1. Chelsea – Tottenham
Chelsea and Tottenham are giving a start to the round 27 in the English Premier League and the London derby will be as important as ever for both teams. Chelsea are in trouble losing their place in the Top 4 and will definitely would have 1 eye on the next weeks Champions League fixture with Bayern Munich. Tottenham on other hand need to find their form without their main strike threats Kane and Son and would have European hangover after a home defeat against RB Leipzig. The news that Man City will be thrown out of the UEFA Champions League, definitely brings extra incentive to the 5th place and both teams would want to cement their place by starting with an impressive result against their neighbours. Our team expects not so many chances in a nervy derby game.
Round 22 EPL Preview – January 2020January 22, 2020The first match of the round is going to be between the two old rivals…
Round 18 EPL Preview – December 2019December 20, 2019In the early kick-off of the weekend action before the action packed festive period…
Round 17 EPL Preview – December 2019December 13, 2019In the early kick-off the first and the last in the table meet at Anfield…
a. Previous 6 meetings
- Tottenham 0 : 2 Chelsea
- Chelsea 2 : 0 Tottenham
- Chelsea 2 : 1 Tottenham
- Tottenham 0 : 0 Chelsea
- Tottenham 3 : 1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 1 : 3 Tottenham
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Chelsea | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 41 |
D W L D D L |
| 5 | Tottenham | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 43 | 34 | +9 | 40 |
L L D W W W |
2. Crystal Palace – Newcastle
Crystal Palace are playing at home against a spirited Newcastle side and the Eagles will be looking to bounce back with a win after suffering 3 consecutive defeats. Newcastle were doomed and gloomed, but the Magpies are performing above expectations and Steve Bruce’s side is far above the relagation zone as their opponents. A bad run could mean you are again in the battle for survival, so both sides know the importance of each and every point gained. Eagles’ board offered new contract to their boss and hopefully for their fans, Roy Hodgson will stay. Bruce will feel that Palace, who possess an equally poor record in the final third as Newcastle, are ideal opponents, but the visitors may have to rely on some individual brilliance from one of their attackers to get anything from what should be a closely-fought game.
a. Previous 6 meetings
- Newcastle United 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United 0 : 1 Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace 0 : 0 Newcastle United
- Crystal Palace 1 : 1 Newcastle United
- Newcastle United 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Newcastle United | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 24 | 40 | -16 | 31 |
L D W D D L |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 23 | 32 | -9 | 30 |
D D D L L L |
3. Burnley – Bournemouth
Eddie Howe is returning to his old club searching for points that would further drift away his side from the relegation troubles. The Cherries won 2 out of their last 3 matches and will definitely rely on the form of their main striker Callum Wilson. Burnley on other hand improved drastically over the last month and the Clarets picked up 10 points in the process. Now they don’t look back and are looking above themselves. Having avoided defeat against Leicester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Southampton, there should be the desire to kick on with the possibility of eighth spot being enough to secure a place in Europe. They will be too hard to beat for Bournemouth.
a. Previous 6 games
- Bournemouth 0 : 1 Burnley
- Bournemouth 1 : 3 Burnley
- Burnley 4 : 0 Bournemouth
- Burnley 1 : 2 Bournemouth
- Bournemouth 1 : 2 Burnley
- Bournemouth 2 : 1 Burnley
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Burnley | 26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 34 |
L L W W D W |
| 16 | Bournemouth | 26 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 26 | 40 | -14 | 26 |
L L L W W L |
4. Sheffield United – Brighton
Sheffield United take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Bramall Lane on Saturday, as the Blades look to keep pace in the fight for Champions League football. Brighton’s focus is at the other end of the division, and Graham Potter’s side will know how valuable a win could be in their battle to remain in the Premier League. Since an impressive away win over Arsenal in early December, Brighton have won just once in all competitions and have kept just one clean sheet. The Seagulls’s away form has also been particularly poor, with Brighton managing just two wins all season away from home. Our team considers Sheffield U to be too strong for the visitors.
a. Previous 6 meetings
- Brighton 0 : 1 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 3 : 1 Brighton
- Brighton 0 : 1 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 1 : 2 Brighton
- Brighton 1 : 1 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 2 : 1 Brighton
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sheffield United | 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 39 |
L W D L W W |
| 15 | Brighton | 26 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 31 | 38 | -7 | 27 |
D L D L D D |
5. Southampton – Aston Villa
Southampton welcome Aston Villa to St Mary’s on Saturday in the Premier League, with both sides looking to steer themselves away from the relegation zone. The Saints lost their last game to Burnley in bizarre circumstances, while Villa suffered a last-minute defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Both teams rely on their main stars in Jack Grealish and Danny Inngs and both of them will be the key men to watch at St. Mary’s. Tyrone Mings will return to the starting lineup ahead of Saturday’s meeting which should help bring more security at the back, but the absence of Wesley and John McGinn has been hurting their attacking play. Villa have picked up just eight points on the road all season, managing two wins and conceding 26 goals. A classic 6-pointer between two sides suffering in their confidence, so our team considers high-scoring nervy affair.
