GameWeek 22 PL Preview

The Premier League was on a break last weekend when the FA Cup games took place. It is back now with a bang with some mouth watering clashes to look forward too. The leaders did maintain their lead last time around, with Watford on a point spree picking up 10 from the last available 12. With the relegation sides picking up points off late, the mid table battle is getting interesting. With all this going on let’s look at how the sides stack up for GameWeek 22.

CRYSTAL PALACE VS ARSENAL

This time the Premier League kicks off on Friday itself but Palace and Arsenal open proceedings on Saturday. Palace have played out 3 draws out of the last five with the last one against Norwich at Carrow Road. Conor Wickham scored his first goal in a year for the Eagles and they will hope that he scores more often. They are currently 9^th in the table just above their opponents the Gunners.

The Gunners played a superb game last time in the League against United. For once they dominated all parts of the pitch from back to the front.  Pepe truly showed his worth last week against United with Arteta opting to play the trio of Aubemeyang, Lacazette and Pepe and yet Arsenal managed to keep a clean sheet. There were some signs of improvement last week. Arteta will hope that they keep that moving in the right direction.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3

CHELSEA VS BURNLEY

The Blues were not comfortable last week against the Seagulls. They would have got the maximum points if not for one of the goals of the season from Jahanbakhsh. The Blues firepower has reduced over the past few weeks with Tammy’s form having taken a hit. The Blues started very well with Frank but have lost their way now. Although they are 4^th in the table they are 8 points off City and only 5 above United. Chelsea would have to start producing performances if they want to finish in the top 4.

Burnley made it a hat-trick of losses last time when they lost to Aston Villa who are in the relegation zone. Sean Dyche is under immense pressure to get results being only 4 points above the drop zone. It wont be easy this time at the bridge whom they drew last season with all the goals coming before 25 minutes. Sean Dyche is a master of such situations and the board will fully back Sean and his men to get out of this slump.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

LEICESTER VS SOUTHAMPTON

Every week is the same story as far as the Foxes are concerned. Vardy hasn’t played the last two weeks, yet they always find a way to win. Last time it was Perez who has a goal and an assist in an easy win. This weekend though would provide a sterner test against the invisible Saints.

The saints were in the drop zone not so long back and in the space of a month have almost made it into the top half. They have won 4 out of their top 6 with Spurs being their latest victim last GameWeek. Ings and the Saints are definitely on a roll. The Foxes will have to find to stop the goal machine who has scored 14 already if they are going to win the game. The Saints look like they aren’t going to stop.  

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2

MANCHESTER UNITED VS NORWICH

United under Ole are going down the curve again. Not sure if they even drew a curve for themselves that point upwards if there is one. OGS is so bright, positive, motivated, and agitated only in the press conferences. He sold Lukaku without a replacement, sold Alexis too, doesn’t play Matic as well. They are no seniors in the team to take the team forward. The record signing CB Maguire is out for an indefinite period with Jones having to partner Lindelof again. They were thrashed at home in the hands of their rivals City in the League Cup. Its hard to find any positives in the defeat against Arsenal and City. United are a team lost in Wonderland hoping for some miracle.

The Canaries are in the drop zone plumb last hoping for a miracle of their own. They have collected 3 points from a possible 15 points in the last 5 matches. With all other teams around them picking up points they will have to get move on if they want to stay in the Premier League. There is no other team to start against other than United who have been the Robinhood over the past few months.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

SPURS VS LIVERPOOL

Jose oh boy we missed you in the Premier League. He did what Jose does last week when he went and peeped into the Southampton assistant notes and got the yellow, he demanded. Jose has a big job this week when the leaders come calling with Kane out for 3 months. He and Klopp have had numerous battles over the years with both getting one done over each other. Jose fully knows that he has to drill his team if he is going to get anything from the game. Spurs will probably have to hunt the Liverpool players and force them into making mistakes to get control in the game.

The league leaders are in a roll at the moment. Whatever team that Klopp puts out seems to win games be it the main squad or even the reserves who won against Everton in the FA Cup. The confidence is sky high in the dressing room and Liverpool have mastered the art of winning football games. They will want to keep up the form and run away with the title as far as possible. They have kept 5 CS on the trot after getting so much criticism in the start of the season. They will need some stopping else they are going shatter records every game they play with one broken last time when they played against Sheffield. They dominated from start to finish with 967 passes completed in the game. That was some dominance.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2

ASTON VILLA VS MANCHESTER CITY

Villa are just above the drop but 2 wins in their last 3 has given them some confidence of staying in the league. Grealish was the hero again last time where he scored one and setup another for the win. He has been the main cog for this Villa side. They need to keep up the mentality and rack up a few wins to stay out of the drop zone. But it’s easier said than done against this City side. They have very little chance of producing something this weekend.

City side have become ruthless again. They demolished the opponent in the FA Cup and again tormented United in the League Cup. They have found their mojo back and with Aguero given rest, Jesus has led the line well. Guardiola will hope that the league leaders slip up some day and they have a chance at the title. But until then Villa is a house waiting to get crashed open.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-4

TAP INS

• Sheffield face off against West Ham who put on a show last week in Moyes’s first game in charge while Sheffield were humiliated by Liverpool. They will seek a response while West Ham will look to continue from where they stopped to kick-off the GameWeek.
• Everton host Brighton who played well to earn a draw against Chelsea. Everton were beaten last time by City but what was more damaging was the defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup where they lost to a second-string Liverpool side. They will need to perform well for their fans at least.
• Wolves welcome the Magpies, looking to win after losing both their previous games. The magpies after starting strongly under Steve Bruce have lost their last 3 games. Both the teams are in need of victories.
• Bournemouth face off with Watford in the battle of the drop zone. Watford are in a brilliant run under Nigel Pearson with 3 wins and a draw in the last 4 games. On the other hand the Cherries have picked up only one point in their last 4 games. This game kicks off Super Sunday. Promises to be a good watch.

LAST TIME THEY MET

With blockbuster matches to look forward to I hope the preview gave you a fair view of how the teams are placed for GameWeek 22. We’ve also got a host of other stuff for GameWeek 22 with the differential picks and captain picks. Be on the lookout for that along with a special column on the rejuvenated Watford . Don’t forget the deadline for GameWeek 22.