Round 13 EPL Preview – November 2019

1. West Ham – Tottenham

West Ham entertain Tottenham in a fierce London derby where both teams would desperately need to get the maximum points and kick-start their season. Both teams surprisingly found themselves in the wrong side of the table and both managers are coming in all sorts of pressure to deliver results soon. Harry Kane and co. are doing well in Europe and score for fun in the UEFA Champions League, but need to improve in the league as only 3 wins in 12 games is simply not good enough. It will be interesting to see how both teams will cope with most of their squad going away on international duties, with England sealing their place on next year’s European championships. Knowing the stake in this match, our team predicts a goal fiesta and high-scoring draw.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Tottenham 0 : 1 West Ham
• West Ham 1 : 3 Tottenham
• West Ham 0 : 1 Tottenham
• Tottenham 1 : 1 West Ham
• Tottenham 2 : 3 West Ham
• West Ham 2 : 3 Tottenham

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Both Teams to Score

2. Bournemouth – Wolves

Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth side is continuing to surprise football experts when they found themselves in the top side of the table with a famous win against Man United the only win in their last 6 outings. Wolves improved after a slow start mainly caused by the early European commitments Nuno Espirito Santo and his team had to take. The away side is on a 7-match unbeaten run and managed to get some high-profile wins in the UEFA Europa League as well. Wolves got the bragging rights by winning the local derby against Aston Villa last time round and now Raul Jimenez and the rest of the attacking Midlands side would want to continue their fine form against Bournemouth. The Cherries have been solid at the back, so our team expect not so many chances and not high-scoring game.

a. Previous 4 meetings

• Bournemouth 1 : 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 : 0 Bournemouth
• Bournemouth 2 : 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 : 2 Bournemouth

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals

3. Arsenal – Southampton

The pressure over Unai Emery is increasing with every single day and the Gunners must deliver results and must do it quickly. The Spaniard position is under threat and if the papers are to be believed, high profile manager such as Jose Mourinho could be considered to replace the Spaniard. Southampton and Ralph Hassenhuttl on other hand are having their own woes as the Saints are currently in the relegation zone and have recorded the most heaviest home defeat at the hands of Leicester City. The Saints do not look morally strong enough to compete after this drubbing and the South Coast team must improve if they want to get a result in the capital and lift themselves out of trouble. Knowing that both teams will play under pressure, our team thinks that this match will be won by a small margin for one of the sides which could lead to some big changes in the management.

a. Previous 6 games

• Arsenal 2 : 0 Southampton
• Southampton 3 : 2 Arsenal
• Arsenal 3 : 2 Southampton
• Southampton 1 : 1 Arsenal
• Southampton 0 : 2 Arsenal
• Southampton 0 : 5 Arsenal

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals

4. Brighton – Leicester

High-flying Leicester City travel to South England being one of the teams in top form in the division and sitting on the impressive 2nd place. Brendan Rodgers and his team impress and are trying to break into Top 6 and secure European football for next season. Jamie Vardy is top goalscorer and the former England international seems to be repeating the form which helped the Foxes win sensationally the title in 2015. Brighton on the other hand are trying to find themselves but are very solid at home and managed to get 3 consecutive wins in their last 3 home matches. Everton and Tottenham were victims of the Seagulls and the South Coast time will be looking to continue their fine home form. Playing with a lot of confidence, our team suggest that Rodgers’ side will continue their rise in the league.

a.Previous 6 meetings

• Leicester 2 : 1 Brighton
• Brighton 1 : 1 Leicester
• Brighton 0 : 2 Leicester
• Leicester 2 : 0 Brighton
• Leicester 1 : 4 Brighton
• Brighton 3 : 1 Leicester

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Leicester win

5. Crystal Palace – Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp and his champions’ hopefuls are traveling to South London to face Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace after getting a valuable win against main title rivals Man City. The Reds are impressing in the early stages of the current season and are continuing the excellent form from the second part of previous season when they lifted the European Cup and lost the title by recording impressive 96 points. Crystal Palace lost to both Leicester and Chelsea in their last 2 home matches, so Liverpool would fancy their chances at Selhurst Park with only trouble would be the long distances the international players had to travel during the international break.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