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- Aston Villa 1 : 3 Southampton
- Aston Villa 2 : 4 Southampton
- Southampton 1 : 1 Aston Villa
- Southampton 2 : 1 Aston Villa
- Southampton 6 : 1 Aston Villa
- Aston Villa 1 : 1 Southampton
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Southampton | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 32 | 48 | -16 | 31 |
W W L W L L |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 26 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 34 | 50 | -16 | 25 |
W L D W L L |
6. Leicester – Man City
Late kick-off on Saturday two of the Top 4 face each other in final attempt to cut the gap between them and Liverpool. Man City had turbulent weeks over the past few weeks and will appreciate some distractions from their off the field problems. The Citizens will then open March with the EFL Cup final against Aston Villa before visiting Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup three days later. It is a very, very busy period of the season for the Manchester giants, who could still enjoy a brilliant campaign on the field despite concerns behind the scenes. Pep Guardiola vs. Brendan Rogers is a fascinating duel to watch and our team expects another beauty.
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- Manchester City 3 : 1 Leicester
- Manchester City 1 : 0 Leicester
- Leicester 2 : 1 Manchester City
- Leicester 1 : 1 Manchester City
- Manchester City 5 : 1 Leicester
- Leicester 1 : 1* Manchester City (after penalties)
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Manchester City | 26 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 67 | 29 | +38 | 54 |
W W D W L W |
| 3 | Leicester | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 54 | 26 | +28 | 50 |
W L L W D D |
7. Manchester United – Watford
Manchester United entertain Watford after a European match in Belgium during the week. The Red Devils won at Chelsea are closer to the UEFA Champions League places and Solskjaer’s side need to keep up with the pace of the Top 4. Paul Pogba’s return is expected and the form of their defenders are putting a solid foundation for their improvement. Given the good form of the home side at the back, we are expecting under-scoring match.
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- Watford 2 : 0 Manchester United
- Manchester United 2 : 1 Watford
- Watford 1 : 2 Manchester United
- Manchester United 1 : 0 Watford
- Watford 2 : 4 Manchester United
- Manchester United 2 : 0 Watford
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Manchester United | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 38 | 29 | +9 | 38 |
L W L L D W |
| 19 | Watford | 26 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 24 | 40 | -16 | 24 |
W W D L L D |
8. Wolverhampton – Norwich
Wolverhampton will entertain Norwich in the league in their pursuit of UEFA Champions League football next season. The Middlands club enjoyed another great UEFA Europa League night and must switch their attention quick enough. Norwich played really well against Liverpool last weekend but haven’t picked points. The Canaries are rock bottom and soon they will be relegated if something extraordinary do not happen over the course of the next weeks. Daniel Farke must start preparing for the life in Championship and the team will be playing without any pressure for the reminder of the season. Wolves might be tired, so why not try a surprising result?
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- Norwich 1 : 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 : 2 Norwich
- Norwich 0 : 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Norwich 3 : 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers1
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 : 2 Norwich
- Norwich 2 : 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 26 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 36 |
L D W L D D |
| 20 | Norwich | 26 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 24 | 48 | -24 | 18 |
D L W L D L |
9. Arsenal – Everton
Arsenal and Everton both improved with their new managers and now Arteta and Ancelotti will be gunning for another good performance and platform to build on for the reminder of the season. Both teams are in the top part of the league and few results can go and close the gap to the UEFA Champions League places. Draws were the most common result which Arsenal had, so the Gunners would like to turn those into wins.
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- Everton 0 : 0 Arsenal
- Everton 1 : 0 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2 : 0 Everton
- Arsenal 5 : 1 Everton
- Everton 2 : 5 Arsenal
- Arsenal 3 : 1 Everton
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Everton | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 34 | 38 | -4 | 36 |
L W D D W W |
| 11 | Arsenal | 26 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 36 | 34 | +2 | 34 |
W D D D D W |
10. Liverpool – West Ham
League leaders Liverpool have a relatively easy task against troubled West Ham side. The Reds suffered a defeat in the UEFA Champions League and the Hammers could be in for a backlash from Jurgen Klopp’s side. There are so many records that might be broken and the Merseyside team are on course of doing that. The Hammers are in trouble of relegation and David Moyes have a massive task on his hands knowing the difficult schedule the London club is having.
a. Previous 6 Meetings
- West Ham 0 : 2 Liverpool
- West Ham 1 : 1 Liverpool
- Liverpool 4 : 0 West Ham
- Liverpool 4 : 1 West Ham
- West Ham 1 : 4 Liverpool
- West Ham 0 : 4 Liverpool
b. Current rankings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 26 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 61 | 15 | +46 | 76 |
W W W W W W |
| 18 | West Ham | 19 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 28 | -3 | 24 |
L D L L D L |
