The 14th round of 2015/16 Premier League fixtures take place this weekend, and here we preview the upcoming action over the next few days.
Following midweek Champions League and Europa League excursions, the Premier League comes back into focus this weekend.
Liverpool supporters are still on a high after their 4-1 win at Manchester City last Saturday, and defeats for both Manuel Pellegrini’s side and Arsenal have made things even tighter at the top of the table.
The Reds face Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, but there are plenty of other eye-catching showdowns elsewhere.
White Hart Lane & King Power Stadium the Places to Be
Chelsea‘s trip to Spurs on Sunday lunchtime promises to be a very interesting encounter, and a big test of where each side is at this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side really do look like the real deal, and there is a substance to their game that they have lacked for many years.
Defensively they look strong – Toby Alderweireld has been an inspired signing – and there is pace, power and goals in midfield and attack.
Chelsea should not be written off one bit, however. There are slight signs that they are beginning to find some form, and a Blues victory in the London derby would not be seen as too much of a shock.
The other standout fixture of the weekend is Leicester City‘s home clash with Manchester United, in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday evening.
The Foxes are, quite remarkably, top of the Premier League in late November, and they continue to defy the odds on a weekly basis.
United will be a very stern test of their credentials, however, and it is the kind of game where Louis van Gaal’s men will show their ruthlessness.
Jamie Vardy will be looking to score for an 11th consecutive league match; something nobody has achieved in the Premier League era.
Arsenal will be desperate to bounce back from their sloppy defeat at West Brom last weekend when they visit Norwich City, with a potential Gunners meltdown never too far away.
Man City host Southampton in what is a potentially tricky match, and the two-time Premier League champions’ confidence will be low after their thrashing by Liverpool and defeat at Juventus on Wednesday.
Bottom side Aston Villa host Watford in a hugely important clash, Bournemouth (19th) are at home to Everton and Sunderland (18th) welcome Stoke City to the Stadium of Light.
It is sure to be another weekend of intriguing action.
Full Fixtures & UK TV Info
Aston Villa vs. Watford – Villa Park, Saturday 3pm
Bournemouth vs. Everton – Dean Court, Saturday 3pm
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United – Selhurst Park, Saturday 3pm
Manchester City vs. Southampton – Etihad Stdium, Saturday 3pm
Sunderland vs. Stoke City – Stadium of Light, Saturday 3pm
Leicester City vs. Manchester United – King Power Stadium, Saturday 5:30pm, Sky Sports 1
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea – White Hart Lane, Sunday 12pm, BT Sport 1
West Ham United vs. West Bromwich Albion – Upton Park, Sunday 2pm, Sky Sports 1
Norwich City vs. Arsenal – Carrow Road, Sunday 4:15pm, Sky Sports 1
Liverpool vs. Swansea City – Anfield, Sunday 4:15pm
Fantasy Football Tips
Roberto Firmino came of age as a Liverpool player against City, scoring his first Reds goal and producing a man-of-the-match performance in Manchester.
He will be full of self-belief when Swansea visit, and in Philippe Coutinho‘s potential absence, the Brazilian will be even more key. Selecting him in your fantasy football team makes total sense.
Romelu Lukaku has enjoyed a sparkling first three months to the season, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions.
The 22-year-old is maturing as a footballer, and will fancy his chances of finding the net against Bournemouth. Only Vardy has scored more in the league this season.
Sergio Aguero may not have been close to fully fit against Liverpool, but he once again outlined his class with an inch-perfect strike that gave his side hope.
The 27-year-old is one of the Premier League‘s best players, and he will be raring to go against Southampton on Saturday. He is a relentless goal machine who guarantees fantasy football points when fit.
Tony Pulis is a master at accumulating enough points to keep his teams up, and they are invariably very tough to break down.
West Brom are no different, and their win against Arsenal was a big confidence boost.
The Baggies’ trip to West Ham is likely to be low-scoring, so putting ex-Man United man Jonny Evans in your team would be a wise, and cost effective, move.
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Liverpool take on Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, 4:15pm kickoff (GMT), follow This is Anfield for updates throughout the day.
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