Gameweek 17 PL Preview

Its time for another Game-week!! Games coming thick and fast, but what else to expect. Its the Premier League and we are in for a ride. The season is approaching its half way stage with teams needing to get wins to keep each one’s target intact. Let’s look at how the teams stack up for Gameweek 17.

Liverpool vs Watford

There’s no stopping the Reds at the moment. Jurgen Klopp’s team is flying. They managed to come through an indifferent week where they won against Bournemouth last weekend comfortably and also managed to finish top of their Champions League group by beating Red Bull Salzburg to book a place in the last 16. Klopp has been using his players well this time by giving everyone a run in the games thereby managing to keep everyone fresh and firing. Their only problem is at CB position right now with Matip not expected until the new year and Lovren having to be withdrawn in both the matches. It seems impossible to stop them at this moment. GameWeek17 is expected to be a stroll for the Reds with Watford up at Anfield.

Watford on the other hand are plumb last and are hoping to rise up the table with the appointment of Nigel Pearson last weekend. This will be his first game in charge of the Hornets and the players will be hoping to give it their all to satisfy their new manager. Nigel has his work cut out. He starts h9s first two games against the table toppers and against United who had a great week as well. He will try to get something from the two games which can be used for the forthcoming. It will be interesting to see what team he puts out though. Will Troy Deeney be preferred or will it be Deulofeu and Gray up front?

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-0

Burnley vs Newcastle

The Clarets have been battered for two weeks running conceding 9 and scoring only one. With injuries starting to kick in they are finding it difficult to put out a constant team that will get them wins. But Sean Dyche remains confident of getting results especially after their last two games. It was just a fortnight ago that we were all praising James Tarkowski, but how soon things can change in football. He and his team ended up conceding 9 in just two matches. Both their forwards are nursing injuries as well. Sean Dyche has to do something and fast as well to save the sinking ship.

The magpies are on a roll. Two wins and a draw against the champions in the last three is not a bad run of form to have. After that draw with the Champions they went over to Brammal Lane and knocked out the Blades before coming back and beating Southampton last weekend. Jonjo Shelvey has been in prime form over the last couple of weeks scoring in all the previous 3 games. With Andy Carroll being eased into the team, the Magpies are going strong at the moment. The only problem this Gameweek 17 is the absence of their winger Saint Maximin who was stretchered off during the last game.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

The high-flying Blues were held to a setback last weekend when Everton demolished them at Goodison. They navigated their way through their group in the Champions League to finish second and progress to the round of 16. They will be boosted by the news of their transfer ban being halved this week with Mr. Abramovich ready to splash the cash again. They also would welcome the news of their CB Timori extending his stay at the club. Frank would like to keep their good start to the season going this weekend hoping to catch Man City who are only 3 points ahead. With Man United catching up fast Lampard’s side need a win to up with the top 4.

Five losses on the trot for the Cherries have them 15^th in the table only one point above the drop. Eddie Howe knows fully well that this is a make or break game for him and he would love to get something from the game if not a win. They need to show character especially after the humiliation last weekend against Liverpool. They would welcome Harry Wilson back after he was ineligible last weekend. With their main CB and their highest PL scorer side-lined with Nathan Ake also being a doubt for the game, it’s hard to see them getting something from the game.  Howe is set for the sack from the south coast!!

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

Leicester vs Norwich

The foxes are hunting in packs with their main man Vardy in red hot form at the moment. With 5 wins on the trot Brendan Rodgers side has been nothing short of full on excitement. With the demolishing of Villa last time out Leicester are only 8 points behind the leaders. Brendan was fast enough to play down the chances at a title push this weekend but he very well knows they are the only team that can stop Liverpool a chance at the title. It’s all smiles at the King Power with Vardy on a run to beat his own record of 11 straight games with a goal. Will it be another dream season for the Foxes?

Norwich on the other hand relish in the drop zone. GW13 and GW14 saw them get 4 points but ut has been a familiar story again in the last two matchdays. It seems like Daniel Farke is out of ideas to implement at Carrow Road. They opened the scoring last time against Sheffield but ended up taking nothing from the game. They need results and boy fast! Tough to see them getting anything at the King Power though.

