Premier League Matchday 12: United look to make up ground against high-flying Spurs

Two Premier League giants will go head-to-head on Wednesday night as Erik ten Hag's Manchester United look to close the gap on Antonio Conte's Tottenham.

The game is sandwiched between two other days of midweek action in England's top flight as the packed fixture schedule continues ahead of next month's World Cup.

Elsewhere, Liverpool host West Ham while Brentford face in-form Chelsea. Read on as we run the rule over all nine Matchday 12 games.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest (Tuesday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Brighton host Nottingham Forest in what will be their ninth top-flight meeting and the first since 1983.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from losses at the weekend, with Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls failing to score with any of their last 35 shots on goal.

Steve Cooper has not seen Forest win any of their last eight Premier League fixtures and the Reds are winless away from home all season.

Brighton's seven-match unbeaten run at the Amex ended in their last home outing against Spurs, but they have not lost any of their previous seven match-ups against promoted sides on their own patch.

Crystal Palace vs Wolves (Tuesday, 8.15pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Crystal Palace have never won four times in a row against Wolves, but have the opportunity to do so at Selhurst Park on Tuesday.

Eagles star Wilfried Zaha will be a key figure and the speedy winger has scored in each of his last two appearances against the West Midlands club.

The visitors have a poor record away from home, winning just one of their last 12 fixtures on the road.

But if the away side can get on the scoresheet, that will be a step in the right direction for a club that have failed to score in each of their last four away matches — their longest run in the top flight since 2007.

Bournemouth vs Southampton (Wednesday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Southampton have the league's lowest win rate against promoted sides, victorious in only 58 of their 134 meetings with Premier League newcomers.

Bournemouth will be hopeful of continuing their fine run of form, although the visitors are unbeaten in their last five trips to the Vitality Stadium.

Interim boss Gary O'Neil is yet to taste defeat since taking over from Scott Parker and avoiding a loss on Wednesday will see the Cherries equal their longest unbeaten run in the division of seven games.

Saints picked up a valuable point against West Ham last time out but their record of conceding at least once in each of their last 19 away games in the league may put fans on the edge of their seats for this one.

Brentford vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Brentford welcome West London neighbours Chelsea to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday with the Bees looking for back-to-back wins over the Blues for the first time since 1939.

Thomas Frank's side pulled off a stunning 4-1 victory in their last meeting at Stamford Bridge in April, but Chelsea earned the bragging rights in the reverse fixture, as well as in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.

Ivan Toney will be one to watch out for — the Englishman has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games, accounting for 75% of Brentford's total goals in these matches.

Mason Mount will be looking to make the difference for the away side having been involved in four goals in his last two league appearances for his boyhood club.

Liverpool vs West Ham (Wednesday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Liverpool looked back to their best in the win over Manchester City and will be aiming to protect their 28-game unbeaten league run at Anfield on Wednesday night.

West Ham are starting to find some form but could become the fourth side to concede 800 away goals in the division after Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham, should the Reds net in this encounter.

David Moyes has never seen a side he has managed win at Anfield and the upcoming fixture will be his 18th attempt.

Mohamed Salah will be looking to breach the Hammers' rearguard for the 10th time in the top flight — against no side has he scored more.

Newcastle vs Everton (Wednesday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Newcastle are another side that boasts a strong home record — they have lost just one of their last 15 Premier League games at St James' Park.

Everton were looking much better prior to the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last Saturday, but they have now lost 15 times on the road since the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign, more than any other side.

Callum Wilson will be eager to lead the line against a team that he has scored past six times in his last four league appearances.

Toffees boss Frank Lampard will have to conjure up something special if he is to breach a Magpies defence that have kept four clean sheets this season — only Manchester City have recorded more.

Manchester United vs Tottenham (Wednesday, 8.15pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Manchester United's shaky start to the season has levelled out but they remain seven points behind Tottenham ahead of their clash on Wednesday night.

Ten Hag will be pleased to note that Spurs have lost a club record 38 Premier League games against the Red Devils, and they have only shipped more goals to London rivals Chelsea.

However, the United backline will have to be at its best to prevent Harry Kane from scoring once again — the England captain has netted in each of his last five Premier League games.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves a goal against Spurs and will be eager to add to his total of eight when they meet at Old Trafford.

Fulham vs Aston Villa (Thursday, 7.30pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Aston Villa will be desperate for a win at Craven Cottage with the pressure mounting on boss Steven Gerrard.

Fulham have scored in each of their last eight top-flight matches and have netted 10 goals in their last five home games.

Conversely, Villa have struggled in front of goal and only Wolves have a lower shot conversion rate than their 6%.

The Cottagers lost each of the last two meetings, but the West Midlanders have not won three in a row against Fulham since October 2004.

Leicester vs Leeds (Thursday, 8.15pm, Amazon Prime Video)

Our final midweek game will see two struggling sides battle it out for three important points as Leicester host Leeds.

The visitors were unlucky to leave Sunday's clash with Arsenal empty-handed while the Foxes played out a goalless draw against Crystal Palace the day prior.

Leicester attacker Harvey Barnes has scored in each of his last five league games against the West Yorkshire outfit, but only has two strikes to his name this term.

Likewise, Leeds midfielder Jack Harrison is overdue a telling contribution — he has not registered a single goal or assist in any of his last six games.

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