Premier League Matchweek 22: Preview, Betting tips and Predictions
Liverpool star Sadio Mane won the African footballer of the year 2019 award earlier this week. |
Next for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the premier league is a trip to Jose Mourinho’s Spurs and can anyone see hope in the Portuguese manager’s side?
Well, Harry Kane is out till April at least and that means he won’t be top scorer again this season, Spurs would have to hit the market for a short term fix or depend on Heung Min Son and Lucas Moura in that regard but can that suffice?
Liverpool is strolling to the title, a repeat of what City did two seasons ago and one can arguably attribute it to the magic of the fullbacks, Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson.
These guys embarrass playmakers with their assist stats and in fact, no player has as many assists as they both have since the beginning of 2019.
Klopp has developed them into world-beaters and they will no doubt dominate for long.
For the trip to Spurs, Liverpool will have to be patient, like they were in the first leg when a late Toby Alderweireld's own goal handed Liverpool victory.
Jose Mourinho, however, can draw inspiration from the false nine tactics deployed by Pep Guardiola in midweek against Manchester United, any chance?
Mikel Arteta has breathed life into Arsenal, now they’re exciting to watch again and fans can dream.
Arsenal kept back to back clean sheets for the first time in a very long time with the 2-0 triumph over Manchester United and slim victory over Leeds on Monday in the FA Cup.
The gunners had to do it the hard way against Marcelo Bielsa’s side though but they showed they can play badly and win.
Fans saw a game of two halves on Monday and with Palace next at Selhurst, Arsenal can start climbing the table.
Crystal Palace are once again punching above their weight, they have injury woes and their enigmatic skipper, Luka Milivojevic is suspended after being sent off in their cup loss.
They are also sweating on the fitness of Wilfred Zaha and will have to draw strength from the fact that they have been enjoying successes against Arsenal in recent times, Roy Hodgson, the oldest manager in the league will be up against Mikel Arteta, the youngest in the league.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has scored four times away from home and would lead the line for Arsenal while Jordan Ayew would look to fire the hosts up again, which would be an interesting one.
Leicester City won’t be champions but they will give a very good fight, they host Southampton on Saturday and considering how much success the Saints enjoyed over the festive season, Brendan Rodgers must be wary of the visitors.
Danny Ings is the best thing to happen to Southampton of late, netting 13 so far, more than he managed in any season in the premier league.
Jamie Vardy is back for the Foxes and was part of the team that fired blank in the draw at home to Villa on Wednesday in Carabao cup semifinal first leg match.
Two direct tacticians up against each other here, a point would be enough for the Saints as another achievement to build on the historic victory over Mourinho’s Spurs before the break.
Nothing but victory would do for the Foxes that would take the honor of finishing in the top four.
Southampton won’t like to remember the first leg, they shipped nine goals on their own ground, which marked the last time Angus Gunn was in goal in the league for the Saints.
Manchester City must have given up the chase, their title is gone but they have to make sure they don’t allow Liverpool to run away with it.
Aston Villa are troubled at the moment, they have lost Wesley and Tom Heaton to long term injuries and must now hope nothing happens to Jack Grealish.
The sensational skipper is carrying the team on his shoulders and his fitness means the world to them.
Manchester City must win here, no two ways about it, they rested both recognized strikers in the 3-1 win over neighbors in the league cup in midweek and have them fresh for this, and their midfield is brimming with confidence and would be seen how long on the day before Villa crumbles.
Sheffield United are probably the most organized side in the league, they defend together and come at you fiercely, no superstars, just a bunch of determined lads trying to do what they know how to do, but guess who’s in town?
David Moyes and West Ham! The Hammers were bullish last time out against Bournemouth and you wonder where they kept that performance all along.
Mark Noble shouldered them to a 4-0 win and Seb Haller was on the score sheet as well, if the Hammers come up as strong as they were against the Cherries, we’ll have a spectacle of a game on our hands.
Manchester United are in no man’s land and you can’t even feel sorry for them.
There’s no activity in the ongoing transfer window despite the huge gap in the side.
They lost emphatically at Arsenal a fortnight ago and doesn’t in any way look like they’re bothered, they lost to City in the first leg of the Carabao cup semifinal and that was after an uninspiring goalless draw at Wolves in the FA Cup, but they do have a troubled side to face this weekend, Norwich City.
Daniel Farke’s side has huge potential but they only play as best as they can with results usually going the other way.
They did win last time out in the league with a Tod Cantwell sleek finish but can they negotiate United unscathed?
Bournemouth hosts Watford this weekend, it was an entertaining 3-3 draw the last time these two met in this stadium and who says there won’t be goals again this weekend?
Bournemouth are down and under, next to them in the red zone is Watford, relegation six-pointer you say and whoever wins this would be on the way out of misery, the other would sink to rise no more.
It’s our job to do and we’re not afraid to do it, Premier League predictions are up next, remember to gamble responsibly because it’s always the writer’s opinion.
Fixtures
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Verdict
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Player to watch
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Sheffield vs West Ham
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Over 7.5 corners
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Seb Haller
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Palace vs Arsenal
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Arsenal to win
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Mesut Ozil
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Chelsea vs Burnley
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Chelsea to win or draw
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Mason Mount
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Everton vs Brighton
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Over 7.5 corners
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Richarlison
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Leicester vs Southampton
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Leicester to win or draw
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Jamie Vardy
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Man UTD vs Norwich
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Norwich to score
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Todd Cantwell
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Wolves vs Newcastle
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Wolves to win
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Diogo Jota
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Spurs vs Liverpool
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Liverpool to win or draw
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Sadio Mane
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Bournemouth vs Watford
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Watford to win or draw
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Gerrard Delofeu
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Villa vs Man City
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City to win
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Bernado Silva
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