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0

Manchester United vs Everton

What a month it has been for Ole and his men!! With no defeats in the past 5 and especially with wins against both Spurs and the champions in the space of 4 days Ole’s men are back and with a bang. Finally, the team is playing to their potential and were very good against the Champions at the Etihad. OGS outplayed Guardiola in every department getting the tactics spot on to win the game. Although the defence has been a problem, they have conceded fewer goals over the past few games. Solsjkaer very well knows he has become a hero as a manager with the win over the Champions at the Etihad. United are just 5 points of the top four and who saw that coming from this United side. With Christmas approaching Ole would like to have Santa gifting his side all the points getting back where they belong.

It was some start to Ferguson’s managerial career last time around against Chelsea. His celebrations with the ball-boy showed his love for the club and their fans. They played like they were never in trouble all the time with Calvert-Lewin scoring two after Richarlison gave them the opener. The care taker boss would fully know at the back of his head that if he needs to keep his job he needs a few good results in order for the board to stop the lookout for a new boss. With United looking to avenge last season’s result at Goodison, Everton know they have the talent and the skill to cause United problems. This proves to be a good watch for the fans.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2

Wolves vs Spurs

The Wolves are just above Spurs in the table and are having a great start to the season. Nuno’s side have always been a force to reckon with and are showing it time and again with their results. No losses in the last five with three wins in that show what a brilliant side Wolves are.  Jota having scored two last time around will be looking to add to that when Spurs come around this weekend.

Spurs were handed their first defeat by United at Old Trafford but they bounced back to win last weekend. They were able to progress albeit defeat against Bayern Munich to the round of 16. Jose has got this Spurs side playing to their potential again. All he has to fix is his defense for which Jose is known for. It is strange to see Jose’s side being offensive scoring goals for fun. It might well be Mou 2.0. The Spurs are in good hands and will be hoping to get back into the top 4 sooner than later and are expected to win this gameweek 17 fixture against wolves.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Arsenal vs Man City

The change of leadership has done nothing to improve the Arsenal side. The inconsistencies still remain. They managed to get the win last week after going behind. They scored 3 in 9 mins to get the win. This time around they will have to show their true grit when they take on the champions. They will need to get something from the game to give the fans something to cheer about. Ljungberg has no time to rest. He needs a few results to keep his place as the interim manager.

With Martinelli knocking on the door, it will be interesting to see whether Fredrick goes with him or the big-money signing of Pepe to partner Aubameyang and Lacazette. Whoever they go with they need to put up a fight to give something for their fans to cheer about.

The champions have had a difficult few weeks starting with the draw against the Magpies then the loss to the leaders Liverpool and then again, a loss last weekend at the Etihad to their rivals United. Pep must get his sorted again in order to finish in the top 4 let alone challenging for the title. With the loss last weekend their title hopes have all but ended. Pep said last week he didn’t know where they have faltered this season and blamed it on the fatigue of winning back to back Premier Leagues along with the domestic treble last time out. But there were no problems in the Champions league where they brushed aside Dinamo Zagreb with a Jesus hat-trick. They would love to bounce back against Arsenal this Gameweek 17.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3

ROUND-UPS

Sheffield go up against Villa in the Gameweek 17 fixture on Saturday with Villa needing a win desperately. Sheffield sitting pretty in 8^th in the table will know there is no time for complacency in the PL and would like to win as well.

Southampton face WestHam in the late Gameweek 17 KO on Saturday. The Saints were going strong until last week where they were defeated by Newcastle. They would like to get back on track and move up the table. West Ham need a win as well being only a point above the drop zone. Pellegrini knows that his side has the potential to do it and will want them to perform to that.

Palace take on Brighton in the Gameweek 17 fixture on monday night. Both the teams were held to draws last time around. Brighton being 3 points below Palace know a win could take them equal with them. This mid-table battle would be a good watch for the PL this Gameweek 17.

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