Premier League Matchweek 23: Preview, Betting tips and Predictions - Who will stop Liverpool?
Welcome back to the predictions table as we head into another weekend of huge significance at both ends of the table.
Leaders Liverpool coasted to another victory at The Tottenham Stadium last weekend and you must ask, who will stop them?
Who will maintain positional discipline for 90 minutes and more to contain the energy of Klopp’s midfield or the mental awareness to stop the running of the most consistent front three in the league or most importantly, keep a defensive shape that can keep Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold at bay?
All hopes are on Manchester United who managed to dump Wolves out of the FA Cup in midweek but at a cost – They have to sweat on the fitness of Marcus Rashford who limped off and straight down the tunnel after helping the team to a 1-0 win to book a place in the fourth round against either of Tranmere Rovers of Watford.
Till date, United remains the only team to have taken points off the runaway leaders with the 1-1 draw in the first leg at Old Trafford.
Liverpool have gone a whole year unbeaten, on a run of 39 games without defeat, eyeing the record of Arsenal in 2004.
Beyond the long-standing record, Liverpool will look to end United’s stronghold on top six teams, although the Red Devils failed at Arsenal on the opening day of the year.
The visitors will need lots of energy to stand a chance, we just might have the most one-sided of this particular installment of this ancient fixture of a terrific rivalry this weekend.
Manchester City ran riot against Aston Villa last weekend, there was nothing the kid in goal could do to stop the magic of Sergio Aguero, who took the occasion to break two separate records.
The Argentine forward broke Thierry Henry’s record of the highest-scoring foreigner in the league and Alan Shearer’s record of most hattricks in the premier league, fitness issues may have hampered him this term but his quality is never in doubt.
Crystal Palace travel to the Etihad to face the champions off a 1-1 result against ten-man Arsenal.
The Eagles fought back at Selhurst to rescue a point but would feel they could have gotten more despite playing almost half an hour with a numerical advantage.
Palace shocked City last season to derail the champions but with Liverpool out of sight, it’s up to City to keep up the chase with this fixture, considering there are slight chances that United could shock the league leaders.
Pep Guardiola will soon welcome Aymeric Laporte back and Leroy Sane is very close to full fitness, the run-in will be very interesting.
Elsewhere, Watford will look to continue their surge under Nigel Pearson and this time they have to do it against a familiar foe.
Jose Mourinho is visiting Vicarage of course without Harry Kane but with the re-born Eric Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso, the duo carried Spurs on their shoulders into the next round of the FA Cup in midweek and mentions must be given to academy product, Taganga who was thrown into the fray in the loss to Liverpool and the youngster proved his worth every time he had an attack to face.
Watford sat in the red zone comfortably just before the festive period with a bleak future but now out for the first time since the opening weekend.
Nigel Pearson has revived the team and it very much looks like they won’t be mentioned when relegation is being discussed in the coming months.
Spurs need this result to jump out of misery while the Hornets need this result to maintain momentum, it used to be a straightforward thing between these two but things are not the same.
Chelsea enjoyed a blissful afternoon last time out against Burnley and it was a heartwarming moment for kid sensation, Callum Hudson-Odoi as he netted for the first time in the premier league in the 3-0 success over the Clarets at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues travel to St James’s Park to face Newcastle this weekend and they will keep at the back of their minds the rich history the Magpies have against them on this ground.
Miguel Almiron is the man on form for Newcastle, he scored again at Wolves in the stalemate of last weekend and helped the team to a cup replay victory over Rochdale with yet another strike.
Chelsea will have to be wary of the winger as they try to cement their place in the top four where they currently lie fourth, six points behind Leicester.
Speaking of Leicester City, the Foxes suffered what can best be described as a blip against Southampton at the King Power last weekend.
Not many people expected a Saints win with Leicester flying high and being expected to ride on the 9-0 annihilation of Ralph Hanssenhuttl’s team.
Danny Ings inspired the Saints yet again to an unlikely win on a day Southampton matched Leicester for guts and wits.
The absence of Wilfred Ndidi in the middle seemed to expose the young cubs and it would be seen how they react to Burnley’s bullish approach on Sunday.
On paper, it feels like the Clarets have lost their way but they can draw inspiration from the Turf Moor crowd to fire.
Jamie Vardy, league’s top scorer need to rediscover his form and there’s no better time than now as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is out on suspension and Marcus Rashford is injured.
Arsenal labored to a point at Selhurst last weekend, a deserved one considering how well they started as well as how strong Palace came in the second half.
Arsenal now need to master how to close out games and with the visit of a very organized Sheffield, Mikel Arteta must shape his team to maintain discipline against a very compact Blades side.
Sheffield are no longer news, they are the surprise package of the season and will definitely take the game to Arsenal on Saturday.
The battle will be in the middle where Arsenal could be short considering the fitness of Lucas Torreira, the Blades like to run at every ball together and it will take so much to break them down.
How will they line up? Arsenal will have to replace suspended skipper, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, a golden opportunity for Alexandre Lacazzette to rediscover his scoring form and lead the charge, this would be a very interesting one.
Carlo Ancellotti will head to London with Everton to face Crystal Palace, another tricky tie for the experienced manager it’s going to be experience against experience, one to look out for.
Premier League predictions are next and you have to remember to gamble responsibly.
Fixture
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Verdict
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Player to watch
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Watford vs Spurs
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Both teams to score
|
Heung Min Son
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Arsenal vs Sheffield
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Arsenal to win or draw
|
Alexander Lacazette
|
Brighton vs Villa
|
Brighton to win or draw
|
Aaron Connolly
|
City vs Palace
|
City to win
|
Kevin De Bruyne
|
Norwich vs Bournemouth
|
Over 7.5 corners
|
Todd Cantwell
|
Southampton vs Wolves
|
Both teams to score
|
Danny Ings
|
Westham vs Everton
|
Over 7.5 corners
|
Dominic Calvert Lewin
|
Newcastle vs Chelsea
|
Chelsea to win or draw
|
Tammy Abraham
|
Burnley vs Leicester
|
Leicester to win or draw
|
Jamie Vardy
|
Liverpool vs Man United
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Liverpool to win
|
Sadio Mane
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Strictly the writer’s opinion