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

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Liverpool win

6. Everton – Norwich

The Toffees are having yet another not so impressive season and aspirations to break into Top 6 are being dealt a blow after series of disappointing results. Marco Silva’s position as usual is under threat and Everton need to start winning matches and scoring goals, so they need to improve to their 15th place at the minute. Richarlison is the main man in attack but he needs to receive support from his teammates. Norwich, after famously starting with few impressive displays including a win against Man City, have fell to a bad run and currently possess the last place in the ranking. The Canaries lost or drew their last 7 matches and according to our team, another defeat is on the cards on Goodison Park.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Everton 0 : 2 Norwich
• Everton 3 : 0 Norwich
• Norwich 1 : 1 Everton
• Everton *1 : 1 Norwich (after penalties)
• Everton 2 : 0 Norwich
• Norwich 2 : 2 Everton

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Everton to win

7. Watford – Burnley

Watford finally got their first win of the season when they won against fellow strugglers Norwich in the last round. The Bees have played well but didn’t managed to get the results they deserved, so the home match against Burnley is a good chance for get another 3 points. The Clarets are not doing good on their travels and lost their last 3 visits, but are solid on home ground and that is the reason Sean Dyche and his team doing so well and establishing themselves in the middle of the league without being dragged into relegation fight for another season.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Watford 0 : 0 Burnley
• Burnley 1 : 3 Watford
• Watford 1 : 2 Burnley
• Burnley 1 : 0 Watford
• Watford 2 : 1 Burnley
• Burnley 2 : 0 Watford

b. Current rankings

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
10	Burnley	12	4	3	5	17	18	-1	15	D W L L L W
18	Watford	12	1	5	6	8	23	-15	8	L D D D L W

c. Prediction: Watford to win

8. Man City – Chelsea

In the derby of the round, Man City would look to restore their pride after loosing against their title rivals Liverpool before the international break. Pep Guardiola and his side definitely would want to forget the Anfield match with referees decisions, bad luck and errors in defense inflicted another defeat and slipping into 9 points behind league leaders. The Citizens need to act quick and to rally round against very impressive Chelsea side. Frank Lampard’s Blues are finding themselves after a slow start and the London club is definitely making good impressions in 6 consecutive wins. The young Chelsea side will look to benefit from injury problems at City’s back and lost in confidence, so our prediction is for a both teams to score match.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Chelsea 0 : 0* Manchester City (after penalties)
• Manchester City 6 : 0 Chelsea
• Chelsea 2 : 0 Manchester City
• Chelsea 0 : 2 Manchester City
• Manchester City 1 : 0 Chelsea
• Chelsea 0 : 1 Manchester City

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Both teams to score

9. Sheffield United – Man United

Sheffield United are the headline of the season for the good reasons and Man United are quite the opposite. Chris Wylder’s side is sitting on 5th place without conceding a loss away at home. The Blades won their last 2 home matches against Arsenal and Burnley and definitely would like to keep the momentum going round Bramall Lane. Man United on another hand got a vital win against Brighton before the break and sit on 7th place but the way Solskjaer’s side less than impressive. The attacking trio in Martial, James and Rashford is one of the things working for the Red Devils and the visitors would like to exploit any spaces in the hosts final third. Sheffield United are playing with high pressure, so it’s interesting to see whether United can cope with their aggressive play. Our team thinks that both teams to score is pretty reasonable bet for the Sunday match.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Manchester United 1 : 0 Sheffield United
• Manchester United 2 : 0 Sheffield United
• Sheffield United 1 : 2 Manchester United

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Both teams to score

10. Aston Villa – Newcastle

Aston Villa face Newcastle in a Monday Night Football at Villa Park wanting to establish themselves in the top of the table and not in the second half of it. Over 12+ signings maybe need more time to gel together as Dean Smith is willing to build a solid team around their start player Jack Grealish. The Magpies won their last 2 matches against Bournmouth and West Ham and Steve Bruce is building a strong team which will be fighting in the middle of the table.

a. Previous 6 meetings

• Newcastle United 2 : 0 Aston Villa
• Aston Villa 1 : 1 Newcastle United
• Aston Villa 0 : 0 Newcastle United
• Newcastle United 1 : 1 Aston Villa
• Newcastle United 1 : 0 Aston Villa
• Aston Villa 0 : 0 Newcastle United1

b. Current rankings

c. Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals