EPL Matchweek 16: Insights and Predictions
The holiday season is a source of great stress for most but for me, it’s a great time. The holiday season sees the cooling of temperatures, ending of exams and the coming of more football. So far in December we have seen draws for both the World Cup and FA Cup as well as the culmination of Europe’s two premier club competitions: The Champions’ League as well as the Europa League (with knockout round draws for both coming soon). Now, relax as the Great Zamboni is here to give you our insights and predictions for matchweek 16 of the Premier League.
West Ham vs. Chelsea
If you’re a West Ham fan, I’m sorry. West Ham were downed in spectacular fashion last week thanks to a David Silva volley pushing David Moyes’ side down into 19th.
Their opponents, Chelsea, are 22 points ahead of the Hammers in the table and are coming off a 3–1 against Newcastle. The only sliver of good news for West Ham is that they have no major injuries to note (yay?) with Chicharito returning to the side. For Conte’s men only David Luiz (knee) and Danny Drinkwater (illness) miss out in what should be a pedestrian 3–0 Chelsea win with Morata (x2) and Hazard providing the goals.
Swansea City vs. West Brom
This matchup sees two teams in the #relegationregion battle it out to help themselves out of the disaster that their seasons are headed towards. I’ll credit Swansea’s defense, they’ve allowed 18 goals this season, which is one fewer than both Liverpool and Arsenal yet their attack has been anaemic, finding the net just eight times in 15 matches and helping them lie at the bottom of the table. West Brom are in similar shape, conceding five fewer goals (21) than 8th placed Watford, yet with only 12 goals to their talley the Baggies are in 17th. Though goal-shy, West Brom have snatched results against both Liverpool and Tottenham this season and Salomon Rondon can be frightening if given the right service, especially given that Matt Phillips could be returning for this crucial battle in Wales. Nothing but three points will be enough to satisfy both teams and a scrappy Sam Field goal gives West Brom a 1–0 victory.
Tottenham vs. Stoke City
Spurs have been impressive for all the wrong reasons over the past month, slipping from 2nd to 6th and are only ahead of 7th placed Burnley on goal difference. The league’s best offense over the course of the last two seasons has half the goals of first placed Manchester City and (I’m sure you’ve heard this by now) are closer to the bottom of the table than to the top. Ouch.
Coming off a 1–1 draw at Watford (a match they won 4–1 last season) and a 3–0 home victory at Wembley against APOEL (feat. heavy rotation) some of Spurs’ star men might find themselves dropped yet again for this match as manager Mauricio Pochettino tries to find some answers to fix this slump. Their opponents, Stoke, are coming off a 2–1 home victory against basement dwellers Swansea and manager Mark Hughes had this to say in his pre match press conference:
“Whenever we went up against them we always thought it was the toughest game for us — for whatever reason they always cause us problems. We will be looking to address that.”
Looking to suspensions, The Potters will be without Jese (personal absence) as well as Bruno Martins Indi as he nurses a long term injury. Tottenham will be without Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), Victor Wanyama (knee) and Davinson Sanchez (suspension). Facts are facts: Tottenham are out of the title race and are nowhere near approaching second place either this season. If they fail to secure a win here their chances for top four in my eyes this season drop to nearly nonexistent. With these key injuries amidst an awful run of form, Stoke take this one, 2–0, courtesy of Mame Diouf and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Crystal Palace vs. Bournemouth
Crystal Palace are starting to steer the ship in the right direction following a dreadful start to the season. They’ve notched two 0–0 draws under their belts in their last two games which is a semi-bright start in the right direction. Now the question that Roy Hodgson has to answer is how to score goals. Bournemouth, like Palace, are coming off a draw against Southampton. With neither team harboring any major injuries I think Palace become the first team to have three straight 0–0 matches since December 2015.
Burnley vs. Watford
I’m saying it, this is my match of the weekend (sorry Manchester). This should be a really good one. 7th placed Burnley welcome 8th placed Watford in a battle between the EPL’s two overachievers this season. Sean Dyche has made his side into a formidable defensive outfit, conceding just 12 goals from 15 matches and just thrice at home this season. Unfortunately, the Clarets have just 14 goals to their name this season and their attack will suffer with the news that attacker Robbie Brady is set for a spell on the sidelines after tearing his left patellar tendon in his side’s 1–0 defeat at Leicester last week.
Burnley’s adversaries at the weekend come into this match following an impressive 1–1 draw with 10 man Tottenham where Marco Silva organized a stout defense a strong attack featuring the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen. Keeping Tottenham at bay was a tough ask, but Burnley are different opposition and might find Sean Dyche playing into Silva’s hands by dominating possession and allowing his dangerous side to hit Burnley on the counter. I really rate Burnley as a team but the absence of Brady coupled with a potent Watford attack (25 goals in 15 matches so far) sees Richarlison return to scoring ways with a brace, neutralizing a Chris Wood opener in a 2–1 victory for Watford.
Huddersfield vs. Brighton
Both teams were terrible in their own ways last week. Home side Huddersfield lost to a rather poor Everton team 2–0 and the visitors, Brighton, were humbled 5–1 in a truly terrible performance by Chris Hughton’s men. Following these performances, Huddersfield are nearing the #relegationregion in 16th while Brighton are in 12th. Huddersfield have been unable to hit the back of the net this season, scoring just nine times and I think that’ll be an issue against Brighton, as Glenn Murray scores in a 1–0 win for the Seagulls.
Newcastle vs. Leicester
The Saturday matches are rounded off with your 2016 EPL Champions (lul) facing Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Leicester aren’t looking too bad at all heading into this one, sitting in 9th, five points ahead of their 15th placed opponents. Jamie Vardy’s been having a party again this season, bagging seven goals and he’ll get on the scoresheet again, albeit in a 1–1 draw between these two teams.
Southampton vs. Arsenal
Southampton fans must be quickly realizing that their team is nowhere near as good as they thought. The summer additions of Wes Hoedt and Mario Lemina haven’t quite panned out and Saints fans might not be sleeping all too well at night knowing that they are closer to the relegation zone than to a European spot where they might have dreamed of being. They drew last time out to Bournemouth and will be looking to right their wrongs against Arsenal. The Gunners are coming off a 3–1 loss to Manchester United where they played quite well, actually. After winning 6–0 in the Europa League Arsene Wenger knows that it is imperative to continue his side’s good form as Tottenham and Burnley could overtake them should his side fail to get any result. Expect Lacazette and Alexis to bring all three points back to North London, 2–0.
Everton vs. Liverpool
Ah the Merseyside Derby. I’ll be honest, there’s no point in talking about form as form usually goes out the window in such matches. Nonetheless, I’ll do it anyways. Everton won last time out to break a massive losing streak which saw David Unsworth replaced with Sam Allardyce as manager. Liverpool crushed Brighton, 5–1, and expect top scorer Salah as well as Firmino to find the back of the net in a 2–1 Liverpool victory.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
The two current titans of English football go head to head in what is set to be English TV’s most watched match of all time. Pretty cool, right? United escaped Arsenal last week, 3–1, but lost Paul Pogba to a red card in the process. Manchester City won (as usual) against West Ham thanks to David Silva’s 83' goal. Should Manchester City win on Sunday they will equal the English top flight record of 14 consecutive wins and could potentially have the most consecutive league wins by an English top flight team on Wednesday.
Or.. City could lose.
But they won’t, Manchester City take this game, 2–1, thanks to Aguero and Leroy Sané.
