gameweek 16 is upon us and as soon as once more, there are some huge video games with implications at each ends of the desk.
The spotlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the Manchester derby between two beleaguered groups, with trying to recuperate from a surprising run of 1 win of their final 10 throughout all competitions and dropping their final two Premier League video games.
However there’s far more occurring than that. Title rivals , and face , and , respectively, whereas there’s a feisty conflict between and to kick off Tremendous Sunday. And may finish their dreadful type away at backside facet ?
We’ve taken a take a look at all 10 matches from gameweek 16 and given our predicted scores.
Arsenal vs Everton
Everton’s last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was frustratingly postponed final weekend due to Storm Darragh, so subsequent up is a visit to considered one of their worst searching grounds: Arsenal.
The Toffees have gained simply considered one of their final 28 Premier League away video games in opposition to the Gunners, whereas Arsenal’s 102 top-flight wins over Everton is probably the most of any facet in opposition to one other.
The omens should not good, however Fulham proved final week of their 1-1 draw that the Gunners are very a lot human, whereas Everton obtained a giant confidence increase with a 4-0 win in opposition to Wolves of their final match.
Both method, it’s going to be a battle of set-pieces, with eight of Everton’s 14 Premier League targets this season coming through that methodology (57%), the very best share by a group in a season since West Brom in 2014-15 (61%), whereas Arsenal have scored extra targets from corners (23) than every other facet because the begin of final season.
Finally, it’s a battle Arsenal ought to win relatively comfortably.
Liverpool vs Fulham
Whereas their Merseyside and title rivals meet in north London, Liverpool might be specializing in dispatching Fulham at Anfield.
As talked about, the Cottagers held Arsenal to a draw final weekend, that means they’ve now misplaced simply considered one of their final seven Premier League matches to sit down two factors off fifth and 4 factors adrift of the Champions League spots.
Fulham have additionally confirmed a pest to Liverpool in current instances, beating them 1-0 at Anfield in March 2021, drawing 2-2 at house in August 2022 and solely dropping 4-3 in Might 2023 after taking the lead within the eightieth minute.
All instructed, Liverpool can have their work minimize out for them on Saturday. Nonetheless, Arne Slot’s males have gained 16 of their final 18 matches throughout all competitions, drawing the opposite two. Mohamed Salah is in red-hot type and it’s exhausting to see anybody stopping them proper now.
Newcastle vs Leicester
Newcastle are very a lot at risk of fading into obscurity this season, with simply two factors on the board from their final 4 video games. A 4-2 defeat away at Brentford was their newest disappointment, seeing the Magpies slip to twelfth within the desk, seven factors off the highest 4.
In contrast, Leicester have made a superb begin to life below Ruud van Nistelrooy, following up their 3-1 win over West Ham with a 2-2 draw in opposition to Brighton, regardless of trailing 2-0 heading into the 86th minute.
Either side are scoring fairly freely in the mean time and have undoubted expertise within the last third, so this could not less than be an entertaining affair — far more so than the goalless draw the final time they met in Might 2023.
However house benefit ought to assist Newcastle return to successful methods, whereas reminding Van Nistelrooy that he nonetheless has loads of work to do to maintain Leicester out of the relegation combine.
Wolves vs Ipswich
Gary O’Neil stays within the Wolves dugout however he should absolutely win right here if that’s to stay the case. The Midlands facet have misplaced their final three matches, conceding a whopping 10 targets alongside the best way, regardless of not dealing with any groups inside the highest seven.
Ipswich are, in fact, degree on 9 factors with Wolves and have gained only one Premier League match since returning to the highest flight, with the majority of their factors coming in attracts. However the Tractor Boys are additionally on a three-match dropping streak, although in very completely different vogue with only one purpose scored and 4 conceded.
You get the sensation Ipswich have what it takes to frustrate Wolves, however lack the firepower to get the win.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Staying within the Midlands, we’ve a comparatively native assembly between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa to spherical off Saturday’s motion.
Forest have simply maintained their sturdy begin to the season, successful at house to Ipswich and away at Man Utd not too long ago amid defeats to Newcastle, Arsenal and Man Metropolis. The Difficult Timber stay fifth and simply two factors off the highest 4 and may nonetheless dream of an unlikely return to European soccer.
