in the top flight this term.

However, there is little to separate these two teams and we can see Nottingham Forest's robust backline frustrating Bournemouth in a closely-fought contest that may end all square.

Brighton vs. Everton

Saturday, 3pm

Lewis: Brighton 1-2 Everton

Sports Mole: Brighton 2-1 Everton

The stats suggest this will be a difficult afternoon for Everton, who have won just one of their last 21 away Premier League games, and Moyes has only ever enjoyed one win over the Seagulls in 10 previous meetings.

Brighton are back in form and full of confidence, scoring goals at will and collecting maximum points, and they will be favourites to do so again this weekend.

Liverpool vs. Ipswich

Saturday, 3pm

Lewis: Liverpool 3-0 Ipswich

Sports Mole: Liverpool 4-0 Ipswich

Ipswich have proven to be a tough nut to crack on the road in recent times - just ask Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur - but their pitiful performance against Man City even with a defence-heavy setup was alarming.

McKenna's men might boast the fresher legs, but we can only picture Slot's Liverpool running riot as they take another giant step towards Premier League supremacy.

Southampton vs. Newcastle

Saturday, 3pm

Lewis: Southampton 0-1 Newcastle

Sports Mole: Southampton 1-4 Newcastle

It is tough to make a case for the Saints here, as they look like they are heading for the Championship, despite a slight improvement in performances in recent weeks.

Excluding last weekend against Bournemouth, the visitors have been in brilliant form of late, and their trip to Southampton should see them win comfortably this weekend.

Wolves vs. Arsenal

Saturday, 3pm

Lewis: Wolves 1-3 Arsenal

Sports Mole: Wolves 1-3 Arsenal

Arsenal and clean sheets away from home do not go hand-in-hand - the Gunners have shipped goals in each of their last nine Premier League away matches - but any rearguard frailties should count for nought at Molineux.

The Gunners' 11 goals from crosses in the Premier League this season is a division high, as is Wolves' 10 conceded from such deliveries into the box, so do not be surprised to see Arsenal flaunt their aerial and set-piece excellence en route to victory.

Man City vs. Chelsea

Saturday, 5.30pm

Lewis: Man City 2-2 Chelsea

Sports Mole: Man City 2-2 Chelsea

An entertaining contest with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards at the Etihad between two attack-minded teams who have struggled to keep the ball out of their own nets throughout this season.

Man City could be boosted by their trio of January arrivals and have a strong recent record against Chelsea, but Maresca's men may find a way to frustrate the hosts and claim a share of the spoils.

Crystal Palace vs. Brentford

Sunday, 2pm

Lewis: Crystal Palace 0-0 Brentford

Sports Mole: Crystal Palace vs. Brentford (to follow)

Spurs vs. Leicester

Sunday, 2pm

Lewis: Spurs 3-0 Leicester

Sports Mole: Spurs 3-0 Leicester

Even in their current state - both fitness-wise and results-wise - a Spurs side who rarely come up short in front of goal should run into few obstacles against an ailing Leicester outfit this weekend.

Postecoglou's men gave themselves a much-needed shot in the arm in midweek and have our backing to ease their demotion fears at the expense of Leicester's.

Aston Villa vs. West Ham

Sunday, 4.30pm

Lewis: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham

Sports Mole: Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham

Unbeaten at home in the Premier League since late August, Aston Villa should be supremely confident of recording victory at Villa Park this weekend.

West Ham are fighting a number of injury and suspension issues ahead of Sunday's trip to the Second City, where we believe that the Hammers to slump to a second defeat in a matter of weeks.

Fulham vs. Man Utd

Sunday, 7pm

Lewis: Fulham 2-0 Man Utd

Sports Mole: Fulham 2-2 Man Utd

Clean sheet-less in 13 games across all competitions, Man United's defensive efforts are likely to prove futile against a Fulham side averaging 1.6 goals per game, their best in a Premier League season on record.

Silva's side can still get caught out inside their own defensive third, though, and we expect the stalemate specialists to play out another one-pointer of the thrilling variety, as Amorim avoids that unprecedented seventh league loss for now.

Lewis White Q&A

How did you come to support Falkirk and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?

Lewis: My family has supported Falkirk for a few generations now. I started going to games home and away when I was around four years old with my dad and grandad. Supporting Falkirk means you don't get many real high points but I would have to say reaching the Scottish Cup Final back in 2009 was a great run and achievement.

Also the 2002-03 season was a great year to be a Falkirk fan with us playing some superb football and winning the league, unfortunately we were denied promotion to the Premier League due to lack of seats in our stadium (absolute shambles). The last two years have been some of the best times watching Falkirk to be honest, it probably trumps all the older memories. Going unbeaten through a full league campaign, winning the league and now sitting top of the Championship. It's been a great couple years to be a Falkirk fan!

Who have been your favourite five players for your club?

Lewis: Tough one this. I'll start with some historical ones in no particular order. Darryl Duffy was at Falkirk during our last successful spell winning promotion to the Premier League. He was banging in the goals and looked like a player who was destined for bigger things. I'm sure he left to go to Hull. Russell Latapy is probably my all time favourite player at Falkirk. I have no idea how he was ever even at Falkirk to be honest. What a player, an absolute magician, I feel anyone who got to see him play for Falkirk will never see anyone as good play for us again! Craig Sibbald is another Falkirk legend.

I grew up and played football with Craig for years as a kid so it was unbelievable to see him make his debut for Falkirk at 16 and go on to score many important goals for us. Hopefully he will be back in a Falkirk strip once again soon. Anthony Stokes came to Falkirk on loan from Arsenal having just turned 18 years old. He's probably the player I've seen make an impact so quickly. He arrived at Falkirk and instantly started banging in goals. I think he still holds the record for consecutive hat tricks in the Scottish top flight.

Anyone who scored a hat-trick at East End Park against Dunfermline is a Falkirk legend. Last, but not least, I'm throwing current centre mid Dylan Tait in there due to the positivity in his play and he has the vision of an eagle. Hopefully Falkirk can achieve promotion this year and Dylan will have a big role to play next year stepping up a level in class.

What's going on with the band at the moment?

Lewis: We are currently in the middle of releasing some songs that we have all been desperate to get out. Two singles are out currently and available to stream everywhere now. The rest of the EP is out 12th Feb. We're also playing a small run of shows in England starting with Manchester on Wednesday 29th, Birmingham Thursday 30th and London on 1st Feb. All tickets available from our social media.

'Having Trouble' by Danko is available to stream now.

You can follow DANKO on Instagram and X.

2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)

Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.

1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)

2. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)

3. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)

4. Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu (10pts | Gameweek 5)

5. Trampolene's Jack Jones (9pts | Gameweek 4)

= Kneecap's Mo Chara (9pts | Gameweek 6)

= The Slow Readers Club's James Ryan (9pts | Gameweek 20)

= Alex Spencer (9pts | Gameweek 21)

= Better Joy's Bria Keely (9pts | Gameweek 22)

9. Feet's Harry Southerton (7pts | Gameweek 13)

= IN PARALLEL's Harrison Baker (7pts | Gameweek 15)

11. Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)

= proFESSional's Rob Hennebry (6pts | Gameweek 8)

13. Maddox Jones (4pts | Gameweek 9)

= The Farm's Peter Hooton (4pts | Gameweek 18)

15. She Drew The Gun's Louisa Roach (3pts | Gameweek 10)

= The Now's Shane Callaghan (3pts | Gameweek 17)

= Chilli Jesson (3pts | Gameweek 11)

18.