Round 25 EPL Preview – January 2020

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1. West Ham – Liverpool

West Ham entertain Liverpool in a match being delayed because of the Liverpool’s involvement in the World Club Championship in December. The Hammers season turns worse and the players were booed off by their own fans during the shock exit of the FA Cup against high-flying Championship side West Brom. Liverpool in parallel are breaking all records and are leading the league table and this year seem to be their year. If they win their game in hand, the Merseysiders will be extending their lead at the top. Considering that most of the first team squad had been rested during the weekends action in the Cup, the Reds will be a lot more fresh.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • 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
  • Liverpool 2 : 2 West Ham

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
1 Liverpool 23 22 1 0 54 15 +39 67 W
W
W
W
W
W
17 West Ham 23 6 5 12 27 38 -11 23 L
L
W
L
D
L
Prediction: Liverpool to win

2. Leicester – Chelsea

In the early kick-off of the weekend, the Foxes are playing Chelsea in a match between two sides from the Top 4. Leicester could possibly be without their talismanic striker Jamie Vardy, so this could give the paceier striker partnership Iheanacho and Perez and Chelsea back could be in for difficult match. Chelsea need to turn their form and to perform on big occasions. The match would come just after the transfer window is shut, so it will be interested to see whether the Blues will benefit after their transfer ban being lifted. Tammy Abraham seems to lose his form and goals have dried. Our team expects a low-scoring affair.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • Chelsea 1 : 1 Leicester
  • Leicester 0 : 0 Chelsea
  • Chelsea 0 : 1 Leicester
  • Leicester 1 : 2* Chelsea
  • Chelsea 0 : 0 Leicester
  • Leicester 1 : 2 Chelsea

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
3 Leicester 24 15 3 6 52 24 +28 48 L
L
W
W
D
D
4 Chelsea 24 12 4 8 41 32 +9 40 L
W
D
W
L
D
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals

3. Liverpool – Southampton

Liverpool will be playing their second match of the week after the midweek match against West Ham. In the second match the Reds will be hoping to build on the game in hand. The attacking play and the direct style of play will be very much appropriate for an opponent like Southampton who are not performing best in defence. The Saints improved drastically over the festive season and will be hoping to continue their fine form into January as well. After Wolves scoring a goal and conceding 2 against lower division Shrewsburry Town, our team thinks that the Saints will continue the streak of scoring against Liverpool.

a. Previous 6 games

  • Southampton 1 : 2 Liverpool
  • Southampton 1 : 3 Liverpool
  • Liverpool 3 : 0 Southampton
  • Southampton 0 : 2 Liverpool
  • Liverpool 3 : 0 Southampton
  • Liverpool 0 : 0 Southampton

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
1 Liverpool 23 22 1 0 54 15 +39 67 W
W
W
W
W
W
9 Southampton 24 9 4 11 31 42 -11 31 W
D
W
W
L
W
Prediction: Both teams to score

4. Bournemouth – Aston Villa

Bournemouth face Aston Villa in a classic 6-pointer clash between two of bookies favorites to go down this season. Both the Cherries and Villa have difficult season and will be hoping for a fresh and important start of the New Year. Both teams won their last league match and will be hoping to build on that. Eddie Howe took the South Coast club as far as he could with many doubting that the club reached it’s maximum under the specialist. Aston Villa are aiming to avoid what Fulham did by spending big in their return and going straight down. Aston Villa need to sort out their attacking issues and this could be addressed by adding to their striker option on the transfer window. Home advantage could be crucial in this game.

a. Previous 6 meetings

  • Aston Villa 1 : 2 Bournemouth
  • Aston Villa 1 : 2 Bournemouth
  • Bournemouth 0 : 1 Aston Villa
  • Aston Villa 2 : 1 Bournemouth

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
16 Aston Villa 24 7 4 13 31 45 -14 25 W
L
W
L
D
W
18 Bournemouth 24 6 5 13 23 37 -14 23 D
L
L
L
L
W
Prediction: Bournemouth to win

5. Newcastle – Norwich

Newcastle are yet again surrounded with takeover rumors and it’s remain to be seen whether the Saudi Arabia potential buyers will finally get the club. On playing front the Magpies are 3-match unbeaten run and are possibly away from the relegation zone but a series of a couple of matches could bring you back down to the zone. Norwich surprised a few by getting good results now and then but the Canaries need to be more consistent if they need to stand a chance of staying up. Knowing that both teams do not score that often, our team expects a low-scoring affair at St.James’s Park.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Norwich 3 : 1 Newcastle United
  • Norwich 2 : 2 Newcastle United
  • Newcastle United 4 : 3 Norwich
  • Norwich 3 : 2 Newcastle United
  • Newcastle United 6 : 2 Norwich
  • Norwich 0 : 0 Newcastle United

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
14 Newcastle United 24 8 6 10 24 36 -12 30 L
L
L
D
W
D
20 Norwich 24 4 5 15 24 47 -23 17 L
D
D
L
W
L
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

6. West Ham – Brighton

Brighton face West Ham in another clash between teams not in the best league form and aiming to drag themselves out of relegation trouble. David Moyes returned and is trying to rebuild Wes Ham’s season back on track. Brighton are relying on their home matches and the South Coast club would like to get points on the board if they want to stay in the division. Graham Potter managed to tie up Aaron Mooy permanently, so a much needed improvement in attack is now required. Our team considers this to be crucial match for both parties and expects a lot of fouls.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Brighton 1 : 1 West Ham
  • West Ham 2 : 2 Brighton
  • Brighton 1 : 0 West Ham
  • Brighton 3 : 1 West Ham
  • West Ham 0 : 3 Brighton
  • West Ham 6 : 0 Brighton