However Aston Villa are sizzling on their tails, solely trailing them by a single purpose after ending an eight-game winless streak with victories in opposition to Brentford and Southampton. Villa additionally beat RB Leipzig 3-2 away within the Champions League on Tuesday which, though absolutely fatiguing them, will certainly construct much more confidence.
Villa haven’t gained on the Metropolis Floor since Forest returned to the Premier League however with Unai Emery’s males again on the horse, that would change right here.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Tremendous Sunday kicks off with probably the most uncommon rivalries in English soccer as Brighton host Crystal Palace.
Brighton have faltered of late, successful simply two of their final eight matches throughout all competitions in a run that’s seen them exit the EFL Cup and slip to seventh within the Premier League. The Seagulls have taken simply two factors from their final three video games and, as talked about, blew a 2-0 lead within the last jiffy in opposition to Leicester final weekend.
Palace, in the meantime, have nicely and really turned a nook after a dreadful begin, dropping simply considered one of their final eight throughout all competitions, climbing out of the relegation zone within the course of. The Eagles drew 2-2 with Man Metropolis final week however will really feel they did greater than sufficient to justify the win.
Brighton have dominated this rivalry not too long ago, unbeaten in six and successful two of the final three conferences, together with 4-1 at house in February. We count on one other Brighton win this time, though nowhere close to as comfortably.
Manchester Metropolis vs Manchester United
Sky’s portion of Sunday’s motion concludes with the conflict of the weekend as Man Metropolis welcome rivals Man Utd to the Etihad.
As talked about, each side are in determined want of the consequence, with Metropolis’s terrible run leaving them eight factors off the highest of the desk, whereas United are languishing down in thirteenth, solely two factors additional away from the relegation zone than they’re from the highest 4.
Within the Premier League, not less than, Man Metropolis have managed to take 4 factors from their final two video games, thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 at house earlier than battling to a 2-2 draw at Palace final week. Erling Haaland ended a three-game league drought within the latter and boasts a file of six targets in 4 Premier League appearances in opposition to Man Utd.
It’s exhausting to see the Norwegian not scoring in opposition to considered one of his favorite opponents, however you’d additionally again the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho to trigger issues for Metropolis’s leaky defence.
A enjoyable rating draw might be on the playing cards, though that consequence wouldn’t actually profit both facet.
Southampton vs Tottenham
Sunday’s motion isn’t completed, with TNT Sports activities’ customary match of the week switching from their standard Saturday lunchtime slot.
Ange Postecoglou have to be praying for a win at this level, along with his facet managing simply a type of of their final eight matches throughout all competitions, slipping to eleventh within the desk within the course of. Supporters will settle for nothing lower than a victory in opposition to backside facet Southampton, as nicely.
Saints suffered a harrowing 5-1 loss at house to Chelsea not too long ago, however solely misplaced by a one-goal margin in opposition to Aston Villa and Liverpool, whereas they’ve drawn in opposition to Brighton and overwhelmed Everton because the begin of November.
This gained’t be a gimme for Spurs however they’ll recover from the road, easing the strain on Postecoglou, if solely a bit of.
Chelsea vs Brentford
There’s yet another recreation on Sunday, with Chelsea given just a few additional hours relaxation earlier than taking over Brentford following their lengthy journey to Kazakhstan to face Astana within the Convention League on Thursday.
If this had been on the Gtech Group Stadium, you’d again Brentford for the win. In spite of everything, the Bees are the Premier League’s greatest house group proper now with seven wins and a draw from eight video games this season. Nonetheless, it’s a totally completely different story away from house, the place they’ve taken only one level from seven matches.
Chelsea have solely misplaced as soon as at Stamford Bridge in any competitors this season and regardless of a ruthless journey schedule, they’ll keep that run right here.
Bournemouth vs West Ham
Monday evening soccer comes from the south coast this time round as Bournemouth host West Ham.
The Cherries are having fun with themselves proper now, successful their final three Premier League matches to climb to eighth within the desk, simply three factors off the Champions League spots.
West Ham will even be a bit of relieved after beating Wolves 2-1 final outing, though Julen Lopetegui is aware of he’s nonetheless bang below strain.
The Hammers haven’t misplaced a aggressive match in opposition to Bournemouth since January 2019 and have managed a decent eight factors on the street this season. These two issues mixed may see them battle it out for a much-needed draw.
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