Round 22 EPL Preview – January 2020

1. Sheffield United – West Ham

The first match of the round is going to be between the two old rivals Sheffield United and West Ham – two teams which were involved in heavy fight for survival a couple of years ago remained famous with it’s rather scandalous turn of events. It was when West Ham signed Carlos Tevez and went on a winning run only Sheffield United to be left relegated. Now the fortunes have changed and the Blades are up and running in the top half, whilst West Ham need to improve and get points on the board if they want to be far from the relegation zone. Knowing the importance of the game, our team considers that there is going to be some chances and both teams would score.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• West Ham 1 : 1 Sheffield United
• West Ham 1 : 1* Sheffield United (after penalties)
• Sheffield United 3 : 0 West Ham
• West Ham 1 : 0 Sheffield United
• Sheffield United *1 : 1 West Ham (after penalties)
• West Ham 1 : 1 Sheffield United

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Both teams to score

2. Crystal Palace – Arsenal

Crystal Palace entertain Arsenal in a London derby where surprising or not, the home side is higher in the table compared to their opponents. Arsenal are rejuvenated under Mikel Arteta and won impressively against Man United and Leeds in the FA Cup. Palace are 3 matches unbeaten after having relatively good Christmas period. After winning at home against West Ham, they went to get draws against troubled Southampton and Norwich. Arsenal will be different opposition and we think that the Arteta’s revolution will continue.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Arsenal 2 : 2 Crystal Palace
• Arsenal 2 : 3 Crystal Palace
• Crystal Palace 2 : 2 Arsenal
• Arsenal 4 : 1 Crystal Palace
• Crystal Palace 2 : 3 Arsenal
• Crystal Palace 3 : 0 Arsenal

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Arsenal to win

3. Everton – Brighton

Everton are facing Brighton following a FA Cup exit and disappointing loss against Man City, so they will be eager to win at home against Brighton. Carlo Ancelotti’s reign began well and the team improved in terms of playing and in table ranking. Now the Toffees boss must decide which star players must be axed and new signings could be made during this month. Brighton drew against Chelsea and won previously against Bournemouth, but suffered FA Cup exit. We consider open play and given not so consistent defense by the Seagulls, goals will be scored.

a. Previous 6 games

• Brighton 3 : 2 Everton
• Brighton 1 : 0 Everton
• Everton 3 : 1 Brighton
• Everton 2 : 0 Brighton
• Brighton 1 : 1 Everton

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals

4. Leicester – Southampton

Leicester are facing Southampton on the back of the first Semi-Final Leg at Carabao Cup against Aston Villa. The Foxes definitely will be a little bit tired after intense festive period and cup involvements. Southampton would fancy their chances on counter attack and if Danny Ings continue his fine form, England recall might be on the cards. The Saints are undefeated in 4 and are now away from the relegation zone, so we think that the Saints would at least get a draw which would be a slight revenge after the humiliating 9-0 defeat earlier this season.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Southampton 0 : 9 Leicester
• Leicester 1: 2 Southampton
• Leicester *0 : 0 Southampton(after penalties)
• Southampton 1 : 2 Leicester
• Leicester 0 : 0 Southampton
• Southampton 1 : 4 Leicester

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Southampton Draw no bet

5. Manchester United – Norwich

Man United must dig deep and deliver a performance in their home encounter against Norwich after disappointing loss against rivals City during the midweek. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is under pressure and facing a defensive crisis after it emerged that Harry Maguire will be out for the next matches of the Red Devils. Paul Pogba is still missing after having his surgery done and Victor Lindelof is the only fit center back, so United may be forced to go the transfer market and get some emergency deals. Rashford, Martial and James will lead the attack meaning there is a lot speed in this side, the question is if Norwich sit deep and not allow many spaces, could this game be a goal affair or a dull one?

