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Ally vs Fletch Premier League predictions: Can Michael Carrick’s Manchester United upset Manchester City?


Highlights: Welbeck stars as Brighton dump out Man Utd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Michael Carrick returns to the Old Trafford dugout and Arsenal travel to the Midlands on a bumper weekend of Premier League action, with TNT Sports hall of famers Ally McCoist and Darren Fletcher back for more predictions.
Carrick is back in the temporary post he previously held in 2021, taking over from (the other) Darren Fletcher. His reign begins with the small matter of the Manchester derby.
City can move to within three points of Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off, before Mikel Arteta’s side respond live on TNT Sports and discovery+ at Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, Liverpool look to continue their 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions against Burnley, while Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United in a battle of two out-of-form sides.

Fletch restored a little daylight in the Ally vs Fletch standings with victory in Gameweek 21. He now leads 147-141 – but it’s still all to play for.

Think you know ball? Get stuck into the experts’ picks and have your say on all 10 fixtures below.

Wins Points
Fletch 10 147
Ally 6 141

Gameweek 22 predictions

Date Match Ally Fletch
Sat, Jan 17, 12:30 Man Utd v Man City 1-3 1-3
Sat, Jan 17, 3:00 p.m. Chelsea v Brentford 2-1 1-1
Sat, Jan 17, 3:00 p.m. Leeds v Fulham 2-1 2-1
Sat, Jan 17, 3:00 p.m. Liverpool v Burnley 3-0 3-0
Sat, Jan 17, 3:00 p.m. Sunderland v Crystal Palace 2-1 2-0
Sat, Jan 17, 3:00 p.m. Tottenham v West Ham 3-1 3-0
Sat, Jan 17, 5:30 p.m. Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (TNT) 1-3 1-2
Sun, Jan 18, 14:00 Wolves v Newcastle 1-3 1-2
Sun, Jan 18, 16:30 Aston Villa v Everton 2-0 2-0
Mon, Jan 19, 8:00 p.m. Brighton v Bournemouth 2-1 2-1

Selected matches:

Man Utd v Man City

Ally: “Michael Carrick’s first game in charge, however, I watched them in the cup game against Brighton, well beaten. This City side are on a bit of form. I know it’s a derby, anything can happen, but I can’t see anything other than victory for Manchester City.

Prediction: Man Utd 1-3 Man City

Fletch: “I’ve got a feeling that Manchester United might just turn up for this game, but I still don’t think it’ll be enough. Look at the respective first XIs and it’s pretty lopsided in City’s favour. I don’t quite know how United can contain City and they are going into a game with a third different version of how to play in a short space of time – that’s going to count against them.”

Prediction: Man Utd 1-3 Man City

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (TNT)

Ally: “Arsenal’s form coming off a good result, they were the better team against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. I just see them being too strong for a Forest side fighting for their lives under Sean Dyche. There has been improvement but I think it’ll be a comfortable victory for Arsenal.”

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Arsenal

Fletch: “Even though I think Forest will be competitive, they are so susceptible from set-pieces. Arsenal score the most from them in the division, Forest have the second-worst record at defending them. I just think Arsenal will be too good.”

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

Get involved: Vote on Gameweek 22 fixtures

Now it is over to you, the audience. Vote on the results for the next round of fixtures below!

Points (match result only)
Fletch 100
You (voter average) 98
Ally 95

SATURDAY

Man Utd v Man City

Chelsea v Brentford

Leeds v Fulham

Liverpool v Burnley

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

Tottenham v West Ham

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (TNT)

SUNDAY

Wolves v Newcastle

Aston Villa v Everton

MONDAY

Brighton v Bournemouth

Ally vs Fletch scoring – and how you can play along

Each gameweek, Ally and Fletch predict the scores for every game and offer some hot takes on the biggest matches. The points system:

  • One point for getting the right result (win, draw or loss)
  • Three points for getting the score bang on
  • Double points for matches on TNT Sports

Want to get involved? You can vote on the result of every game – win, lose or draw – above, with a separate leaderboard tracking how you stack up against the experts.

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