Two game weeks went just like that in the span of four days. The leaders went running away even more extending the gap at the top while there were many moves in the table from the sides in the bottom half. Teams in the bottom half have started getting points, midweek a manager was sacked as well. With all this going on let’s look at the team for GameWeek 21 which happens on New Years’ day.
BRIGHTON VS CHELSEA
Brighton had a very good game last weekend beating the Cherries after going 5 without a win. They played well, had intensity in their game and got their result. Aaron Mooy got back into the goals after a long time. Graham Potter would like his team to keep the same intensity going forward. Surprisingly his team got a clean sheet, their 5th of the season and the first since the beginning of November. They would hope to have the same against Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
Lampard has got his team well-oiled to keep going till the end. They had various moments of luck in the game when the goal scorer Jorginho should have initially been sent off for a second yellow in the game but he stayed on and scored via a horror show from Leno. Jorginho came on as a first half substitute for Emerson until which the Gunners were in full control. Frank is slowly evolving in the game and was not afraid to make a tactical change midway in the first half. He was rewarded late on in the game when Tammy scored with a great finish. Although the Blues have not been consistent, they are beginning to get their stride and will hope for the same to continue.
NEWCASTLE VS LEICESTER CITY
The Magpies were on a good run last month when they won a few games on the trot but now have lost 3 of the last 5. They did play well last week against Everton but were undone by some moments of magic by Calvert-Lewin. Great news for the Magpies fans with Andy Carroll back to where he started, fit and ready to go again. A victory this weekend could take them into the top half but it won´t be easy against the Foxes.
Leicester rested their star players last game with Vardy and Soyuncu getting a well-earned rest. The absence of their star players did not hurt them as Gray ensured they went home with the three points. He missed a penalty and still ended up scoring two goals to power them over the line. Vardy and Soyuncu would be back and they would like to keep up the pace with City on their tails.
SOUTHAMPTON VS SPURS
It´s been the story of Danny Ings throughout the season so far for the Saints. He has scored 12 so far this term more than anyone for a team in the bottom half. With two wins and a draw in the space of a week the Saints have climbed 5 places in the table. Hasenhuttl has his team playing well again but this New Year´s Day has a tough opponent in store. He would hope his star striker keeps up his hot form.
The story of Spurs season has been hot and cold. They look like a very good team one week and again they look bad the next week. The defense has been very poor and needs immediate fixing. They were unfortunate last week with the own goal from Aurier but Jose would like his team to get back to getting good results again. With only one loss in the last five Spurs are on the rise and only 5 points of the top four. They would like to improve on their away form this time around.
MANCHESTER CITY VS EVERTON
City are back to their best and played a solid game last time. With Aguero back into the team they have received a much-needed boost. Pep told in his press conference that Laporte is back in training as well. Pep is getting his team back together and is in search of a new assistant as well. In spite of that his team is playing well and getting him solid wins with De Bruyne staying hot. Pep will be against his old foe Ancelloti this time and it promises to be a good watch.
Ancelloti has got the Toffees playing the good way again. With 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 Everton are back into the top half of the table. A win could take them closer to the Europa League spots which the Everton board would have wanted Ancelloti to achieve. All that said Carlo would have to tactically outsmart Pep in order to get something from the game.
ARSENAL VS MANCHESTER UNITED
The Gunners were heart-broken last game against Chelsea especially being in control of the game for large parts and then ended up getting nothing from it. Arteta won the initial tactical battle until Lampard brought on Jorginho. The Gunners were also on the receiving end of some referee decisions. Leaving all that apart the defence of the team is pathetic and needs a big overhaul. Arteta has a big job of doing that but before that he has got Ole and United to take care of first.
Manchester United are only four points of the top 4. Can you believe that. This is what a few results can do to a team. With only one loss in the last 5, United are in a good run. They played very well against Burnley being on the offensive most of the game and held shore with full concentration as well. Their strikers are in good form with Rashford and Martial scoring in both their previous games. They would get a good test this time around against the Gunners.
LIVERPOOL VS SHEFFIELD UNITED
The league leaders again extended their lead at the top last week to 13 points having a game in hand. They´ve been having a great season until now only going out in the League Cup having fielded their Academy team in that game. The Club World Champions beat Wolves last time around with it being a hard game for both sides. VAR played its part again but ended up with the right decisions on both the occasions. This time they welcome the Blades who they beat last time via an error from Dean Henderson. The team is full of confidence and playing to their full potential. If they do keep their form, they are destined to break multiple records. Time will tell if it happens.
The Blades have not had their fair share of results lately. Their goals have dried up as well. They were outplayed last time against City and it will be no easy this time against Liverpool. They are 8th in the table and a win could take them to 5th but its easier said than done against the leaders with the game at Anfield too where they have gone 50 without being beaten. Can the Blades do it.
TAP INS
- Burnley face off against Aston Villa with both teams needing a win more so with Villa. Last week they lost to Watford which was a very important drop zone battle. They need to get results going their way.
- Watford face Wolves who were narrowly beaten last time by Liverpool. Watford are in good form going into the game winning two and drawing the other in their last 3. Wolves had a minor blip last time but will hope to set that right.
- Norwich take on Crystal Palace with both teams settling for a draw last time around. Norwich played a good game against the Spurs but Farke will know his teams needs more points to stay in the Premier League. Meanwhile Palace are in top half of the table and were held by Southampton which they would like to rectify this week.
- West Ham take on Bournemouth with Manuel Pallegrini getting sacked and David Moyes at the helm for the second time. They will be hoping he turns the table and gets the Hammers to stay in the league for another season. The Cherries were beaten comfortably last time and are just a point above the Hammers needing points themselves.
RESULTS IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING
- CHELSEA VS BRIGHTON 2-0
- ASTON VILLA VS BURNLEY 2-2
- LEICESTER VS NEWCASTLE 5-0
- SPURS VS SOUTHAMPTON 0-1
- WOLVES VS WATFORD 2-0
- EVERTON VS MAN CITY 1-3
- CRYSTAL PALACE VS NORWICH 2-0
- BOURNEMOUTH VS WEST HAM 2-2
- MANCHESTER UTD VS ARSENAL 1-1
- SHEFFIELD VS LIVERPOOL 0-1
WHATS MAKING NEWS IN PL
- Manuel Pallegrini was sacked immediately after the defeat against Leicester last GameWeek and was replaced by David Moyes, former Manchester United manager. He takes charge of the Hammers for the second time.
- Liverpool bought Takumi Minamino for £7.5 million from Red Bull Salzburg triggering his release clause. He is available to play from Jan 1, 2020.
With blockbuster matches to look forward to I hope the preview gave you a fair view of how the teams are placed for GameWeek 19. We’ve also got a host of other stuff for GameWeek 19 with the differential picks and captain picks. Be on the lookout for that and have a Great Christmas. Don’t forget the deadline for GameWeek 19.
Gowtham
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