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
15 Brighton 24 6 7 11 27 34 -7 25 L
W
D
L
D
L
17 West Ham 23 6 5 12 27 38 -11 23 L
L
W
L
D
L
Prediction: Over 3.5 cards

7. Watford – Everton

Watford are new team under Nigel Pearson and are performing very well, unfortunately due to the bad start even the good form could not bring them out of the relegation zone. Everton on other hand are in the lower table and if they continue with their dismal performance, many of the high-earning stars could be on their way out of the squad. The away side drew with Newcastle and West Ham and now the Toffees would want to win this match.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Everton 2 : 0 Watford
  • Everton 1 : 0 Watford
  • Watford 1 : 0 Everton
  • Everton 2 : 2 Watford
  • Watford 1 : 0 Everton
  • Everton 3 : 2 Watford

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
12 Everton 24 8 6 10 28 35 -7 30 W
W
L
W
D
D
19 Watford 24 5 8 11 21 36 -15 23 D
W
W
W
D
L
Prediction: Everton to win

8. Crystal Palace – Sheffield United

Crystal Palace and Sheffield United are safely in mid table and if they can sit on the upper half of the table that would be considered as a successful season. Both managers have their own unique style of play and Ro Hodgson will want to take advantage of the passionate backing by the Selhurst Park faithful. Wilfried Zaha will most likely remain at the club after the transfer window, so this could have major impact on the rest of the Eagles’ season. Sheffield are playing without pressure and lost their record of unbeaten away run, so we suggest a draw between the 2 sides.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Sheffield United 1 : 0 Crystal Palace
  • Crystal Palace 1 : 0 Sheffield United
  • Sheffield United 3 : 2 Crystal Palace
  • Crystal Palace 1 : 0 Sheffield United
  • Sheffield United 2 : 0 Crystal Palace
  • Crystal Palace 0 : 0 Sheffield United

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
8 Sheffield United 24 8 9 7 25 23 +2 33 D
L
L
W
D
L
11 Crystal Palace 24 7 9 8 22 28 -6 30 W
D
D
D
D
L
Prediction: Draw

9. Manchester United – Wolves

Manchester United are facing Wolves in repeat match of the FA Cup showcase from earlier in January where the Red Devils progressed after winning the replay at Old Trafford. Now, under pressure in the league, United need to win this match or the questions to their manager will increase. They lost against rivals Liverpool but were even worse during the home defeat against Burnley. Wolves are having a good season and the East Midlands have played in more than 40 matches already in January. Knowing that the European commitments will come knocking on both clubs’ door soon, rotation is expected and it’s realistic that both teams will not be so fresh knowing the busy festive period. A draw is on the cards according to our team.

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

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
4 Chelsea 19 10 2 7 33 27 +6 32 L
W
L
L
W
L
11 Arsenal 19 5 9 5 25 28 -3 24 D
L
W
L
D
D
Prediction: Draw

9. Manchester United – Wolves

Manchester United are facing Wolves in repeat match of the FA Cup showcase from earlier in January where the Red Devils progressed after winning the replay at Old Trafford. Now, under pressure in the league, United need to win this match or the questions to their manager will increase. They lost against rivals Liverpool but were even worse during the home defeat against Burnley. Wolves are having a good season and the East Midlands have played in more than 40 matches already in January. Knowing that the European commitments will come knocking on both clubs’ door soon, rotation is expected and it’s realistic that both teams will not be so fresh knowing the busy festive period. A draw is on the cards according to our team.

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

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
4 Chelsea 19 10 2 7 33 27 +6 32 D
L
W
D
D
D
11 Arsenal 19 5 9 5 25 28 -3 24 D
L
W
L
D
D
Prediction: Draw

10. Burnley – Arsenal

Burnley are playing the new-looking Arsenal on Sunday with aim to get points and be closer to the upper part of the league table. The Clarets stunned both Leicester and Man United in their last 2 matches and their confidence will be sky high coming at Turf Moor. Arsenal are showing some team spirit and rallied round to get a draw against Chelsea after being reduced to 10 men. Mikkel Arteta would want to recruit at least one defender before end of the transfer window. Our team considers a high-scoring affair with both teams playing with freedom and without wanting to win at any cost.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

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

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
10 Arsenal 24 6 12 6 32 34 -2 30 D
L
W
D
D
D
13 Burnley 24 9 3 12 28 38 -10 30 L
L
L
L
W
W
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals

11. Tottenham – Man City

Spurs and Man City are facing each other after last years’ dramatic UEFA Champions League elimination tie in which Spurs progressed and reached the UCL final. A lot of things changed since that match in both clubs and Spurs are 17 points behind their rivals. Jose Mourinho would need to get the London team going after being without Harry Kane for the rest of the season and the European matches will come soon. A real confidence boost be a result against Man City. City on another hand are playing freely and without pressure, so they can be dangerous on attack. Our team expects a lot of chances and scored goals.

a. Previous 6 Meetings

  • Manchester City 2 : 2 Tottenham
  • Manchester City 1 : 0 Tottenham
  • Manchester City 4 : 3* Tottenham
  • Tottenham 1 : 0 Manchester City
  • Tottenham 0 : 1 Manchester City
  • Tottenham 1 : 3 Manchester City

b. Current rankings

# Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Form
2 Manchester City 24 16 3 5 65 27 +38 51 L
W
W
W
D
W
6 Tottenham 24 9 7 8 38 32 +6 34 W
D
L
L
D
W
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals