Premier League Gameweek 15: Preview, Betting tips and Predictions - Fire, brimstone in the name of three points
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| Dramatic scenes as Leicester players and fans celebrate after the VAR overturns to original decision to rule out Kelechi Iheanacho's goal for offside to make it 2-1. (Image source: premierleague.com) |
Fire, brimstone in the name of three points - Premier League Gameweek 15 preview and betting predictions.
Welcome back folks, we weren’t away for long, what a weekend that was.
Freddie Ljungberg took charge of Arsenal for the first time.
And for the neutrals, it was a fresh start and a beautiful football to enjoy.
For fans and those that truly love the club, defensive frailties haunted the gunners again but there were signs of what we used to know of Arsenal, mesmerizing attacking football, very evident in the drive and marauding by fullbacks and particularly Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who bagged a brace that would do so much for his confidence.
Norwich City deserve to stay in the premier league, they deserve to rub shoulders with the big boys, confident, aggressive and precise, they’re away at Southampton on Wednesday, expect them to fire.
For Arsenal, the fragility at the back remains a monster to conquer and Brighton will look to exploit that on Thursday.
Brighton gave a good fight at Anfield and at 2-1, they had a great chance to level late on and had that gone in, they’d have made a strong statement as the second team to have stopped Liverpool this season.
For Arsenal, it’s a game of caution, which must have necessitated the choice of Joe Willock over Nicolas Pep but defensively, work needs to be done.
Skhrodan Mustafi should never near the starting lineup ever again and Kieran Tierney would do better starting as opposed to Sead Kolasinac.
Not sure anyone knows what to do with David Luiz but he remains a necessary evil in the absence of Rob Holding and Mavropanos.
Arsenal up against the Seagulls should be an interesting one.
Manchester City must have conceded defeat in their chase for a hattrick of premier league titles with yet another uninspiring 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
A match that would be remembered for Kevin De Bruyne’s screamer, the entire credit should be given to Newcastle’s energetic team for their concentration and discipline over 90minutes.
The champions are away at Burnley next, a must-win for them to right the wrongs and get back on winning ways but their real hopes would be in the forthcoming transfer window, the need for a defensive cover is paramount.
They need to stop conceding, and maybe someone that can score goals in the absence of Sergio Aguero too.
Burnley lost at home to Crystal Palace, great work from Roy Hodgson’s men but what went wrong for Sean Dyche men?
They were lackluster and didn’t deserve a point against the Eagles, how would they fare against the champions?
Everton were moments away from buying time for their under-fire manager but Kelechi Iheanacho had other ideas, the Nigerian forward chose a very wrong day for Marco Silva to prove his worth and thereby heaping more misery on the former Watford manager.
If left in charge for yet another game, Marco Silva will have to seek points from Anfield where Everton haven’t found joy in a long time, can they stop Liverpool?
Liverpool had goalkeeper Alison sent off against Brighton and held on for a 2-1 win to once again prove their credentials as title favorites.
You need such results to strengthen your course and with City stuttering yet again, the ball is strictly in the Kops’ court.
Speaking of jailbreak, Manuel Pellegrini of Westham would have his men to thank for a show of grit, discipline and sheer bravery against Chelsea.
The Blues were without Tammy Abraham and needed to return to winning ways after losing to City shortly after the break.
Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount pulled strings brilliantly in midfield but Pedro and Olivier Giroud up front couldn’t offer anything good to convert chances.
The Hammers ran out 1-0 winners and would head to the Molineaux to continue the run and establish themselves as a force after a very horrible run.
Wolves are doing just fine, getting points in Europe and steadily climbing the table in the Premier League.
They won’t be nice to Westham and most importantly, they have made sure not to be distracted by Arsenal’s advances towards their manager, focus is intact… That’s how it’s done.
Chelsea have to respond, their response must be a noisy one.
Frank Lampard didn’t find joy in his old club, he seeks to find it in the visit of Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Aston Villa forced Manchester United to a 2-2 draw, a result that shows how far they have come this season.
The struggles are quite obvious but the signs are there that they have something to offer.
Chelsea will still be without Tammy Abraham for the visit of Aston Villa, but the manager would do well to start Mitchy Bashuayi in place of Olivier Giroud, maybe Willian over Pedro as well and Callum Hudson Odoi would be needed to keep McGinn and Elghazi at bay, whatever they choose to do, they must win.
Jose Mourinho has returned the winning feeling to Spurs and they must be thanking their stars that they signed him but they’re still conceding.
They have conceded two goals in each of their three games so far and it’s worrying.
Interestingly, up next for Jose Mourinho and Spurs is their visit to Old Trafford, the ground where he was fired about a year ago.
What is there to expect from Jose and Spurs?
All is definitely not well with Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, there are sack rumors but at the time of filing this, it stays as rumors so we expect Solksjaer to still very much lead the Red Devils out on Wednesday.
The Manchester United that settled for a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa lacked confidence and direction, that has to change.
It’s a different ball game with Spurs and Jose Mourinho, bones to pick, scores to settle, it’s fire, brimstone and everything outside of friendship this Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Step forward Leicester City, Brendan Rodgers has done wonderfully well with the team and he has caught the fancy of Arsenal who need a replacement for the sacked Unai Emery.
Leicester left it late but beat Everton to continue the streak, next is Watford, a team without a manager as at the time we’re filing this and you can only think of one result, a Leicester win.
The Hornets lost to Southampton last over the weekend with Danny Ings hitting the winner, no hard feelings, Watford must start picking points or they would return to the championship.
Premier League predictions is next, midweek edition with lots of grudge fixtures, teams have to respond, some have to keep up to avoid slipping off…
Wherever you are, brace up for the rush of games and the fire of furious premier league teams… Gamble responsibly.
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Fixture
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Verdict
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Player to watch
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Palace vs Bournemouth
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Over 7.5 corners
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Harry Wilson
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Burnley vs Man City
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City to win
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KDB
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Chelsea vs Villa
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Chelsea to win
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Christian Pulisic
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Leicester vs Watford
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Straight win Leicester
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Jamie Vardy
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Man Utd vs Spurs
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Spurs to win or draw
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Heung Min son
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Southampton vs Norwich
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Both teams to score
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Todd Cantwell
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Wolves vs Westham
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Wolves to win or draw
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Jimenez
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Liverpool vs Everton
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Liverpool to win
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Sadio Mane
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Sheffield vs Newcastle
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Sheffield to win or draw
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Lys Mousset
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Arsenal vs Brighton
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Arsenal to win
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P.E Aubameyang
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Strictly the writer's opinion
