Following a mixed week of European football for English clubs, focus returns to the Premier League this weekend.
Liverpool’s dire 2-0 defeat at Newcastle last weekend was tough to take and Jurgen Klopp‘s side will be desperate to bounce back at home to West Brom on Sunday.
The Anfield showdown is one of many fixtures that is not an easy one to call in the coming days.
Leaders look to stun champions
Despite a dearth of genuinely eye-catching matches over the next 72 hours, there is one game that promises to be a really intriguing contest.
League leaders Leicester City, who continued their astonishing 2015/16 campaign with a 3-0 win at Swansea City last Saturday, host current champions Chelsea on Monday Night Football.
It is a huge test of both the Foxes and the Blues, who could not be at more different ends of the confidence spectrum at the moment.
Jose Mourinho’s side were defeated at home to struggling Bournemouth in their last league game, but for all their recent woes, a response should be expected. Leicester will have to play well to win.
Man City host Swansea at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, with the Welsh side fresh off the back of Garry Monk’s sacking this week.
Although Manuel Pellegrini’s side are hugely unpredictable, as shown by their defeat to Stoke City and subsequent win over Borussia Monchengladbach, it would be a shock if they didn’t get all three points against the Swans.
Arsenal travel to the Premier League‘s bottom side Aston Villa on Sunday lunchtime, having seen results go in their favour last weekend.
The Villa Park showdown represents a wonderful opportunity for Arsene Wenger’s men to pick up another victory, and their Champions League performance in midweek will have given them an injection of belief.
Man United‘s Champions League exit on Tuesday has heaped further pressure on manager Louis van Gaal, and their trip to Bournemouth on Saturday may not prove as easy as some are predicting.
Eddie Howe’s team will be buoyed by their historic win at Chelsea, and United’s frail confidence could work in the Cherries’ favour.
Tottenham play host to a Newcastle side who will still be buzzing from their win over Liverpool, while Everton‘s trip to Norwich City gets the ball rolling on Saturday lunchtime.
In the other three matches, Crystal Palace welcome Southampton to Selhurst Park, Sunderland are at home to Watford and in-form Stoke City travel to east London to face West Ham.
Full Fixtures & UK TV Info
Norwich City vs. Everton – Carrow Road, Saturday 12:45pm, BT Sport 1
Crystal Palace vs. Southampton – Selhurst Park, Saturday 3pm
Manchester City vs. Swansea City – Etihad Stadium, Saturday 3pm
Sunderland vs. Watford – Stadium of Light, Saturday 3pm
West Ham United vs. Stoke City – Upton Park, Saturday 3pm
Bournemouth vs. Manchester United – Dean Court, Saturday 5:30pm, Sky Sports 1
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal – Villa Park, Sunday 1:30pm, Sky Sports 1
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United – White Hart Lane, Sunday 4pm, Sky Sports 1
Liverpool vs. West Bromwich Albion – Anfield, Sunday 4pm
Leicester City vs. Chelsea – King Power Stadium, Monday 8pm, Sky Sports 1
Fantasy Football Tips
Much as it may pain some of you to admit it, Raheem Sterling remains a huge loss to Liverpool, and he outlined his class with a match-winning performance for City in midweek.
With Sergio Aguero a major injury doubt for the Swansea game and Wilfried Bony far from guaranteed a start, Sterling may well lead the line on Saturday. The 21-year-old could once again play a pivotal role in proceedings.
Anthony Martial ended a barren run in front of goal when he found the net against Wolfsburg on Tuesday, and it may kick the Frenchman back into gear.
Young strikers often go through gluts and droughts in terms of goalscoring form, and the 19-year-old could now have a decent spell again. He would be a shrewd fantasy football addition with Bournemouth on the horizon.
Yannick Bolasie is a player who has terrorised Liverpool in the past, and on his day, he is one of the most dangerous wide players in the Premier League.
The Congolese winger has been impressive for Crystal Palace this season, scoring four times, and he will fancy himself to cause an out-of-sorts Southampton side problems on Saturday.
Everton are having a solid season, and while Romelu Lukaku is an obvious fantasy football inclusion at the moment, so many others will have him that it won’t be worth your while.
Arouna Kone is an underrated member of Roberto Martinez’s side, and has chipped in with five goals and four assists in the league so far this season. The Ivorian may be the match-winner against Norwich, so get him in your team.
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