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Norwich 1 : 3 Manchester United
• Norwich 0 : 1 Manchester United
• Manchester United 1 : 2 Norwich
• Manchester United 4 : 0 Norwich
• Norwich 0 : 1 Manchester United
• Manchester United 4 : 0 Norwich

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

6. Chelsea – Burnley

Chelsea are facing Burnley in a game they definitely needs winning after a few surprising defeats earlier this season at Stamford Bridge. The Blues fans would require more consistency from their young squad and Frank Lampard needs to find the winning formula against teams sitting and defending at the Bridge. Tammy Abraham seems to lost his goal scoring touch, so maybe another striker could be transferred in after the ban was lifted. Burnely are on a 3-match losing streak and if Chelsea are in good spirits, our team considers an easy home win.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Burnley 2 : 4 Chelsea
• Chelsea 2 : 2 Burnley
• Burnley 0 : 4 Chelsea
• Burnley 1 : 2 Chelsea
• Chelsea 2 : 3 Burnley
• Burnley 1 : 1 Chelsea

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Chelsea to win

7. Wolves – Newcastle

Wolves face Newcastle and the home side will be willing to continue the fine performances they are delivering since the start of the season. The home side are on a back of back-to-back defeats away from home against tough opponents like Liverpool and Watford and now the home match against shaky Newcastle give a good possibility to get back to winning ways. The Magpies have been inconsistent away from home and are now down to bare bones after having 3 injuries at the collapse against Leicester in the last league match. Given the injury crisis, the bad away form of Newcastle our team would only consider an easy home win.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Newcastle United 1 : 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Newcastle United 0 : 4 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 : 1 Newcastle United
• Newcastle United 1 : 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 : 1 Newcastle United
• Newcastle United 2 : 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

b. Current rankings

Prediction:: Wolves to win

8. Tottenham – Liverpool

In a repeat of last season’s UEFA Champions League Final, Jose Mourinho face Liverpool for the first time since he joined Tottenham. Liverpool are beginning a series of tough matches with this away match but the form the Reds are currently in give every reason to their fans, staff and players to be optimistic for the run-in. Sadio Mane received the award for Africa Footballer of the Year and will be full of confidence going into this match. The good news for Jurgen Klopp would be the return to training to Shaqiri, Fabinho and Matip, so Liverpool are close of having full squad. On the other side, Spurs must cope for the next couple of months without their talismanic captain Harry Kane and it will be interesting to see whether Son, Alli and Moura can fill in his goal scoring boots. Our team considers an even game and possibly a draw.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Liverpool 2 : 1 Tottenham
• Tottenham 0 : 2 Liverpool
• Liverpool 2 : 1 Tottenham
• Tottenham 1 : 2 Liverpool
• Liverpool 2 : 2 Tottenham
• Tottenham 4 : 1 Liverpool

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Draw

9. Bournemouth – Watford

In a classic “6-poiner” Bournemouth are facing the in-form Watford at the early kick-off on Sunday. The Cherries lost heavily their last 2 away matches and failed to score, so now they would need to address that against in-form Watford which is undefeated in 4. Nigel Pearson came in and changed everything. The Bees are looking different and from a position where the relegation was inevitable now the team is fighting for survival. Given the nervy aspect of the fixture, we think there is going to be limited chances and under 2.5 goals will be scored.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Watford 0 : 0 Bournemouth
• Bournemouth 3 : 3 Watford
• Watford 0 : 4 Bournemouth
• Watford 2 : 2 Bournemouth
• Bournemouth 0 : 2 Watford
• Bournemouth 2 : 2 Watford

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals

10. Aston Villa – Man City

Aston Villa face Man City in the last game of the game week late on Sunday afternoon at Villa Park. Man City are far behind league leaders Liverpool and this lifts a bit of the pressure off City’s players shoulders, so Pep Guardiola can experiment with his side and formations used. This gives freedom to the attacking players and City can look deadly in attack. This was shown during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United and knowing that Villa also featured in the cup midweek, Tyrone Mings and co. would be in for a difficult afternoon. Our team considers high-scoring affair and Man City to win.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

• Manchester City 3 : 0 Aston Villa
• Manchester City 4 : 0 Aston Villa
• Aston Villa 0 : 4 Manchester City
• Aston Villa 0 : 0 Manchester City
• Manchester City 3 : 2 Aston Villa
• Aston Villa 0 : 2 Manchester City

b. Current rankings

Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals and Man City win